Published: July 22, 2008 10:12 pm      

Summers ARH gets federal grant

Summers County Appalachian Regional Hospital is getting $265,548 from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to buy emergency room equipment as part of a $7 million renovation project.

In the just-ended fiscal 2008, the facility treated 6,089 emergencies in a community of some 14,000 residents.

Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., who sought the grant in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, said the emergency department’s 1,808 square feet of space is challenging in terms of providing security and patient privacy, since it lacks a dedicated waiting room and patient treatment rooms can’t be viewed from the nursing station.

“Summers County ARH has done an excellent job caring for a rural community that would otherwise have little access to medical services,” Rahall said.

“With gas prices reaching record highs, having quality health care close to home is more important than ever.”

Summers County Commission President Lonnie Mullins said his board is “very excited” that it played a role in getting federal dollars into the hospital.

“These funds will ultimately have a positive impact on the economy of the region through the enhancement of the health care services that ARH provides,” he said.

Jerry Haynes, president and CEO of Appalachian Regional Healthcare, said his firm is pleased and “very grateful” that Rahall secured the grant for the Hinton facility.

Rahall pledged his continued efforts to getting upgrades at the facility.

“Access to health care in rural communities is one of the top challenges facing our nation in the 21st Century,” the 3rd District congressman added.