History

For over 75 years, Barnesville Hospital has stood as a testament to the vision and commitment of community leaders who recognized the critical need for local healthcare services. Thanks to their dedication, generations of families, friends, and visitors continue to benefit from a trusted source of care in the region.

• 1928 – A maternity hospital was established in the home of Mrs. Nora Hagedorn McCord at 808 East Main Street.
• 1929 – Dr. Jesse T. McCartney opened his grandfather’s former residence — the Thomas Parker mansion on West Main Street — to expand the hospital’s capacity. The first tonsillectomy was performed in the spring of that year.
• 1939 – The 16-bed hospital closed in November due to financial difficulties.
• 1940 – 1953 – By the fall of 1940, community members joined efforts to reopen the hospital, establishing an 18-bed facility in the McCartney house. A volunteer auxiliary group of approximately 30 women, known as the Twigs, was formed and worked in conjunction with Henry Fiechter, a part-time bookkeeper. Although the hospital served area residents throughout this period, its services and facilities were limited.
• 1954 – Forty-five Twig members, under the guidance of Mrs. Clara A. Groves, together with the support of more than 1,000 women, raised $36,585 for the hospital’s first expansion to the McCartney house. The expansion included a laboratory, x-ray services, an operating room, and labor and delivery rooms. The expanded 33-bed facility operated with a staff of 32 and welcomed its first radiologist, who provided services one day per week.
• 1957 – 1959 – Barnesville welcomed its first resident surgeon, eliminating the need for visiting surgeons from Cambridge and Wheeling. A second surgeon joined in 1959, and the hospital expanded to 53 beds.
• 1963 – 1964 – In 1963, the hospital recorded 3,146 admissions and 400 emergency room visits, supported by a medical staff of 10 physicians, including specialists from neighboring communities. In 1964, a 22-bed addition — made possible by a $100,000 estate gift from Albert S. George — expanded services to include a dedicated pediatrics room, additional surgical and recovery areas, enhanced radiology services, and a larger laboratory.
• 1974 – The original McCartney house was demolished to make way for 40 additional patient beds, updated wards, and expanded services. The new Clara A. Groves Memorial Wing honored Mrs. Groves for her leadership of the hospital’s auxiliary volunteers – the Twigs. Total bed capacity increased to 105, including six intensive care beds.
• 1987 – Barnesville Hospital launched a swing bed program offering skilled nursing services. That same year, Richard L. Doan returned to his hometown and became CEO, serving for 25 years. In August, the hospital also achieved full accreditation from The Joint Commission for excellence in patient care.
• 1993 – 1996 – The hospital became a member of the Healthcare Consortium of Ohio, sponsored by Ohio State University Hospitals, initiating significant quality and performance improvement initiatives. During this time, the hospital recruited several primary care and specialty physicians.
• 1997 – Supported by hospital staff and the community, Barnesville completed a major renovation that included a state-of-the-art critical care unit, enhanced patient service areas, and improved accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
• 2004 – In July, Barnesville Hospital earned federal designation as a Critical Access Hospital, recognizing its essential role in providing healthcare services to rural residents and securing reimbursement for Medicare patient care.
• 2011 – 2012 – For two consecutive years, Barnesville Hospital was named among the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals nationwide for excellence in quality, patient outcomes, and affordability.
• 2015 – With generous community support, the Richard L. Doan Emergency Department opened, expanding treatment rooms from three to eight and upgrading technology and triage systems to enhance emergency care.
• 2016 – The hospital received national recognition for excellence in quality of care and patient outcomes from iVantage Health Analytics and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, highlighting its performance among rural acute care hospitals.
• 2017 – Barnesville Hospital was honored as the 2017 Energy Champion, recognized for its leadership in improving energy efficiency and for using saved resources to enhance patient care. The hospital earned an impressive ENERGY STAR® score of 99, reflecting the facility team’s commitment to making efficiency a shared priority across all departments. In May, the North Wing was dedicated in memory of John Sawvel, a valued hospital leader for nearly 55 years — many of which he served as CFO and Controller — and his grandmother, Clara Groves, whose legacy of service helped shape the hospital’s history.
• 2018 – Barnesville Hospital was recognized by the Ohio Hospital Association’s Energy & Sustainability Program as a recipient of the Melvin Creeley Environmental Leadership Award, honoring the hospital’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. In addition, Joseph Jeffries, Pharmacy Director at Barnesville Hospital, was named Health Care Worker of the Year by the Ohio Hospital Association — a reflection of his exceptional service, leadership, and dedication to patient care.
• 2019 – On June 1, 2019, Barnesville Hospital entered into a management agreement and clinical affiliation with WVU Hospitals and the West Virginia University Health System. Later that year, on November 1, Barnesville Hospital was officially welcomed into the WVU Medicine family with a community celebration featuring a flag-raising ceremony, Mountaineer cheers, and a special performance of “Country Roads” by a local third-grade choir.
• 2020 – Barnesville Hospital remained dedicated to serving the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring continued access to essential healthcare services. In recognition of its environmental stewardship, the hospital received the Melvin Creeley Environmental Leadership Award from the Ohio Hospital Association. That same year, the hospital earned the ASHE Energy to Care Gold Standard Award for its outstanding achievements in energy efficiency. Additionally, Barnesville Hospital launched the Telestroke Program in collaboration with the WVU Stroke Center, enhancing access to advanced stroke care through telemedicine.
• 2021 – On April 1, Barnesville Hospital became a full member of the West Virginia University Health System, strengthening its affiliation and expanding access to resources and specialized care. The hospital also earned its sixth consecutive ENERGY STAR® certification, recognizing continued excellence in energy performance and environmental responsibility.
• 2022 – Barnesville Hospital was honored with the Performance Leadership Award for Excellence in Patient Perspective from the Chartis Center for Rural Health, reflecting the hospital’s commitment to patient-centered care. The hospital achieved its seventh consecutive ENERGY STAR® certification, maintaining its focus on energy efficiency. That same year, Barnesville Hospital received both The John Chapman Award for Environmental Leadership and the Melvin Creeley Environmental Leadership Award from the Ohio Hospital Association for its continued dedication to sustainability. In addition, the Barnesville Hospital Auxiliary generously contributed over $17,000 to support the purchase of new medical equipment, enhancing patient care services.
• 2023 – Barnesville Hospital expanded access to primary care with the opening of Barnesville Family Medicine East, a new family medicine clinic serving the community. The hospital was recognized by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) for the successful implementation of Epic, its new electronic medical record system, advancing clinical care and patient access to information. In October, Barnesville Hospital enhanced its diagnostic services with the introduction of state-of-the-art 3D mammography technology, improving early detection and patient outcomes.
• 2024 – Thanks to generous donations from individuals, families, businesses, a hospital fundraiser, and grants, Barnesville Hospital acquired 10 new state-of-the-art Stryker beds for its inpatient unit. The hospital also added 12 new glass whiteboards for patient rooms, purchased in memory of longtime IT employee David Carroll through contributions from his family, hospital staff, and friends. In June, Morristown Express Care opened, offering walk-in care with full lab and X-ray services. The hospital helipad was relocated directly behind the facility, enhancing emergency access. In November, Judy Bruno was named President and CEO of Barnesville Hospital and Harrison Community Hospital.

Though healthcare has changed a lot over the years, Barnesville Hospital remains deeply committed to growing with the community—always striving to lead the way and provide trusted, compassionate care to Barnesville and the surrounding communities.

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