Preston Memorial Hospital Marks Expansion with Beam Signing Ceremony

Vandalia Health Preston Memorial Hospital celebrated a significant milestone in its expansion project on March 1, 2024, with a beam-signing ceremony attended by community leaders, hospital staff, and local officials. This event highlights the hospital’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services in the region, particularly in specialty care.

Melissa Lockwood, Chief Administrative Officer of Preston Memorial, expressed her dedication to providing exceptional healthcare close to home. “Really in my heart of hearts, it’s really the ability to provide this specialty care right here in our community,” she stated before the ceremony. The expansion project includes a new two-story, 12,000-square-foot addition that will significantly enhance hospital-based services, particularly in oncology.

Details of the Expansion

The new facility will feature an oncology infusion center equipped with eight private rooms, a dedicated clinic space, and a separate entrance. Lockwood noted that this addition will not only expand oncology services but will also increase the number of exam rooms available. The construction is intended to be completed by the beginning of July 2024, contingent on weather conditions.

During the ceremony, state officials praised the hospital’s efforts to improve healthcare access in rural areas. State Senate President Randy Smith, whose district includes Preston, emphasized the importance of rural health initiatives, stating, “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.”

Don Smith, President of the Preston County Commission, echoed this sentiment, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to expanding health services. “The things that you all have done to expand rural health in this area is just phenomenal,” he said, highlighting the positive impact on the community.

State Support for the Project

Randall Reid-Smith represented Governor Jim Justice at the event, delivering a message that praised the expansion as a life-changing investment in local healthcare. Justice noted that he helped secure $1.5 million in state funding through the West Virginia Rural Hospital Grant program for this project. “This expansion is a life-changing investment in high-quality healthcare close to home,” he stated.

Furthermore, Lockwood highlighted additional financial support from federal officials, noting that Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin secured $3 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the expansion. “It’s about our community … the reassurance that world-class healthcare is available right here at home,” she emphasized.

The significance of this expansion goes beyond the physical structure. Dr. Jason McNair, Chief of Staff at Preston Memorial and a local resident, remarked on the importance of having specialized cancer care available within the community. He noted that prior to this expansion, patients often had to travel over an hour to Morgantown for specialized care. “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,” he stated.

Lockwood concluded the ceremony with a heartfelt message about the future of the hospital and its commitment to serving the community. “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 said, reinforcing the hospital’s mission to provide quality healthcare to its residents.

The beam-signing ceremony, although affected by severe weather conditions that prevented the beam from being raised outdoors, showcased the community’s support for the hospital’s expansion and the ongoing dedication to improving healthcare access for all.