Dr. Tony Aprea

WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital has called upon a Friendly City native to be its chief medical officer.

The hospital announced Tuesday that Dr. Richard “Tony” Aprea has joined its staff as the new CMO. He most recently was the medical director of the emergency department of the Washington Health System in Washington, Pennsylvania.

“I’m excited with all of the changes that have occurred at Wheeling Hospital,” Dr. Aprea said.  “I’m honored to be part of the WVU system, especially in Wheeling. I’m looking forward to doing something great for my hometown and continuing to improve on the exceptional care given at Wheeling Hospital.  My goal is to help make Wheeling the cutting-edge place for regional healthcare.”

Aprea, a Wheeling Park High School graduate, earned his medical degree at the Marshall University School of Medicine and completed his family practice residency at Washington Hospital. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Waynesburg University.

Aprea replaces Dr. Michael Campsey as CMO. Campsey is the WVU Medicine Heart and Vascular Institute’s Division of Cardiology northern region director.

Douglass Harrison, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and Reynolds Memorial Hospital, said the hospital and its staff were thrilled to have Aprea in the fold.

“Dr. Aprea brings knowledge, leadership and, most importantly, an understanding of our local community needs,” Harrison said. “He will have big shoes to fill replacing Dr. Campsey, but I have no doubt he will hit the ground running. I look forward to partnering with Dr. Aprea on the numerous opportunities that lie ahead for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital.”

Aprea appreciates the opportunity to see so many familiar faces as he takes on his new position.

“What’s really nice about coming to Wheeling is I’m going to be reunited with so many people that I spent time with in Washington,” Aprea said, “such as Dr. Campsey, who was instrumental in bringing me here.

“Dr. David Burkland (medical director of the Wheeling Hospital emergency/trauma department) and I spent a lot of time working together in the Washington ER,” he added. “And Dr. Terry Gilbert in the ICU, we worked together for several years at Washington. So, I think you have a great core group of people and I’m happy to be a part of it.”