Our History

WVU Medicine Potomac Valley Hospital is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital that proudly employs over 450 staff members, reflecting its growth from a small, community-based facility into a modern, regionally integrated healthcare provider.

The hospital has come a long way since it first opened its doors. Today, it delivers advanced healthcare services to the residents of Mineral County and surrounding areas—services that, in the past, patients often had to travel out of town to access. Thanks to ongoing investments, innovation, and integration with the WVU Health System, Potomac Valley Hospital continues to elevate the standard of care for its rural community while remaining rooted in its mission of compassion, quality, and accessibility.

In 1903, Dr. C.S. Hoffman recognized the need for medical services in Keyser, West Virginia, and invested $15,000 to open the first hospital at the corner of Fort Avenue and Spring Street. Known as Hoffman Hospital, it was the sole medical facility in the area and served the community for 28 years.

As demand grew, the hospital expanded. After Dr. Hoffman’s death in 1926, Dr. Z.T. Kalbaugh leased the hospital to Dr. G.A. McQueen of Charleston. Upon lease expiration, the hospital was returned to the Hoffman heirs and eventually purchased by Doctors Robert and Thomas Bess.

In response to a growing patient base, the Bess brothers constructed a larger, two-story hospital on South Mineral Street, which was named Potomac Valley Hospital. Later, a third story was added to accommodate increasing patient needs.

Potomac Valley Hospital officially opened on October 9, 1931, under the ownership and management of Drs. Robert and Thomas Bess, who led the facility until 1954 and contributed actively to the community.

From 1954 to 1958, Dr. Robert Coffman owned and directed the hospital. In 1958, Dr. Robert W. McCoy Jr. purchased and managed the hospital until 1980.

On January 1, 1981, Mr. Harold McBee Sr. and Mr. William Buzby purchased and took over management of the hospital. Following Mr. Buzby’s retirement in 1992, Mr. McBee became the sole proprietor. The hospital, a 25-bed critical access facility, employed over 200 local residents and extended privileges to approximately 50 physicians, including one general surgeon and rotating emergency medicine specialists who resided on the premises.

In 2007, Potomac Valley Hospital opened a new 48,000-square-foot facility on Route 220 South. While maintaining the same 25-bed capacity and Critical Access designation, the new hospital allowed for higher levels of care locally, reducing the need for residents to seek specialized treatment outside the community.

Potomac Valley Hospital continued to provide quality, efficient, and cost-effective healthcare to Mineral County and surrounding areas through direct services and collaborative partnerships with other healthcare organizations.

In 2014, after approximately 30 years of ownership by Harold “Hal” McBee, Potomac Valley Hospital was acquired by West Virginia University Health Systems (WVUHS). This acquisition aimed to maintain and enhance healthcare services in the community, ensuring the hospital’s long-term presence and ability to meet future healthcare needs.

Since joining WVUHS as a full partner, Potomac Valley Hospital has significantly expanded its capabilities, bringing a wide range of specialty services and advanced care to Mineral County and the surrounding region. These services now include cancer care, heart and vascular services, behavioral health, orthopedics, general surgery, urology, and more.

In 2025, Potomac Valley Hospital began construction on a new 12,000-square-foot Workforce Development Center located directly across from the main hospital campus. The center will support workforce training and development to better serve the community.

Additionally, PVH has plans for a renovated and expanded emergency department, including a new observation unit, a new emergency department entrance, and updated registration and hospital administration areas. The hospital also intends to renovate and expand the laboratory, update the lobby and waiting area, and open a new gift shop to enhance patient and visitor experience.

Potomac Valley Hospital has been accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations since 1984. The hospital is committed to providing the most modern healthcare available, continually upgrading technology and services to serve the community with high-quality, compassionate care.