Workers raised the final steel beam into place at the new Sistersville General Hospital this week, marking a major construction milestone for a project that has been years in the making for Tyler County. More than 100 people turned out for a signing and dedication ceremony at the construction site before the beam went up, celebrating a facility meant to replace a hospital that served the community for 117 years.
A Beam Signed by Those Who Made It Happen
David Kelly, Eric Vincent and Steven Smith each signed the final beam before it was lifted into place, according to the Marietta Times. Kelly, who along with his wife, Jan Kelly, serves as co-chairman of The Promise Campaign, said the beam's strength symbolizes the support of the people behind the project. The couple was recognized at the ceremony for their fundraising work on behalf of the new hospital.
Kelly reported that more than $14 million has been raised for the hospital so far, per the same account. That figure builds on earlier fundraising milestones: Memorial Health System had previously said $9.7 million in public investment and $300,000 in private philanthropy had already been secured toward The Promise Campaign's $12 million goal, according to Memorial Health System. Peoples Bank contributed a $125,000 lead gift to the campaign, the health system noted.
Fundraising Push Continued Through the Fall
The hospital fundraising effort has remained active even as construction progressed. A Promise Campaign golf outing in mid-September brought together 15 teams of community members, local businesses and health system supporters, raising almost $35,000 toward the project, according to WTAP. Earlier funding also included a $9,478,015 Economic Enhancement Grant Fund award from the West Virginia Water Development Authority, reported by The News and Sentinel.
Memorial Health System is investing about $40 million in the new hospital overall, and officials said the project has expanded from its original plan. Per Jarrett S. Stull, executive director of the Memorial Health Foundation, the new Sistersville General Hospital is now planned as a 16-bed hospital, with an opening targeted for the end of 2027. That timeline differs from earlier guidance; hospital officials previously told the Intelligencer they were hopeful the facility would be completed by the end of 2026.
What the New Facility Will Offer
The new hospital is set to total 30,000 square feet, according to the Marietta Times, with the hospital's own materials describing a facility bringing modern, expanded care to the area. Plans call for an expanded laboratory to support local clinics with faster, more accurate testing, along with tools to diagnose and monitor chronic conditions. The hospital is also expected to include procedure areas for gastroenterology and interventional pain care.
Sistersville General Hospital has cared for residents of Tyler County and surrounding communities for more than a century, according to Memorial Health System. The hospital partnered with the Marietta-based system in the fall of 2020, after Sistersville experienced financial struggles keeping its own hospital open. Memorial Health System has said the new facility ensures health care will continue to be available to Tyler County for decades to come.
Local and Health System Leaders at the Ceremony
Several Memorial Health System and local leaders were on hand for the signing and dedication ceremony at the construction site in Sistersville, per the Marietta Times. Scott Cantley serves as president and CEO of Memorial Health System, while Jody Bullman is president of Shelby General Hospital and Sistersville General Hospital. Dr. Dan Breece is vice president of physician services and chief medical officer, and Telah Taylor is vice president of clinical quality and medical staff services.
Jaon Suter serves as Sistersville General Hospital administrator, and Mark Sarver is executive director of the West Virginia Development Authority. Sistersville Mayor Bill Rice also attended the milestone event, which capped years of planning dating back to Memorial Health System's initial announcement to build a new hospital in the town.
