MORGANTOWN – In May, following years of on-and-off negotiations between Monongalia County and WVU Medicine regarding the health system’s acquisition of the Monongalia County Health Department property, the two sides finalized the details of a $6 million transaction making it official.
On Tuesday, Albert Wright, president and CEO of the West Virginia University Health System, stood before the Monongalia County Commission to announce a $9 million contribution in support of public health initiatives administered through the health department and other county programs.
“We’re really starting to work hand in glove with the county health department to make sure that we’re not providing repetitive care, but rather collaborative and complementary care. They’ve been great partners, and we want to make sure that they have the funding to continue to do what they need to do to help us all meet our mission to improve the health of the state of West Virginia,” Wright said.
According to information distributed by WVU Medicine, the funding will be used to support community health initiatives, including: Immunization services, preventative dental care, maternal health services, Narcan training and distribution, nutrition counseling, preventative screenings, and the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of land and facilities that support public health.
“Monongalia County Health Department would like to thank Albert Wright and WVU Medicine for the generous contribution to the Monongalia County Commission,” MCHD Executive Director Anthony DeFelice said. “This contribution focuses on the health needs of Monongalia County citizens. We appreciate the support from the county commissioners and WVU Medicine and look forward to working with them on current and future health issues in our community.”
While the purchase of the health department property and the contribution announced Tuesday are separate, it is not a coincidence that one followed the other.
“In our discussions on the sale of the health department property, we knew that we thought the land was a little more valuable than what the price of the buildings was. So, we worked with them to come up with a commitment so that we could continue their goals and also help pay for health programs and other programs in our county,” Commission President Tom Bloom said. “We felt like this is an extremely generous offer to accomplish those goals.”
On the same day the county commission approved the $6 million sale of the MCHD property to WVU Medicine, it finalized a purchase agreement for $4.1 million to make White Birch Tower II, located at 1311 Pineview Drive, the future home of the health department.
It was explained that the balance of the two transactions would be used to both address issues with the new facility, including a new roof and upgrades to the HVAC system, and retrofit the building to the health department’s needs before the July 1, 2027, relocation deadline.
Bloom said that if the cost of those efforts exceed the funds available, the grant provided by WVU Medicine will be used to fill the gap.
Monongalia County Commissioner Sean Sikora said Tuesday’s announcement is further proof that WVU Medicine is, “the most important institution in our state.”
“Our wonderful health department, this is going to sustain the services that they provide and help grow the services that they provide for years. That’s going to impact a lot of people,” he said, adding, “Things like this, it’s hard to quantify, but they have huge impacts on this community. It’s amazing the impact that your organization has had on this state.”
Commissioner Jeff Arnett agreed.
“This is amazing. The community and this state knows no better partner than WVU Medicine. I can’t thank you enough for all the collaboration over the years,” he said. “Anytime WVU Medicine is asked – and we usually don’t even have to ask – you guys are there front and center offering to help in any situation. We can’t thank you enough. This is amazing. Thank you so much.”
