WEIRTON, W.Va. – The Weirton Medical Center (WMC) has signed a letter of intent to become an affiliate of the West Virginia University Health System. WMC has been a clinical affiliate of WVU Medicine since 2020, and the approval to become a health system affiliate is expected to be complete by January of 2025.
“Since beginning our clinical partnership with WVU Medicine in 2020, they continued to be nationally recognized for the delivery of world-class medicine and groundbreaking research. This affiliation with the WVU Health System is just the next phase in our continued growth at WMC, providing patients with expanded access to WVU Medicine specialists and advanced medical care right in their community,” John Frankovitch, WMC president and CEO, said.
“The partnership is not just an affiliation but a community investment on the part of WMC and WVU Medicine. In addition to the exceptional medical care we provide, WMC has a significant economic impact on the region with over 1,400 employees. Our partnership with WVU Medicine ensures WMC will continue for the next generation, providing the exceptional, compassionate healthcare our patients have come to expect.”
The WVU Health System, better known as WVU Medicine, is the largest healthcare provider in the state with 3,000 licensed beds, 4,000 providers, and 30,000 employees. The network of 24 hospitals and clinics is anchored by the 881-bed, Magnet-recognized academic medical center in Morgantown, the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital.
“The addition of Weirton Medical Center will bolster our efforts to ensure the residents of the northern-most counties in the state have access to world-class healthcare without having to leave home,” Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, said. “We laid the groundwork in 2020 with our clinical affiliation and remain impressed with both the hospital and the growth opportunities it will present as a full member of our network. We look forward to expanding our collaboration even further.”
WMC is a 238-bed acute care hospital located on U.S. Route 22 in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle. The hospital serves patients in West Virginia, eastern Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and operates over 50 ancillary locations throughout the tri-state region.