Contact: Stacy Pachuta, WVU, (304) 293-7087
Teresa McCabe, City Hospital, (304) 264-1223
Tina Stover, Jefferson Memorial Hospital, (304) 728-2226

Hospital Merger is Effective Jan. 1


As of Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005, West Virginia University Hospitals-East will be the parent corporation for City Hospital, Martinsburg, W.Va., and Jefferson Memorial Hospital, Ranson, W.Va.

This marks the conclusion of a merger proposal that has been under discussion for more than a year, and creates a regional not-for-profit healthcare system serving Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan counties.

"We're proud to be associated with these excellent community hospitals," said Bruce McClymonds, president and CEO of WVU Hospitals. "From this date forward, we will work together to continue to improve the delivery of healthcare services in the Eastern Panhandle."

The hospitals will continue to operate without any immediate changes to personnel or policies. Jon Applebaum, chief executive officer of City Hospital, and John Sherwood, chief executive officer of Jefferson Memorial Hospital, will continue to serve on an interim basis as the CEOs of their respective hospitals with full responsibility for the day-to-day operations. In addition, the senior management team at each hospital will remain in place.

The Board of Directors of WVUH-East will meet for the first time Jan. 11 at City Hospital. The members of this board include former members of the boards of City Hospital and Jefferson Memorial Hospital, a community representative and individuals from WVU's Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center. The new board will determine long-term strategies for implementation of the merger and the future of the organization.

Gateway Regional Health System includes City Hospital, City Hospital Foundation, Gateway Health Services and Gateway Health Enterprises. Jefferson Regional Health System includes Jefferson Memorial Hospital, Jefferson Health Care Foundation and Jefferson Enterprises. Both hospitals and all their related entities become part of WVUH-East on Jan. 1.

The merger plans grew out of discussions at both Panhandle hospitals on how to meet the healthcare needs of the growing population in the three easternmost counties of the state - the fastest-growing region of West Virginia. Many residents of Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties currently must travel to Maryland and Virginia for health services, particularly for specialty care.

The West Virginia Health Care Authority approved the merger on Nov. 19.