The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) is firmly dedicated to safeguarding and advancing patient safety within its healthcare facilities, including the William R. Sharpe, Jr. Hospital.
Upon being informed of the arrest of contract nurse Tamra Garvin on November 7, 2023, for an incident unrelated to Sharpe Hospital, DHHR leadership promptly informed Garvin's employer that her assignment at Sharpe Hospital would be terminated, effective as of November 8, 2023.
Before assuming her position at Sharpe Hospital, the contract nurse underwent a comprehensive fingerprint-based federal and state background check through WV CARES, which is mandated for all direct access employees, independent contractors, and volunteers of providers and facilities. This thorough screening revealed no cause for concern. WV CARES diligently monitors criminal records and promptly notifies authorities in the event of any subsequent changes in criminal record information.