Mon Health Medical Center welcomed James Messenger as a special populations navigator to spearhead new peer recovery team.
A West Virginia native, Messenger comes to his new role at Mon Health with nine years of experience in peer recovery, working with medication-assisted treatment of patients, and advocating for individuals and families navigating the complexities of substance use disorder through paralegal work in Monongalia County Family Court.
With his passion for medication-assisted treatment and a goal to see better recovery care in West Virginia, Messenger aims to be strategic in his role as a special populations navigator and will work to elevate the standard of recovery care statewide.
“Mon Health is ahead of the game when it comes to substance use disorder treatment and goes above and beyond to make sure barriers are removed. Patients here actually get treatment they need without stigma and bias,” said Messenger. “As Mon Health and Vandalia Health continue to grow, there are so many possibilities for expanding resources and help for individuals with substance use disorders in underserved areas of West Virginia.”
Messenger looks forward to growing the peer recovery program at Mon Health Medical Center and hopes to explore different ways to stay at the forefront of medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, such as providing telehealth appointments for rural patients.
“We are setting the standard of care for medication-assisted treatment patients and recovery care,” said Messenger. “Through innovation and continued pursuit of providing high-quality care, I have high hopes for the future of this program and statewide recovery care.”
To learn more about the recovery services offered across Mon Health System, visit MonHealth.com/Recovery.
Mon Health System is an integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient centers and hospitals in north-central West Virginia. It includes five hospitals — its flagship, Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown; Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood; Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston; Mon Health Marion Neighborhood Hospital in White Hall; and affiliate, Grafton City Hospital in Grafton.
