Vandalia Health’s Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital has been awarded $1.5 million through the West Virginia Rural Hospital Grant Program.
The money will go toward the expansion of existing facilities to create additional patient care areas.
The planned 6,000-square-foot expansion will feature a dedicated entrance for oncology and infusion patients to enhance infection prevention measures and provide a more private experience. The space will include eight infusion bays, three exam rooms, and additional clinical areas tailored to the needs of oncology patients.
The expansion will also provide additional square footage for providers and support staff as well as shell space for future growth.
While the budget and plans aren’t finalized yet, this grant comes in addition to $3 million received in 2023 through a Congressionally Directed Spending grant through Health Resources and Services Administration.
Melissa Lockwood, chief administrative officer of Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital, said, “We are deeply grateful to Gov. Jim Justice and the state of West Virginia for this generous investment in rural health care and our hospital. This grant will significantly enhance our ability to serve our patients and meet the growing health care needs of our community.”
Preston Memorial’s state grant is part of a broader $40 million distribution aimed at improving health care infrastructure and services at rural hospitals across West Virginia. The Rural Hospital Grant Program, launched in October, follows the appropriation of funds by the West Virginia Legislature during its most recent special session.
The program is designed to address critical health care needs in rural communities by investing in the facilities and services that ensure residents have access to high-quality care close to home.
