BRADSHAW, W. Va. — In the small town of Bradshaw, West Virginia, nestled deep in McDowell County, faith community nurse Melissa Coleman has been a steady presence at her nurse-led access to care point within the Bradshaw Church of God.
For years, she has provided health screenings, education, and spiritual support to her neighbors. But when devastating floods recently swept through the community, leaving homes, businesses, and even her faith community under water, Coleman found herself not only displaced but also without the space that had become a vital resource for so many.
“When I walked into our church after the water receded, my heart sank,” Coleman said. “Everything was ruined — the supplies, the medical equipment, the quiet space where people came to talk and pray. It was all gone.”
But giving up wasn’t an option. Instead of waiting to rebuild, Coleman took her work on the road, setting up makeshift clinics in parking lots, community centers, and even people’s front porches. Armed with little more than a blood pressure cuff, a stethoscope, and a deep sense of purpose, she is meeting people where they are.
“I realized that the need doesn’t stop just because the building is gone,” she said. “If anything, people need us more now than ever. They’ve lost their homes, their medications, their sense of stability, so I’m going to them.”
Coleman has partnered with the WVU School of Nursing to replace supplies that were lost.
“We know that lack of trust is a major barrier to care in Appalachian communities, but having Melissa embedded and trusted within the Bradshaw community is making all the difference,” said Dr. Angel Smothers, Associate Dean for Community Engagement at the WVU School of Nursing.
Coleman’s determination has inspired others to join the effort. With donations trickling in and volunteers stepping up, she is hopeful that one day, her access point will be rebuilt. Until then, she’ll continue doing what she does best — serving her community with unwavering faith and compassion.
Funding for the supplies and support for the faith community nursing program are made possible by donations from the Hutson Family Foundation. Donations supporting the work of Faith Community Nurses are awarded via the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
To learn more about supporting the work of faith community nurses in the areas of flooding, please email Dr. Angel Smothers at asmothers@hsc.wvu.edu.
-WVU-
CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu