Each year, Camden Clark continues to serve and support the needs of the Mid-Ohio Valley by contributing thousands of hours supporting community initiatives. Our efforts in giving back to the community are aimed at reducing monetary and operational burdens, which many local organizations face.
For us, caring for our community is maintaining a leadership role as the region’s primary source of advanced healthcare and wellness programs – but also, supporting community initiatives and organizations to meet the needs of Mid-Ohio Valley residents for generations to come.
Contributed over $175,000 in local sponsorships.
Supported more than 75 civic, charitable, athletic and educational organizations
Provided 300+ free mammograms, biopsies and genetic tests, a value of nearly $100,000, to local uninsured or underinsured patients through community engagement activities.
Pink Mammogram Fund
The Camden Clark Foundation’s Pink Mammogram Fund was established as a service to uninsured or underinsured residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley to provide access to free mammograms and associated diagnostics for qualifying patients. Since its establishment, the Pink Mammogram Fund has provided more than 3,000 free procedures for local patients. Each year the Camden Clark Foundation hosts several fundraising efforts to support the Pink Mammogram Fund and local patients, including Pink by Poolside.
Project Chair-ity
WVU Medicine Camden Clark provides nearly 11,000 infusion center treatments per year to area patients. As part of the recent Camden Clark Foundation Project Chair-ity fundraising campaign, Camden Clark received over $150,000 in community donations that enabled the purchase of 30 new state-of-the-art comfort chairs that will improve the infusion treatment experience and aid in the comfort and healing of patients.
Dinner with a Doc
Camden Clark hosts the Dinner with a Doc program as a platform for healthcare professionals to provide education to the community related to critical health and wellness topics, which affect area residents. These events take place on an ongoing basis and feature healthcare providers with specific subject matter expertise. Those in attendance are able to interact with clinical experts in a question-and-answer format while enjoying dinner together.
Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon
Each year Camden Clark Medical Center clinical staff are on standby on the sidelines of the Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon medical tent. Camden Clark is proud to provide this service each year to support local residents taking strides toward a healthier life. In addition to medical services support, Camden Clark employees also assisted to prepare and serve meals to half marathon participants and their families upon race completion.
Relay for Life
Camden Clark sponsors the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life events taking place in Parkersburg, Belpre and Williamstown. Representatives from the WVU Medicine Cancer Institute at Camden Clark participate in the events each year to provide education about resources available locally and uplifting messages to the community.
Mid-Ohio Valley Heart Walk
WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center and Parkersburg Cardiology Associates partners to sponsor the annual Mid-Ohio Valley Heart & Stroke Walk, collectively contributing tens of thousands of dollars to the American Heart Association. The event takes place in October at the Parkersburg City Park with team members participating in all aspects of the event.
WVU Medicine Camden Clark Hosts Inaugural Healthy Start Family Wellness Day
WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center hosted its first Healthy Start Family Wellness Day in 2024 to provide opportunities for local families to participate in a number of activities to support the health and well-being of parents and caregivers and their children.
During the event, Mid-Ohio Valley families met with Camden Clark’s obstetrics/gynecology and pediatric teams while enjoying a day complete with learning and fun for all.
Free childbirth and lactation courses were offered to families during the Healthy Start Family Wellness Day, along with car seat safety checks. Low-cost blood work vouchers for basic metabolic panels for men and women and prenatal panels for expecting mothers were also available for purchase.
Other event offerings for children to enjoy included a Teddy Bear Clinic, STEAM education provided by Discovery World on Market and the Parkersburg Art Center, ambulance tours, visits with therapy dogs, giveaways, face painting, food trucks, and more.
Camden Clark’s Community Health & Wellness Day Returns Following COVID-19 Pandemic
The WVU Medicine Camden Clark Annual Health & Wellness Day returned in 2023 for the first time since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nearly 40 exhibitors participated in the event, which aims to provide education to area residents to highlight advancements in healthcare services available locally while improving and maintaining health and wellness for families of all ages.
Representatives from various hospital service lines and departments participate in the annual event including Primary Care, Cardiology, Radiology, Cancer Services, Women’s & Children’s Services, and more.
In addition to the opportunity to meet with hospital staff and providers, free health screenings are offered during the event including EKGs, blood pressure readings, blood glucose finger stick tests, DermaScan skin cancer screenings, among others.
Camden Clark has made low-cost blood work vouchers available for event participants through a partnership with the Rotary Club of Parkersburg, with proceeds to benefit several community outreach efforts. The Health & Wellness Day event also features various demonstrations highlighting healthy meal preparation and exercise, car seat safety checks, and more.
Camden Clark 2024 Health & Wellness Day Coming Soon to the WVU Medicine Health & Wellness Center! Further details to be announced.
Camden Clark Internal Medicine Residents Provide Health and Wellness Programming in K-12 Classrooms
WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center and the Wood County Board of Education have partnered to provide healthcare programming to local K – 12 students through the Residents in Schools Program.
The Residents in Schools Program is led by Michael Cheshire, DO, FACOI, FACP, FNLA, WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center Internal Medicine Clinic and Residency Director.
As part of the programming, Camden Clark Internal Medicine Residents visit K-12 schools throughout Wood County to provide education on topics ranging from healthy lifestyle habits, hygiene, proper handwashing to prevent the spread of germs, health risks associated with vaping, first aid, among others. The program curriculum also highlights information related to future careers in healthcare.
In addition to its Residents in Schools curriculum, Camden Clark has developed a robust Partners in Education Program for schools in Parkersburg and surrounding communities to further support and enhance health and wellness education for students at Blennerhassett Middle School, Fairplains Elementary, Gihon Elementary, Jefferson Elementary Center, and Parkersburg Catholic Schools.
Camden Clark Provides $10,000 Gift to Benefit Washington State College of Ohio Healthcare Programs
Camden Clark leadership gathered recently to celebrate a gift to benefit Washington State College of Ohio, intended to support and shape local healthcare workforces. Officials from Washington State joined Camden Clark for a check presentation to accept the $10,000 gift.
All funds from the donation will be designated for the Washington State Laboratory Technician and Respiratory Programs.
United Way
The United Way collaborates with area nonprofits, businesses, and government organizations to implement core initiatives that serve identified needs in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Each year, Camden Clark partners with the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley to support local communities in need through initiatives including the United Way Day of Action and internal fundraising efforts.
Day of Action
WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center partners with the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley as the sponsor of the annual Day of Action, taking place each June. The United Way Day of Action is a daylong service event that allows individuals and groups to give back and make a difference, while empowering volunteers to build stronger communities. In addition to its sponsorship, Camden Clark provided more than 75 employees to volunteer at seven local project sites in the Mid-Ohio Valley in 2023.
Workplace Campaign
Camden Clark continues efforts to support local communities through its annual workplace campaign which provides critical fundraising dollars to the United Way. In 2022, Camden Clark provided a $24,050 donation to the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley, comprised of funds from the workplace campaign and a pledge to match employee gifts.
Salvation Army
During the holiday season, Camden Clark traditionally provides assistance to local communities through the Parkersburg Salvation Army.
Camden Clark’s Dietary Team cooks and prepares turkey for the Annual Salvation Army Community Dinner, while members of the Camden Clark leadership team preps, serves and delivers meals.
Members of Camden Clark’s team also spend time during the holidays at local retailers to support the Salvation Army’s Annual Red Kettle Campaign.
Wood County Society
Each year, Camden Clark contributes to the Wood County Society Telethon through its Lifetime Partners Program and monetary contributions from the hospital, while Camden Clark employees answer phones to accept pledges.
During the 2024 Annual Wood County Society Telethon, Camden Clark provided a team of volunteers to help raise funds to support community programming. In addition to funds raised during the annual telethon, Camden Clark leadership presented a $15,000 donation to the Wood County Society in support of its vision to empower communities to unite together to ensure all youth and adults with disabilities are recognized for their abilities.
Among the programs to benefit from funds raised during the telethon include Camp ECHO, which is a summer camp that provides therapeutic and educational experiences for individuals with developmental differences. Camden Clark also provides employee volunteers at the Camp ECHO summer camp for adults each summer.
Camden Clark Supports Wood County Society Telethon
Team Camden Clark volunteered for their “hour of power” Sunday, March 24, 2024 for Wood County Society’s 55th Annual Telethon, and helped raise funds to support community programming including Camp Echo. The program provides therapeutic and educational experiences for individuals with developmental differences. The Camden Clark team supported the event by answering calls for community donations, while VP Chief Nursing Officer Carol Grove, MSN, RN, NEA-BC and Director of Cardiovascular Services and WCS board member Kristina Brooks, DNP, MBOE, AACC, CCRN, LSSBB presented a check from Camden Clark for $15,000 to the Wood County Society in support of its vision to empower communities to unite together to ensure all youth and adults with disabilities are recognized for their abilities.
Parkersburg Art Center
WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center has provided the Parkersburg Art Center a $5,000 admissions sponsorship to be enjoyed by the Mid-Ohio Valley community through the end of 2024. This sponsorship provides free admission to area community members, allowing them to enjoy any of the 15 to 20 rotating exhibits presented in the Art Center’s five gallery spaces throughout the year.
The admission sponsorship to the Parkersburg Art Center demonstrates Camden Clark’s commitment to preserving the non-profit arts organization that has been a keystone of the Mid-Ohio Valley since 1938.
Downtown PKB
Camden Clark proudly serves as a Visionary Sponsor of Downtown PKB, a Mainstreet Community and catalyst to bring like-minded people together who are invested in improving Downtown Parkersburg. Downtown PKB provides opportunities for local residents and families to get involved, celebrate community and live active lifestyles through various events and programs, all of which are funded from private donations, grants and event sponsorships.
Throughout the summer months Camden Clark supported Downtown PKB as a key sponsor for the Taste of Parkersburg event, along with the Point Park Summer Concert Series. As the seasons changed, CCMC greeted trick or treaters at Downtown PKB’s Monster Mash in October and hosted festive family activities following the Parkersburg Christmas Parade to kick off the holiday season.
Community Healthcheck Magazine
As part of its mission to meet the needs of surrounding communities for a lifetime, Camden Clark provides community education through the series of Community HealthCheck magazines and video segments. Below you’ll find each edition of the Camden Clark HealthCheck series which highlights critical health and wellness educational topics, and much more.
Managing Cholesterol Levels and Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood, which is needed to build healthy cells. However, high levels of cholesterol can lead to fatty deposits in blood vessels and increased risk for heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol is a condition that can be genetically inherited but is often the result of lifestyle choices. Camden Clark’s Dr. Michael Cheshire recently sat down with Andrew Noll from WTAP to discuss ways to manage and treatment options for high cholesterol.
Preparing for the Return to School to Ensure a Successful Year
Dr. Shelly Martin, Pediatrician at Camden Clark’s Southgate Medical Complex, sat down with Andrew Noll to discuss ways parents can prepare their children to go back to school. Learn more about vaccinations needed for school-aged children, proper sleep habits, eating a balanced diet, developing healthy lifestyles, and more during the most recent edition of HealthCheck on WTAP.
Men's Health Awareness
June and “Movember” are observed as Men’s Health awareness months. However, age-appropriate screenings and preventative healthcare should be top of mind year-round. Primary Care Physician at Camden Clark, Dr. Bill Cartwright, discusses ways for men to improve health and wellness and maintain healthy lifestyles with WTAP’s Andrew Noll. Learn more by watching the Men’s Health edition of Camden Clark’s HealthCheck.
The Latest Advancements in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery is the medical specialty which focuses on the surgical treatment of disorders affecting any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. Neurosurgeons address a wide range of conditions related to the nervous system, including tumors, injuries, vascular abnormalities, and degenerative diseases. During the most recent segment of WTAP’s Health Check, Yasu Harasaki, MD, Neurosurgeon at WVU Medicine Camden Clark highlights the role neurosurgery plays in treating brain, spine, and nervous system disorders to enhance patients’ wellbeing and restore function.
Colorectal Cancer and the Importance of Early Screenings
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States among both men and women. Patients with colon or colorectal cancer are typically asymptomatic in the early stages, which is why it is important to follow screening guidelines. As these types of cancers progress, patients may experience changes in bowel habits, constipation, bleeding, unintentional weight loss, or other symptoms that prompt further investigation.
Everything You Need to Know About Vascular Disease
Lung Cancer Screenings, New Technology, and Benefits
New Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommendations lowered the initial screening age from 55 to 50 and smoking history requirements from 30 pack years to 20 pack years and can make low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) exams the most effective cancer screening tests in history. Interventional Pulmonologist, Dr. Roshen Mathew and Primary Care Doctor, Dr. Michael Cheshire, both discuss a lung screening program is a national program that was adopted a few years ago to screen those who are at risk and who qualify for this low dose screening which is simple and safe and can be done right here at home.
Preventing Sport Induced Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Student Athletes
Sport induced sudden cardiac arrest has been a major topic in sports over the last year with athletes such as Damar Hamlin and Bronny James suffering from it. Sudden cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function, caused by a problem in the heart’s electrical system. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart beats dangerously fast or suddenly stops beating. Camden Clark’s Dr. Seth O’Neal was featured recently on WTAP Health Check to explain the cause, warning signs and ways to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in student athletes.
Preventing COPD/Emphysema
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus production, and wheezing. It’s typically caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. Interventional Pulmonologist at Camden Clark, Dr. Roshen Mathew, recently detailed treatments and prevention of each of these conditions on WTAP’s Health Check.
Concussion and Certified Athletic Trainer Protocols
Concussions are one of the most common injuries to occur when playing sports. In this Health Check, WTAP’s Andrew Noll sat down with a WVU Medicine Camden Clark certified athletic trainer, James Dearien, to discuss the current concussion protocols in the State of West Virginia. They also discussed the state requirements for having sideline certified athletic trainers during sporting events.
What is Stroke? Prevention and More
Stroke is a medical condition in which blood supply to the brain is blocked or reduced. There are two main causes of stroke. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blocked artery in the brain and a hemorrhagic stroke is caused by leaking or bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. Some patients may only experience a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which doesn’t cause lasting symptoms. Neurologist, Dr. Satheesh Bokka, was recently featured on Camden Clark’s Health Check series to discuss the different types of strokes, prevention, and warning signs to be aware of.
Colon Cancer Screenings Save Lives
March is known as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women.
“The reason for the screening is it not only catches the precancerous polyps earlier and prevents cancer. If it catches cancer very early, it is also curable,” said Dr. Bairava Kuppuswamy, primary care physician at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center.
How to Combat and Prevent Kidney Disease
Diabetes is the top cause of kidney failure, causing about 47 percent of its new cases. Eighty percent of Americans are at risk for the disease if they fail to take the test needed to detect it.
“But to put it into perspective, diabetes is one of the leading causes of death,” said Dr. Siddharth Verma, a consulting nephrologist at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center.
Time is Muscle
Dr. Gnegy said that it is never too early or too late to get your heart checked by a cardiologist. “So many people smoke and that is so bad for your heart,” Dr. Gnegy said.
“So stopping smoking is important. also around here, we have a very high prevalence of diabetes, and diabetes increases your risk of heart disease greatly. So the same things that we watch for in developing heart disease could be to prevent diabetes.
Innovations in Primary Care
Over the past two years, innovations in healthcare have provided the best access to care that patients have needed. Dr. Bairava Kuppuswamy, Chief Medical Information Officer for WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center says it has opened up accessibility and improved quality in terms of care, such as scheduling appointments, access to test results and historical data, and to hold virtual appointments, all at a patient’s leisure.
Managing Lung Disease
In the Mid-Ohio Valley, when you consider chemical exposures, there are multiple chemicals and substances that have been associated with lung disease, cobalt, indium, beryllium, and asbestos,” Dr. Cheshire said. “And so it’s important for patients to know what they’ve been exposed to, and then work with their practitioner to look at the timing, look at the amount of exposure, the timing of the exposure, the development of symptoms, and then look at other potential exposures that they may not have considered.”
Time is Brain When it Comes to Stroke Health
May is national stroke awareness month and the more we know about warning signs and symptoms the better we can act to help someone who may be having a stroke. “Time is Brain” so the faster the treatment, the greater chance to improve outcomes.
CCMC’s Dr. Muhammad Rizwan-Husain was featured on this week’s WTAP HealthCheck and explains why knowing what you can when someone is showing signs of a stroke is the key to their care.
The Journey to Self-Care
“I missed out on moments with my kids because of my size. I missed out on activities, things that we could have done together that we should have done together. And I didn’t ever want to do that again,” said Jo Hendershot, Clinical Nurse Manager for Medical Oncology at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center. Hendershot said this kind of lifestyle change is not something you can just do overnight all at once.
It is Never Too Late
A year ago Rodney and Patricia Gibson moved to Vienna from Martinsburg to be closer to their family and grandkids.
They went from a lifestyle of moving around a department store warehouse walking almost 15,000 steps a day to becoming retired and stationary in their new home. But a recent doctor’s visit for Patricia changed her and Rodney’s lifestyle choices to live a much healthier life.
