ST. CLAIRSVILLE — East Ohio Regional Hospital recently expanded into the Digestive Health Complex at 300 W. Main St. in St. Clairsville.

It was a closely guarded secret before the ribbon-cutting occurred this week. EORH Chief Operating Officer Bernie Albertini said the staff didn’t even inform the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce until days before ceremony Monday.

Regarding why the takeover was kept so quiet, Albertini said the St. Clairsville area is “highly sought after” by other hospitals.

Albertini said the plan was in the works for about six months. Efforts included negotiations with Dr. Sanjay Chaudhry, who owned the complex and who will now be an employee of EORH.

He said the complex will continue to focus on digestive health, but prospective patients will now have a choice to either come to EORH in Martins Ferry or go to the newly acquired St. Clairsville site. For example, a colonoscopy or physical therapy session will now be offered in St. Clairsville.

“So, if you live in St. Clairsville and you want the outpatient physical therapy, you don’t have to drive to the hospital anymore, you can just go out there,” Albertini said.

Providers located at the St. Clairsville complex include Chaudhry (gastroenterology) and Dr. Robert Wetzel and Nurse Practitioner Katie Detling (gynecology), according to a statement released by EORH on social media.

“He had privileges here,” Albertini said of Chaudhry, “but you know, totally private practice, independent practice, not owned by any hospital. … He’s an employee of the hospital now. …

“We are thrilled to be expanding our services in the Ohio Valley and taking excellent care of its residents,” Albertini wrote on Facebook.

He also thanked the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce and its ambassadors for their continued support.

St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce Director Wendy Anderson said the ribbon-cutting was successful and the hospital’s presence was welcome.

“They are taking over the digestive care center,” she said. “Their physical therapy office is down there.”

She said the hospital is filling an important niche.

“I do believe there’s a need in this area for good services, and if East Ohio Regional can do that, then that will be awesome. If they can bring that good customer service and all that to the area, more power to them,” Anderson said. “We just personally had a lot of our ambassadors there (at the ceremony). … It was nice. What I’ve heard through the grapevine is people are excited to get better healthcare and a variety of healthcare.”

She said the hospital is a welcome member of the business community.

“They just called and asked if we could come out and support them,” Anderson said. “They just became a new member” of the chamber.