Tony Martinelli
President & CEO , WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital and Wetzel County Hospital
DAWN NOLAN TRACY A . TOLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Martinelli visits the West Virginia Training and Conference Center in Julian , WV .
Tony Martinelli , president and CEO of WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital and Wetzel County Hospital , keeps a screenshot of this message on his phone : “ Take time to befriend people and endear yourself to them .” It was sent to him by his mentor , Doug Harrison , president and CEO of WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital , on his first day at WVU Medicine Reynolds .
“ It ’ s to remind myself that , beyond the spreadsheets and meetings , people are at the heart of what we do , and I always need to make time for that ,” Martinelli says .
A native of St . Clairsville , Ohio , Martinelli ’ s father was a coal miner and his mother was an audiologist before they opened their own industrial hearing business . Martinelli attended high school at The Linsly School in Wheeling .
“ It was quite a financial strain on our family but was the best decision we could have made ,” Martinelli says . “ While difficult , being held to a standard of excellence has been something I have carried with me for my entire life . I played soccer and football , wrestled and ran track at Linsly . Sports and being part of a team taught me many lessons that I still use today .”
Growing up , Martinelli wanted to be
a farmer , and although this is still his retirement plan , his father pushed him to get his MBA and go to pharmacy school after reading an article about the industry ’ s future job growth .
“ I could pick between Ohio Northern and Duquesne , but my dad preferred Duquesne because it would be easier to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins play hockey if I was living downtown ,” he says . “ I ultimately chose Duquesne and graduated in 2007 .”
Martinelli ’ s first professional job was as a pharmacist at Kroger . He also worked at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital . His biggest professional challenge to date has been , unsurprisingly , the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Overnight , the way we had done things for years in the hospital was turned upside down ,” Martinelli says . “ As recommendations changed for treatment or testing , having a team that trusted each other was one of the keys to being successful .”
He also learned the importance of a personal support system .
“ No matter how long or challenging the day was , I knew when I got home my wife and I would be able to take a walk at Oglebay , relax and talk about the day ,” he says . “ Having that support at home is invaluable to anyone working in a stressful environment .”
The motivation behind Martinelli ’ s work is the understanding and empathy he possesses for those visiting a hospital .
“ If you or a loved one have been to a hospital , there is a sense of fear that often accompanies that visit ,” he says . “ I have worked in health care for over 15 years , and when we have to take one of our daughters in for a sick visit or to the ER for a bump or scrape , I still fear the unknown .”
An active member of the community , Martinelli serves as board president for United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley and Wheeling Health Right as well as a board member for Scouting America ’ s Ohio River Council .
“ I choose which causes to support by trying to find organizations that make a long-term difference ,” he says . “ I like to find places that can change the trajectory of a life .”
Martinelli says his family will always be his greatest success regardless of any professional achievements and looks forward to his daughters having similar experiences .
“ I choose to work in West Virginia because this is my home ,” he says . •
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ?
cartoon character :
Maui from Moana
sport team :
Pittsburgh Penguins
animal :
Lion
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