Healthy Appalachia Institute

The Healthy Appalachia Institute was founded as a collaborative effort with the mission of improving the health, education, environment and prosperity for residents of central Appalachia by engaging communities and organizations, generating and implementing new ideas, and addressing the social, economic and scientific issues that exist at the interface of health and Appalachian culture.

The Office of Telemedicine works closely with the Healthy Appalachia Institute and our partners at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise to increase access and quality of healthcare; by making telemedicine links between Central Appalachia and Charlottesville, residents of the Coalfields are able to consult with medical specialists using videoconferencing equipment.  This innovative approach reduces healthcare costs and keeps patients from making the long trip to Charlottesville.

David C. Gordon, the director of the Office of Telemedicine, also serves as the co-Director of the Health Appalachia Institute.