Coplin Health Systems Expands Healthcare Access to Students with New Portable Telehealth Unit Initiative
PARKERSBURG, WV (April 8, 2025) — Coplin Health Systems is pleased to announce the launch of an innovative portable telehealth unit project aimed at improving healthcare access for students across the region.
This initiative is made possible through the Expanding Access to Care to West Virginia’s Children and Communities Grant, a collaboration between the West Virginia Primary Care Association and 19Labs. The grant provides funding for compact, portable telehealth units to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) throughout the state.
Rob Dudley, CEO of Coplin Health Systems, said this new telehealth unit program will allow Coplin Health Systems to deliver quality healthcare services directly to local partner schools.
“We are extremely honored to receive this grant and excited about the opportunity it provides to help students access vital healthcare without leaving school grounds,” Dudley said. “By bringing healthcare services directly into schools, we can significantly reduce absenteeism and overcome barriers such as transportation and scheduling issues that often prevent them from receiving the healthcare they deserve.”
With the support of this grant, Coplin Health Systems acquired new portable telehealth units and additional funding to support its implementation. This project will enable the organization to increase its presence in local partner schools and expand access to comprehensive urgent and routine healthcare services.
Dr. Darrin Nichols, Chief Medical Officer of Coplin Health Systems, said the convenience of the portable telehealth units will help support the school community’s overall well-being initiatives.
“These telehealth units are equipped to perform many basic clinical functions, enabling students to receive quality healthcare right where they are,” Nichols said. “Using digital stethoscopes and clinical cameras, Coplin Health Systems providers can remotely examine students for common illnesses like sore throats, coughs, and sinus infections, all with the assistance of school partners.”
Dudley said that as Coplin Health Systems implements this grant, the organization looks forward to strengthening partnerships and collaborations with the local school districts.
“Our goal has always been to make healthcare accessible for all, especially for the younger population who often face barriers to receiving care,” Dudley said. “This program directly supports our mission by expanding healthcare access and breaking down the barriers often preventing students from getting the care they need.”
For more information about Coplin Health Systems or the telehealth initiative, visit coplinhealth.com.
About Coplin Health Systems
In 1978, Wirt County Health Services Association (d.b.a. Coplin Health Systems) was established as a non-profit healthcare organization. Since our beginnings in Elizabeth, WV, we have grown into 13 service centers, an administrative center, and a mobile health unit with locations in Wirt County, Jackson County, Wood County in West Virginia, and Meigs County in Ohio.
For over two decades, Coplin has served as a federally qualified health center (FQHC). As an FQHC, Coplin Health Systems offers a variety of healthcare services to the community. These healthcare services include primary care services, acute/urgent care services, pediatric healthcare services, behavioral health services, SUDs services, dental services, and discount pharmacy through 340b programing. As an FQHC, Coplin Health Systems offers these services regardless of a person’s ability to pay through our sliding scale program. Coplin Health Systems exists to serve the health and wellness needs of our communities. Visit coplinhealth.com to learn more.