Training of graduate-level health professional students for substance use disorder services in rural and medically underserved areas in west virginia - the marshall university physician assistant…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Marshall University Research Corporation $299,519 under the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.490) on September 30, 2026.

The award funds training of graduate-level health professional students to deliver substance use disorder services in rural and medically underserved areas of West Virginia. Marshall University's Physician Assistant Program will conduct Prescription Drug Monitoring Program-buprenorphine/opioid use disorder medications (PCSS-MOUD) training for students across four academic programs: the Physician Assistant Program, School of Pharmacy, Athletic Training Program, and Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program. The initiative expects to train 70 to 80 students annually, totaling 210 to 240 students over the three-year period. Physician Assistant students will receive additional education in clinical assessment, clinical medicine, pharmacology, and psychiatry; complete clinical rotations with exposure to patients with substance use disorders; and receive Narcan training. Faculty will administer the mandatory eight-hour PCSS MOUD curriculum across all participating programs.

The award runs through September 29, 2029, with place of performance in Huntington, West Virginia. Marshall University Research Corporation is a nonprofit research organization affiliated with Marshall University.

Training of graduate-level health professional students for substance use disorder services in rural and medically underserved areas in west virginia - the marshall university physician assistant program will train health professional students to meet care and treatment needs for patients with SUD in west virginia. The program will conduct pcss-moud training for students in the physician assistant program, school of pharmacy, athletic training program, and clinical psychology doctorate program. IT expects to train 70 to 80 students annually, or 210 to 240 students over three years. Faculty will administer the pcss 8-hour moud training, and PA students will receive additional SUD education in clinical medicine, clinical assessment, pharmacology, and psychiatry. PA students will also complete clinical rotations with exposure to patients with SUD and receive narcan training.