KINGWOOD – Community-based healthcare serving people close to home was the common theme among the speakers at Friday’s beam-signing celebration at Vandalia Health Preston Memorial Hospital.
“Really in my heart of hearts, it’s really the ability to provide this specialty care right here in our community,” said Preston Memorial’s Chief Administrative Officer Melissa Lockwood before the ceremony. “We wanted to provide exceptional healthcare close to home, and I think we’ve delivered on that promise.”
The beam signing marked a major milestone in Preston Memorial’s expansion project. The two-story, 12,000-square-foot addition will allow expansion of hospital-based services, including oncology, Lockwood said. It will include an oncology infusion center with eight private rooms, a dedicated clinic space and a separate entrance.
The addition is on the back side of the physician center, she said, and will also include more exam rooms and the second story built out for other services. They’re aiming to open it by the first of July, weather cooperating.
Friday morning’s freezing, snowy wind precluded raising the beam into place, but Mon Health leaders, hospital staff, and state and local officials attended the ceremony inside the hospital lobby before stepping outside to sign the beam.
State Senate President Randy Smith, whose district includes Preston, praised Vandalia. “They really support rural health. I have more deer, turkeys and cows in my district than I do people, because it’s such a rural area. … This has been really important.”
Preston County Commission President Don Smith said, “The things that you all have done to expand rural health in this area is just phenomenal. It does my heart so good and comforts me so much knowing you are trying so hard to help the community.”
Randall Reid-Smith came to represent Sen. Jim Justice and read a message from Justice, who noted that as governor he helped secure $1.5 million in state funding for the project through the West Virginia Rural Hospital Grant program. Justice said, “This expansion is a life-changing investment in high-quality healthcare close to home.”
Preston Memorial Chief of Staff Dr. Jason McNair said he’s a Preston native who returned here to practice medicine. “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.”
Until recently, he said, getting specialized cancer care required hour-long trips to Morgantown. Now this care is available here.
Lockwood closed the program. “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 noted that Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and former Sen. Joe Manchin also secured $3 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the project.
“It’s about our community … the reassurance that world-class healthcare is available right here at home.” But the care isn’t just the beams and walls. “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.”
