Marshall University, Marshall Health Network host U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health for rural health discussion

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University and Marshall Health Network today welcomed Admiral Brian Christine, M.D., assistant secretary for health and head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for a campus visit focused on rural health transformation.  

The visit, held at the Brad D. Smith Center for Business & Innovation, included a fireside chat that explored national priorities surrounding rural health, the health care workforce pipeline, access to care in underserved regions and innovations aimed at improving health outcomes across Appalachia. The event marked Admiral Christine’s first official state visit since his confirmation. 

The program began with opening remarks from David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), vice president for health affairs and dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, and Scott Raynes, president and CEO of Marshall Health Network. Mike Stuart, J.D., general counsel for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provided remarks and introduced Admiral Christine. The fireside discussion featured Admiral Christine in conversation with Gozal, Raynes and Toney Stroud, J.D., chief legal officer and vice president for strategic initiatives and corporate relations at Marshall University.  

In addition to the main program, Admiral Christine met with university and health system leaders for a roundtable discussion on rural health priorities, statewide collaboration and Marshall’s expanding role in health workforce development. He also toured key regional outreach and clinical resources, including the Marco mobile medical unit and Marshall Health Network-Hoops Family Children’s Hospital, where he observed how mobile and pediatric specialty services are helping address health equity and access challenges across West Virginia.

Additional photos are available at https://jcesom.smugmug.com/Events/2025-Events/Fireside-chat-with-Admiral-Brian-Christine.