Preston Memorial Hospital Marks Expansion Milestone with Beam Signing

Vandalia Health’s Preston Memorial Hospital celebrated a significant milestone in its expansion project with a beam-signing ceremony on March 15, 2024. This event underscored the commitment to enhancing community-based healthcare services, allowing local residents to access specialized medical care without the need for lengthy travel.

Expansion Details and Community Impact

The expansion includes a two-story addition spanning 12,000 square feet, which will enhance hospital services, particularly in oncology. Melissa Lockwood, Chief Administrative Officer of Preston Memorial, emphasized the importance of providing specialty care within the community. “We wanted to provide exceptional healthcare close to home, and I think we’ve delivered on that promise,” she stated prior to the ceremony.

The new facility will feature an oncology infusion center with eight private rooms, a dedicated clinic space, and a separate entrance for patients. Additional exam rooms will also be included in the expansion, with plans to open the new facility by the start of July 2024, pending favorable weather conditions. Despite challenging weather during the ceremony, with freezing temperatures and snowy winds, attendees gathered inside the hospital lobby before stepping outside to sign the beam.

Support from Local Officials

Local officials expressed their support for the project during the celebration. Randy Smith, President of the West Virginia State Senate, praised the hospital’s efforts to support rural healthcare, noting, “They really support rural health. This has been really important.” Don Smith, President of the Preston County Commission, added, “The things that you all have done to expand rural health in this area is just phenomenal.”

Randall Reid-Smith, representing Governor Jim Justice, highlighted the state’s financial commitment to the project, mentioning that $1.5 million in funding was secured through the West Virginia Rural Hospital Grant program. Justice remarked that “this expansion is a life-changing investment in high-quality healthcare close to home.”

Dr. Jason McNair, Chief of Staff at Preston Memorial and a local resident, reflected on the importance of having accessible specialized care. “Having grown up here, I’ve gotten to see the importance of having a hospital dedicated to excellent patient care, with compassion, within our community,” he explained. Previously, patients requiring specialized cancer treatment faced hour-long journeys to Morgantown, making the new facility a vital resource for local residents.

Lockwood concluded the program by reiterating the significance of the project, stating, “The fact that we are able to make this investment in the future of our hospital and the people that we serve is truly an honor.” She also acknowledged the support of Shelley Moore Capito and former Senator Joe Manchin, who secured an additional $3 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the expansion.

The ceremony highlighted not only the physical structure of the new addition but also the commitment of the hospital staff and community members who make Preston Memorial Hospital a cornerstone of healthcare in the area. Lockwood emphasized, “All the people here are really what makes this an amazing hospital, a great community to deliver care, and that’s why we want to be here.”