Coplin Health Systems Celebrates a Quarter of Growth, Partnership, and Community Connection

Delivering care through schools, clinics, and community events.

By Rob Dudley, Chief Executive Officer, Coplin Health Systems

As I reflect on the first quarter of 2026, I’m proud of how deeply Coplin Health Systems is connected to the communities we serve. The start to the year was defined by meaningful partnerships, expanded services, and a strong presence across schools and community events. What stands out most is the variety of ways our teams engaged with students, families, and local organizations while strengthening access to care and preparing for future growth. 

Expanding Access to Care

Over the last few months we have focused on projects that directly advanced our ability to meet community needs. In January, we welcomed Dr. Cindy Dugan to the West Virginia University – Parkersburg (WVUP) Wellness Clinic, expanding psychiatry services for patients in that region. 

One of the most meaningful initiatives of the first quarter was the Glasses to Classes program in Wirt County. Thanks to funding from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, students received free eye exams and glasses. Through this program, 803 students and staff received vision screenings, resulting in 220 identified vision concerns and 199 pairs of glasses being provided. Distribution of corrective eyewear will continue through the coming weeks. The program revealed that more than one-quarter of participants required vision intervention, underscoring the critical role of accessible school-based vision services in supporting academic success, attendance, and overall well-being. 

Another major step forward was the launch of two new substance abuse treatment groups: an Early Recovery Group and a Relapse Prevention Group. The Early Recovery Group has both an in-person and telehealth engagement option and Relapse Prevention Group is available via telehealth for individuals seeking support. These additions strengthened our behavioral health and recovery services and expanded the ways patients can connect with care.

Investing in Our Technology and Infrastructure

We are continuing to improve the technology that supports patient care across our communities. With funding from the USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant, Coplin is upgrading its computer and internet systems to make them faster, more reliable, and more secure. These improvements will also provide updated laptops for clinical staff and new telehealth equipment that allows patients to connect with healthcare providers remotely. 

This technology will help us expand access to care in schools and other locations where healthcare services may be more difficult to access. By improving performance and expanding virtual care capabilities, Coplin is reducing the need to travel to locations for care, supporting earlier intervention, and making it easier for patients to connect with providers where they live, learn, and work.

At the same time, Coplin is modernizing its pharmacy operations through a new server platform designed to enhance performance, reliability, and future functionality. This infrastructure will support expanded services such as automatic refills, text notifications when prescriptions are ready, and medication synchronization that allows patients to pick up all maintenance medications at once instead of needing to go to the pharmacy multiple times throughout the month.

We also upgraded our phone systems to WebEx, improving stability and consistency of communication and access for our patients across our footprint.

Together, these technology investments reflect Coplin Health Systems’ commitment to using available funding opportunities and innovative solutions to improve healthcare access, convenience, and outcomes for the communities we serve. 

Strengthening School Partnerships

Schools are always one of our most important partners. In January, we became a Partner in Education with Parkersburg High School, reinforcing our commitment to supporting students both inside and outside the classroom.

We also continued preparations for opening a new School-Based Health Center in the Fort Frye School District in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Health. Through this partnership, Coplin is helping to bring healthcare services directly into schools, improving access for students, and reducing barriers for families.

Responding To Community Needs

Throughout the first quarter, several community needs became more visible, particularly as winter weather hit hard in January and February and rising food costs placed added strain on local families. Coplin remained engaged by staying present at outreach events, strengthening school partnerships, and ensuring services such as telehealth behavioral health groups remained accessible during a challenging season. 

Our teams were active across our communities, participating in events such as Literacy Night in Lowell, Ohio; the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Event in Parkersburg, West Virginia; the WVUP College Resource Fair; and WVUP’s Spring Into Success event.

These events helped reinforce that community health is strengthened through collaboration, visibility, and trust. We know that it is so important that Coplin’s staff and leadership remained actively involved not only in clinical care, but in outreach efforts, educational partnerships, recovery support services, and community events to help families feel supported and connected.

Recognizing Our Incredible Team Members

Many Coplin staff members contributed their time and energy to school events, outreach programs, and community partnerships during the first months of the year. These efforts reflected a shared commitment to serving the community beyond the walls of the clinic and supporting the health and well-being of local children, families, and communities.

Dr. Nichols played a vital role this quarter, balancing his clinic responsibilities while championing our school-based healthcare efforts. He participated in the Ohio School-Based Health Conference to prepare for the upcoming School-Based Health Center in the Fort Frye School District and led coordination for the Glasses to Classes event in Wirt County. Tristan Murray was also instrumental to the Glasses to Classes success, authoring the children’s book The Okey Twins Visit the Eye Doctor and hosting readings at Wirt County Primary School to help students feel comfortable and excited about the event.

Sarah Casseday helped to bring the children’s book “Going For A Checkup: A trip to Coplin’s Mobile Health Unit” to life which is now a key part of the Coplin Mobile Heath Unit visits. The book makes it possible for families and children to learn about mobile health through a friendly, inviting storybook prior to the units visiting their communities. Most recently, Sarah read the book to children in Cottageville, West Virginia and has provided the books to kindergarten through fifth grade students at Cottageville Elementary.

And behind the scenes, James Liebau from Marketing worked diligently to strengthen Coplin’s community presence. From coordinating outreach events and resource fairs to ensuring we were professionally represented, his efforts played a key role in deepening our community engagement throughout the quarter.

We are proud to recognize these individuals—and the many other staff members who contributed to school events and partnerships—for their commitment to serving the region. 

Building Momentum for What Comes Next

The beginning of the year laid a strong foundation for the months ahead. Preparations for the Fort Frye School-Based Health Center, the addition of new behavioral health and recovery services, and strengthened school partnerships all position Coplin for continued growth.

Plus, we received notification of a federal appropriation to support the planned Camden Avenue building project, which will include expanded clinic space and a dedicated wellness and community resource building. This project reflects our vision of supporting the whole person through healthcare as well as education, wellness, and connection to community resources. 

As we look toward the rest of the year, I’m encouraged by the momentum we’ve built and grateful for the trust our communities place in us. The first quarter of 2026 demonstrated what is possible when we show up consistently, collaborate deeply, and remain committed to serving the health and well-being of the region.