Rivers Health Scholarship Foundation’s Mission is Taking Shape
The newest health clinic in Gallipolis is staffed by a native whose presence demonstrates the effectiveness of a scholarship program that encourages health professionals to practice in southern Ohio and West Virginia.
Andrea Roberts is a nurse practitioner who operates the clinic for Rivers Health, the newest member of the Marshall Health Network (MHN). She opened the doors recently after completing a one-year fellowship with Marshall Health Internal Medicine in Huntington.
“It is truly the best of both worlds getting to partner with Marshall Health and Rivers Health in my own backyard,” Roberts said. She credits MHN CEO Dr. Kevin Yingling and CCO Dr. Larry Dial with mentoring her and facilitating the opportunity to start the clinic. “I couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity to serve my own community.”
The holder of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Cedarville University obtained financial assistance for her studies from the Rivers Health Scholarship Foundation. Since 1989, the Point Pleasant-based foundation has awarded more than $900,000 in scholarships and other financial aid to nearly 225 students.
The program includes a Foundation Scholars Program, which offers grant-in-aid stipends that can be forgiven if the graduate returns to practice in the Mason County area.
Designed to help residents of Mason County and surrounding areas complete their education in the medical field, the program has been a rousing success. Among the recipients:
- Wes Lieving, an internal medicine specialist at Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis and Rivers Health in Point Pleasant.
- Jessica Wilson, a family medical specialist at the clinic attached to the Rivers Health regional hospital.
- Todd Gress, director of clinical research at Marshall Health in Huntington.
In Roberts’ case, she wound up repaying her undergraduate aid after taking a position at Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) in Portsmouth because of its reputation for quality nursing care.
“I believe that many folks feel their only option for higher education is by taking loans,” Roberts said. “I think the Foundation Scholar’s Program has likely helped numerous students over the years in achieving their dreams of becoming health care professionals.”
After two years at SOMC, Roberts worked at several hospitals in the Tri-State Area and southern Ohio. She was also a nursing instructor at Buckeye Hills Career Center in Rio Grande, Ohio, and that town’s Rio Grande University.
If that weren’t enough, she has also homeschooled her two oldest children and been a substitute teacher, coach, and school nurse at her high school alma mater, Ohio Valley Christian School.
Her flexible hours now give her more family time, which she cherishes.
“My relationship with God is the most important thing in my life,” Andrea said. “I have watched over and over as He has opened every door necessary for me to be in the fellowship program and for me to return home to take care of the people in my corner of Appalachia.
