West Virginia Wellness Conference to focus on Healthy Aging and Longevity

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The inaugural West Virginia Wellness: Empowering Healthy Aging and Longevity Conference will be held Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the St. Mary’s Center for Education at 2853 Fifth Avenue in Huntington.

Hosted by Marshall University and Marshall Health Network, the statewide conference brings together national experts, regional leaders and local practitioners for a full day of education, discussion and collaboration focused on improving the health and well-being of older adults.

The conference runs 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature keynote addresses from internationally recognized geriatrician William Molloy, M.D., of the Centre of Gerontology and Rehabilitation at the University College Cork Department of Medicine, and Richard J. Hodes, M.D., director of the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health.

Throughout the day, attendees will explore a range of interdisciplinary topics through breakout sessions focused on dementia care, medication safety, geriatric nutrition, physical therapy, Medicare, advance care planning, and more. Networking opportunities will foster collaboration and idea sharing.

“The health and well-being of our older adults are not just medical priorities—they are moral imperatives,” said Adam M. Franks, M.D., vice dean for rural health and professor and chair of the department of family and community health at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “In rural communities across West Virginia, where access to care can be limited, our responsibility is even greater. We must ensure that every older adult receives compassionate, evidence-based care that supports aging with dignity and independence. This conference exemplifies the commitment of Marshall University, Marshall Health Network and the Department of Family & Community Health to advancing geriatric care through interdisciplinary education, showcasing clinical innovation and cultivating leadership.”

This event is provided free of charge thanks to generous support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. The conference is approved by the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine for 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

For more information or to register, please visit events.marshall.edu/event/wv-wellness-conference-2025. For questions about the event, please contact Deb Koester, Ph.D., director of the division of community health at the Joan C. Ewards School of Medicine, koesterd@marshall.edu.