St. Joseph’s Hospital, United Hospital Center (UHC) and West Virginia United Health System (WVUHS) officially announced Tuesday the transfer of sponsorship of St. Joseph’s Hospital from the Pallottine Missionary Sisters to UHC is now complete. WVUHS is the parent corporation for UHC, Camden Clark Medical Center, Ruby Memorial Hospital and several other hospitals in West Virginia and through this transaction UHC will become the parent corporation for St. Joseph’s Hospital.

 

The driving force behind the transaction is to continue to deliver the highest quality care in the Buckhannon region with easy and coordinated transfer of care when more specialized care is needed. By joining forces with UHC and WVU Medicine, St. Joseph’s Hospital can ensure its long-term sustainability for the community. St. Joseph’s services will continue without interruption and staff at the hospital will remain in place.

 

“The Pallottine Missionary Sisters have worked for more than 94 years to make St. Joseph’s Hospital what it is today, and this transfer will allow that legacy to continue,” stated Sue Johnson-Phillippe, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital.

 

“We are pleased to welcome the staff and physicians of St Joseph’s Hospital to the UHC WVU Medicine family,” said Michael Tillman, President of UHC. “We see great opportunities for us to collaborate and build on St. Joseph’s legacy of excellent, compassionate care. We are already working to expand the Family Practice residency at UHC to prepare tomorrow’s doctors.”

 

“As the state’s largest healthcare system, our mission is to work to improve healthcare throughout West Virginia,” said Christopher Colenda, MD, MPH, President and CEO of WVUHS. “St. Joseph’s continued success is crucial to maintaining access to needed health care services in Buckhannon and central West Virginia. By becoming a member of the WVU Medicine family of hospitals and clinics, patients who choose St. Joseph’s Hospital will also have easier access to all of the clinical resources available through WVU Medicine.”

 

Editor's Note: Pictured, from left, are Christopher Colenda, MD, MPH, President and CEO of WVUHS, Sue Johnson-Phillippe, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Michael Tillman, President of UHC. Media reports are calling it a multi-million business venture.