Mon Health enters affiliation agreement with Grafton City Hospital

Mon Health System and Grafton City Hospital have entered into an affiliation agreement to ensure Grafton area citizens continue to have independent health care choices close to home.

The agreement, which was endorsed by the board of directors of both entities, allows Grafton City Hospital to achieve operational cost efficiencies through the use of Mon Health business support services, clinical affiliation and purchasing power. Grafton City Hospital will continue to focus on the health care needs of its community under the oversight of its local board of directors.

"The national health care economy is posing significant challenges to many community hospitals," said David Goldberg, President and CEO of Mon Health System. "When community hospitals like Grafton City Hospital can align with another community-based health care system like Mon Health to improve efficiencies, the biggest winners are the citizens Grafton City Hospital serves. Mon Health is proud to live up to its not-for-profit mission and its legacy by stepping up to help maintain health care choice in the Grafton community."

Goldberg said when he first assumed leadership of Mon Health last fall, Congressman David McKinley suggested that Mon Health and Grafton City Hospital leaders meet to discuss areas of cooperation or collaboration to maintain the hospital's independence and ability to continue to serve its community's health care needs close to home. Throughout West Virginia, community health systems like Mon Health are working collaboratively and creating alliances to maintain a strong network of hometown top-quality hospitals that have a legacy of serving their communities with distinction.

Just this year. US News and World Report recognized Mon Health Medical Center as the #3 hospital in West Virginia and both Mon Health Medical Center and Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital were recognized as top patient experience hospitals. In addition, Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital was recently named the first accredited stroke ready hospital in the state by The Joint Commission.

"Community hospitals traditionally have a higher level of focus, commitment and history in making sure the best interest of citizens is served," Goldberg said. "Grafton City Hospital has that same type of legacy in its community and it is important to maintain that."