Dr. Beckett announces plans to reopen by Christmas
BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Mingo County’s only hospital, Williamson Memorial, closed its doors in 2020 after several years of financial struggles, forcing patients to either use a nearby medical center in South Williamson or travel to Logan or Pikeville. Thanks to $2 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D), there is now renewed hope that the hospital will reopen.
Since the hospital closed, the Williamson Health and Wellness Center, under the ownership and direction of Dr. Donavan “Dino” Beckett, several clinics, including a drug rehabilitation center, have opened inside the building but reopening the facility as a hospital has always been the ultimate goal.
Beckett voiced his belief while speaking to media that being able to reestablish the hospital is the key to helping bring vitality back to the City of Williamson, as well as the county.
Rhoda Diamond, a lifelong resident of Chattaroy who served as secretary for the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department for 30 years before her recent retirement, has seen with her own eyes the effect the closing of the hospital had on not only the public but law enforcement officials and EMS personnel.
“When the hospital closed, it created the necessity of our deputies having to go to another county, and another state, to interview victims of crimes or those involved in vehicle accidents. This took up quite a bit more of their time than before, taking them away from their road patrol or other investigations,” remarked Diamond.
“My family always used Williamson Memorial for their medical needs, and I can’t explain how happy I am to hear that if all goes as planned, they will reopen in a couple of months. Hopefully, it will be a fully functioning hospital as before. The emergency room is very important to our community, and we hope they will accept admissions for those who need it.”
According to information released by U.S. Senator Manchin’s office, the $2 million in funding includes support for purchasing new equipment crucial to reopening departments such as laboratory and radiology. The funding will also provide permanent working capital for hospital admissions.
Lisa Ann Copley, who resides with her sons in East Williamson and recently lost a close family member to a traumatic injury, says the need for the hospital to reopen is greater than most people realize.
“When we lost the hospital, it wasn’t just a loss of income and jobs for many of our local residents. It forced us to seek medical treatment at other facilities,” said Copley. “Williamson Memorial was probably, in my opinion, the most important business ever established in Mingo County. My hope is that it will again be the caliber of facility that it was in the past, and I cannot wait for them to open their doors.”
Beckett said plans are in place to reopen the hospital before Christmas. It will create at least 80 jobs.