Roane General Hospital announced an upcoming multi-million dollar renovation project Monday.
During a press conference on Monday afternoon, RGH Chief Executive Officer Doug Bentz announced the hospital will be starting a $5.4 million inpatient renovation project.
“The project will address certain needs that became more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic,” an RGH media release said.
According to the release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Office has provided funding for the project in the form of $3 million in Community Facilities Direct Loan funds and $1 million in Emergency Rural Healthcare Grant funds.
According to Bentz, the $1 million grant is the largest grant the hospital has ever received.
During the press conference, Pastor Rusell Stone gave the invocation, then RGH Board of Directors President Jack Garrett II spoke.
“I think the theme today for this event should be commitment,” Garrett said. “You know, when we really, truly commit to something, it promotes one of the most powerful bonds on earth. I believe this bond reflects a commitment of this hospital, Spencer, Roane County, and beyond. It also shows a commitment from our community to this hospital.”
He said he finds the commitment made by the employees of the hospital to be amazing and that Bentz has assembled an unbelievable and unique team that is totally committed to the healthcare of the community.
Garrett then introduced Bentz.
Bentz said he is in his 24th year as CEO of RGH and he is proud to be part of the community, and the hospital family.
“What an exciting time to be in Spencer and Roane County,” he said.
Bentz said there have been more infrastructure and economic development in the county in the last four years than the previous 20, and mentioned several of these projects including the hospital’s own $28 million renovation project that was completed in 2021 that included a new two-story Center for Health and Wellness, the replacement of the Colonel Ruby Bradley Bridge, the soon-to-be open new Spencer Middle School, the recently opened U.S. 33 bypass and others.
“What a tremendous amount of progress that we’ve seen in our community and today we get to celebrate a $5 million inpatient renovation project,” Bentz said. “Although it may not be as sexy as these other projects it’s certainly well needed and we’re excited about that.”
Bentz shared details of the renovation project.
According to the release, the project is expected to begin in 2025 and includes replacing the air-handling systems in the patient care and ancillary spaces of the inpatient floor, which will provide negative air pressure in rooms to better contain contaminants; installing fiber connections in all rooms to facilitate the use of telemedicine; reconfiguring the nursing station to provide for better monitoring, which will take advantage of the new fiber connections; replacing the roof of the main inpatient floor and long-term care spaces; replacing the ceiling electrical grid as well as replacing fluorescent lighting with LED fixtures; renovating patient restrooms; and replacing flooring in the inpatient section.
Bentz said the construction manager for the project will be Neighborgall Construction Company. whose website says they are located in Huntington. He also said the design for the project was done by Silling Architects, whose website states they are located in Charleston and Orlando, Fla.
“Roane General Hospital is one of five remaining independent hospitals left in the state,” Bentz said. “Four of the five currently have very large projects that are occurring on their campuses … Four of those five are partnered with the USDA for finance. If it wasn’t for the USDA, zero out of those five would be doing these projects, I assure you that.
He introduced USDA Rural Development State Director for West Virginia Ryan Thorn, who spoke next.
“I guess there’s a saying that’s famous around here but today all roads lead to Roane General Hospital …. It’s an honor to serve West Virginia and her people … At USDA Rural Development we are advocates for, investors in and partners to rural communities,” Thorn said.
He said in the last few years USDA Rural Development and its partners have invested more than $1 billion in West Virginia through grants, direct loans and loan guarantees and these investments strengthen basic infrastructure, enhance public safety, expand community services and high speed internet, provide affordable housing options, bolster local food supply chains, support entrepreneurs and small businesses and ensure rural residents have access to quality healthcare close to home.
Thorn said having access to healthcare services is vital to any community.
“On behalf of USDA Rural Development I’m thrilled to announce the investment of $3 million to support inpatient facility renovations at Roane General Hospital,” Bentz said.l
He closed by saying “when our rural communities succeed West Virginia succeeds and when West Virginia succeeds our nation succeeds.”
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., did not attend the press conference but she commented on the project via email.
“It’s welcome news that USDA Rural Development will be investing $3 million into Roane General Hospital for remodeling and updates,” Capito said. “This loan will allow the hospital to make needed improvements that were identified during the COVID-19 pandemic, and increase their ability to effectively treat infectious diseases. Our rural hospitals provide vital care to residents across our state, and Roane General is no exception with the excellent care they provide. I’m thankful for the hard work of CEO Doug Bentz and all those on staff who provide dedicated care and service, and I look forward to these improvements being completed.”
U.S. Representative Carol Miller, R-W.Va., did not attend the press conference, but one of her representatives attended.