POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — An emergency room in Point Pleasant is growing along with Mason County.
Marshall Health Network-Rivers Health cut the ribbon Wednesday on a new 12,000 square foot emergency department, which is more than twice the size of the previous ER at Rivers Health.
The project was financed in part by with $7 million that came from the state’s Rural Hospital Grant program that was established while current U.S. Senator Jim Justice was governor.
Justice told those at the ceremony that emergency rooms are lifelines.
“When our folks are facing some of the toughest moments of their lives, they deserve to know that quality care is close by when they need it most. This new emergency department will be exactly that for Mason County and all the surrounding communities,” Justice said. “I couldn’t be prouder to have played a part in this critical project, and I truly believe it will take care of our people, save lives, and serve West Virginia families for generations to come.”
Officials said the new space includes 11 private emergency treatment rooms, including a dedicated pediatric room, as well as two private trauma rooms, two psychiatric rooms, two decontamination suites, express treatment rooms and a dedicated ambulance bay.
Mason County is growing with Nucor Steel, the Monarch Compute Campus and other developments, Marshall Health Network Chief Engagement Officer Beth Hammers told WMOV Radio the expanded space is what residents deserved.
“it’s for the people of Mason County and they need a new, modern emergency department,” she said.
Rivers Health ER physician Dr. Anthony Kitchen told WMOV the new space is going to answer a need that’s coming quickly.
“We expect thousands more people to live here and work here and we’re going to be able to provide them the health care they need,” Kitchen said.
The new emergency department will be open to patients beginning Sept. 1.