Healthcare Executive Podcast Building a Rural Health Network in Challenging Times
Oct 10, 2025
Albert Wright Jr., President and CEO of WVU Medicine, shares his journey from pharmacist to healthcare leader with a focus on rural health. He discusses the challenges of serving West Virginia's diverse communities and strategies like telehealth to improve access. With insights on building a provider-sponsored health plan and local investment models, Wright emphasizes the importance of attracting talent to rural areas. His experience at prestigious health systems shapes his approach to leadership, highlighting the value of dedication and ethics in healthcare.
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From Pharmacy To System CEO
- Albert Wright Jr. recounts starting as a pharmacist and evolving from pharmacy director roles in small hospitals to leading a large health system.
- He credits early clinical comfort and running multiple departments in small hospitals for broad leadership skills.
Rural Reality Shapes Strategy
- West Virginia is the only entirely Appalachian state and is extremely rural, shaping WVU Medicine's mission and footprint.
- WVU built a strong academic medical center in Morgantown while expanding a statewide population health network.
Decentralize Care And Keep Corporate Lean
- Treat academic departments as statewide entities and use telehealth to place specialists where full-time presence isn't feasible.
- Keep corporate overhead disciplined so hospitals retain earnings for local reinvestment and service growth.
