Over the course of a year, the impact of Greenbrier Valley Medical Center (GVMC) adds up as the skilled and compassionate hands of physicians, nurses and other team members deliver safe, quality care around the clock. In addition to addressing the health of our community, GVMC is a major employer and regularly invests resources to expand and enhance services available locally. The overall community benefit each year is significant and totaled more than $57 million in 2021.
Last year, the hospital and affiliated clinics delivered care at more than 126,000 patient visits as the pandemic heightened the need for medical attention. The hospital has supported more than 1,000 COVID positive patients since March 2020 while sustaining all of its other medical services. To help protect the community from the COVID-19 virus, more than 400 vaccine doses were provided to staff and more than 1,100 outpatients were treated with monoclonal antibodies, helping them avoid serious symptoms and hospitalization.
“Our team has and continues to provide quality care for patients with COVID as well as those who have other medical needs,” said Tim Bess, Chief Executive officer for GVMC. “We strive each day to help people get well and live healthier lives, especially during these challenging times.”
Employees and medical staff brought their skills and compassion to support more than 18,800 emergency department visits, 2,300 hospital admissions, and perform 4,900 surgeries. More than 100,000 patients received care across Greenbrier Valley Medical Group physician clinics, physical therapy, lab, and imaging services. We also delivered joy to local families as 390 babies were born.
GVMC and its affiliated specialty clinics continue to grow and evolve as resources are directed toward increased medical services, facilities and technologies that are important to patients. Patient access has increased with the recruitment of providers in cardiology, ENT, orthopedics, primary care, general surgery, and urology to meet our community’s needs.
Access to valuable services in outlying communities is being enhanced with the opening of a new urology clinic in Summersville and a general surgery clinic in Rainelle.
As GVMC works to meet patients’ needs, it also gives back to the community. GVMC provided $5.3 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable. And the $2.7 million paid in property, sales and GRT taxes helps support civic resources and services.
GVMC also works with local charitable and community organizations such as HospiceCare, American Red Cross, and local health organizations providing more than $15,000 in donations and outreach in 2021. GVMC along with many churches, schools, civic organizations, and businesses partnered with the Greenbrier County Health Department to run a weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinic. This collaboration and enormous volunteer effort resulted in more than 15,000 residents becoming vaccinated.
The hospital’s payroll of more than $39 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services. The hospital also made capital improvements totaling more than $3.9 million to improve infrastructure, updating surgical equipment including new laboratory equipment.
GVMC takes pride in the development of the next generation of clinicians. For 20 years the hospital has been a teaching facility for medical students attending the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. More than 200 residents have gained skills and medical experience with another 21 participating in the program this year.
CEO Bess continued, “We are part of this community. We strive to provide excellent healthcare services and are committed to making the Greenbrier Valley and beyond a healthier community for all.”