Williamson Health and Wellness Center
- Project Title: Healthy in the Hills Network
- Program Representative Interviewed: Amy Dearfield Hannah
- Location: Williamson, WV
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Program Overview: Williamson Health and Wellness Center is a Federally Qualified Health
Center that houses the Healthy in the Hills Network, a cross-sector collaboration of partners in southern
West Virginia working toward health equity. The Healthy in the Hills Network began as a grant-funded
diabetes prevention coalition in 2012. At the end of the grant period, the coalition changed its name to the
Healthy in the Hills Network and changed its focus to addressing upstream determinants of health, including
supporting healthy eating patterns in the community. The network has helped establish a community garden to
support food access for community members with low income. The network also formed partnerships with the
Mingo County Redevelopment Authority and local farmers to increase access to healthy food at farmers markets.
Future priorities for the network include employment opportunities, transportation, broadband access, and
mental and behavioral healthcare access.
Community members with lived experience participate in the network and help shape the vision for the cross-sector collaboration. The network uses a consensus-based and approach to decision-making, and every member of the network can vote as part of the decision-making process.