WEIRTON — In an effort to better meet the needs of the community’s medical care, Weirton Medical Center has announced plans for a $9 million expansion to its emergency department.
“With recent economic development activity in the area such as Form Energy, it is crucial we have an emergency department that meets the needs of the community,” said WMC President and Chief Executive Officer John Frankovitch. “We have begun the process of working with Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito to apply for funding for the final stage of the project through a federal HRSA grant. We were able to fund the first phases internally, but federal support will enable us to complete the final stage of the project to meet the increase in community demand. Our mission is always to provide the exceptional, compassionate healthcare services our community has come to expect from the entire WMC family.”
Hospital officials note when Weirton Medical was opened in 1978, it had an anticipated yearly volume of emergency room visits of 24,000. Today, the hospital receives upward of 40,000 emergency visits each year.
WMC is the only Level IV trauma designated emergency provider in the area, and the only emergency facility in Hanco*ck and Brooke counties.
Changes in local demographics also have had an impact.
“A third of all our emergency department patients at WMC are classified as either Medicaid, charity care or self-pay, often with limited access to transportation and primary care,” explained Joi Gorlock, chief nursing officer. “This limited access causes many Medicaid families to use the emergency services for all their medical care needs.”
The expansion will necessitate the relocation of other operational areas of the hospital. Weirton Medical’s laboratory already has been moved, and the hospital is in the process of building a new gastroenterology center.
“When we are completed, this project will allow WMC to offer the community state-of-the-art laboratory and gastroenterology services with an upgraded, expanded and renovated emergency department,” said David Artman, WMC chief operations officer.
Funding for the $9 million project has come through a variety of sources, including a $6.4 million bond issued by Weirton Medical Center in 2022.
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FAQs
WMC has been a clinical affiliate of WVU Medicine since 2020, but the new agreement will make it a full member. The 238-bed acute care hospital will become the 24th hospital under the name WVU Medicine.
What trauma level is Weirton Medical Center? ›
WMC is the only Level IV trauma designated emergency provider in the area, and the only emergency facility in Hanco*ck and Brooke counties.
What is the largest emergency department in the United States? ›
Only one, the emergency facility of the Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas, had over 200,000. Its count was 226,178. The Parkland Health and Hospital System is massive.
How many hospitals does WVU Medicine own? ›
The West Virginia University Health System, the state's largest health system and largest private employer, is comprised of 25 hospitals: J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown (flagship)
Where does WVU Medicine rank? ›
West Virginia University 2024 Rankings
West Virginia University is in Tier 3 in Best Medical Schools: Research and in Tier 3 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care. Schools were assessed on their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
How many beds does Weirton Medical Center have? ›
WMC is a 238-bed acute care hospital located on U.S. Route 22 in W.Va.'s Northern Panhandle. Serving patients from West Virginia, Eastern Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania. WMC operates over 50 ancillary locations throughout the tri-state region.
What is the most severe level trauma center? ›
A Level I trauma center can provide the highest level of care for a patient presenting after a traumatic injury. A Level IV or V trauma center will stabilize an injured patient and arrange for transfer to a higher level of care. This designation is unique for adult and pediatric facilities.
What year did Weirton Medical Center open? ›
1953. Weirton Medical Center (then Weirton General Hospital) was founded in 1953 by a group of community leaders in the City of Weirton. The Hospital was initially located in the Weircrest addition of Weirton, north of the city.
How much do you get paid at Weirton Medical Center? ›
Average WEIRTON MEDICAL CENTER hourly pay ranges from approximately $10.00 per hour for Entry Level Technician to $38.30 per hour for Director of Accounting.
Who is the CFO of Weirton Medical Center? ›
HR Department
The Weirton Medical Center, Inc. management team includes David Artman (Chief Operating Officer EVP), Gabe D'Ortenzio (Vice President of Human Resources), and Joe Sayut (Chief Financial Officer).
Medical City Plano is a for-profit, 603-bed hospital in Plano, Texas owned and operated by HCA Healthcare.
What is the busiest ER in the USA? ›
The U.S. hospital with the most emergency department visits in 2022 was Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas, followed by Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida.
What is the busiest trauma hospital in the US? ›
With 17,000 trauma visits and over 6,000 of those patients admitted, MH-TMC has been described as the busiest trauma center in the United States. This trauma volume and acuity allow our residents to become experts in treating both critical and ambulatory trauma patients.
What percentage of ER visits are unnecessary? ›
Results. The majority (61.4%) of the 30,737 ED visits were less-urgent or non-urgent.
Did WVU buy Princeton Community Hospital? ›
Princeton Community Hospital is now WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital. A ribbon-cutting and flag-raising ceremony took place Friday on the PCH main campus. CEO of Princeton Community Hospital Karen Bowling said this partnership brings world-class medicine to Mercer County.
Who is buying Augusta University Medical Center? ›
Marietta-based Wellstar assumes control of the 478-bed Augusta University Medical Center and 154-bed Children's Hospital of Georgia, as well as the rights to build a 100-bed hospital in suburban Augusta.
How much does WVU Medicine make? ›
Morgantown, W.Va. -based WVU Medicine has reported $81 million in operating income as of Sept. 30 as revenues totaled $4.4 billion.
Is Ku buying Olathe Medical Center? ›
While Olathe Health's integration with The University of Kansas Health System has been a slow and steady process, health care leaders say the merger already is achieving some of the goals it laid out a year ago. KU Health is about a year into merging the Olathe Health system into its operations.
