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Reynolds Sees Success With WVU

By DREW PARKER

Staff Writer

GLEN DALE — Just past the 100-day mark of a marriage with West Virginia University Health System, Reynolds memorial Hospital staff members are preparing for job creation and more than $20 million in updates within the next few years.

Leaders at the Marshall County facility announced their intentions to become the eighth hospital to join the WVU Medicine family last fall, a partnership that became official in October.

In addition to Ruby Memorial, other West Virginia United Health System member hospitals in the state include United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, Potomac Valley Hospital in Keyser, Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, Jefferson Medical Center in Ranson and Camden Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg. It also operates Garrett Regional Medical Center in Oakland, Md.

According to Kevin Britt, vice president and chief operating officer at Reynolds, the relationship has brought new services to Reynolds while enhancing various departments. As part of the process, WVU has implemented its “signature services” in Glen Dale, the first being a heart and cardiovascular institute, to open in May.

The second signature service implemented will be an extension of the WVU Cancer Institute, which Britt said will be the first cancer treatment facility in Marshall County, to be completed in mid-2017. Construction began in September. Britt said the changes will mean increased job security for 425 employees and the possible addition of about 10 new employees.

A $20 million update to the hospital, known as the surgical pavilion project, has also begun with demolition of the former nursing school building and will include the addition of a new main lobby and hospital entrance.

“The heart and cardiovascular center will be four new employees and the cancer center will have about 12 new employees,” Britt said. “WVU has also provided physician recruitment. More physicians here will attract more patients and provide more services in the valley.

This month, the hospital will implement TeleStroke services, a stroke detection and scanning method using iPad technology and live consultations with WVU technicians.

“A patient with a suspected stroke or stroke symptoms will come to our emergency room and get a scan, then the image will be shot to a neurologist and neuroradiologist in Morgantown, in conference with our physician in our emergency department would evaluate the impact of the suspected stroke,” Britt said.

“Using an iPad they will do a thorough examination based on a protocol that the two physicians in Morgantown will observe. Within 10 minutes or so, the goal is to be able to make a determination on how to best treat those symptoms.

Shelley Snyder, radiology manager at Reynolds Memorial, said the partnership has already garnered additional community interest in Reynolds.

“Patient-employee morale is better,” Snyder said. “Everyone is excited about the new changes. Being affiliated with a major facility lets them know they have more options and service availability.”

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