The right care, at the right time, at the right place for 175 years

WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital proudly celebrates 175 years of dedicated service to the community—a legacy built on compassionate, faith-based healing. Founded in March 1850 by Bishop Richard Whelan and Dr. Simon Hullihen, Wheeling Hospital has the distinction of being West Virginia’s first and longest-serving hospital. As a ministry of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, the hospital has embraced its Catholic identity, guided by a mission to serve all people with dignity and compassion.

In 1853, at the request of Bishop Whelan, the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Wheeling to staff the hospital. Their unwavering commitment to service became the foundation for a lasting tradition of care. Members of the congregation continue to work and volunteer at the hospital, exemplifying the values of compassion, faith, and healing that remain at the heart of its mission. Over the years, Wheeling Hospital has continually evolved to meet the changing healthcare needs of the community. Today, it operates as a 223-bed acute care facility, supported by a team of more than 225 highly skilled primary care and specialty physicians. Patients benefit from a comprehensive range of services, from routine check-ups to sophisticated robotic surgery, all delivered with a personal touch that has earned the hospital the trust of thousands of families.

In March 2021, Wheeling Hospital joined the WVU Medicine network, gaining access to advanced medical resources while preserving its Catholic identity. Guided by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, the hospital continues to embody Jesus Christ’s special concern for the sick and suffering. This faith-based foundation shapes its compassionate approach to healing and care for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.

As the hospital celebrates this milestone, it reflects on a remarkable journey defined by resilience, faith, and service. Through wars, pandemics, and countless medical advancements, the hospital has remained steadfast in its mission to provide life-saving care and improve the well-being of those it serves. Looking to the future, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital remains committed to expanding its services, investing in cutting-edge technologies, and fostering innovation to continue meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the region. This 175th anniversary is not just a celebration of the past — it’s a promise to continue delivering exceptional care for generations to come.

Thank you for entrusting us with your health for 175 years. We look forward to serving you for many more.

Wheeling Hospital Leads the Way

Wheeling Hospital has been serving West Virginia since 1853. Wheeling has supported the state and country during war time, including serving as a general military hospital during the Civil War and forming a Cadet Nurses Corp Unit that addressed a sever nursing shortage during World War II. The hospital has been instrumental over the years in providing care through outbreaks of disease, including outbreaks of Typhoid and Cholera in 1873, the flu epidemic of 1918, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Did you know, Wheeling Hospital was the first…

  • hospital formed in the state of West Virginia, actually predating the state itself
  • hospital in the state to establish an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in 1963
  • hospital in the state to establish a Coronary Care Unit in 1966
  • hospital in the region to open a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory in 1978
  • hospital in the region to perform open-heart surgery in 1994

We are proud to celebrate Wheeling Hospital’s 175th anniversary all throughout 2025. Please follow the hospital on social media to stay up to date on news, celebrations, and many more milestones to come.