City council announces anti-drug initiative

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Huntington City Council has announced a two-year strategic plan to combat drug abuse and disease management in three West Virginia counties.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reported the council outlined the 2015 Strategic Plan for Cabell, Putnam and Kanawha counties on Monday.

The plan, which is led by the Mayor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, was established to eradicate addiction and treat addicted residents with proper health care, strengthen law enforcement and opportunities throughout treatment and recovery.

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said the initiative had been in development since November.

Williams said the collaboration of local and state health departments, the governor’s office and the Marshall University’s School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy will assist in combating, treating and preventing drug-related illnesses in the three counties.

 

Marshall up for 10-year review of accreditation

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Marshall University says its accreditation is up for its 10-year review.

According to the university, a team from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools will visit the Huntington campus in October. The team will review Marshall’s ongoing ability to meet the commission’s criteria for accreditation. Marshall has been accredited by HLC since 1928.

The university said the public is invited to submit comments, which must be in writing and address substantive matters related to the quality of instruction or academic programs.

 

St. Mary’s names Spirit of St. Mary’s Award winners

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — St. Mary’s Medical Center has named the winners of its Spirit of St. Mary’s Award for August.

The winner in the patient care area is Ronda Smoot, staff nurse in the recovery phase II department. The winner in the service area is Kim Thompson, staffing clerk on the medical-surgical nursing resource team.

The Spirit of St. Mary’s Award recognizes employees who demonstrate exceptional service and care to patients and their families, fellow co-workers and the community by living the values which illustrate the spirit of St. Mary’s Medical Center.