WILLIAMSON, WV (WOWK) – The newly renovated Williamson Memorial Hospital has now received a license from the West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure & Certification, which will allow the facility to operate a 76-bed general hospital.
Officials say the new certification will also let Williamson Memorial provide 24-hour in-patient medical and nursing care. Williamson Health & Wellness Center acquired Williamson Memorial after it closed in April 2020. According to officials with the health center, this is just the latest step in bringing the hospital back to the community.
“This is a victory for our entire community,” said Williamson Health & Wellness Center CEO Dr. C. Donovan “Dino” Beckett. “The new Williamson Memorial is a part of fabric of the Tug Valley and all those who live and work here. It is critical to our integrated care system and our goal of health for everyone.”
Company officials say since acquiring Williamson Memorial, they’ve invested millions of dollars into the facility. Those investments include fully renovating the building and adding state-of-the-art equipment. The building also has a new air-quality system, electrical system an medical gas system. They’ve also replaced the sanitation lines.
According to Williamson Memorial CEO Tim Hatfield, approximately 50 staffers have already started working at the hospital.
“Something truly remarkable is unfolding here in southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky,” said Hatfield “In today’s world, hospitals are not opening across the United States. Many are looking to mergers or joint ventures to stay open, or they’re closing. We are coming back better than ever. We are returning many of the great staff who provided the personal care that meant so much to our community. We have a beautiful, modern facility. And our integrated care model gives us the blueprint for sustained success.”
Hospital officials say trade journal Becker’s Hospital Review states that nearly 200 rural hospitals have closed since 2005. Beckett says the plan to keep Williamson Memorial from closing again is to use Williamson Health & Wellness Center’s federal qualification to help bolster the hospital’s “long-term viability.”
“Our integrated care model will help us ensure the new Williamson Memorial is not only back but is here to stay for generations to come,” Beckett said.
Officials with the West Virginia Hospital Association say having the new Williamson Memorial open in the community is welcome news for the state.
“We are very excited that the new Williamson Memorial has opened its doors to expand health care services in southern West Virginia,” said Jim Kaufman, president and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association. “This is a true testament to the leadership team of Dr. Dino Beckett and Tim Hatfield. This is a new chapter in health care for the community and a remarkable accomplishment especially as the nation continues to experience rural hospital closures.”
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