Nursing takes more than just physical care and checkups. In Lewis County, Faith Community Nurse Monica Wolford provides the community with a healthy outlook on life and faith.
Wolford completed the faith community nursing training through the WVU School of Nursing in 2025, but has been serving as a nurse for 17 years. She works at the Lewis County Health Department.
Her work as a faith community nurse extends into communities in unique ways. Currently, she is planning a healthy food bingo at their local assisted living facility that would help promote better nutrition.
“I feel that the work of a FCN is important because it encompasses a unique part of healthcare and patient healing,” Wolford said. “My long-term goal is to provide more faith-based care in our community.”
"Monica has spent the majority of her nursing career working within the community setting. Expanding the role of the nurse outside of the acute care setting shows promise in addressing issues before the need for hospitalization arises," said Dr. Angel Smothers, Associate Dean for Community Engagement at the WVU School of Nursing.
Funding for this work has been made possible through the Pallottine Foundation of Buckhannon. If a nurse is interested in taking the training, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Smothers at asmothers@hsc.wvu.edu. Scholarship support is available for nurses in counties supported by this foundation.
If you are interested in making a donation to this or any other program at the WVU School of Nursing, please contact Dr. Kimberly Colebank, Development Director, at kcolebank@wvuf.org or 304-554-0237.
-WVU-
sm/10/5/2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu