Roane General Hospital Renovation
Roane General Hospital is a nonprofit institution that has served Roane County — a rural area with a population of approximately 15,000 — with toprated , professional and personalized care since 1970 .
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in spring of 2021 , Roane General , the area ’ s largest employer , completed a renovation project that allowed it to serve its community at a capacity greater and more efficient than ever before .
This $ 29 million project covered 40,000 square feet and added a two-story health and wellness center . The top level of the center has 26 exam rooms , two waiting areas and eight nursing stations . The bottom level provides new spaces for physical therapy and fitness education , as well as a layout for cardiac and pulmonary rehab and a café that offers affordable and healthy food options . Through the renovation efforts , the emergency room was doubled in size and there are now 40 % more available beds . Roane General is also continuing to expand upon and improve its pharmacy , infusion department and walk-in clinic .
The new facilities also allow for a wellness program , Prescription for Your Health , where patients enter into a three-part contract with their primary care providers . It is free for all participants and consists of a medical plan , medical fitness plan and an educational plan with emphasis on nutrition .
The project was funded by U . S . Department of Agriculture Rural Development and hospital contributions .
“ We wanted to focus on the health and well-being of our community and not just health care services ,” says Bentz .
By prioritizing private and personalized care , Roane General shows the community and other hospitals around the state how good health care and compassionate service should look .
“ As for what it means , it will be my legacy project at the hospital . I ’ ve been so vested in the hospital for over 21 years , and it is a wonderful feeling being part of such a special project ,” Bentz says .
With Bentz ’ s many impressive achievements come an ingrained love of competition and innate drive to succeed .
“ I am an athlete at heart ,” he says . “ I grew up playing competitive sports and ended up playing Division 1 basketball .”
He uses the drive and work ethic he gained as an athlete to push himself to set and achieve goals many would think unattainable .
Deeply passionate about serving his community , Bentz currently serves on the board for Roane County Emergency Squad and American Red Cross . He was the founding board member of the Greater Sissonville Development Council , former board member of the Roane County Economic Development Authority and former president of both the West Virginia Hospital Association and the Partners in Health Network . In 2004 , Bentz was named the American College of Healthcare Executives Young Healthcare Executive of the Year , and in 2006 he was granted the Roane County Community Service Award as well as the Morehead State Distinguished Alumni Award . In 2017 , he won the West Virginia Rural Health Award .
Bentz , while proud of his personal achievements , credits the people of West Virginia for inspiring and motivating him to be the best version of himself .
“ The people and culture of West Virginia makes our state special . Neighbors rely on neighbors and take care of each other ,” Bentz says . •
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