Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA) will host a dedication ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of its new Barbour Behavioral Health Building in Belington.
The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, September 6, at 70 North Sturmer Street in Belington, next to the Belington Medical & Wellness Center. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, residents, families and business leaders are invited to tour the building, meet the healthcare team and learn about the comprehensive behavioral health services offered.
Eric Ruf, CEO of BCHA, said the completion of the expansion project marks a significant milestone in the organization’s ongoing commitment to improving behavioral healthcare in the community.
“We are thrilled to open this new medical facility and provide enhanced critical behavioral health services for residents in Barbour County and the surrounding areas,” Ruf said. “Our goal with this expansion was to create a more welcoming and efficient environment for our patients. By placing the new behavioral health space on the same level as our medical team—the ground floor—we are streamlining access and making these services more integrated and user-friendly for patients.”
Residents interested in attending the dedication ceremony are encouraged to RSVP at http://evt.to/eeougiahw
The new facility will transform the delivery of comprehensive behavioral health services by BCHA. The larger therapy rooms and specialized areas for group therapy and psychological testing will support a wide range of therapeutic approaches and accommodate the needs of different patient groups.
“We have also incorporated a space for community engagement, offering educational programs to raise awareness about behavioral health and reduce stigma,” Ruf said. “This initiative will foster partnerships with local organizations to promote behavioral health literacy and encourage open discussions about behavioral health challenges.”
Dr. Aaron Williams, Chief Behavioral Health Officer at BCHA, emphasized the importance of behavioral health as a key component of a patient’s overall well-being, acknowledging that access to these services can often be challenging.
“Our focus has always been on providing accessible, confidential and high-quality behavioral healthcare,” Williams said. “This new facility enhances patient privacy by incorporating soundproof rooms and sound machines, ensuring patient confidentiality, a cornerstone of our service philosophy.”
In addition to enhanced privacy measures, the building is fully ADA-compliant, ensuring that individuals with disabilities or special needs can easily access the facility. This aligns with the organization’s commitment to inclusivity and comprehensive care.
Through a generous financial gift from the William Kester estate, BCHA was able to match a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Kester, a native of north-central West Virginia, deeply loved the people and the mountains.
“Mr. Kester’s vision for expanding and improving healthcare services in Belington was instrumental in completing this important project,” Ruf said. “His generosity, along with the support and involvement of the entire community, allowed us to build a larger facility than originally planned, enabling us to improve overall health outcomes by addressing both physical and mental health needs in a coordinated manner.”
Mills Group of Morgantown designed the new addition, and JC Construction of Belington completed the project’s building phase.
Barbour Behavioral Health Services is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, providing convenient access to services. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit barbourhealth.org or call the Belington Medical Clinic at 304.823.4000.
The Belington Medical and Myers Clinics are federally qualified health service centers dedicated to providing comprehensive medical and behavioral healthcare services. No one will be denied care at the new facility, as programs are available for moderate and low-income families without health insurance or with high insurance deductibles.
