New Regional Cancer Center to Change Healthcare Landscape…
Reynolds Project an Investment in Hospital and Community …
WVU Medicine Community Outreach Touches Many…
f you haven’t taken a look at the “new” WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital, I encourage you to do so. I think you will be amazed at what you find, right here in your community!
When we are recruiting people to come work at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital or WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital, we answer that question daily. Our answer - access to outstanding schools, access to high quality healthcare, and an abundance of natural beauty in our parks and recreation. That access to high quality healthcare, though, is the one that we focus our attention on each and every day.
What is quality in healthcare?
Quality is best answered as access to the best physicians in the Valley. It is also access
to the most advanced healthcare system in the state of West Virginia, WVU Medicine. But quality is also about clinical outcomes, and the outcomes at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital are among the best in the state of West Virginia. You can be certain that when you put your care in our hands, that you have the entire team of WVU Health System behind you.
In addition, We are also tremendously proud of our community engagement. Being part of our community by participating in health fairs, fundraising events, partnerships with our schools and providing health screenings to our senior adults is something we take great pride in. Here at WVU Medicine, we understand our role in our community and are proud to live and work beside each of you that access our care.
Reynolds Memorial Hospital: WVUMedicine.org/Reynolds-Memorial
Wheeling Hospital: WVUMedicine.org/Wheeling
WVU Medicine Careers: WVUMedicine.org /CAREERS
Contributors:
Phillip Carl
Bonnie Funkhouser
Thea Gompers
Karin Janiszewski
Gretchen Kessler
Jess Rine
Carla Seals
Cole Skaggs
Albert L. Wright, Jr. President and CEO of the West Virginia University Health System
Residents of the region will benefit from a new, comprehensive, regional cancer center that the WVU Health System (WVUHS) and the WVU Cancer Institute plan to build on the site of the former Ohio Valley Medical Center (OVMC) in Center Wheeling. The project, made possible by a partnership among the Health System, the City of Wheeling, and the Ohio County Commission, will take up to five years to complete and is subject to certain government approvals.
“Our mission is to ensure people have convenient access to our network of care, especially cancer care, and the specialists and subspecialists who are the backbone of that network,” said Albert L. Wright, president and CEO of WVUHS. “This project will enhance that access while also serving as a major catalyst for further economic growth and development in the City of Wheeling.”
With the second highest cancer mortality rate in the U.S., West Virginia’s most common cancer diagnoses are female breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung and bronchus cancer, and colon and rectum cancer. The WVU Cancer Institute typically diagnoses approximately 1,200 cancer cases each year in the Wheeling region.
“The needs are legendary,” Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, M.D., surgical oncologist and director of the WVU Cancer Institute, said. “This new center will become a critical part of the WVU Cancer Institute’s integrated network of cancer care across the state and region and will be connected to a broader team of cancer specialists and subspecialists for consultations and expert opinions.”
With cancer-specific tumor boards, the WVU Cancer Institute takes a multi-
disciplinary team approach to each cancer case that a team of experts reviews. Although still very early in the planning stages, the center will likely offer medical oncology, radiation oncology, and mammography services; a melanoma center; a specialty pharmacy; telemedicine capabilities; multi-disciplinary tumor boards; and academic research facilities.
Douglass Harrison, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and Reynolds Memorial Hospital, said, “This new center will
be a gamechanger for the region and the city of Wheeling both in terms of the delivery of cancer care and economic development. This is more than a new cancer center; it is a commitment to the city and the surrounding region that WVU Medicine and the WVU Cancer Institute will be around for many years to be your healthcare partners.”
Wright, Harrison, and Hazard-Jenkins envision a four-story facility that is somewhere between 75,000 and 90,000 square feet in Wheeling. With an expected workforce of 150 employees, the new center will employ cancer doctors, advanced practice providers, nurses, medical assistants, schedulers, dietitians, social workers, and facility professionals. It is estimated that the facility will generate 40,000 patient visits per year.
The City of Wheeling, the owner of the former OVMC, will be a critical partner in the project. The WVU Health System will begin razing the buildings at the site in August, and the city will donate all of the shovel-ready parcels to the system.
8 am - 3 pm
7 days a week
“Our mission is to ensure people have convenient access to our network of care, especially cancer care”
The razing will include the demolition of all the buildings on the OVMC campus, which are bounded by Chapline Street, 20th and 22nd streets and U.S. 250. The closed city garage and connecting catwalk across Chapline Street also will be torn down.
Anthony Condia, chief Marketing and Communications officer at WVUHS, said, “We’re also coordinating the retrieval of two time capsules and other items noted by the State Historic Preservation Office and removal of old fuel tanks before demolition begins.” Total demolition cost is predicted to be between $7 million and $9 million, with the city and WVUHS sharing the bill. It will be part of a total $70 million investment in that piece of land.
“This project not only will transform the delivery of cancer care in our region, but it will also change the economic landscape of the Centre Market area, downtown Wheeling, and the city as a whole,” Robert Herron, Wheeling city manager, said. “I would like to thank the leadership of WVU Medicine for their vision and commitment to the well-being of our citizens and for initiating such a worthwhile endeavor.”
For more information on WVU Medicine, visit WVUMedicine.org. For more information on the WVU Cancer Institute, visit WVUMedicine. org/Cancer.
that mental and behavioral health problems have long plagued the Ohio Valley, and beyond. Over the last decade these issues have become more prevalent and medical providers have been on the front line fighting these battles. According to the World Health Organization “ Depression is one of the leading causes of disability. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. People with severe mental health conditions die prematurely – as much as two decades early – due to preventable physical conditions”. With undeniable increases in substance abuse, disability claims, and suicide, WVU Medicine is committed to fighting for the people of the Ohio Valley. And now, implementing mental and behavioral health programs in primary care practices at WVU Medicine Wheeling and Reynolds Memorial hospitals will be possible with a recently received $2.25 million grant.
The Medical Park Foundation at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital received the behavioral health grant from the Renner Foundation. The foundation was formed as a legacy for Dr. Richard Renner of Hundred, WV, who passed away in 1979. He graduated from Bethany College where he met his wife, Jennie Steindorf Renner, from Wheeling, West Virginia.
“Mental health and services related to substance use are incredibly important. We are honored to be able to continue the Foundation's support of health initiatives with this grant,” Ed See, Trustee, Renner Foundation. “We hope that it serves as a cornerstone and that our commitment encourages other private donors and public organizations to lean into this vital need.”
The grant provides the funding to implement a proven-effective integrated behavioral health model within the hospitals’ primary care practices. The Renner Behavioral Health Program will provide a “warm handoff” for patients who are receiving physical health care and have been identified as having behavioral health issues. This will help remove the hesitation sometimes seen between seeking physical health care and mental health care.
“Many people will go to their doctors if they are sick, but they don’t consider going to a therapist or psychiatrist for their mental health,” said Jessica Rine, associate vice president of Foundation and Community Relations for WVU Medicine Wheeling and Reynolds Memorial hospitals. “There is a stigma surrounding behavioral health that prevents people from seeking resources. This warm handoff program will help to eliminate that barrier.”
Funding also will be used for a behavioral health clinic in Moundsville. The clinic will offer intensive outpatient programs, group programs and substance abuse counseling. It also will provide telehealth options for those unable to commute for appointments.
“One of the biggest challenges facing healthcare today is how to tackle the ongoing behavioral health crisis,” said WVU Medicine Wheeling and Reynolds hospitals CEO Doug Harrison. “We are hopeful this grant will allow us help this population get the care they deserve.”
It’s no secret
Bhavana “Tina” Bhatnagar, DO, is the director of medical oncology at the WVU Cancer Institute Schiffler Cancer Center. Dr. Bhatnagar is a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She performed her internship and residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. She completed her fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the University of Maryland’s Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center.
Dr. Bhatnagar was most recently the associate professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, at The Ohio State University’s Wexner Cancer Center. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology.
With Dr. Tina Bhatnagar
Q: What made you go in the direction of hematology and medical oncology?
A: I knew I wanted to take care of patients with cancer ever since I was very young. My initial interest was sparked by the human-interest stories I would read about in magazines or see on shows like 20/20 which highlighted the lives of people with cancer. There was an intangible aspect to these stories that resonated with me and made me want to help these people. Later, cancer became more personal as I watched friends and family members go through their own journeys with cancer and I always wished that I had the skills, knowledge, and expertise to do more for them. During my training and pre-clinical years, the interactions I had with patients and family members, particularly those struggling with blood cancers such as acute leukemia, ultimately directed my career path from both a clinical and research perspective. Not only did I want to care for these patients
and their families directly, but I was also deeply passionate about finding ways, through clinical research, to improve their care.
Q: What advances do you foresee in your field?
A: As it currently stands, cancer management has become much more personalized in the era of precision medicine. Now that we are better able to really “drill down” into the biologic underpinnings of each person’s cancer, this has allowed for the development of more targeted and better tolerated treatments that are customized to attack each person’s cancer. I believe we will continue to see growth in the area of targeted therapies, oral therapies and immune therapies across a wide variety of cancers. There are also a lot of efforts now directed towards cancer screening and prevention, which I think will allow for earlier detection as well, so advances I screening and management are also on the horizon.
Q: Are there patients/cases that have left unforgettable memories, or do they all stand out?
A: In some way, I believe that all the patients we care for leave their mark on our lives and careers. Each patient story is unique and comes with a valuable lesson which carries over to the way we care for future patients. However, I think for most oncologists, there will always be some patients who stand out, for one reason or another, and whose stories are indelibly etched into memory.
Q: What are your hopes and goals the Cancer Institute here and down the road at the new regional center?
A: One of the main reasons I came to Wheeling was because I saw a tremendous amount of opportunity for growth and for the development of programs and care pathways that improve both quality and access to care. It is my hope that our Cancer Institute offers the same level of expertise and care that a patient would hope to obtain at a tertiary care center, and that we have a regional and, potentially, national impact. I have a lot of ideas in mind to achieve this, but one of my main priorities is to develop a robust and productive clinical trials and research program here in the community. I am also very interested in developing specialty clinics and programs dedicated to survivorship, genetics counseling and the Young Adult cancer population. The development and adherence to guideline concordant clinical care pathways will also be critically important as we grow, and, of course, since I am primarily a practicing hematologist, I’d like to raise awareness of blood disorders and blood cancers and ultimately develop a strong hematologic malignancies program.
In April, WVU Medicine employees from both Wheeling Hospital and Reynolds Memorial Hospital came together to volunteer at a food packing event sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and Cross Catholic Outreach. With many staff bringing family members, the group of over 50 volunteers was the largest entity at the event held at Wheeling University. More than 60,000 meals were assembled and packaged that will be distributed to Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and locally in northern West Virginia. “We could not have done this without the size and enthusiasm of this group,” said Thomas Burke, state advocate of the West Virginia Knights of Columbus. Terry Waters, manager of Special Initiatives at Cross Catholic Outreach, said of the volunteers from WVU Medicine: “Their enthusiasm was contagious, and it was an honor to work alongside everyone doing the good work of preparing meals for the poor.” Deacon Paul Lim, vice president for Mission Integration at Wheeling Hospital, appreciated the generous response
from so many employees who wanted to participate, even after a busy week at the hospital. “We are ready and excited to be in the community helping wherever we can,” Deacon Paul said, “and we’re ready for more!” At least 36 employees participated in the event. With the addition of friends and family, our team had more than 50 people!
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At WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, the Hand Rehabilitation Center has a specialized therapy program for breast cancer patients.
Occupational Therapist Mary Laska, OTR/L CHT, CLT-UE, recently became certified in PORi rehabilitation. It focuses on assisting in the overall functional healing process of the breast cancer patient who many have difficult with range of motion, scar tissue tightness, swelling or pain by using skilled treatment interventions. The treatment may include massage, myofascial and trigger point release, functional exercises and strengthening, all based on the patient’s needs.
This certification provides the
knowledge and skills needed for effective, specialized therapy for breast cancer patients. Her certification will allow the hospital to become part of a national and international database, consisting of over 1,220 occupational and physical therapists who specialize in treating oncology patients. The overall goal is to provide an impactful therapy program and support for breast cancer patients. This starts with the initial diagnosis, and continues through surgery and oncology treatments, and beyond. The PORi oncology rehabilitation course instructs therapists in the techniques used to deliver well structured specialized oncology rehab therapy to breast cancer patients in any phase of their cancer treatment and beyond. Mary also is certified in hand rehabilitation and lymphedema management of the upper extremity.
The Hand Rehabilitation Center at Wheeling Hospital is the largest hand therapy facility of its kind in West Virginia. Nearly one-third of the state’s certified hand therapists (CHTs) are employed at Wheeling Hospital. The Hand Center uses state-ofthe-art equipment and maintains
a highly qualified staff that takes a holistic approach to therapy. The occupational therapists treat hands, and the full upper extremity, but also address their patients’ concerns about loss of work or loss of function in daily activities, sports and leisure activities. The goal is to help restore patients’ maximum ability so they can resume a normal and productive lifestyle.
Mary Laska, OTR/L CHT, CLT-UE
The center, located in Wheeling Hospital’s Tower 4, is open at 7:30 a.m., with evening hours most days. For more information about the Hand Rehabilitation Center, or other services of Occupational Therapy, call 304-243-3195.
The Labor and Delivery Unit at WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital has been busy since it reopened in 2018. The unit celebrated a major milestone In April, when it delivered its 1,000th baby. The hospital announced the arrival of Nolan Kinsey, son of Casandra and Chris Kinsey, who entered the world at 2:18 am April 2. He was delivered by Caitlin Kowcheck, MD. “Delivering every baby at Reynolds is amazing but delivering the 1000th baby shows how much we have grown as a department in just a few years. Reynolds, in general, is making a name for itself by providing excellent care to patients,” Dr. Kowcheck said. “The OB/GYN department and Reynolds have a bright future, and I am proud and excited to be a part of this team." One thousand babies delivered at Reynolds Memorial Hospital since re-opening the Labor and Delivery Unit is important on various levels. “For many women, being able to deliver their baby locally reduces anxiety and fear and allows them to enjoy the miracle of birth without the additional stress factors,” said Douglass Harrison, President and CEO of WVU Medicine Wheeling and Reynolds Memorial hospitals. “Reynolds Memorial Hospital is the epitome of community care, and we are proud of our obstetrics program.” The Reynolds Memorial Labor and Delivery Unit features five mom/baby rooms, three labor rooms, an operating room/cesarian section suite and a small holding nursery. “I was one of the nurses here when the first baby was born in January 2019 after we reopened,” unit Nursing Manager Anita Shelek said. “I have seen the growth and the need for labor and delivery here at Reynolds. It truly is a pleasure and an honor for all of us here to be part of that delivery and to serve this community caring for women and newborns.” WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital also offers childbirth classes, car seat safety classes and a breastfeeding class with a newly hired lactation nurse. To schedule an appointment with the Reynolds Memorial Hospital Women’s and Newborn Center, call 304-843-1100
vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car (especially at night) or see the expression on a friend's face.
Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb your eyesight early on. But with time, cataracts will eventually interfere with your vision.
A satellite office of the WVU Eye Institute has opened at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. The medical and surgical ophthalmology practice focuses on cataracts, glaucoma, and other diseases of the eye.
“We are thrilled to bring the WVU Eye Institute to Wheeling,” Douglass Harrison, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and Reynolds Memorial Hospital. “This service is desperately needed in this area, and I look forward to this partnership and growing this institute to meet the needs of our community.”
Thomas W. Uihlein, M.D., formerly with Associates in Ophthalmology, leads the office. Dr. Uihlein specializes in cataracts and glaucoma, including the pre- and postoperative care of these conditions, and also will be seeing patients with a wide variety of other ocular diseases.
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends visual information from your eye to your brain and is vital for good vision. Damage to the optic nerve is often related to high pressure in your eye. But glaucoma can happen even with normal eye pressure.
Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is in its later stages. Glaucoma can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. It is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. Treatment may range from eye drops, oral medication, laser surgery, microsurgery and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Clouded
At first, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help you deal with cataracts. But if impaired vision interferes with usual activities, cataract surgery might be needed. Fortunately, cataract surgery is generally a safe, effective procedure.
Uihlein earned his medical degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Medical College of Ohio and the Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans. He completed his fellowship in glaucoma at the University of Louisville. He also completed a fellowship in glaucoma at the University of Louisville.
He is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology at WVU and certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Tower 5, Suite 701 Call 304-243-3132
For more information on the WVU Eye Institute, visit:
at WHEELING HOSPITAL WVUMedicine.org/EYE
A $20-million dollar capital project to improve the infrastructure and patient experience at WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital will alter the landscape of the facility that was built more than 60 years ago.
“This hospital is truly transformational in the level of care that we are providing,” Douglass Harrison, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital and Wheeling Hospital, stated. “This project will allow us, from a regional perspective, with five new state-of-the-art operating rooms, to really look at how we utilize operating rooms across the region. This is not only an investment in our hospital but also our community.”
Mike Ortiz, vice president of Support Services, explains what patients can expect from with the new construction. “This capital improvement project will bring a 1960-built building up to current building standards. Included are the pre and post operating recovery areas- that will increase from 14 to 20 beds, the construction of five new operating rooms, and two new procedural rooms. Given the age of our facility, it is time for an upgrade. This is going to help us eliminate some of the day-to-day issues that we face and enable us, without question, to come in and not have to worry about environmental concerns. We want to ensure that we create the best patient experience that we possibly can.”
The $20 million dollar price tag comes with financial assistance from grassroots funding and support. Bernie Twigg, chairman of the board of directors at Reynolds Memorial Hospital, said, “The Spurr Trust at Reynolds Memorial Hospital was gracious enough
to contribute $7.5 million dollars to this project. Reynolds Memorial is a member of the Episcopal church, and Bishop William Klusmeyer, who heads the trust fund, has been an instrumental part of this announcement today. Bishop Klusmeyer is a champion for growth and progress at Reynolds. We cannot say enough how appreciative we are of his support. I would like to also thank the Foundation at Reynolds Memorial; they contributed $2 million dollars to this project with the hopes of contributing another million next year.”
The project is slated to begin in the next few months with a completion date set for the second quarter of 2024. In the meantime, Harrison assures the community that the growth through construction at Reynolds will not change the patient experience. The current operating rooms will stay in use while the new operating rooms are constructed in the south end of the building that currently houses administrative and business offices. Harrison says this is a very exciting time for WVU Medicine and for the community as a whole.
“I focus on three things as a CEO, first and foremost quality,” said Harrison. “Everything we do at this hospital is going to be centered around quality. The second is community and what are we doing to give back to the community, to invest in our community, and look at job growth and economic impact. And the third is our financial and fiscal responsibility. I’m very proud to say that Reynolds is doing extremely well financially which allows us to reinvest into projects like this.”
“Since our founding in 1850, Wheeling Hospital has been committed to serving others. Its mission and values, based on the Catholic Church, still exist to this day. That commitment to serving others has been strengthened by WVU Medicine and its mission to improving the health and wellness of the people in our community. At WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, we understand our role in our community and do not take that role lightly. We pride ourselves on community outreach, helping others in need and providing the best healthcare in the Upper Ohio Valley. Numerous programs and partnerships come to mind: our partnership with BELCO Works and providing employment opportunities to their clients; our partnership with Belmont County Senior Services and providing health screening services and wellness programs; and our partnership
After a three-year pandemicinduced hiatus, Wheeling Hospital is excited to be back out in the local community, connecting with Ohio Valley residents, engaging with local civic groups, and partnering with area businesses and schools. Now that a sense of normalcy has returned, community outreach is a priority for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital.
This spring, the hospital entered into a partnership with Ohio County Schools to provide not just sports medicine clinics for athletes, but also educational opportunities for all students. Hospital President and CEO Douglass Harrison said, “This is an example of a partnership that means a lot to us. This can also open up pathways to healthcare careers for students.”
In April, Wheeling Hospital hosted
President and CEO
WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and Reynolds Memorial Hospitalits own senior health fair at the Howard Long Wellness Center (HLWC), which featured numerous departments offering free screenings and health information. Meanwhile, the Wheeling Hospital Quality Department, along with Medical Park Pharmacy and Population Health, have been hosting mini health fairs at local high-rise retirement communities and senior services centers, both in Ohio and Belmont counties.
The summer season kicked off with a very special Memorial Day weekend, which featured the highly anticipated Wheeling summer tradition, the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend. WVU Medicine served as the presenting sponsor, not only for the Wellness Weekend’s Run for Your Life Half Marathon, but also the Health Expo, and served as the official
emergency medical provider for the participating athletes. A popular feature of the Health Expo were the post-race massages provided by Wheeling Hospital’s Physical Therapy Department.
Wheeling Hospital providers have been regularly seen in the community serving as speakers for various business and civic groups, as well as chambers of commerce. They focus on their specific areas of expertise and shared personal stories that reflect upon their lives as physicians.
“Our skilled doctors not only allow community members to stay here and receive quality care, they also enjoy being out in the community,” said Jessica Rine, associate vice president of Foundations and Community Relations for Wheeling Hospital and Reynolds Memorial
Hospital. “They often speak with local groups and schools about healthcare, collaboration and career paths.”
The highly popular First Responders Picnic and Cancer Survivors Picnic both are big draws in June. Attendees to enjoy fellowship, food, and fun while being honored for their strength and courage.
Wheeling Hospital’s Safety Town, held in June at the Howard Long Wellness Center, always is a great success. The kids have fun learning about safety awareness and accident prevention through interactive games, activities, and songs. The program continues to partner with the Wheeling Police Department, Wheeling Fire Department, Wheeling Park, and all of the other safety personnel who are always so eager to participate in this worthwhile program.
Another community outreach aimed at youth is the Safe Sitter class. The one-day class is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting. Three classes are scheduled this summer.
National Night Out is held at the Wheeling Park Ice Rink in August. Wheeling Hospital took part in the festivities along with the Wheeling Police Department and several other community partners. The nationwide event helps promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie and is geared toward improving relationship between residents and law enforcement.
The hospital is a big sponsor of the annual American Heart Association Heart Walk, scheduled for Sept. 28 at Wheeling Park. It also is making plans to have significant participation in the Aug. 11 Relay for Life at Bethlehem Community Park.
“The Ohio Valley is our home and we love to support local events and organizations,” Rine said. “We are fortunate to have community minded leadership and staff that are more than happy to volunteer and get involved.”
WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital is committed to improving the health and well-being of Ohio Valley residents. The employees want to work in concert with them to improve their quality of their lives, as well as help them become more proactive in healthy living opportunities and programs. And, as always, when needed the hospital is here for the community, for all their medical needs, to treat, health and comfort.
WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital proudly supports numerous school events and teams, the OVAC, fundraising golf scrambles, fire department fundraisers, steak fries and charity events. Below are just some of the other events and entities the hospital has assisted.
Oglebay Institute-Stifel Gardens
Brick Campaign
Moundsville Chamber of Commerce
Business & Health Expo
Ohio Valley Soap Box Derby
St. Clairsville Rotary Club
- Taste of the Valley
Catholic Charities 26th Annual
Spaghetti Dinner
Wheeling Symphony 4th of July Concert Tour
Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival
Belmont County Farm Bureau
Grow Ohio Valley Harvest Festival
The Cathedral of St. Joseph Festival
2022 YMCA Light of the Valley Youth Services System Inc.
Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra
Oglebayfest
Think Pink Dinner for Breast Cancer Awareness
United Way
WVU Children's Gala
St. Clairsville Chamber - Alzheimer's Association Brain Ball
Wheeling Health Right Chefs Auction
A Special Wish Foundation Puttin' on the Wish Gala
Harmony House Hope for Spring Fling
Jerry's Walk - Illuminating Suicide Awareness
Undo's Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival
Heather Miller Memorial Golf Classic
American Cancer Society Relay for Life
WVU Children's Annual Ohio Valley Gala
WV Municipal League Annual Conference
Wheeling Lunchtime Live
promise you; no one appreciates their efforts more than myself,” he said. “Without the Auxiliary, we would not be able to accomplish many of the projects occurring at Reynolds Memorial Hospital.”
The RMH Auxiliary has contributed over $100,000 toward hospital projects, which it supports through varies fundraisers, such as uniform sales, book sales, candy apple sales, bake sales, purse sales and raffles. It also raises funds daily through sales at the Gift Shop
Projects funded by the RMH Auxiliary include:
• Renovation of the chapel.
• Flooring, paint, and lighting in the main, surgical, and registration lobbies.
• Way-Finding signs throughout the hospital.
• White boards for patient rooms.
• New wheelchairs and bariatric wheelchairs.
The Auxiliary at WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital is one of the hospital’s greatest assets. It is also one that rarely shares the spotlight for improvement projects the volunteer organization helps to fund. Projects such as purchasing new floors, painting outdated walls, updating way-finding signage throughout the hospital, and so much more that often goes unrecognized. Not only is the Auxiliary a generous supporter of rehabbing the hospital, it also coordinates volunteers to staff the information desk at the main entrance, assign help to surgical preoperative registration, and even dietary, as staffing permits.
"Simply put, we wouldn’t be able to do a lot of patient-centered things for our patients if it weren’t for the Auxiliary," explained Doug Harrison, hospital president and CEO. "They work tirelessly behind the scenes each and every day looking for ways to support their
hospital. I thank them for what they do and for the impact they make on our patients and our community.”
Tony Martinelli, chief operating officer, attributes much of the hospital's success to the Auxiliary. “Reynolds would not be where it is today without the support of our Auxiliary. Its donations to our Nursery and Emergency departments make every family feel special and well cared for and allow us to make improvements all over our hospital. For most patients, the first smiling face they see upon entering the building is a member of the Auxiliary. Their tireless efforts make this hospital truly a family and we cannot thank them enough.”
An administrator who works closely with the Auxiliary is Mike Ortiz, VP of Support Services, and he praises the dedication and generosity of the members. "I can
• New patient care recliners.
• Continue to purchase newborn T-shirts given to each baby born at RMH.
• Annually donate two $500 nursing scholarships to the B.M. Spurr School of Practical Nursing.
• Donate “comfort bags” for kids in the Emergency Department.
One may not realize its impact at first glance; however, it is evident that the Auxiliary at WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital is a vital part of delivering the highest quality care to the patients.
MEMBERS OF THE REYNOLDS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY INCLUDE: Rita Berry, Betty Burley, Jana Coffield, Karen Coffield, Donna Deagel, John Dorsey, Myrtle Garten, Janet Grose, Molly Lamone, Mickey Massey, Sandy McCoy, Kathy McGilton, Yvonne McKinney, Margaret Ripley, Carol Schleicher, David Schleicher, Carrolyn Smith, Martha Smith, Mary Smoulder, Mary Beth Tennant, Judy Vandevender, Elaine Whorton and Mary Yoho.
Thoseinterested in volunteering should please contact Ronda Francis at ronda.francis@ wvumedicine.org, or by calling 304-221-4590.
