West Virginia Department of Health Announces Leadership for Rural Health Transformation Program
Charleston, WV – The West Virginia Department of Health (WVDOH) has appointed Dr. Carrie Jeffries as Director, and Dr. Soumya Prasad as Deputy Director of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), marking a significant step in the program’s implementation. The appointments were announced on February 13, 2026, with both leaders beginning their roles on February 17, 2026. West Virginia Department of Health
A Milestone for Rural Healthcare in West Virginia
The RHTP aims to modernize rural healthcare infrastructure, expand access to essential services, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and build sustainable care systems across the state. The appointments of Dr. Jeffries and Dr. Prasad are considered crucial for accelerating these efforts. West Virginia Watch
Dr. Carrie Jeffries: Director of RHTP
Dr. Carrie Jeffries brings a wealth of clinical and executive leadership experience to her new role. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, combining advanced clinical training with expertise in healthcare administration and system redesign. Dr. Jeffries is board certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and a Nurse Executive Advanced, and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Her background in rural and under-resourced healthcare is expected to be invaluable in leading the RHTP’s statewide transformation. West Virginia Department of Health
Dr. Soumya Prasad: Deputy Director of RHTP
Dr. Soumya Prasad is a practicing pediatrician, board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and an experienced healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience in clinical, academic, corporate, and regulatory leadership. She previously served as a Medical Officer supporting the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, focusing on pharmacovigilance strategy and compliance in oncology trials. Dr. Prasad similarly has extensive experience in global drug development and risk management. West Virginia Department of Health
Leadership Support and Program Funding
Dr. Arvin Singh, Secretary of Health for West Virginia and Acting Director of the RHTP, expressed confidence in the new leadership team. He highlighted Dr. Jeffries’ expertise in driving system-level transformation and Dr. Prasad’s deep clinical experience and regulatory insight. West Virginia Watch
The RHTP is supported by $199 million in funding secured for 2026 from the Trump administration’s Rural Health Transformation Fund, which is part of the One Substantial Beautiful Bill Act signed into law in July 2025. This fund will distribute $50 billion to approved states over five years, with $10 billion allocated annually starting in fiscal year 2026. West Virginia Watch, WV Gazette-Mail
In addition to the director and deputy director, Michael Sheets, former State Procurement Officer, and John Leite, former Assistant to the Public Health Commissioner, have joined the RHTP team to support operational execution. West Virginia Department of Health
The Department of Health is actively hiring additional team members and finalizing Requests for Proposals to accelerate program rollout. An advisory panel of clinical, operational, and community leaders will also be established to guide strategy and ensure accountability. West Virginia Department of Health
More information about the Rural Health Transformation Program is available at health.wv.gov.
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