‘They’re here to stay’: WVU Medicine officially takes over five Western Pennsylvania hospitals
The health system will invest $800 million across Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland hospitals.
GREENSBURG, Pa. —
Thursday marked the first official day of WVU Medicine operating five western Pennsylvania hospitals.
“Today is kind of crossing the finish line of this entire process and being excited about what’s ahead,” WVU Health System President and CEO Albert Wright said. “It’s a celebration of what’s going to be, I’m confident, a very successful relationship and partnership moving forward.”
In November, the Morgantown-based health system announced it would be taking over and investing $800 million into Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland hospitals.
For the past 10 months, executives have been planning how that money will grow its newest facilities.
“We had thought this out pretty well before the announcement last November,” Wright said. “I think we’ll see more clinical jobs because we’re adding more clinical opportunities. We’re going to hire more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists and caregivers. Some of the hospitals will become trauma centers. We’re going to start by introducing some of our pediatric programs. I don’t think anything will change immediately. In time, they’ll see more caregivers and more electronic connectivity.”
In the three Westmoreland County hospitals, those investments have staff anxious to see how it improves conditions for patients.
“Our talented clinicians and all employees across the board are going to be retained,” said Brian Fritz, president of Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland hospitals. “We’re going to grow those positions. We’re expanding our number of patient beds, our procedural area footprint and clinic space.”
“People have been not only calm and anxious about it, but they’re looking forward to it,” said Dr. Mary Elizabeth Kovacik Eicher, chief medical officer for Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland hospitals. “WVU has such a great reputation for not only making a commitment to local communities, but to the staff, physicians, nurses, and everyone who works here.”
Part of the reason staff is being retained is that there’s a need for role models for the new student pipeline.
“We will try to rotate students through these hospitals,” Wright said. “Some of our hospitals in Pennsylvania already have residency programs.”
“When those folks come here while they’re training, and come to see our beautiful hospital and communities, they will stay and help enhance our programs,” Fritz said. “This enables us to not just maintain the services we have but enables us to grow. It makes sure we can partner with a world-class organization.”
This Mountaineer connection brings more than just new signs on the buildings.
“That gives us access to state-of-the-art research and the cutting-edge work that’s being done out there in healthcare,” Kovacik Eicher said. “It also allows us to give our patients access to things we maybe didn’t have the opportunity to do in the past.”
While this is the third name change in four years for these hospitals, those helping people inside them believe this partnership is here to stay.
“We know now that these three hospitals in Westmoreland County aren’t going anywhere. They’re here to stay,” Kovacik Eicher said.
In 2014, WVU Medicine owned five hospitals. With this acquisition being finalized on Thursday, the health system is now up to 30.
For frequently asked questions about the facilities, those can be found by clicking here.