Governor Patrick Morrisey has announced a strategic plan to restore labor and delivery services to the Greenbrier Valley, addressing a critical gap in local healthcare access. Through a new partnership between Vandalia Health and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), the initiative aims to bring essential obstetric care back to the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center. This project is supported by a nearly $4 million Rural Health Transformation Program award, which will also fund the development of the state’s second freestanding birthing center.
The move comes as rural healthcare providers across the nation face increasing pressure, with data from the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) indicating that more than half of all rural counties currently lack a hospital offering labor and delivery services. By integrating academic resources with clinical operations, the state government intends to create a more resilient system for maternal health in West Virginia.
Great news for families in the Greenbrier Valley! We're bringing labor and delivery services back to Greenbrier Valley Medical Center and investing nearly $4 million to establish West Virginia's second freestanding birthing center. That means more access to care, more options…
Restoring Obstetric Services in Greenbrier Valley
The core of the announcement involves a formal Letter of Intent signed by Vandalia Health and WVSOM. This agreement establishes an Academic Integration Agreement, designating WVSOM as the primary academic affiliate for Vandalia Health. The collaboration is designed to facilitate the reopening of obstetric services, including procedures that require hospital-level resources such as epidurals, C-sections, and specialized care for high-risk pregnancies.
Implementation of this partnership is scheduled to begin in phases starting on July 1, 2027. Beyond immediate service restoration, the agreement includes the creation of a rural obstetrics training program based in Greenbrier County. Officials stated that this initiative is intended to improve the recruitment and retention of physicians in the region. The Letter of Intent remains subject to final agreements and necessary regulatory approvals.
Grant Funds Rural Maternal Care Expansion
The nearly $4 million in funding awarded through the Rural Health Transformation Program is earmarked for a multifaceted approach to maternal care. In addition to the new community-based birthing center, the investment will support an expansion of prenatal and postpartum services, lactation support, birth preparation, and telehealth coordination. These services are planned to be introduced in phases as the necessary facilities and staffing arrangements are finalized.
This state-level investment complements West Virginia’s ongoing participation in the federal Transforming Maternal Health Model. The state was selected for this initiative in 2025 and is set to enter the program’s third year in January 2027. The federal effort, which provides up to $17 million over a 10-year period, focuses on enhancing patient safety, strengthening the clinical workforce, and utilizing health technology to improve outcomes.
Coordinated Care for Maternal Health
Dr. Arvin Singh, Secretary of Health, emphasized that the project aims to bridge the gap between community-level support and hospital-based medical care. The goal is to move away from treating different levels of care in isolation, instead creating a unified pathway for families to access the appropriate support during pregnancy and birth.
WVSOM President James W. Nemitz highlighted the institution’s role in the partnership, noting that the initiative addresses a widespread challenge in rural medicine. “The challenge of providing OB/GYN and maternity healthcare in rural areas is not just a Greenbrier Valley issue,” Nemitz said. He added that the school is committed to working with the administration and other partners to improve regional healthcare outcomes.
The state administration has indicated that this effort is part of a broader commitment to stabilizing the local economy by ensuring that families have access to essential services.
The project moves forward as the participating institutions work to finalize the terms of the academic and clinical integration. Future updates will depend on the progression of staffing, infrastructure development, and the receipt of final regulatory approvals for the phased rollout of services at the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center.
