Southern West Virginia News

Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) has highlighted the new Williamson Memorial Hospital as a significant development in rural healthcare. In an op-ed published in the Herald-Dispatch, she discusses how this facility is poised to make a substantial impact on health services in southern West Virginia.

"Rural hospitals are indispensable to the health of 46 million people in America," Miller writes. She points out that many rural hospitals have closed or shifted to limited services since 2005, citing a University of North Carolina study.

Miller notes that Williamson Memorial Hospital, located in Mingo County, represents a rare success story for rural healthcare. The hospital was licensed as a 76-bed general facility after closing its doors in spring 2020. This revival came about through efforts by Williamson Health & Wellness Center, which purchased and renovated the hospital with significant investments.

The renovations included updates to the building's infrastructure and medical equipment. "I recently toured the facility with Tim Hatfield, the CEO, and found the improvements incredible," Miller shares.

The reopening of Williamson Memorial has created jobs and generated economic benefits for the Tug Valley area. Despite challenges facing rural hospitals nationwide, C. Donovan Beckett and his team at Williamson Health & Wellness Center aim to succeed where others have struggled.

Miller emphasizes that integrating with a federally qualified health center will help Williamson Memorial avoid common financial issues faced by similar facilities. "Through integration with Williamson Health & Wellness Center...the new Williamson Memorial will gain efficiencies other rural hospitals lack," she explains.

In conclusion, Miller praises the collaborative effort between Beckett, the wellness center, and the hospital staff: "Through the new Williamson Memorial, West Virginia is leading the way in protecting access to rural health care."