https://sole.hsc.wvu.edu/Apps/News/rss/HealthSciences/Vice-President50 most recent storiesen-USab0acb6a-2353-4be5-9c98-54323357712chttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=momentum-mission-androad-aheadThank you for being with us this afternoon — in the room, watching remotely, or simply holding space in this community we are building together. If you were unable to join, I want to make sure you hear what was shared, because it belongs to all of us.Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -04002026-04-08T11:59:20-04:002136f37e-5396-4fe1-a5a6-71e1b7f0ac9dhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=the-white-coatclaymarshwhitecoatceremonyOur West Virginia University School of Medicine just celebrated with the White Coat Ceremony, a symbolic transition of our second-year medical students from work in the classroom to the clinics. From student to physician.Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -04002026-03-16T08:50:23-04:00787d5eca-ae3b-49fc-bab8-417fa0a1f442https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=turbulence-and-safetyThe world feels turbulent these days.Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -05002026-02-20T15:27:27-05:0072ed0d46-efe5-4d24-a4f6-d8c67413497fhttps://wvpec.wvu.edu/events-and-initiatives/focus-forward-preparing-today-for-the-west-virginia-of-tomorrow/2026-focus-forward/clay-marsh-s-white-paperDr. Clay Marsh shares a follow-up thought piece from "Focus Forward: Long Live West Virginia" on how West Virginia, and the nation, can begin to improve health and longevity for the long-term.Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-10-17T13:20:53-04:007a7fc18f-b121-4373-8917-67a5bfe91615https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=insights-frompastclayclaymarshDr. Clay Marsh reflects on insights from the past, including from the works of Sufi, Lao Tzu and Tagore. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-09-25T08:05:06-04:00515b45a6-9ad0-4c72-b00a-eb7110a044c3https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=how-do-we-measure-success-in-our-livesclayclaymarshconnectwithclayfiniteinfinitemindsetDr. Clay Marsh, chancellor and executive dean of WVU Health Sciences, explores the factors that impact health, wellness, and well-being, and offers solutions for reframing your mindset and seeing your life in a new light. Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-08-29T11:01:41-04:00a1f29e83-b398-4587-9718-051f4339bc3chttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=dr-clay-marsh-wishes-gratitude-and-abundance-for-2025claymarshconnectwithclayholidaysThe years pass quickly, and it is hard to believe that we are about to celebrate 2025. Given the holidays are quickly approaching, as is the new year, Dr. Clay Marsh offers a few thoughts and expresses his gratitude to our Health Sciences community - individually and collectively.Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -05002024-12-10T21:50:48-05:00e8734138-ea7f-4e70-a443-cee60fe06b0bhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=time-of-changeclaymarshThe world can appear more threatening and less safe. Simultaneously, the pace of our lives is speeding up and feeling more chaotic. How can we look inward for peace, safety and stability?Tue, 09 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-07-09T16:07:18-04:006711f56f-6a1a-4731-895d-bfb8096e300chttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=what-does-it-mean-to-be-authenticMerriam-Webster's word of the year – authentic – has a number of meanings. As I reflect on the year past and look to the future, one definition stands out - true to one's own personality, spirit or character. Who are we and what does it mean to be authentic? Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -05002024-03-12T14:08:57-04:002fa7b1e1-fd5c-4b8e-8eb6-7e7e1e792933https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=the-american-dream_0For the modern era, the secret to a thriving and long life is provided by a loving community, strong personal relationships, a sense of purpose, an abundant mindset, psychological safety and education leading to a great job (an avocation instead of simply a vocation). This dream does not seem as accessible for many young people today. Why not?Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -05002025-09-25T13:15:04-04:003c6c8711-585f-4f26-8e8f-829e6222003fhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=what-s-next-atend-ofcovid-10-global-health-emergencyThe World Health Organization today removed its designation for COVID-19 as a "global health emergency." The United States is due to follow suit on May 11, canceling the designation of COVID-19 as a public health emergency in the U.S. Where does that leave COVID-19, and what do the end of these designations actually mean?Fri, 05 May 2023 00:00:00 -04002023-05-05T12:20:01-04:00c60f30eb-c2ce-4d6c-8d1f-6ab4d3dcec4ahttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=reconnectingcommencementcommencement2023We are living in a transformational moment in the history of our state, country and world. An inflection point. Change is upon us. For many, this change leads to fear and a need for greater control. The greater control is an attempt to create safety. Unfortunately, this approach does not work in the long-term.Thu, 04 May 2023 00:00:00 -04002023-05-04T16:30:52-04:00f68e103d-e0e4-442c-9575-1caffbf06cd0https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=a-note-to-our-health-sciences-family-regarding-dr-john-magruderWe want to express our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to Dr. Kate Kasicky and their family for the death of Dr. John Magruder. Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Dr. Magruder's obituary is posted online, and condolences can be shared at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.Mon, 10 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -04002022-10-12T14:46:08-04:007e11e863-8bbb-4886-96d8-5f4ab7807cechttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=iscovid-19-pandemic-overIs the COVID-19 pandemic really over? Dr. Clay Marsh shares his observations on transitioning from a pandemic to an epidemic and if that time has come. Wed, 21 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -04002022-09-22T13:26:42-04:00a73fa01b-0bb1-42a2-a543-383caf67f16ehttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=the-lamps-are-different-butlight-issame"The lamps are different, but the Light is the same. One matter, one energy, one Light, one Light-mind, endlessly emanating all things." This quote is by the Sufi poet, Rumi and it perfectly captures my growing perspective on health, peace, balance and growth of individuals, states, countries and continents. Sun, 11 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -04002022-09-12T08:35:58-04:0053a1e8e3-7373-48b2-ab3d-799953ea58d2https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=let-s-change-our-narrative-to-we-can-and-we-will-why-not-west-virginiaFear drives us to resist change. By resisting, we expend a lot of our energy exerting control over our life events. Trying to hold change steady, but in doing this, we only enfold life events to fit our life narrative. This separates us and can make us feel isolated and alone. We have begun to change the narrative to we can and we will. Why not, West Virginia?Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -04002022-08-02T11:45:09-04:00822aa30b-3564-4f93-b4c3-708c08ba678fhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=secrets-to-living-long-and-wellOur graduates have demonstrated what resilience is being students during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has given them, I hope, the ability to take the lemons that have been presented to them and make lemonade, because we can either choose in our life to see things as opportunities to grow, or we can see things as problems that are going to overwhelm us. And I believe they have taken this opportunity to grow.Mon, 13 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -04002022-06-13T11:59:15-04:009c6bc5db-40dd-4084-bc81-d464ddfa826fhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=where-are-we-incovid-19-pandemiccovid19covid-19West Virginia is experiencing a rapid rise in new cases driven by the Omicron variant of COVID-19. This is a critical time in the pandemic, and as we do in West Virginia, it's time to take care of one another and demonstrate the beacon that our Mountain State has become for so many.Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-01-24T15:53:13-05:008915c7c8-6ed5-47f5-b527-6167f4e1daddhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=golden-rule-meet-serenity-prayerDuring this incredible time of transformational change, many are looking for underlying lessons. From the COVID-19 pandemic to violent weather to global warming to political polarization to gender and race issues, this is a time like no other in our lifetimes. Fri, 01 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -04002021-10-01T12:23:43-04:0036c4290d-bc38-41da-bf73-f33c8aa88232https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=the-two-thingscovid-19On Friday (Sept. 17), West Virginia had the highest transmission rate of COVID-19 in the country. If we were a country, our transmission rate was the highest in the world.Sun, 19 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -04002022-03-28T19:54:14-04:004d37c7d0-eb0c-48f1-985d-43361d483cb4https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=a-critical-moment-for-west-virginiacovid-19West Virginia is the state with the fastest growing, new COVID-19 infection rate in the country. To reduce the explosive growth of this surge and protect our state, we need more West Virginians to become firewalls. Dr. Clay Marsh explains how.Thu, 09 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -04002022-02-09T08:33:35-05:0059553139-6fa0-433b-b76c-da702ec077f9https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=covid-19-where-we-are-and-what-we-can-doWe are in the longest sustained pandemic in our lifetime, and there is no clear end in sight. We are currently being confronted with the most severe strain of COVID-19, the Delta variant we have seen to date. Many people are tired, scared and frustrated by COVID-19.Fri, 27 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -04002022-02-09T08:34:02-05:00719196d6-cf07-4d4b-aa25-cc705155b0echttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=covid-19-third-dose-vaccinesThere is a lot of confusion about the role of a third vaccine, or extra doses, for Americans and West Virginians and the potency of vaccines given late 2020 or early 2021. Dr. Clay Marsh discusses what we know, what we believe and what we don't know about this issue.Fri, 20 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -04002022-02-09T08:34:32-05:007fc23c58-2adb-4567-a392-5a1e403c78c1https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=the-delta-variantcovidcovid19West Virginia is entering into the next chapter of the COVID-19 pandemic – one that is fueled by the Delta variant. We should consider the Delta variant a different kind of virus than the COVID-19 viruses we have seen to date. Wed, 11 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -04002022-02-09T08:35:00-05:0098314813-2936-499d-a5e6-2803da8f6dd5https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=kindnessWith the new wave of the Delta variant of COVID-19 building in West Virginia, we need to remember our biggest strength and our most important defense.Mon, 02 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -04002021-08-02T12:28:37-04:007757186d-813d-4129-af58-053f62f023achttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=time-to-shineIt is that time, West Virginia. Time to shine your light to illuminate the path for others.Wed, 14 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -04002021-07-14T14:17:26-04:00ec616856-0e7f-4ad7-ace1-9609e0dc3006https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=why-we-should-all-choose-vaccinationcovid-19The COVID-19 pandemic has decreased markedly in numbers of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths in West Virginia and in the United States. However, when carefully looking at the data, it is evident that the impact of reduced COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths are largely in our residents who are fully vaccinated. Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -04002022-02-09T09:33:41-05:00f1c19727-519b-48ee-8633-54b5a9cf28e9https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=students-get-vaccinated-against-covid-19COVID-19 has turned our world upside-down and limited many treasured parts of the West Virginia University experience. Safe, effective COVID vaccines are a game-changer, and these vaccines are now available to all West Virginia residents age 16 and older, as well as to all students attending classes within the West Virginia University system.Wed, 07 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -04002022-04-01T09:13:28-04:00b6a53c23-1e84-403e-bc76-37ddbdc00a94https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=a-view-from-inside-of-west-virginia-s-covid-19-responseIt is great that so many national and international organizations and media are interested in understanding how West Virginia has responded so effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a lot written about our decisions regarding local control of vaccines, West Virginia's creation of a pharmacy vaccine network, and in our clarity and communication about our priorities. Mon, 01 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-02-01T18:49:59-05:0066cd70fa-b9e6-4b9a-b7d7-ae1c71617941https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=why-older-west-virginians-are-being-targeted-by-vaccinesOlder West Virginians are at greatest risk of dying from COVID-19. That's why we're giving them the vaccine first to protect them.Mon, 21 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -05002020-12-21T15:39:19-05:0057c6dc06-a341-4b3c-b035-7f4e468227a9https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=clay-marsh-explaining-west-virginia-s-covid-codeMaps, colors, testing, shutdowns, online, virtual - all key words we've grown tired of during COVID-19. Let's all get on the same page again about what West Virginia is doing in response to COVID-19, and how we got there.Wed, 07 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-10-07T14:53:21-04:009822764d-1644-40b6-9995-3f282762ed30https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=we-must-keep-caring-for-each-other-west-virginiaIt can be so easy to become exhausted by COVID-19. The amount of illness and death affecting our communities. Our daily lives disrupted. But we must stick together. We must protect each other. We must do what West Virginians do best.Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-10-01T08:46:05-04:00f1dbbc5c-26e3-4f2f-b0c2-4c5357930cb5https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=altruism-in-west-virginia-andbest-of-americaWest Virginia's shining spirit and sense of community will guide us through COVID-19.Thu, 23 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-07-23T21:40:27-04:0057eefee7-59d5-434f-bed7-5ef01808bf0bhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=anticipatingnext-moves-dance-with-covid-19covid19Cases are rising. We must remember this is a pandemic and we cannot let down our guard.Mon, 29 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-06-29T18:28:04-04:00b4797d44-04bc-4274-bae0-a0d1b166c9eehttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=bettyI am moved and saddened by the loss of a most wonderful and amazing woman - Betty Puskar.Tue, 16 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-06-17T08:35:26-04:00431ed7dd-7943-4108-a9a7-a2fc2a07956ahttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=belightNow more than ever, we need healing.Wed, 03 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-06-03T12:16:50-04:00e3a6a3a7-38d6-401d-89e2-d956540dcf7bhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=our-power_0We need to reopen West Virginia, but we must do it safely. Wearing a mask shows your commitment to doing your part to make that a reality. For you, and others.Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-06-01T14:12:40-04:003b7da1f3-b3f7-4f11-8abc-0b0789cfa37ehttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=the-dance-floorWe can learn how to live with the virus in the safest way possible until we reach a vaccine. That means learning how to "dance." A few steps forward, a few steps back, and potentially leaving the dance floor to stop outbreaks.Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-05-22T08:45:51-04:0003e66a08-7afd-461b-b25d-23ad87463a9ahttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=the-danceWest Virginia is beginning to take steps to get back to some kind of normal. Those steps - like in any dance - are crucial to performing well.Thu, 30 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-04-30T15:23:37-04:00db243771-40d5-4e90-8c28-e7dfb1a2ed77https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=our-next-stepscovid19We are about to hit peak demand for health care in West Virginia and the country, with glimmers of hope that we may be entering a new phase toward a new normal.Sat, 11 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-04-13T10:24:57-04:008a1a0aaf-5b98-4055-ac99-944e93e80eedhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=healingcovid19We are interdependent. As the world is in change, it ripples through the world. But perhaps we can use this time of change to allow ourselves to heal mentally, spiritually, and come together.Tue, 07 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-04-07T09:47:00-04:0089d09c7b-6952-4864-b42e-4aacc56466ffhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=how-we-beat-covid-19covid19We are starting to see some acceleration of COVID-19 positive patients in West Virginia. This is not surprising, but gives us reason take inventory of our strategies and implementation.  Sun, 05 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-04-06T12:19:38-04:00843068d6-3c65-49a2-aeed-516fd68dd171https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=the-next-few-weekscovid-19Our model is improving in West Virginia, but we cannot get complacent.Thu, 02 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-04-02T11:04:09-04:00ff3c13bd-ab82-4b4d-b4d9-6098fb7895e9https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=trackingspeed-of-spread-of-covid-19-in-west-virginiI am getting asked more frequently about our approach in tracking the speed of spread of the novel coronavirus in West Virginia. Specifically, does the fewer number of people tested in West Virginia, than some other states, impact our ability to understand where we are with spread of COVID-19?Tue, 31 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-03-31T20:01:14-04:00f7e1ddc2-5507-45b1-b922-84eaa9f9fa63https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=national-doctors-dayHappy National Doctors' Day. I wanted to take a second and thank you all for your contributions – not just to the current pandemic, but to the field of medicine as a whole. Mon, 30 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-03-30T14:52:45-04:0080cbb295-1725-434e-b8d3-b7c918690f2ahttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=why-social-distancing-and-staying-at-home-workscovid19Many across the state and country are probably getting tired of staying in their homes. They may question whether it really makes a difference in reducing the spread of COVID-19.  Well, it does. And it does in a really big way. Here's why: Compounding.  Like investing money in the stock market. For instance if you and a colleague both work at the same job for 40 years. You invest $200 per month for 10 years in a stock fund and stop investing, but your colleague starts investing when you stop, and invests $200 per month for the next 30 years in the same stock fund as you did. You invest nothing during this time. Both of you see a return of 7% per year on your investment.Sat, 28 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-03-28T10:58:02-04:006e1f16aa-9cbd-401b-a4ab-cc7a77ec0114https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=rays-of-hopecovid19We have a lot to do in our fight against COVID-19 - but it's always important to remember the bright spots in life, even if it can seem dark at times.Thu, 26 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-03-26T11:15:14-04:0051a835a1-f62c-4e01-9562-8319c5dcfc47https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=turningtsunami-intostream_0Everyday, we are learning more about the virus. We need to use our power to protect ourselves, our families, our communities and our healthcare workers. Let's keep West Virginians safe.Tue, 24 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-03-24T14:48:14-04:001d7c8947-d6de-4303-8485-bd969759e538https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=west-virginia-it-s-time-to-double-downcovid19Taking care of each other is what neighbors and great communities do for each other. Let's stay West Virginia strong, and show the world how a committed group of people in a state can use their collective power and protect Almost Heaven.Sun, 22 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-03-23T08:59:02-04:0071e24081-4db4-4299-aa9e-3429fddd4ea7https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=match-dayOur students will be matched at locations all across the country, from east coast to west. And some students will remain here in the Mountain State, where we'll be lucky to keep some of the best and brightest.Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -04002020-03-20T12:34:41-04:00