Speakers at the Belpre Medical Campus Women and Children’s Hospital groundbreaking scoop up the first piles of dirt at the future hospital site. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

BELPRE — Memorial Health System held a groundbreaking ceremony for its planned Women and Children’s Hospital at the Belpre Medical Campus Tuesday.

To open the event, groups from local school districts performed: Belpre High School Marching Band with two members of the color guard, Parkersburg High School’s Red Wings and Marietta High School’s Vocal Point.

President and CEO of Memorial Health System J. Scott Cantley thanked the myriad of elected officials in attendance and offered an apology on behalf of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who could not attend the groundbreaking due to scheduling conflicts.

“In terms of thank yous and getting started, it is this community that makes this possible,” said Cantley. “Those of you who care enough about health care and about building a great community … we appreciate you all being here with us today as we embark on this next transformation for our region, thank you.”

Approximately a year ago, MHS announced its intention to build a Women and Children’s Campus in partnership with Akron Children’s. According to Cantley, the approximate cost of the campus is $125 million and the funds for this endeavor were collected from not only private donations but the state of Ohio, too.

Robin Burrow, secretary and treasurer of the Joe Burrow Foundation, discusses the importance of the new Women and Children’s Hospital as a resource for the region. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“The state is putting in $30 million,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, “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 also said he was certain this would increase the quality of life in Southeast Ohio. Several of DeWine’s peers echoed this sentiment in their speeches. For specialized treatment or a neonatal intensive care unit, many individuals would need to travel to Columbus, Akron or even out of state to Charleston, W.Va., for care. This facility aims to provide immediate local care.

“What this hospital represents is a major commitment by all of us to dramatically improve health care in Southeast Ohio,” said DeWine. “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.”

Vice President of Physician Services and Chief Medical Officer Dan Breece alongside his wife, Leah, unveiled a campaign from MHS called the Together Campaign. The Together Campaign aims to fund the Women and Children’s Hospital Center on the Belpre Campus and to build an endowment fund, which, according to Breece, will ensure MHS will be able to bring other health care projects to the Mid-Ohio Valley. The campaign aims to raise $50 million and has already raised $37 million from local companies 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,” said Breece.

Superintendent for Trimble Local Schools John Hurd talks about health care access and primary care providers available within schools. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Breece highlighted that the campaign needs $13 million to hit its goal amount of $50 million. Donations to the Together Campaign can be made at togethermhf.org.

Memorial Health System anticipates that the facility will open in approximately two years.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, left, is presented a commemorative plate by President and CEO of Memorial Health System J. Scott Cantley, right. The plate honors the groundbreaking of the Women and Children’s Hospital, which took place Tuesday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Marietta High School’s Vocal Point performs at the groundbreaking at Memorial Health System’s Women and Children’s Hospital Tuesday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)