Governor Tomblin Attends the Dedication Ceremony for the New Preston Memorial Hospital

            Kingwood, WV – A new era in healthcare for Preston County began Thursday, April 30, with the dedication of the $38.5-million Preston Memorial Hospital.
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            West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin was there to cut the ribbon, along with representatives of the congressional delegation, local dignitaries, hospital officials and Mon Health System executives.
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            “This new facility will not only expand access to quality care, but will have a significant impact on the rest of the entire Preston County Community,” said Governor Tomblin.  “Hospitals are the centers of our communities, and the new Preston Memorial Hospital will serve residents here for many years to come.”
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            The new 80,500 square foot, state-of-the-art facility replaces the old hospital built in 1955.  The new hospital includes surgical suites and two intensive care rooms; specialized cardiac, trauma and psychiatric rooms in the expanded Emergency Department, and expanded outpatient services including an integrated Physician Center and Physical Therapy Center.  A stone fireplace is the focal point of the spacious and comfortable lobby with an adjoining cafeteria.
 

            The Preston Memorial Hospital Foundation began fundraising for the new building in 2013 with its “Building for A Health Future” campaign.
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            “Like any great accomplishment, it takes a large group of committed people to succeed.  Just like those who worked so hard before us to build the hospital that opened in 1955, our community came together time and again to make this beautiful new building a reality,” said Preston Memorial Hospital CEO Melissa Lockwood who has been the driving force in bringing this project to fruition.
 

            Preston Memorial Hospital officially joined Mon Health System in Morgantown, WV in February 2014.  The health system, which includes Mon General Hospital, secured loans from the USDA and WesBanco for the construction of the new hospital.  Ground was broken in October 2013.
 

            “The Mon Health System partnership with Preston Memorial Hospital is based on our vision that high quality care should be affordable and close to home,” said Mon Health System President and CEO Darryl Duncan.  “We recognize that the fundamentals of economic development require that communities have local access to high quality care.  It is because of this understanding and commitment to these ideals that we are here today.”
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            About 150 local dignitaries and Preston Memorial employees attended the hospital dedication ceremony.  A public “grand opening” event is being planned to coincide with the Preston County Buckwheat Festival in September.
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            It is anticipated that patients will be moved from the old facility to the new one on Sunday morning, May 17.  The new Emergency Department will begin seeing its first patients that morning as well.