Pocahontas Memorial Hospital received its first community contribution to its Capital Campaign on Wednesday, September 24th. At the official kick-off celebration of the campaign, Mike Holstine presented $5,000 on behalf of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank. PMH’s Chief Executive Officer Barbara Lay sincerely thanked Holstine for the observatory’s commitment to the hospital.

NRAO’s contribution will go towards a new Activity Room for PMH patients, particularly skilled rehabilitation or “Swing Bed” patients. This skilled nursing program allows patients to receive rehabilitation therapies such as physical, occupational, respiratory, or speech while carrying out a comprehensive plan of care to get them back on their feet.

The Activity Room encourages Swing Bed patients to return to normal daily activities like eating at a table and socializing with other patients. In addition, younger patients will be able to play games and watch tv in a more community setting.

During a tour of the room to be remodeled, Holstine remarked “It’s exciting to know we’ll be a part of this. I wish we could do more!”

After receiving a large bequest from the Donald Pethtal Estate in 2013, which funded significant improvements both inside and out, Pocahontas Memorial Hospital decided to launch a Capital Campaign to keep the momentum going. The hospital hopes to renovate each patient room in the facility and NRAO’s contribution will help tremendously in providing health care to Pocahontas County’s community members and visitors.

If you are interested in making a contribution or would like more information on Pocahontas Memorial Hospital’s Capital Campaign, please contact the Administration Office 304-799-1020.