Thanks to generous funding from the Pallottine Foundation of Huntington, the West Virginia University School of Nursing, in collaboration with FaithHealth Appalachia, is expanding its Faith Community Nursing program into Boone, Lincoln, Mason, and Wayne counties.
Nurses in these counties can receive a full scholarship for the all-online, 8-week Faith Community Nursing program. The next course will begin Sept. 15, 2025.
Faith Community Nursing is an initiative in which licensed nurses integrate professional nursing with spiritual care and community outreach. These nurses serve in churches, community centers, and other local settings, offering health education, spiritual support, and connections to health and social services.
“Faith Community Nurses provide a bridge to health for community members in rural areas who have limited access to providers, transportation, screenings, and health education,” said Laura Boone, CEO of the Pallottine Foundation of Huntington. “These dedicated nurses will meet both the physical and spiritual needs of people in their communities, ensuring access to holistic care delivered in a compassionate way. We are proud to partner with WVU School of Nursing and FaithHealth Appalachia to extend this program into our southern counties.”
The expansion builds on a shared mission between WVU and FaithHealth Appalachia to improve health outcomes in rural and underserved communities through compassionate, community-based care.
“This partnership is a powerful example of what can happen when academic institutions, faith-based organizations, and philanthropic foundations come together with a shared vision,” said Dr. Angel Smothers, Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Director of the Faith Community Nursing Program. “With the support of the Pallottine Foundation of Huntington, we are equipping nurses to be trusted health leaders in their communities —o ffering care that is not only clinically sound but spiritually grounded.”
The program provides specialized education, mentorship, and ongoing support to nurses, empowering them to address the unique health challenges of their communities. By focusing on the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — Faith Community Nurses play a vital role in promoting wellness and resilience across Appalachia.
To learn more, visit the WVU School of Nursing’s Faith Community Nursing website or contact Dr. Smothers at asmothers@hsc.wvu.edu.
Donations like the ones from the Pallottine Foundation of Huntington are awarded via the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
If you are interested in making a donation to this or any other program at the WVU School of Nursing, please contact Dr. Kimberly Colebank, Development Director, at kcolebank@wvuf.org or 304-554-0237.