Local doctor honored with statewide award

BELINGTON - A Barbour County resident has been honored with a statewide award.

The West Virginia Psychological Association has recognized Dr. Casey Jo Cottrill, of Barbour Community Health Association, as the 2026 recipient of the Early Career Citizen Psychologist Award.

Cottrill was formally recognized at the WVPA annual conference on Sept. 19, where psychologists, educators, and mental health professionals from across the state gather to "advance clinical practice, share emerging research, and strengthen professional collaboration," according to a press release.

"It was an honor to be nominated, and I'm humbled and grateful to have been chosen," Cottrill said of the award. "Rural school-based health is uniquely challenging, but is also a source for meaningful, values-driven work.

"I'm especially proud that this award provides an opportunity to shine a light on the impact of school-based health and the difference it can make for our communities."

The award honors work that reflects "WVPA's mission to improve access to quality mental health care, promote education about psychology, and support the development of psychologists and future psychologists," the release stated.

Cottrill was selected "for her contributions to rural schoolbased behavioral health, her leadership in integrated care, and her dedication to strengthening systems that support children, families, and interdisciplinary teams," according to the release.

"Dr. Cottrill's leadership and dedication have strengthened behavioral health access for children and families across Barbour County," said Ric Ruf, chief executive officer for BCHA. "Her work in schoolbased health and integrated primary care reflects core values she embodies: compassion, innovation, and a commitment to meeting people where they are.

"We are proud to see her recognized by the West Virginia Psychological Association and grateful for the impact she makes every day in our clinics, our schools, and our community."

In addition to her clinical and administrative work, Cottrill is an active member of the Barbour County Bright Futures Coalition, and serves as a practicum site supervisor for third-year Marshall University students, supporting the next generation of psychologists through mentorship and applied training.

Cottrill's work "demonstrates a sustained commitment to improving behavioral health access in schoolbased settings, particularly in rural communities where resources are limited and needs are significant," the release states. "Among her many efforts, she created and chaired a schoolbased health center quality improvement and quality assurance subcommittee to increase the use of data in setting and achieving program goals.

"She also identified barriers that limited access to walk-in behavioral health services and led the redesign of schoolbased consent forms to more accurately reflect available services," the release continues. "To then further improve access, she researched and implemented a virtual platform that streamlined the consent process for families, making it even easier for patients to receive the care they need."