Wheeling Health Right Expansion Progressing
WHEELING - Work to expand the dental treatment area at Wheeling Health Right and construct a drive-up pharmacy window is progressing, according to Executive Director Kathie Brown.
"It's moving along well," she said. "We will be bringing in dental equipment next Friday, and it is to be put in place on Monday, April 25."
Brown added walls are up for the new board room at Wheeling Health Right, and also for the drive up-pharmacy.
Construction is expected to be completed by early summer, she said.
Wheeling Health Right is located at 61 29th St. in South Wheeling. Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, also of South Wheeling, is the contractor doing the renovation work. Wheeling architect Victor Greco provided the designs for the upgrades.
The Wheeling Health Right expansion is expected to cost about $300,000. After the free clinic initially raised more than $120,000 for the work, the Ohio County Commission agreed in April 2021 to provide the remaining $180,000 needed for the project.
Since then, Health Right received a donation for just over $8,000 from the Jeremy C. McCamic Family Foundation of Wheeling to assist in the building of its pharmacy drive-up. The foundation assists organizations with projects that help those with physical challenges, and it is thought the drive-up will make it easier for people who have difficulties getting out of their car and coming inside.
U.S. Rep. David B. McKinley, R-West Virginia, also requested and received $350,000 for Wheeling Health Right through the Community Project Funding initiative in Congress. Some of this money also could be used if needed to enhance the project, Brown has explained.
In addition to the drive-up pharmacy window, the current conference room at Wheeling Health Right is being turned into a second dental operatory area, as well as additional storage room for needed personal protective equipment.
The project also includes the construction of a new conference room.