WASHINGTON, D.C. (WV News) – WVU Medicine Potomac Valley Hospital has been earmarked for $1.1 million in federal funding for the establishment of a satellite clinic in Keyser.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, both announced the award Thursday.

WVU Potomac Valley is among ten West Virginia organizations that will receive a combined total of $8,835,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand and strengthen health services for West Virginians. These federal awards are ten of the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests Senators Manchin and Capito secured on behalf of West Virginia through the Fiscal Year 2023 funding bill.

“I’m proud to have secured these vital investments to improve and expand health services for West Virginians,” said Sen. Manchin. “These awards will result in the construction of a variety of new medical facilities, including a laboratory space at West Virginia University Hospitals, a rehab and athletic training center at the University of Charleston, health clinics in Mineral and Roane counties and expansion of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. They will also fund new medical equipment and training across our great state.

“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources that enhance the health and well-being of West Virginians across the Mountain State.”

According to Sen. Capito’s office, the $1.1 million will be used by PVH to “construct a satellite office in the City of Keyser for specialized outpatient facility for telehealth-integrated cardiology and dermatology suites, as well as a new hyperbaric wound care specialty unit that will be the first of its kind in the region.

“The facility is estimated to serve over 10,000 annual in-person visits, as well as thousands of virtual appointments, and will remove the burden from patients who would otherwise have to travel to receive care.

 “I am proud to have delivered resources for Potomac Valley Hospital to build this satellite site,” Sen. Capitoo said.

“As the telehealth industry continues to grow as a viable option for health care in West Virginia, the new cardiology and dermatology suites deliver treatment to people right in their homes.

“This facility has the potential to reach the Keyser community both virtually and in-person, creating a new outlet for care that will serve thousands of West Virginians in the future.”

Potomac Valley Hospital president and CEO Mark Boucot expressed his appreciation to the senators on Thursday.

“We are very grateful to Sen. Manchin and Sen. Moore Capito for supporting the expansion of health care in our community,” he said.

“The money allotted is being used to grow the specialty services available in Mineral County. We want the people in the PVH service area to have access to the health care they need without having to travel. The generous grant awarded us through the support of West Virginia’s senators will help make that happen.”

The Senate Appropriations Committee allows members of Congress to submit CDS requests, which provide an opportunity for state and local governments, non-profits, and other public entities to receive targeted funding for projects that bolster their communities and directly support West Virginians. As members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senators Manchin and Capito work to ensure taxpayer dollars are allocated to priorities that benefit all West Virginians, boost economic growth and support the needs of communities across the Mountain State while remaining fiscally responsible.

Other individual awards included:

  • $3,500,000 – West Virginia University Hospitals

? This funding will establish medical laboratory space in the former Viatris facility with a focus on histology.

• $1,750,000 – University of Charleston

? This funding will establish a Rehabilitation Science and Athletic Training (RSAT) Center on the University main campus.

• $609,000 – Shepherd University

? This funding will purchase equipment for an updated chemistry department and laboratory space.

• $500,000 – City of Huntington

? This funding will design, install and provide training for a data system for tracking and directing care resources for substance use disorder patients.

• $339,000 – Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center

? This funding will support several renovations to the hospital, including sewer line upgrades and the construction of a helicopter landing site.

• $325,000 – West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

? This funding will support planning and developing an addition to the Fredric W. Smith Science Building.

• $300,000 – Roane General Hospital

? This funding will establish a rural health clinic in Walton.

• $212,000 – Applied Research Foundation of West Virginia

? This funding will train Bluefield College students to use radiology lab equipment.

• $200,000 – Wirt County Health Service Association

? This funding will purchase a mobile clinic for primary care, behavioral health and dental care in Wirt and Jackson counties.