ELKINS – Davis Health System celebrated ‘Vandalia Day’ on Monday at each of its hospitals – Davis Medical Center in Elkins, Broaddus Hospital in Philippi and Webster Memorial Hospital in Webster Springs – to mark the finalization of the agreement to join Vandalia Health, a health system that stretches north to south in the Mountain State and includes both Mon Health and CAMC, the Charleston Area Medical Center.

“The combined health system is the second largest not-for-profit integrated health system in West Virginia,” according to a press release. “It includes more than 180 outpatient care locations, over 70 specialties, and employs nearly 13,000 employees and providers.”

DHS President & CEO Vance Jackson said the agreement will strengthen Davis Health System’s mission to provide quality health care close to home.

“We are very pleased to bring our health systems together and bring better care to communities across the state,” Jackson said. “Rural, underserved communities will gain access to the best providers and medical care available as we leverage the strengths of this integrated health system.”

“Davis Health System is going to be here for a long time, and being a part of Vandalia Health is going to make it a lot more capable,” he added. “That’s one of the things that the board is really focused on — what can we do to serve our communities so that people don’t have to leave town?”

In addition to the three hospitals, Davis Health System includes a cancer center, specialty care clinics, long-term care, and other complementary affiliates. DHS operates Buckhannon Medical Care in downtown Buckhannon.

“Davis Health is the newest member of Vandalia Health, and we look forward to building on our collective strengths to improve local healthcare,” David Ramsey, Vandalia Health President & CEO, said.  “Each member of Vandalia Health shares a commitment to the well-being of our communities and the health care we can provide.”

Ramsey said that with the addition of DHS, Vandalia Health now comprises 14 hospitals across West Virginia. The system manages an additional three hospitals.

“This year we have had about 1.7 million patient contacts, 250,000 emergency room visits, 1,100 open heart procedures, 100 kidney transplant procedures, and we have delivered about 4,000 babies,” he said. “So you can see the breadth and depth of the organization. From the Lewisburg area to the Morgantown area, our footprint pretty much covers West Virginia.”

As part of Vandalia North, Davis Health System will be closely aligned with Mon Health System.

“We’re already expanding our nationally recognized Mon Health cardiology services with Davis Medical Center in Elkins,” said David Goldberg, Mon Health System President & CEO and Executive Vice President of Vandalia Health. “This represents just one service line where enhanced access will benefit the local community. We are excited for the opportunities the merger creates to enhance care and make it more affordable and accessible to the local communities in which we serve.”