WHEELING — Ohio Valley Medical Center and East Ohio Regional Hospital have always been community hospitals, and as we progress toward our goals — updated facilities, new technology, resources to provide the best possible health care to those in our community — we are making sure we remain an asset to the people of the Ohio Valley. OVMC and EORH believe in comprehensive care, which means providing support extending beyond physical well-being. Here are just some of the incredible programs and services available to improve how we live in the Ohio Valley.

Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation

The skilled nursing and rehabilitation unit, located at EORH, specializes in post-acute care after surgery, illness, or injury. The goal of our skilled nursing and rehabilitation unit is to help members of our community transition from the hospital to home, by providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge to live an independent life.

The skilled nursing and rehabilitation unit goes beyond providing medical and rehabilitative services; they also focus on quality of life, and offer patients recreational programming, on-site beauty services, and in-room access to WiFi, phone, and TV.

Sexual Assault Help

Center & Harmony House

OVMC is proud to house two non-profit organizations, The Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center and Harmony House Child Advocacy Center.

SAHC provides services to victims of sexual assault, abuse and stalking, offering victim advocates to those in need of their services. The victim advocates are there to offer information, help finding resources, assistance with paperwork and, most importantly, emotional support. SAHC’s victim advocates can be there during medical examinations, police interviews, and court proceedings.

SAHC also offers supportive and professional counseling, as well as support groups, which are modified to support the needs of those in attendance, for: women, youth and pre-teens, teens and young adults, as well as the parents and guardians of survivors. If you or anyone you know can benefit from the services offered by SAHC, call 304-234-1783 or email info@sexualassaulthelpcenter.com.

The mission of Harmony House is the reduce the effects of abuse on all children by serving as a community resource to facilitate identification, intervention and the prevention of child abuse. The staff does this by providing a safe space for children who are victims of abuse to disclose abuse in a safe, controlled, comfortable environment. Harmony House CAC collaborates with prosecutors, law enforcement, child protective services and mental health professionals to build strategies for investigators and prosecutors without causing additional stress on the child.

Harmony House also will also coordinate the necessary medical and mental health services necessary for the child to have the best chance at healing. Harmony House has two locations, one at OVMC in Wheeling and one in St. Clairsville. For more information, call 304-230-2205 or 740-695-0812.

Mental Health and

Wellness — Hillcrest & Robert C. Byrd Center

Focusing on the mental health and well-being of the youth and adult population of the Ohio Valley is one of the strongest steps we can take toward true progress for our area. Hillcrest Behavioral Health Services and Robert C. Byrd Center are facilities that focus on mental and behavioral health, both of which are located at OVMC.

Hillcrest is a comprehensive facility that offers both inpatient and outpatient services. Outpatient services, such as counseling, substance abuse services, medication management, and an intensive outpatient program are available to those in our community who want to regain control over their lives. Hillcrest’s inpatient services are available for adults only.

The Robert C. Byrd Center is a 30-bed acute crisis outreach facility which caters to children ages 5 to 17 — the only place within an approximate 50-mile radius to do so. Children are separated into different wings of the facility, depending on their age, and are given a customized program, complete with regimented scheduling of activities, meals and a broad array of diverse therapy sessions — art, music, pet, family and activity. On site amenities also include an outdoor recreation area, social skills groups, medication management, catered food services, yoga, an outdoor recreation area and a gym.

For more information on either facility, call 304-234-8887.

EMSTAR Trauma

Services

When you’re in an emergency situation, you don’t have time to wait hours. With EMSTAR emergency services, our average wait time is 15 minutes or less, and you are guaranteed to see a board-certified emergency physician every time. Our digital patient tracking system also allows our team to access all your medical information within 20 seconds of registration. This means quicker treatment, quicker turnaround, and getting back home to recover more comfortably.

Because of the convenient location to other community-oriented facilities, such as the Sexual Assault Help Center, Harmony House, Hillcrest, and the Robert C. Byrd Center, the EMSTAR team is able to quickly assist and assess patient, and refer them to the appropriate facility, conveniently located on the same campus.

Cancer Support and Resources

One of the greatest gifts you can give someone who has been diagnosed with cancer is support. OVMC and EORH believe this so fully that they have personal navigation nurses on staff, dedicated to your care. Every patient newly diagnosed with cancer will have their own nurse navigator, who will be there with you every step of the way: from removing roadblocks in getting appointments, to coordinating appointments, attending office visits, and generally being available to offer information or emotional support. Coordinated care is also practiced at the Cancer Center, wherein every cancer patient’s treatment plan is discussed, in detail, at a weekly meeting with all disciplines present, so everyone is on the same page and your care plan is executed as seamlessly as possible.

The Cancer Center at OVMC is honored to participate in the Look Good Feel Better events, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. This program, which takes place monthly (alternating between OVMC and Wheeling Hospital), is offered to all female cancer patients. A cross between a social and educational event, those attending can look forward to learning makeup application techniques, hats and scarf-tying tips, and receiving a makeup kit filled with goodies. To complement the Look Good Feel Better events, OVMC also has a Cancer Resource Room, which is stocked with informational materials, hats, scarves, wigs, and other donations for those going through chemotherapy and radiation.

East Ohio Regional Hospital offers a Breast Cancer Support group to anyone who has battled, or is currently, battling breast cancer. All ages and stages of treatment and survivorship years are welcome to attend this monthly meeting. Meetings happen the 4th Wednesday of the month, at 6 p.m.in the lower level of EORH. For more information on the Breast Cancer Support Group, please call Margi Roberts at 740-633-1656.

New Parents and Family Resources

The BirthCenter at OVMC offers a family-centered birth experience where our goal is helping you feel confident in your new parenting role. Parents are allowed and encouraged to enjoy the Golden Hour immediately following birth, 24-hour rooming-in, and help with breastfeeding from our lactation consultant. We offer a variety of educational opportunities such as Childbirth, Sibling, C-Section, and Breastfeeding Classes, plus we plan to launch a New Mother Support Group called “New Mom’s Cafe” in April, 2018. Breastfeeding help after discharge is available with the hospital lactation consultant, or with Kim Connor, physician assistant and lactation consultant, in the offices of Dr. Jeremy Edgmon and Dr. Mackenzie Mincey. To register for classes or for more information, call 304-234-8338.

Employment Opportunities

OVMC and EORH are proud to hire approximately 300 people each year from the Ohio Valley, making EORH one of the largest employers in Belmont County.

We are always looking for new members to join our team, in every department from Cook to Staff Nurses. Creating and offering a diverse range of job opportunities appeals to a large portion of our population, and is helpful in drawing new people into the Ohio Valley to work and live. Regardless of your job title, OVMC and EORH are committed to providing a safe, rewarding atmosphere for everyone.

OPALs

Older People with Active Lifestyles is a program for anyone who is 55 and better, and looking to expand their social horizons. OPALs members have the opportunity to participate in exercise programs (which take place 3 times a week), go on day trips, socialize during Breakfast Club, or even go on exotic vacations – this year OPALs is taking a trip to Hawaii!

To learn more, or to get involved, call Mary Velez at 304-234-8643.

Pink Power Night

Pink Power Night is a monthly event that takes a look at different aspects of women’s health and wellness. The goal of Pink Power Night is to connect with women in our community and spread information on topics that can affect them. At each event, attendees are encouraged to check out the vendors and socialize with others; a special guest speaker will address the topic at hand and open the floor up for a question and answer session.

This is a free community event, which takes place the first Tuesday of each month during the Spring and Fall. For more information, visit ovmc-eorh.com or call Mary Velez at 304-234-8643.

Volunteer Program

We believe that one of the best things you can do for your community is to actively participate in it. That’s why we have such a great volunteer and junior volunteer program available at each hospital. Volunteers act as patient escorts, coffee cart attendants, and work at the registration desk, giving them the opportunity to interact with community members.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, or learning more about available positions, call Denise Paxton (EORH) 740-633-4545; Vickie Grandstaff (OVMC) 304-234-8192

OVMC and EORH have been your community hospitals for over 100 years. We are excited to progress within our community, and to support the physical and mental health of the people of the Ohio Valley. We look forward to the positive changes that 2018 has to offer, and toward providing the same reliable outstanding service and care to you and your families.