U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced today that Marshall University was awarded $89,314 for a graduate training program in rural psychology specifically targeting underserved regions of central Appalachia by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration.

"Better training leads to better care," said Rahall. "With this funding, Marshall University will have the means to train and send top-notch doctors, from right here in our state, to provide rural West Virginia residents with the quality care they need."

This funding will allow Marshall University's Department of Psychology to train doctoral-level health professionals to meet the significant needs of rural and underserved regions, particularly those in central Appalachia. During a 10-month clinical program, students will learn to combine consultative and community-oriented skills with traditional psychotherapy and assessment skills in an integrated behavioral health model that will enhance their effectiveness as rural practitioners. The program will also focus on training and retaining students from rural areas, in hopes that they will choose to remain practicing in the rural areas of Appalachia.

"Education in our state has always been one of my highest priorities," continued Rahall. "I look forward to working closely with Marshall in the future. Together, we are committed to serving the people of West Virginia and providing them with the highest quality education and health care services available."

Marshall University is also home to the Rahall Transportation Institute (RTI), created by Rep. Rahall in 1998 through one of the largest grant awards in the history of Marshall University. The RTI was designed to advance U.S. technology and transportation knowledge through the mechanisms of education, research and technology transfer at Marshall University and four other schools across Southern West Virginia.