ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio – Community members, local leaders and health officials gathered Friday morning at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Trinity Health System St. Clairsville Neighborhood Hospital, a facility greatly needed in Belmont County.
The hospital’s opening will be delayed while staff completes further safety and preparedness drills with local agencies. Officials did not confirm an opening date. The hospital’s progress has been impressive, however, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony taking place nearly two years to-the-date of the groundbreaking.
Dwayne Richardson, President of Twin City Medical Center-Dennison and Trinity Health St. Clairsville Hospital, addressed the standing-room only crowd to thank the community for their support and explain the genesis of the idea to bring a new hospital to St. Clairsville.
“We saw that there was an opportunity in Belmont County. A study confirmed the area was underserved. This neighborhood needed access to close healthcare at home.”
Dwayne Richardson, President of Twin City Medical Center-Dennison and Trinity Health St. Clairsville Hospital
Richardson emphasized that too many local residents travel-out-of-state for emergency medical care, but said, “now individuals in this community can be served quickly, efficiently, and be treated with dignity and respect.”
Although Richardson says the new facility is a “micro-hospital” it still has everything patients need for top-notch care. It boasts a 20,000-square-foot, two-story footprint with 10 emergency room beds, including 2 trauma beds, and round-the-clock imaging and laboratory services. The second floor includes a six-bed inpatient unit, with one ICU-capable bed for critical care before potential transfer. The hospital will offer six key surgical specialties: general surgery, orthopedic, urology, ENT, gynecology, and pain management.
Richardson said the hospital will be able to arrange helicopter transport to larger hospitals for critical patients.
In addition to advanced medical services, the hospital incorporates a strong community identity. “They are your neighbors, your friends, your family,” Richardson said of the new staff. The facility also features local photography of St. Clairsville, natural lighting in patient rooms and ERs and floor-to-ceiling windows to help promote healing.
Another unique feature is the preservation of a piece of history: “We restored that piece of National Road,” Richardson said, referring to the last remaining original bricks of historic National Road running beside the hospital.
St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman likened the road to the yellow brick one in the Wizard of Oz that leads to an amazing place.
“This building beside me is not just brick and mortar, it’s a beacon, a symbol of what happens when purpose meets partnership.”
St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman
She applauded Trinity Health System, part of the CommonSpirit family, for its mission-driven work:
“Your commitment to ‘a vision of a healthier future for all, inspired by faith, driven by excellence, and powered by humanity’ strikes all the right chords in a community like ours.”
St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman
This new local hospital is also tapping local talent to care for Ohio Valley patients. Dr. Matt Colflesh, Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Christopher Gooch, Medical Director, both have valley ties. In addition, the hospital plans to add more than 60 jobs.
Belmont County Commissioner Jerry Echemann celebrated the facility’s countywide significance and need for multiple, local healthcare facilities.
“This is a great day, not only for St. Clairsville, but for the entire county…We need more hospitals, more variety, more choice, more competition in medical services.”
Belmont County Commissioner Jerry Echemann
Belmont County Commissioner Vince Gianangeli echoed his colleague Echemann’s sentiments about the hospital’s importance countywide.
“This is a great day for belmont county and st. clairsville to have this new, hospital. this is an absolutely beautiful facility. it’s very much needed in belmont county. we want the east, the south and the central part of the county covered by healthcare.
Belmont County Commissioner Vince Gianangeli
Father Tom Chillog of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Clairsville gave the prayer and blessing. Representatives for Congressman Michael Rulli (R-OH) and Senator Jon Husted R-OH) read proclamations.
The new St. Clairsville Neighborhood Hospital is located at 48530 National Road West near the Riesbeck’s Plaza and will be open 24/7. The hospital has not yet announced its updated opening date.
