Health

West Virginia’s third detection of bird flu since 2022 prompts officials to urge poultry owners to take extra precautions during winter migration season.

Vandalia Health Webster Memorial Hospital named Emily Harris, LPN, its first DAISY Award honoree for exceptional teamwork, compassion and patient care as the system completes a full rollout of the DAISY program across its hospitals.

The WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, in partnership with Precision Neuroscience Corporation, has advanced its pioneering work in brain-computer interface technology with its first successful extended in-human clinical study using the Layer 7 Cortical Interface. New studies allow researchers to use the Layer 7 to safely monitor brain activity for up to 30 days, an important step toward longer-term, fully implantable systems.

The West Virginia University Health System announced their intent for Independence Health System’s five hospitals to join the WVU Health System in the fall of 2026, with WVU committing $800 million in investments over five years.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry named West Virginia University alumna Patrice Harris as the 2025 Virginia Q. Anthony Outstanding Woman Leader for her dedication to the field and her leadership as the first African American woman to serve as AMA president.

A WVU Cancer Institute team became the first in the United States to treat a pancreatic lesion using endoscopic ultrasound-guided microwave ablation, offering a minimally invasive alternative to complex surgery for patients with pancreatic cancer.

ACO West Virginia saved Medicare over $20 million in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year the accountable care organization has achieved shared savings while improving care for more than 37,000 Medicare beneficiaries.

The West Virginia Department of Health warns parents after ByHeart voluntarily recalled certain powdered infant formula lots amid a multistate infant botulism outbreak. Thirteen cases have been reported in 10 states; no West Virginia cases confirmed.

State environmental officials will hold public meetings in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle this month to discuss drinking water contamination linked to PFAS and gather residents’ input. Meetings will review test results and next steps under the state’s PFAS Protection Act.

Ray Arbogast, 65, struggled for years with severe COPD and relied on oxygen full time. After receiving Zephyr valves at WVU Medicine’s Ruby Memorial, he says his breathing improved immediately and he’s regained much of his independence.

Entrepreneur Thomas Golisano has given $28 million to WVU Medicine Children’s, which will be renamed WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s. The unrestricted gift will expand pediatric services and join the hospital to a national Golisano Children’s Alliance.

Peak Health is expanding its Peak Advantage Medicare plan for 2026, adding coverage in 20 more West Virginia counties and two in Pennsylvania. New benefits include an Aging Well wellness program, a $0 prescription deductible and increased Flex Card value.