MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Wetzel County Hospital in New Martinsville has entered into a management agreement with WVU Hospitals effective Oct. 1. It has been a clinical affiliate of the West Virginia University Health System since 2016.
“The people of Wetzel County and the employees of Wetzel County Hospital really embraced us when we first entered into the clinical affiliation two years ago, and this management agreement is a testament to the fact that our relationship has grown and been mutually beneficial for all of us,” Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, said. “We appreciate the work and support of Hospital Board Chair George Friedline and the County Commissioners for helping us take this next step.”
Established in 1920, Wetzel County Hospital is a 58-bed facility that employs 235 people. It offers a variety of inpatient and outpatient services, including cardiopulmonary, emergency, general surgery, radiology, and cardiac rehabilitation, physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
“We are again grateful to the Wetzel County Commissioners and the Hospital Trustees for their support and forward thinking in taking this step, which only serves to benefit our patients,” Friedline said. “Since we entered into the clinical affiliation, we have seen our medical services and capabilities expand, and we expect further expansion in those areas as a result of this management agreement.”
Under the terms of the management agreement, David Hess, M.D., president and CEO of WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital, will also become CEO of Wetzel County Hospital. Brian Felici, the current CEO of Wetzel County Hospital, will become a northern region consultant to WVU Hospitals.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the CEO of Wetzel County Hospital, and I am looking forward to working with WVU Hospitals to ensuring that the people of Wetzel, Tyler, and Marshall counties have continued access to high quality healthcare,” Felici said. “The Hospital will be in good hands under Dr. Hess’ leadership, and I will be here to help whenever I am needed.”