News from the Appalachian Node: Updates from the CTN-0139 Co-CARE study

March 15, 2025 /
Group of people outside Winding Waters smiling into the camera next to a "Clinic Open" sign

Jane Liebschutz (Appalachian Node), Rebecca Stone (NY Node) and Donna Beers (Boston Medical Center) traveled to Enterprise OR to conduct a site visit at Winding Waters, a federally qualified health center participating in CTN 139-CoCare. 

The three city slickers enjoyed their first taste of Frontier designation, which is less than 6 people per square mile. The view was stunning with snow capped peaks and a gorgeous river. But what impressed us all was the dedication and smooth running of the clinic. The five physicians and three physician assistants provide primary care, mental health or dental health to 80% of the population in the area. 

Group of people outside a building with a "Rodeo Office" sign standing in dance-like poses and laughing

The program joined CTN-139 as part of the Care for Health Initiative, which supports multiple rural primary care research networks around the US. The research team, from both local and more distant locations in Oregon, showed the lead team how coherent leadership and dedication can make a low resourced area function well.  We expect them to start patient recruitment by early April at the latest. 

Also: The Union Community Care site in Lancaster, PA has begun patient recruitment and so far in March have enrolled 6 participants!

Posted on March 14, 2025