Faith Community Nursing expands in Greater Kanawha Valley, provides scholarships

Thanks to generous funding from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, the West Virginia University School of Nursing is expanding the Faith Community Nursing program into Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Clay, and Fayette counties.

Nurses in these newly added counties can receive full scholarships for the all-online, 8-week Faith Community Nursing program. The next course will begin Sept. 15, 2025.

Faith Community Nursing, an initiative supporting the education and development of nurses who serve in faith-based and community settings, equips nurses to provide holistic care that integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Once trained, these nurses are uniquely positioned to serve as health educators, advocates, and spiritual caregivers, often working within churches and community organizations to promote wellness, prevent illness, and connect individuals with needed resources.

“Faith Community Nursing is about meeting people where they are — and supporting them in ways that align with their personal goals,” said Dr. Angel Smothers, Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Director of the Faith Community Nursing Program at WVU. “Thanks to The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, we are able to support nurses who are deeply rooted in their communities and who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of West Virginians.”

The program provides specialized training, mentorship, and ongoing support to nurses, empowering them to address health disparities and improve outcomes in rural and underserved areas. This expansion reflects WVU’s mission to serve the state through community-based, compassionate care.

“The Foundation is proud to partner with the WVU School of Nursing in delivering much-needed healthcare to the communities we serve, made possible by the generous support of our donors,” said Megan Simpson, Program Director with TGKVF.

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 Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation 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.

-WVU-

MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu