Belington, W.Va. – Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA) announces the retirement of Deborah “Debbie” Schoonover, Chief Operations Officer, who will conclude her service on December 12, 2025. Her retirement marks the culmination of a remarkable 25-year tenure with BCHA and more than four decades of dedicated service to the Barbour County community and follows her recent recognition as a 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipient at the West Virginia Primary Care Association’s Leadership Forum, one of the highest honors in the state’s community health center network.
She joined BCHA on April 17, 2000, as the Office Manager for Belington Clinic. She advanced to Chief Operations Officer, where she helped guide organizational growth, strengthen operational systems, and champion initiatives that expanded access and patient-centered improvements. Her steady leadership and focus on staff development played a meaningful role in shaping BCHA’s culture and expanding access to high-quality care throughout the region.
“Behind every successful healthcare organization is someone who ensures operations run seamlessly so clinical teams can focus on patient care. For us, that person has been Debbie,” said Dr. John Henderson, Chief Medical Officer at Barbour Community Health Association. “Her leadership strengthened the systems our providers rely on every day, from improving workflows to supporting staff development, and her legacy will continue to shape how we deliver care for many years to come.”
Schoonover’s commitment to service began in childhood through 4-H, where she started volunteering at just eight years old. The program’s core principles, using one’s head for problem-solving, heart for compassion, hands for service, and health for better living became the framework for her leadership style. Those values personified the way she supported staff, served patients, and approached every challenge throughout her career.
In recognition of her significant contributions to the community, Schoonover received the 2025 Distinguished Service Award at the West Virginia Primary Care Association’s (WVPCA) Leadership Forum and underscores the statewide impact of her career. The award is presented to leaders whose work has shaped the future of community health and is one of the highest honors presented by the WVPCA, recognizing leaders whose work has formed the future of community health throughout West Virginia.
“In 2000, I was given the opportunity to join this amazing organization. That opportunity allowed me to grow with BCHA and with the community we serve. But most of all, it gave me the chance to get to know each patient, employee, and community member, and to see the great things everyone brings to the table. I could never imagine retiring from BCHA because this place, our mission, and our people mean so much to me. But after 25 years, you know when it’s the right time,” Schoonover said.
“Since joining 4-H as a young girl, those values have guided every step of my journey. I want to thank everyone at BCHA for being such an important part of my life and for making these 25 years so meaningful.”
“Debbie is the heart of our operations,” said Eric Ruf, Chief Executive Officer of Barbour Community Health Association. “Her compassionate leadership and unwavering dedication to our mission have touched countless lives. Not just patients, but every staff member who has had the privilege of working alongside her. While we will miss her deeply, we celebrate the incredible legacy she leaves behind.”
During her time at BCHA, Schoonover contributed to major organizational advancements, strengthening staff culture, and supporting initiatives that broadened access to care for families across Barbour County. In retirement, she plans to spend more time sewing, volunteering in her community, traveling, and enjoying precious moments with her grandchildren.
As part of the transition, Josh Allen, who previously served as BCHA’s Community Engagement Specialist, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer. Allen, a Barbour County resident for more than 20 years, has been part of key community initiatives through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP). BCHA will share more about the transition in the coming month.
Visit barbourhealth.org to learn more.
