BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – United Hospital Center (UHC) and the West Virginia United Health System (WVUHS) have reached a preliminary agreement with Pallottine Missionary Sisters, for the transfer of sponsorship of St. Joseph’s Hospital of Buckhannon to UHC.
WVUHS is the parent corporation for UHC and multiple other hospitals and healthcare systems in West Virginia, and through this transaction, UHC will become the parent corporation for St. Joseph’s Hospital.
“We are very pleased to welcome the talented and compassionate medical, nursing, and administrative staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital to the UHC family,” said Bruce Carter, CEO of United Hospital Center.
“The Pallottine Missionary Sisters have worked for more than 93 years to make St. Joseph’s Hospital what it is today, and this transfer will allow that legacy to continue,” stated Sue Johnson-Phillippe, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital.
“There are fewer Sisters here to oversee their healthcare ministries, and this move is part of their strategic planning to secure the future of St. Joseph’s Hospital for its community.”
The leadership and staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital will remain in place and current services at the hospital will continue without interruption.
“As the state’s largest healthcare system, our mission in the WVUHS is to work to improve healthcare throughout West Virginia,” said Christopher Colenda, M.D., M.P.H., WVUHS CEO and chancellor for Health Sciences at WVU. “St. Joseph’s continued success is crucial to maintaining the health of the community.”
This agreement will require administrative and regulatory review at several levels before it will be finalized.
