KHAMP - A Hepatitis C Training Program

Kentucky Hepatitis Academic Mentorship Program (KHAMP)

Hepatitis C Training Program

Hepatitis C, a liver infection spread through contact with blood (IV drug use, health care exposure, etc), can be a short-term illness for some. However, more than half of people who become infected develop a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C can result in serious, even life-threatening, health problems such as late-stage liver disease (cirrhosis) and liver cancer.

Dr. Ashlee Robinson (Levi Center Clinic), Dr. Morgan Birch & Angela Eversole, APRN (Bishop Street Clinic), Kayla Sabo, APRN (Hyden Clinic), and Rita Gilbert, APRN (Manchester Clinic) have completed the Kentucky Hepatitis Academic Mentorship Program (KHAMP), a 12-month training program to increase their knowledge and skill in treating hepatitis C infections.

KHAMP builds a primary care workforce to screen, diagnose, treat, and follow patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) to improve the health of underserved communities in the Appalachian region. By removing the barriers to care for individuals diagnosed with HCV, Grace Health can increase the number of people who successfully receive care and are cured.

Since it can take decades for symptoms of HCV to appear, most people don't know they're infected. The CDC recommends that all U.S. adults and pregnant women be screened for hepatitis C. While HCV can lead to life-threatening issues, over 90% of people infected with HCV can be cured of their infection with 8–12 weeks of oral therapy having few side effects.

We are thankful to have various providers and locations helping increase access to life-saving treatment for the people in our communities.

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