Mid-Ohio Valley Foundations – Health: Memorial Health System anticipates Women and Children’s Hospital
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BELPRE -- Memorial Health System marked a significant milestone in October with a groundbreaking ceremony for its highly anticipated Women and Children's Hospital at the Belpre Medical Campus.
The event began with performances from local school groups, including the Belpre High School Marching Band with two color guard members, Parkersburg High School Red Wings, and Marietta High School's Vocal Point, setting a celebratory tone for the occasion.
Memorial Health System President and CEO J. Scott Cantley expressed gratitude to the many elected officials in attendance.
Memorial Health System first announced its partnership with Akron Children's to build the Women and Children's Campus in 2023. The project, estimated at $125 million, is being funded through private donations as well as support from the state of Ohio.
"The state is putting in $30 million," said Gov. Mike DeWine at the event. "I think a partnership between Memorial and Akron Children's just makes so much sense ... This is world-class care that will be provided here."
DeWine emphasized the impact this facility will have on Southeast Ohio, improving local access to specialized treatment, including neonatal intensive care services, which previously required families to travel to Columbus, Akron, or even Charleston, W.Va.
"What this hospital represents is a major commitment by all of us to dramatically improve health care in Southeast Ohio," DeWine said. "Our goal is pretty simple ... we want every child in this state to live up to their God-given potential ... We know it's important to remove health barriers, whether it's a mental health problem, addiction problem, whatever it is, to get help for that individual."
During the event, Vice President of Physician Services and Chief Medical Officer Dan Breece and his wife, Leah, unveiled Memorial Health System's Together Campaign. This initiative aims to secure funding for the Women and Children's Hospital Center and establish an endowment fund to support future health care projects in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The campaign set a goal of raising $50 million, and by October, it had already reached $37 million through contributions from local businesses and individual donors.
"We had $2.5 million from Peoples Bank. We also have a $1 million gift from the Hall Financial Group and Chris Hall and a $1 million donation as well from the Dave and Arlene Archer family," Breece shared during the ceremony.
As of February 2025, the campaign has raised $38 million, leaving $12 million needed to reach its goal. Donations can still be made at togethermhf.org.
Memorial Health System anticipates opening the Women and Children's Hospital in approximately two years, bringing transformative medical care to families across the region.
Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com