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NEW MARTINSVILLE -- WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital is expanding access to specialized cancer care with the launch of a new oncology clinic led by medical oncologist Dr. Nabiel Alkhouri, bringing expert cancer services closer to home for patients across Wetzel County and the surrounding region.
The new clinic represents an important step toward ensuring residents have access to a high-quality medical oncologist without the added burden of extensive travel for follow-up appointments and ongoing cancer management.
Through its partnership with the WVU Cancer Institute, patients will have access to compassionate, specialized oncology services at Wetzel County Hospital while remaining connected to the broader network of advanced cancer care and expertise offered through WVU Medicine.
Hospital leaders said the clinic was developed with one goal in mind -- keeping patients close to the support systems that matter most during their cancer journey.
For many patients and families, cancer treatment involves far more than medical appointments. Frequent follow-up visits, treatment planning, symptom management and ongoing consultations can place emotional, physical and financial strain on individuals already navigating difficult circumstances. By offering oncology services locally, Wetzel County Hospital hopes to ease that burden and improve the overall patient experience.
Tony Martinelli, president and CEO of Wetzel County Hospital, said the addition of oncology services reflects the hospital’s continued commitment to meeting the community’s health care needs.
“When someone is facing cancer, the last thing they should have to worry about is spending hours on the road for routine follow-up care,” Martinelli said. “This clinic allows patients to receive expert oncology services while remaining close to family, friends and the community support system that is so important during treatment. Bringing this level of care to Wetzel County is a significant investment in the health and well-being of our region.”
Alkhouri, a medical oncologist with the WVU Cancer Institute, said providing cancer care within patients’ own communities can make a meaningful difference in outcomes and quality of life.
“Cancer care is not only about treatment, it is about relationships, trust and supporting patients through every stage of their journey,” Alkhouri said. “Having access to oncology care close to home allows patients to remain connected to their families and daily lives while still receiving the expert medical attention they deserve. Our goal is to provide compassionate, personalized care that meets patients where they are.”
The clinic will focus on medical oncology services and follow-up cancer care, allowing patients to receive evaluations, consultations, treatment planning and continued oversight locally while maintaining seamless coordination with the larger WVU Cancer Institute network when additional services or advanced treatments are needed.
Martinelli said the new clinic reinforces Wetzel County Hospital’s mission to provide comprehensive health care services that strengthen the community.
“Rural health care matters, and access matters,” Martinelli said. “We are proud to partner with the WVU Cancer Institute and Alkhouri to make cancer care more convenient and accessible for the people we serve. This is about caring for our neighbors and ensuring they have access to the specialized services they need without leaving home.”
The Wetzel County Hospital Oncology Clinic is accepting patients.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 304-455-8042.