Preston Memorial Hospital officially joins Mon Health System

            Now that all legal and regulatory hurdles are cleared, Preston Memorial Hospital and Mon Health System officials have cemented the partnership between the two health care organizations. 

            The alliance was finalized Friday, Feb. 21, with the closing of a $38.5 million construction loan, guaranteed by Mon Health System, to build a new Preston Memorial Hospital.  Earlier in February, both organizations’ Boards of Directors approved the Definitive Agreement that sealed the partnership. 

            Preston Memorial joins the health system’s flagship Mon General Hospital to provide expanded services and coordination of care for the region’s shared patients.

            Preston Memorial and Mon Health System announced plans to join forces in September 2013 with the signing of a Letter of Intent and the filing of a Certificate of Need (CON) with the West Virginia Health Care Authority. In December 2013, the Health Care Authority approved the CON.

            “We are very pleased to welcome Preston Memorial Hospital into the Mon Health System family,” said Darryl Duncan, President and CEO of Mon Health System. “Both Mon General and Preston Memorial are community hospitals committed to providing the highest quality care at the most affordable costs, and both have great reputations and strong patient loyalty.” 

            Ground was broken last October for the new Preston Memorial Hospital, which will replace the current facility built in 1955.  When complete in early 2015, the new 83,500 square foot hospital will provide 25 inpatient beds, a modern Emergency Department and state-of-the-art operating rooms, among other significant improvements.

            “Our goal has always been to build a new hospital for the residents of Preston County.  By joining the Mon Health System, Preston Memorial Hospital has secured its future for generations to come.  We couldn’t be more pleased to join such a progressive, community-conscious health system,” said Melissa Lockwood, President and CEO of Preston Memorial. 

            Mon Health System was formed in 1982 as the “parent” company of Mon General Hospital and its affiliated entities, including Mon HealthCare Equipment and Supplies, Mon EMS and The Village at Heritage Point.

            Preston Memorial Hospital is a state licensed, 25-bed critical access, acute care facility, located in Kingwood, W.Va. The hospital is a leader in rural health care delivery. Preston Memorial incorporates state-of the-art procedures and equipment to care for its patients. PMH opened its doors on July 16, 1955 and was formerly dedicated on Sept. 29, 1955.