(Photo provided) Jason Suter is Sistersville General Hospital’s new hospital administrator.

A lifelong resident of the Sistersville area has been named administrator of Sistersville General Hospital.

Memorial Health System, which owns Sistersville General Hospital, announced recently that Jason Suter is the facility’s new hospital administrator.

Suter has worked for the SGH for the past 15 years, working mainly as supervisor of the Department of Therapy Services. The department oversees swing-bed, acute and outpatient care.

“The biggest thing about Sistersville is that you’re always treated like family,” Suter said in a press release. “Every patient who walks through the door says the same thing – that they feel cared for and valued as family by our teams. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of and it speaks to our dedication to our community.”

Meanwhile, Suter is also excited about plans for a brand new hospital for the city and region. Officials last year announced plans to construct a new SGH, replacing the current facility.

The 30,000 square foot facility is anticipated to cost about $35 million to build. This past June, the hospital gave an update regarding the new hospital plans.

“Though the architectural work for the hospital is already underway, the groundbreaking for the facility is now projected to occur by the 2nd quarter of 2025, with a community opening planned for December 2026,” officials said at that time.

“With the rising cost of construction since the conception of this project, the budget has increased from $30 million to $35 million. The initial financing plan included low-interest financing through the new market tax credit program; however, in January 2024, the updated census data for Tyler County revealed an increase in household income.

“As a result of this development, the county no longer qualifies for the new market tax credit program and new financing options must be explored.”

Officials at that time noted the hospital still had $10 million in commitments from the state of West Virginia, local governments and private donors.

“Regarding construction for the new facility, we are currently completing architectural plans and details and hope to begin construction sometime this year,” Jennifer Offenberger, associate vice president of Excellence at Memorial Health System, said on Feb. 24.

The new facility will include a 4,500-square-foot emergency department, eight inpatient rooms and other spaces for community use such as classes. The hospital will be situated on land located across from the current facility.

“For over 20 years, our community has been hoping for a new hospital, but funding just hasn’t been available until now. The new hospital is a light for the community – a brighter future for Sistersville – and keeps our patients as close to home as possible,” Suter said.