Albert Wright

WHEELING — Wheeling Hospital will become a full member of the West Virginia University Health System early next year under a letter of intent signed this week by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and West Virginia University Health System.

The deal would see West Virginia University Health System lease the current Wheeling Hospital facilities for at least 50 years and operate them as a WVU Medicine member institution. Once the deal is complete in March 2021, the facility will be known as “WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital.”

The Most Rev. Mark Brennan

The two entities jointly announced the agreement today.

West Virginia University Health System has been managing Wheeling Hospital since June 2019, with WVU Medicine senior executive Douglass E. Harrison serving as the hospital’s CEO. Along with the long-term lease, which would see the Diocese retain ownership of the hospital’s buildings and land, the agreement also ensures Wheeling Hospital will maintain its Catholic identity as it becomes a full member of West Virginia University Health System.

As a full member of the health system, Wheeling Hospital will be part of a broad, integrated network of doctors, hospitals, clinics, and specialized institutes across West Virginia, southwestern Pennsylvania, western Maryland, and Ohio. Today, the WVU Health System, which operates under the brand “WVU Medicine,” has more than 20,000 employees; 2,815 providers; 22 member, managed, and affiliate hospitals; and more than 2.5 million patient visits annually.

The WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, WVU Medicine Children’s, and WVU Emergency Medicine already operate programs at Wheeling Hospital. Also, the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute will open a clinic at the hospital in the next few weeks.

“We are honored that Bishop Mark Brennan trusts us to continue Wheeling Hospital’s legacy and tradition of caring for the Wheeling and Upper Ohio Valley communities,” said Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of WVU Health System. “As a full member of our health system, Wheeling Hospital will remain true to its mission, traditions, Catholic identity, and practice of medicine, while benefitting from being part of a larger, integrated network. Together, we will offer excellent healthcare to the people of the greater Wheeling area.”

Over the next several months, West Virginia University Health System, Wheeling Hospital and the Diocese will work through a variety of business and operational matters related to the transaction and Wheeling Hospital’s transition to West Virginia University Health System, including moving to the health system’s integrated electronic medical record and developing plans to transition Wheeling Hospital employees to the WVUHS benefits plan.

“I believe that this strengthened partnership between the Diocese and the WVU Health System will ensure the long-term viability of Wheeling Hospital and enable it to provide even better care to the sick and injured who come through its doors,” Brenna said. “I am also pleased that the full Catholic identity of the hospital will be maintained. The Catholic Church has centuries of experience and wisdom about how to conduct good health care. It is encouraging that WVUHS recognizes that reality.

“I am confident that Mr. Wright, Mr. Harrison and the entire WVU Medicine team will be faithful stewards of this cherished community asset and will operate it in a manner that honors and continues its ministry of providing critical healthcare services to our community in the name of Jesus Christ, the Divine Physician. I trust that this partnership will ensure that Wheeling Hospital thrives for generations to come.”