WEIRTON, W.Va. – Officials at Weirton Medical Center (WMC) announced that the hospital has signed a letter of intent to affiliate further with the West Virginia University Health System by becoming a full-member of the Health System. WMC became a clinical affiliate of WVU Medicine in 2020.

“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, which operates under the brand name WVU Medicine, is West Virginia’s largest network of hospitals, clinics, and specialty institutes with more than 3,000 licensed beds, 4,000 providers, and 30,000 employees. An 881-bed, Magnet-recognized academic medical center in Morgantown, West Virginia anchors the network of 24 hospitals and clinics.

“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. Serving patients from West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania, WMC operates over 50 ancillary locations throughout the tri-state region. It is one of the largest employers in northern West Virginia.

WMC and WVU Medicine will begin the approval process with a target affiliation date of January 1, 2025.

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