WVU Medicine Children ’ s Northern Region Outpatient Center
By Jessica Rine Moore , Associate Vice President of Foundation and Community Relations , WVU Medicine Wheeling & Reynolds Memorial Hospital
Children and families in the Ohio Valley deserve a health care space just for kids . Giving children a positive health care experience at a young age is vital to how they treat their health in adulthood .
Eliminating barriers and streamlining care is at the forefront of focus at WVU Medicine . WVU Medicine Children ’ s Northern Region Outpatient Center will give easy access to children and their families by having wraparound pediatric care under one roof , including a dedicated pediatric lab and pediatric imaging .
The WVU Medicine team understands the stress from parents or caregivers and children when kids aren ’ t feeling well . Separate parking and street level access makes the pediatric health care experience more comfortable for families . Also , separate building entrances and exam rooms for sick children will help control contamination . A huge benefit to this center is that it will be open after hours to give families the opportunity to see a pediatrician after work and school . The new center will have four offices dedicated for specialists to see children that have specific health concerns . For example , having a dedicated nutritionist or endocrinologist on hand could have long-term effects on childhood obesity . Housing an adolescent behavior health specialist could provide a warm , seamless handoff to children with mental or behavioral health issues . Having office hours for specialists , like a pediatric oncologist , would prevent the burden of travel for consultation appointments for families of children with a cancer diagnosis .
Having a space that is child-friendly will make children feel comfortable , likely making them more open to seeking medical attention into adulthood . WVU Medicine is thrilled to be a recipient of an Austin ’ s Playroom from the Mario Lemieux Foundation , which will give kids a fun experience at the new center . Also , each exam room will have hiddenimage wall murals so families will have a fun distraction finding images and counting objects leading up to their
Photo by The Smith Group . appointment .
The building is located across the parking lot from Wheeling Hospital . The floor is gutted and ready for this $ 11 million WVU Medicine Children ’ s Northern Region Center build out . The project has received generous community support during its fundraising campaign and still has several naming opportunities available . Businesses and families are welcome to support the project . WVU Medicine plans to start the build out in 2025 .
WVU Medicine Thomas Orthopedic Hospital
By Kristin Anderson , Vice President of Marketing & Philanthropy , WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals
Photo by WVU Medicine Thomas Orthopedic Hospital .
WVU Medicine Thomas Orthopedic Hospital is West Virginia ’ s first comprehensive orthopedic hospital offering expanded inpatient , outpatient , physical therapy , occupational therapy and skilled nursing all under one roof .
As a member of WVU Medicine , Thomas Hospitals has worked throughout the last two years to transform into a destination for advanced health care that serves Southern West Virginia and beyond . With an increased need for specialty orthopedic procedures , this expansion benefits patients in receiving the care they need close to home , whether that be through an advanced surgical procedure or minimally invasive treatment .
The renovation was done in an effort to provide patients with increased access and continuity of care while allowing Thomas Hospitals to deliver on its promise of providing high quality care without the need to travel far from home .
The opening of the Thomas Orthopedic Hospital marks the completion of a multi-million-dollar renovation project that includes six state-of-the-art operating rooms , two new orthopedic clinics , a walk-in clinic , an onsite coffee shop and a dynamic new front entrance that will allow for easy patient drop-off .
The hospital ’ s board-certified orthopedic surgeons provide advanced care for adults and children and perform an array of complex bone and joint surgical procedures , including total hip and knee replacements . This is one of the few orthopedic teams in Southern West Virginia offering robotic-assisted total knee replacement using the Zimmer Biomet ROSA robotic surgical assistant that provides more accurate alignment and placement of implants .
WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals has created a bestin-class , full-service orthopedic hospital that will serve all of Southern West Virginia . It is a unique asset for the region and a major investment in the downtown Charleston community . The hospital ’ s proximity to the recently announced Capital Sports Center near the Charleston Town Center Mall will make it convenient for athletes of all ages and skill levels to receive the care they need . •
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