Celebrating Reynolds Memorial Hospital’s new partnership with WVU Medicine on Monday are, from left, Albert Wright, president and CEO of the West Virginia University Health System; Dr. David F. Hess, CEO of Reynolds, and Bernard P. Twigg, president of Reynolds’ board of directors.
GLEN DALE, W.Va. — A new chapter for health care in Marshall County began Monday as Reynolds Memorial Hospital officially became a member of WVU Medicine.
Reynolds is the eighth hospital — and the first in the Northern Panhandle — to join the West Virginia University Health System. Albert Wright, president and CEO of the health care system, said the partnership makes WVU Medicine, with nearly 130,000 employees, the largest employer in the state.
An outdoor ceremony was held on the Reynolds campus to celebrate the new affiliation. Calling it an incredible day, Dr. David F. Hess, CEO of Reynolds, said the event marked “the coming together of three entities: Reynolds Memorial Hospital, WVU Medicine and the community.” He said, “I can’t think of a better partnership.”
Wright agreed, saying, “It’s an appropriately beautiful day to celebrate what is going to be a great partnership.”He cited “positive synergy since Day One” of the 14-month process undertaken by the entities.
WVU Medicine is a $2 billion net revenue organization, Wright said, adding, “We are a true hub and spoke model. Reynolds will become a spoke of WVU Medicine.” Patients will have access to electronic medical records and all of the services in the health care system, he said.
Bernard P. Twigg, president of Reynolds’ board of directors, said, “This is a historic day for Marshall County. This merger was no small task.”
The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer, Episcopal bishop of West Virginia and honorary chairman of the Reynolds board, offered the invocation and closing prayer, citing the inspiration of Archdeacon B.M. Spurr, founder of the hospital. Spurr, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Moundsville, opened the hospital in 1899, with a major gift provided by Emily Van Buren Reynolds, daughter of President Martin Van Buren.
Hess said, “The Episcopal Church did an incredible job of taking over and providing health care in this community.” In the 1970s, the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia turned over operation of the hospital to the community.
On hand for the ceremony, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said the partnership of WVU Medicine and Reynolds“is a beautiful fit for this area.” The senator predicted the affiliation will spur increased growth and development in the area, offer more choices for residents and provide job security.
WVU President Gordon Gee, also in attendance, said the affiliation fits into the university’s goals to “provide great health care and create prosperity, jobs and opportunities for people to grow and stay here.”
Regarding expansion of services, Hess said work has begun to transform the hospital’s former oncology department into a site for the WVU Cancer Institute. “World-class cancer care will be back in Marshall County, on our campus,” he said. “WVU Medicine has a vision to bring world-class surgery onto our campus as well.”
Hess said WVU Medicine wants to offer “high-tech, high-quality health care in every community in the northern part of the state.”
