Mid-Ohio Valley Foundations – Health: Minnie Hamilton system continues evolving to serve Calhoun, Gilmer counties
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GRANTSVILLE -- Renovation and new construction activities have been on tap for the Minnie Hamilton Health System as it continues to provide essential medical care for residents of Calhoun and Gilmer counties in central West Virginia.
The health system opened a new clinic in Arnoldsburg in September 2022 in partnership with the Calhoun County Youth Livestock Committee, which owns the building.
Minnie Hamilton signed a long-term lease on the structure, which includes the remaining portions of the former Arnoldsburg Elementary School. MHHS renovated it for an additional primary care facility that includes six exam rooms and a clinical lab.
In 2023, the health system was in the midst of construction on a new primary care clinic in Glenville in partnership with Faith Development. MHHS retained its clinical affiliation with Mon Health in order to offer clinical services that include general surgery and orthopedics.
In September, MHHS held a groundbreaking for a project using $2.5 million in Appalachian Regional Commission support for a multi-stage renovation to repair aging water infrastructure, increase operational efficiency and help serve more rural residents.
According to MHHS's website, the health system's history goes back 40 years in Calhoun County. In 1983, Minnie Hamilton Community Health Center was formed and became a community health center in 1987. In 1996, the community health center had 12 employees and a $350,000 budget.
The closure of Calhoun General Hospital in 1995 spurred a series of efforts to strengthen the health care infrastructure in the region as the nearest hospital was over a 90-minute drive by ambulance. Following a series of meetings with community members, staff and board representatives, local providers, federal and state government representatives and consultants, a new model for health care was defined and realized for the region, the website said.
Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center Inc., d.b.a. Minnie Hamilton Health Systems (MHHS), was established, through a "leap of faith," as a result of a community-driven effort based on the desire to continue quality medical and health care in Calhoun County and the region. The mission of MHHS is to improve the health quality of life of all people in the service area through an innovative delivery system of services and education, the website said.
Development of the re-created health system was guided by a focus on the needs of residents and businesses in the region. Today, MHHS is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation that is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The health system has 275 employees, 12 sites and a $25 million budget, the website said.
Today, MHHS is a comprehensive, vertically integrated health care delivery system comprised of a critical access hospital, community health center (FQHC), school-based health center sites, a nursing home unit, a swing bed unit, ambulance services through a lease agreement, oral health care, rural health clinic and 340B pharmacy services, the website said.
In addition, MHHS sponsors several community-based services that are needed in the community, such as education and outreach events, a child day care center within the MHHS site in Grantsville and threat preparedness services.
Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com