Students in the Mid-Ohio Valley will soon have easier access to health care—without ever having to leave school grounds. Thanks to a new grant-supported initiative, Coplin Health Systems is introducing portable telehealth units to multiple schools across the region.
The new project, announced in a press release from Coplin Health Systems, is part of a statewide effort to improve health care access for West Virginia children. The program is supported by the Expanding Access to Care to West Virginia’s Children and Communities Grant, a joint initiative between the West Virginia Primary Care Association and 19Labs.
This funding provides compact and portable telehealth equipment to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) throughout the state. Coplin Health Systems is one of the recipients, and the organization is now rolling out the first phase of implementation in several local schools.
Rob Dudley, CEO of Coplin Health Systems, expressed excitement about what this development means for students in the area.
“We are extremely honored to receive this grant and excited about the opportunity it provides to help students access vital health care without leaving school grounds,” Dudley said. “By bringing health care 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 health care they deserve.”
These new portable telehealth units are designed to deliver high-quality care remotely, using the latest in medical technology. They are compact enough to be moved between school locations, making them ideal for reaching students in rural or underserved areas.
The units are equipped with digital stethoscopes, clinical cameras, and other diagnostic tools. With the assistance of school staff, Coplin Health Systems providers can use the devices to examine students virtually.
“Using digital tools, we can remotely assess common health issues such as sore throats, coughs, sinus infections, and more,” said Dr. Darrin Nichols, Chief Medical Officer at Coplin Health Systems. “These telehealth units are designed to perform many basic clinical functions, making health care more convenient and accessible than ever for our student populations.”
According to the release, the project also includes additional funding for staff training and infrastructure to help seamlessly integrate the units into the daily operations of schools.
“Our goal has always been to make healthcare accessible for all, especially for the younger population who often face barriers to receiving care,” Dudley added. “This initiative is a meaningful step forward in supporting students’ health and well-being.”
Through this program, Coplin Health Systems will visit and provide services to the following schools:
- Fort Frye Local Schools
- Blennerhassett Middle School
- Blennerhassett Elementary School
- Mineral Wells Elementary School
- Lubeck Elementary School
- Jackson Middle School
- Vienna Elementary School
- Neale Elementary School
- Greenmont Elementary School
By focusing on bringing care directly to where students are, Coplin hopes to support not only individual student health but also larger wellness goals set by the schools themselves.
“These new telehealth tools help support the broader mission of schools to keep students healthy and in class,” said Nichols. “When we can treat common issues quickly and efficiently, students miss fewer days and stay more engaged in learning.”
This move aligns with a growing trend in school-based health services, particularly in rural communities where access to pediatric care can be limited by geography or transportation. The portable design of the telehealth units allows them to serve multiple schools in a region, offering flexibility and scalability for future growth.
Ultimately, Coplin Health Systems sees this effort as just the beginning of what’s possible in transforming student health care. As schools and health providers continue to collaborate, projects like this one could become a model for other regions across the country.
With the rollout now underway, students in the Mid-Ohio Valley are poised to benefit from cutting-edge care—without ever leaving the classroom.
