KINGWOOD – Leaders of Vandalia Health Mon Preston Memorial Hospital cut a pink ribbon Wednesday morning to celebrate next-week’s opening of the oncology and clinical expansion project.
“It’s more than a structure, it’s comfort,” said Jason McNair, hospital chief of staff. “Comfort in knowing that the people who are your friends and neighbors are the ones who are going to be taking care of you when you need it the most.”
Construction began last fall on the $6.9 million, 12,000-square-foot addition, and in December they held a beam-signing ceremony. The lower floor of the addition is now complete and includes five additional exam rooms – three for oncology and two to flex for other specialized services – and eight private infusion bays.
The upper floor remains shell space for now.
Chief Administrative Officer Melissa Lockwood they’ve doing oncology there for about two years, but they’re doing infusions now in patient rooms – two chairs to a room, Now each person will have a private space.
The addition also includes what everyone said is a staff favorite – a spacious new break room.
“Care close to home” was the theme for those who spoke before the ribbon cutting.
It means shorter drives, less time away from work and family and more convenient care, said Jeff Sandene, president and CEO of Vandalia Health. It means improved access for patients in Preston.
And for the community, he said, it brings 30 new jobs.
Lockwood said the story of the addition began when she came on as CAO in 2009, and the board had a vision to build a new hospital, which opened in 2015. For the expansion project, Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin secured $3 million in Congressionally Directed Spending. Gov. (now Sen.) Jim Justice secured $1.5 million through the West Virginia Rural Hospital Grant program. The remaining funds came from partners in Vandalia Health.
“This really is a project about collaboration,” she said, among clinicians, administrators, planners, architects, construction partners and staff “who share a common goal, creating a space that supports healing, innovation and excellence.”
Dr. Ihtishaam Qazi, oncology service line medical director, told The Dominion Post that the hospital has been providing cancer care for several years. “Now we have a beautiful new center to be able to expand giving those services.” The physicians and nurses will be right there at the infusion center to provide even closer observation than they can now, and the new space means they can see more patients. And they won’t have to drive 60 to 90 minutes for care.
Speaking to the assembled group of local officials, hospital leaders and staff, he thanked and praised the members of the staff and oncology team who have been and will be providing care.
“I can’t be any more proud to be part of this group,” he said, “because as the front-line provider who’s giving the care to these people, this is a huge step forward. This is a huge step for this county. I am so grateful to be part of this team.”
Mon Preston Memorial Board Chair Nick Taylor said, “The ability to add services has been monumental for our county and our community.”
Representatives for Capito and Justice attended the ceremony, and Justice’s rep read a letter from him. He wrote, “I wanted to send my heartfelt congratulations as you celebrate the ribbon cutting. … This expansion is a tremendous investment in Preston County and the surrounding communities.”
