Bridgeport, W.Va.—On October 3, 2010, the doors to the brand new $300 million state-of-the-art United Hospital Center (UHC) were opened. Along with advanced treatment options, upgraded medical equipment, and an extensive catalog of services, the new facility would include a healing garden, modernized patient rooms, and a full-service retail pharmacy—the only one available in the area at that time.
“Celebrating our 15th anniversary is a time to reflect on our remarkable journey of growth and innovation. From our first day to today, we have continuously invested in state-of-theart technology and new services to provide the highest quality of care,” said David F. Hess, MD, regional president of the Central Region for West Virginia University Health System, president and CEO at WVU Medicine United Hospital Center. “This milestone is not ours alone; it belongs to the patients, families, and partners who have supported us. As we look to the future, we remain committed to advancing the health and well-being of our neighbors for many years to come.”
The history of UHC is built upon growth and innovation. Founded in 1970 through the merger of two historic hospitals—Union Protestant Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, each uniquely dedicated to the health and wellness of their community—UHC would set out to become the future of healthcare.
Almost immediately UHC began growing, with construction and expansions scheduled for nearly every year of the coming decade. In its first year, UHC expanded the north wing of the original Union Protestant Hospital facility, in Clarksburg. This project was followed by the addition of a brand-new parking garage, medical office building, a special care facility, and a new west wing in the years that followed.
With expanded space came new opportunities for technological growth and the ability to offer new services. The 1980s saw the installation of an in-house CT scanner, a full cardiac catheterization lab, a hemodialysis unit, and a newly renovated wing for psychiatric patients. In 1986, UHC continued to lead in healthcare innovation by becoming the second hospital in the state to take part in nationally televised medical conferences and seminars via satellite.
UHC dedicated much of the 1990s to establishing itself as the leader in healthcare. After receiving accreditation from the American College of Surgeons in January of 1990, UHC would go on to become designated as an Essential Access Community Hospital (EACH), as well. Gaining prominence in 1997, UHC merged with West Virginia University Hospitals to create the West Virginia United Health System (WVUHS), a regional health care network that would allow both hospitals to offer accessible and quality care to patients.
Ever adapting to the changing landscape of modern healthcare, UHC entered the early 2000s with plans for a new hospital. Fundraising and construction began shortly after the start of the new millennium, and the foundation was laid for a brandnew facility built off I-79 on Jerry Dove Drive, in Bridgeport.
The facility would demonstrate a new tradition of community involvement through the commission and display of paintings by local artists. These pieces would join a collection of artwork donated to UHC across years of operation. Most notable from this collection is The Master Healer, a mural depicting Jesus Christ, first painted by Warner E. Sallman for the original UHC building and then later restored by Igor Shuster after moving into the new facility.
Each step, from humble beginnings to industry leader, can be seen and appreciated through photographs and artifacts. Today, 15 years after opening in Bridgeport, UHC continues to deliver innovative and award-winning healthcare.
Looking ahead, we are more resolved than ever to embrace new changes and continue to shape the future of healthcare. We will continue to invest in our people, technology, and programs to meet the region’s evolving needs and provide needed care.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, we will continue to build a legacy of health and hope for generations to come.
About WVU Medicine United Hospital Center
United Hospital Center (UHC) is the result of a merger between St. Mary’s and Union Protestant hospitals in 1970. This bold move provides North Central West Virginia with a regional community hospital that offers a vast array of services. The new UHC opened in 2010 and is located along I-79 in Bridgeport. The 736,403 square foot structure rises eight stories. It is designed around the environment with patients, family, employees, and community in mind, which includes enhanced patient privacy, a high level of technological integration, and improved access to care. The acute care facility has 292 private inpatient rooms and a medical staff that consists of more than 366 physicians, advanced practice providers, and allied health professionals. UHC has more than 2,613 employees and is a member of WVU Medicine (West Virginia United Health System). For more information about UHC, please visit uhcwv.org.
