MORGANTOWN — Mon Health System plans to build a new small-format hospital in Charles Pointe in Bridgeport.
Mon Health said Tuesday it has applied with the state Health Care Authority for a Certificate of Need for the hospital, which would serve the greater Harrison County community.
The project cost is estimated at $22.5 million.
Small-format hospitals are accredited by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to offer hospital-based services that include inpatient and outpatient medical beds, diagnostic imaging and lab services, and full-service emergency services — just on a smaller scale than larger hospitals, Mon Health said.
“We believe that this is the perfect solution for Harrison County and surrounding communities,” said David Goldberg, president and CEO of Mon Health System. “Because many Harrison County communities already know and trust Mon Health for their medical care, we look forward to opening this new hospital to keep health care local to our patients.”
In December 2021, Mon Health System opened Mon Health Marion Neighborhood Hospital, another small-format hospital in White Hall. The hospital was the first of its kind in the state. It has 10 private rooms, eight ER bays and full radiology services.
Mon Health Marion will serve as the template for what will be called Mon Health Harrison Neighborhood Hospital, Goldberg said.
Ed Boyle, chairman of the Mon Health System Board of Directors, said, “Our commitment to expand access and improve the choice that people have in where they receive their healthcare is our priority. Accessibility close to home is a key component of quality care, and Mon Health and its locally based board of community volunteers are pleased to bring this innovation to our state.”
Goldberg said he expects the CON review process to take about 90-120 days. Pending approval, construction would then take about 16-18 months — a bit longer than Mon Health Marion, which was built inside an existing shell.
Charles Pointe is a Master Planned Community sitting on 1,700 acres in Bridgeport. Goldberg said Harrison County is growing, especially at the side of I-79 where Charles Pointe sits. In recent weeks he’s seen hundreds of new homes going up.
He tied Mon Health Harrison’s role into the role Mon Health Marion serves in that area.
“We’ve been able to provide fast access for people who need urgent and emergent care through the emergency room,” he said of Mon Health Marion.
It also offers some specialty care and has opened up access, he said. “We believe this will do the same. … We need to make sure that health care keeps up with the growth demand.”
They’ve done the bed analysis, he said. “There is a need and we believe that we can help.”
Jamie Corton, chairman of Genesis Partners, LLC, the developers of Charles Pointe, said, “We are pleased to welcome Mon Health System to Harrison County. Mon Health is a respected leader in health care here in West Virginia. Their plan to build a community hospital within walking distance to the many amenities located here, including the new $50 million Bridge Sports Complex in Bridgeport, fits well with the mission of Charles Pointe.”
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