MERCER COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital’s new endocrinology clinic is helping break the cycle of rural health disparities in southern West Virginia.
Those with diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and other hormone-related conditions will have expanded access to specialized care.
“We discovered that there are some gaps, and endocrinology is a big gap. If you look at southern West Virginia’s statistics, we have a high incidence of diabetes,” said President/CEO Karen Bowling. “But we had to do it in a way we could ensure it was going to be a quality clinic, that we’re going to have quality providers, so our people would get the best care possible.”
The endocrinology clinic is the first of its kind and has the backing of WVU PCH.
“There’s a relationship where the patient who comes in not only sees the physician assistant, but also one of our advanced endocrinology specialists from Morgantown,” Bowling said. “You’re getting the same care as if you had driven all the way to Morgantown to see an endocrinologist.”
Patients are identified by their primary care provider as needing specialty service. If they are established with an outside endocrinologist or even one in Morgantown, this Princeton clinic is willing to see them or transfer them here.
“The importance is getting people under control and on the right treatments and education,” said Endocrinology Provider Stephanie Hamilton. “So we can get those numbers looking better and decrease the risk of more problems.”
From heart disease and stroke to kidney disease, eye damage, foot neuropathy, and more, having this WVU PCH endocrinology clinic is a step in the right direction.
“The sooner we can get you in to be managed appropriately, the more likely it is you won’t get these long-term bad diabetic side effects,” Bowling said. “I think it can transform someone’s life. The reality is that the quality of their life can improve if their diabetes is managed.”
