Supported by a $2 million grant from Aetna Better Health, the West Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA) and 19Labs are partnering to expand healthcare access across West Virginia, benefiting over 570,000 patients, including some of the state's most vulnerable populations.
Redwood City, CA – December 17, 2024
A Collaborative Approach to Advancing Healthcare Access and Equity with School-Based Health Services
WVPCA and 19Labs are excited to announce their collaboration aimed at improving healthcare access in rural and underserved areas of West Virginia. This partnership leverages GALE telehealth technology across WVPCA’s 550 service sites, including 237 school-based health centers (SBHCs), to ensure that children, housing-insecure individuals, ethnic minorities, and other underserved populations receive the timely, high-quality care they deserve, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
"West Virginia Community Health Centers are trusted providers in their communities. With this funding, provided by our partner, Aetna Better Health, health centers can now expand the use of telehealth services in school-based health centers as well as throughout the community, being able to meet people where they are." — Sherri Ferrell, President & CEO, WV Primary Care Association.
Left to Right: John Kennedy, Past WVPCA Director of School-Based & Behavioral Health Services; Jim Smallridge, Director of Community Development · Aetna Better Health of West Virginia, a CVS Health Company; Sherri Ferrell, President & CEO, WV Primary Care Association; Paula Fields, Executive Vice President, School-Based Health Alliance; Messias Soares, 19Labs VP of Customer Success
Impact on Students, Families, and Communities
The deployment of GALE eClinics throughout WVPCA’s Community Health Centers will have a profound impact on students, families, and entire communities by providing:
Increased access to advanced care.
Decreased absenteeism, tardiness, and early dismissals, ensuring students stay healthy and engaged in school.
Reduced parental time off from work due to improved access to school-based healthcare services.
Strengthened ties between community and school, supporting overall well-being.
Empowerment through access to social programs and resources fostering informed healthcare decisions.
"Having telehealth equipment in school-based health facilities will also increase access to specialty care, such as psychiatry and behavioral health, and facilitates communication with more students."— Craig Glover, WVPCA Board Chair and CEO of FamilyCare Health Centers
A Partnership for Positive Change
This partnership represents a critical step in improving healthcare access and equity for West Virginia’s youth. 19Labs is proud to provide cutting-edge telehealth solutions that empower school-based health centers to deliver comprehensive, high-quality care. With Aetna Better Health's support, the WVPCA SBHCs will offer a broader range of services, helping students access essential healthcare that positively impacts their academic success and overall well-being.
“At 19Labs, we are committed to providing user-friendly, advanced telehealth solutions that empower healthcare providers to deliver more comprehensive, equitable care. Together with the WVPCA and Aetna Better Health, we’re ensuring that technology can make a real, lasting impact on health outcomes for West Virginia’s youth.” – Messias Soares, VP of Customer Success, 19Labs
"This grant has the potential to be transformative, providing state-of-the-art telehealth equipment to SBHCs and reaching students with health care that would otherwise not be possible, and we know healthier students make better learners.” — John Kennedy, Past WVPCA Director of School-Based & Behavioral Health Services.
Looking Ahead
Together, WVPCA, 19Labs, and Aetna Better Health envision a future where every student in West Virginia has access to the healthcare they deserve. This partnership will continue to focus on innovation, health equity, and empowering communities through advanced telehealth solutions.
For more information about this partnership and the deployment of GALE eClinics, please contact us.
About WVPCA
The West Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA) is the state's largest organized primary care network. It is committed to enhancing healthcare delivery through collaboration and innovation in school-based health services. The association's work significantly impacts student health outcomes and supports community health initiatives statewide.
About 19Labs
19Labs is the creator of GALE, a Next Generation Point-of-Care platform for pharmacies, schools, workplaces, and rural communities. GALE brings together cutting-edge diagnostic technologies from industry leaders like Zoom, Elo, Amwell, Samsung Mobile, MIR, Omron, Viasat, EchoNous, PAP Link, and many others in one smart, efficient, and cost-effective platform. It was designed from the ground up to be operated by non-healthcare professionals in locations with limited infrastructure and optimized for low bandwidth and intermittent connectivity. To learn more about GALE, please visit www.19labs.com.