Fulton County Medical Center in McConnellsburg, Pa., has signed a nonbinding letter of intent to join Morgantown, W.Va.-based West Virginia University Health System.
FCMC is a 21-bed critical access hospital with more than 415 employees, according to an April 17 health system news release. As part of the proposed agreement, WVU Health System plans to invest up to $17 million over seven years to modernize the hospital, including implementing Epic.
The hospital is about 46 miles from WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.Va., a proximity leaders said makes the potential affiliation a natural fit. If finalized, FCMC would join WVU Health System’s network, which operates under the WVU Medicine brand and includes more than 3,500 licensed beds, 4,000 clinicians and 39,000 employees.
“As a health system, we have extensive experience in operating critical access hospitals, which are not only the primary sources of healthcare for their communities but also serve as economic engines in terms of the jobs they provide to area residents,” WVU Health System President and CEO Albert Wright Jr. said in the release. “Our goal is to become the national leader in rural population health management, and the addition of Fulton County Medical Center will broaden our impact.”
Mike Makosky, president and CEO of FCMC, said the potential partnership would help the hospital better serve its communities and support long-term sustainability.
WVU Health System has continued to expand in recent years. In March, WVU Health rolled out plans to build a $50 million small-format hospital in St. Clairsville, Ohio. In February, Orchard Park Hospital in Wheeling, W.Va., signed a letter of intent to merge with WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. In November, the system also announced plans to acquire Greensburg, Pa.-based Independence Health System, a deal expected to close in fall 2026.
The transaction with FCMC is expected to close on or before Jan. 1, pending execution of a definitive agreement and regulatory approvals.
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