WVU Medicine announces more than $460M in new capital projects to expand healthcare access across West Virginia

WVU Medicine has announced more than $460 million in new capital projects across multiple counties, expanding healthcare access, creating hundreds of jobs, and bringing its total investment in West Virginia to nearly $1 billion over two years.

News Release
April 17, 2025

Building on a record-setting $400 million capital investment announced last year, the West Virginia University (WVU) Health System today unveiled a new round of transformative projects totaling more than $460 million that will further expand access to critical healthcare services in West Virginia and create hundreds of new jobs.

The projects, all subject to regulatory approvals, will be in Berkeley, Jefferson, Ohio, Harrison, and Nicholas counties. Collectively, they reaffirm the WVU Health System’s mission to deliver high-quality, accessible care to all West Virginians regardless of where they live and reinforce the System’s national leadership in rural healthcare.

“Expanding access to care in West Virginia isn’t just a goal — it’s our responsibility,” Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, said. “This investment in our mission and infrastructure allows us to better meet the growing needs of the communities we serve, bring more services closer to home, and continue building a system of care that is truly worthy of West Virginians.”

Berkeley Medical Center – New Patient Tower (Berkeley County)

A $200.9 million investment will fund a new patient tower, increasing inpatient bed capacity from 190 to 316 and eliminating all semi-private rooms. The project includes a replacement linear accelerator for cancer treatment, redesigned emergency department flow, and 300 additional parking spaces. Estimated Cost: $200.9 million. Anticipated Completion: Q1 2028.

Jefferson Medical Center – Ambulatory Campus Expansion (Jefferson County)

This $60 million project includes a three-story building with medical office space, ancillary services, and shelled space for future growth. Renovations within the hospital will create a new infusion and cancer care suite that will be part of the WVU Cancer Institute. The plan also includes significant infrastructure modernization and improved parking access. Estimated Cost: $60 million. Anticipated Completion: Q4 2027.

Wheeling Hospital and Reynolds Memorial Hospital – WVU Cancer Institute Regional Cancer Center (Ohio County)

A $122.6 million investment will build a four-story, 127,000-square-foot state-of-the-art outpatient cancer center affiliated with the WVU Cancer Institute on the former Ohio Valley Medical Center site in Wheeling. The center will consolidate cancer services from Wheeling and Reynolds hospitals and include infusion therapy, radiation oncology, imaging, labs, specialty clinics, and space for future expansion. Estimated Cost: $122.6 million. Anticipated Completion: October 2028.

Wheeling Hospital – WVU Medicine Children’s Outpatient Pediatrics Center (Ohio County)

Located on the Wheeling Hospital campus, this 21,000 square foot, one-stop outpatient pediatrics facility will include 38 exam rooms, dedicated well- and sick-child zones, lab and imaging spaces, lactation rooms, after-hours care, and an Austin’s Playroom sponsored by the Mario Lemieux Foundation. Estimated Cost: $16.6 million. Anticipated Completion: November 2026.

United Hospital Center – Outpatient Surgery Center (Harrison County)

This new 48,000 square foot, two-story outpatient surgery center will be adjacent to United Hospital Center. The facility will include eight operating rooms (four initially active), pre-and post-op recovery areas, same-day total joint replacement capabilities, and shelled space for future growth. The operating rooms will be orthopedic-focused but can also accommodate other specialties. Estimated Cost: $48 million. Anticipated Completion: December 2026.

Summersville Regional Medical Center – Outpatient Services Expansion (Nicholas County)

This $16 million project transforms a former extended care facility into a modern space that will serve as a branch campus of the WVU Cancer Institute with oncology and infusion services. The facility will also offer rehabilitation therapies, cardiac rehab, nuclear medicine, and pharmacy operations. It will include updated waiting areas and improved patient wayfinding. Estimated Cost: $16 million. Anticipated Completion: September 2026.

This year’s initiative builds on WVU Medicine’s $400 million investment in 2024, which focused on expanding hospital campuses and care capabilities throughout the state.

The investments from this year and last year total nearly $1 billion over two years — a historic commitment to the health and well-being of West Virginians.

For more information, visit WVUMedicine.org.