CHARLESTON, W.Va.– Charleston Area Medical Center and Mon Health came together and created Vandalia Health a year ago Friday.
Vandalia health President and CEO Dave Ramsey said the first year has been one of growth, expanding access to care and improvements in quality.
The merger now employs about 12,000 people and operates 180 outpatient locations and healthcare facilities in nearly every area of the state. Vandalia has expanded its footprint from the far north to the south and continues with the goal of improving access and quality in rural and urban areas of the state.
“By the end of this year, we’ll have 14 owned hospitals in the system and three managed, for a total of 17 hospitals in the course of a little over a year,” Ramsey said earlier this week on MetroNews “Talkline.” “So, it’s been very busy and exceedingly exciting for us.”
Vandalia Health Executive Vice President David Goldberg said acquiring smaller providers in the state gives those communities access to a higher level of care. Local care providers also gain greater access to doctors, equipment, and procedures that can elevate the quality of life and prevent people from traveling a great distance for quality care.
“Part of the reason the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center and Plateau also came into our family of healthcare was for exactly that same reason: to stabilize and bring care closer to home, improve access to specialties, and get access to primary care,” Goldberg said.
Vandalia is also expanding telehealth in the state to eight hubs. The concept brings the technology and care to facilities just miles away from where the care is needed, at a cost savings to all parties. If this weren’t an option in rural communities, people wouldn’t seek care or even know they have a medical issue that must be addressed.
“The patient travels a short distance from their home to be seen at one of our hubs,” Ramsey said. “Greeted by a nurse and seen by an endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist, or neurologist.”
Goldberg said they have relationships with colleges in the state to train and employ nurses in the communities they live in. Vandalia is taking advantage of accelerated programs and working with higher education institutions to improve pathways from school to remaining in West Virginia to work.
“We have nurses studying at the bedside with other experienced nurses, and we’re bringing simulation and education to all of our hospitals across the state while taking care of the patients we know,” Goldberg said.
Working as one, Ramsey said they have access to a greater inventory of people, experiences, and resources to increase access and improve outcomes for their patients, no matter where in the state they might be.
“But as an organization, now we can share best practices with each other,” Ramsey said. “It never ends, the quality initiatives, the quality efforts, and the goals are always at the forefront, and we want every patient to benefit from the quality our health system provides.