Although Weirton Medical Center officially transitioned to WVU Medicine – Weirton Medical Center January 1, 2025, officials from WVU Medicine traveled to the Northern Panhandle on Monday, January 27, to officially welcome WMC into the WVU Medicine Family and to hoist the WVU Medicine Flag.
“New Year’s Day marked a new day for Weirton Medical Center, our patients and our employees,” said David Artman, WMC president and CEO. “We are proud to fly the WVU Medicine flag and look forward to all the benefits that come with being a member of a leading healthcare system.”
WMC is a 238-bed acute care hospital serving patients from West Virginia, eastern Ohio and Western Pennsyvania. It operates more than 50 ancillary locations throughout the tri-state region and is one of the largest employers in Northern West Virginia with more than 1,400 staff.
In March 2024, the hospital signed a letter of intent to join the health system after having been a clinical affiliate since 2020.
“Today’s event is nearly five years to the day since we announced our clinical affiliation with WVU Medicine, Since that time our patients have had access to world-class care they would have otherwise had to travel out of state to receive.” John Frankovitch, WMC president emeritus and strategic advisor, said. “If the last five years are indicative of what’s to come, Weirton Medical Center has a long and bright future ahead as part of WVU Medicine.”
Frankovitch spoke about the role Weirton Medical Center had played in Weirton.
“For years Weirton Steel was the economic engine that grew West Virginia,” he said noting that with the closing of Weirton Steel and the decline of the steel industry, Weirton had gone through rough economic times, but the communities resilience paid off with the economic resurgence that is taking place with $1 billion in capital investment coming to the city.
“Through it all,” he noted, “Weirton Medical Center has had a legacy of being a beacon not only of health, but of hope.”
As a full member of the Health System, WMC is part of a broad integrated network of doctors, hospitals, clinics and specialized institutes across West Virginia, Southwestern Pennsylvania, Western Maryland and Eastern Ohio. Today, the WVU Health System, which operates under the brand WVU Medicine, has more than 3,000 licensed beds, 3,000 providers and 35,000 employees.
Albert L. Wright, Jr., WVU Health System president and CEO, spoke to those assembled about what the future will bring for WMC as part of the WVU Health System. He said that on April 1, a team of IT professionals will descend on Weirton Medical Center to install the equipment that will give caregivers the information they need in real time.
Wright said that WVU Medicine has launched PEAK Health Insurance, a non-profit insurance that will be available throughout the State. Unlike other insurance companies, PEAK is not in the business of making a profit and therefore will be able to provide health insurance at lower rates working with WVU Medicine to invest in healthcare that is tailored to the patient,
“Weirton Medical Center has long provided high-quality care to and served as an economic driver for the residents of the Upper Ohio Valley,” Wright said. “Our goal is to ensure that the people in the greater Weirton area have access to healthcare and employment for years to come.”
