FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Staff at WVU Medicine Fairmont Medical Center gathered on Wednesday (Nov. 29) to cut the ribbon on the hospital’s two new endoscopy and gastroenterology suites, which will officially open to patients on Monday.
“It is another exciting day for West Virginians living in Marion and the surrounding counties, as Fairmont Medical Center expands services enabling patients to travel less and be seen sooner in our new endoscopy and gastroenterology suites. It is yet another example of our commitment to Fairmont and adjacent communities,” Michael A. Grace, Ed.D., M.B.A., president of WVU Hospitals, said.
“Surgical services, especially endoscopy/GI services, continue to be in high demand, and having additional facilities to address patients’ needs for these services timely is one of the many initiatives that we are doing here at Fairmont Medical Center to bring the world-class care patients need and deserve in Marion County.”
For those suffering from digestive issues, Fairmont Medical Center’s consultative services may be able to help. Its specialists are dedicated to diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal conditions, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Celiac disease
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Food allergies
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Hiatal hernia
- Liver problems
- Motility disorders
- Pancreatic disease
The team offers the latest diagnostic, non-surgical treatment for many digestive issues. In addition, screening tests are critical in early detection of cancers associated with the gastrointestinal areas and liver. Fairmont Medical Center’s specialists can also help patients understand which screening tests to have and how often.
“The physicians of the WVU Medicine Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and I are truly excited to be able to provide state-of-the-art care of the digestive tract to the people of Marion County and the surrounding counties,” William R. Hutson, M.D., chief of WVU Medicine Gastroenterology and Hepatology, said. “We look forward to this new endeavor and to continually improve the opportunities for great medical care at Fairmont Medical Center.”
The opening of the suites is part of a $110 million, multi-phase expansion plan that was announced in June 2021. Other parts of the plan included increasing the total number of beds in the facility; adding a 30-bed Skilled Nursing Unit, which opened in September; re-operationalizing and renovating the operating rooms; and adding to the outpatient imaging, laboratory, and infusion services already offered onsite.
“The project has taken over six months to renovate our procedure rooms, pre-post operation suite, and our patient and family waiting room, and we are very proud of this accomplishment. On behalf of Fairmont Medical Center leadership, I want to personally thank all those who had a hand in making this vision a reality,” Aaron Yanuzo, chief operating officer of WVU Medicine Fairmont Medical Center, said.
Patients will be screened in the endoscopy and gastroenterology suites between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For an appointment, call 304-293-7020.
For more information on Fairmont Medical Center, visit WVUMedicine.org/Fairmont.