Dr. Keith Poole, D.O., and his assistant, Jayne Vinskovich, R.N., have recently joined the professional staff at Sistersville General Hospital. Both Poole and Vinskovich were formerly employed by the Veteran’s Clinic in St. Clairsville prior to the move, where Dr. Poole served as the clinic’s Medical Director and Vinskovich was Clinic Administrator.

“It was wonderful, working with veterans,” said Dr. Poole, “but it was in the best interest of my family to work closer to home.”

Vinskovich added that they enjoy working in a rural setting and providing care for the local communities.

Dr. Poole is a graduate of Bethany College, with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, and a graduate of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg. Poole completed his family practice residency at Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling.

Jayne Vinskovich graduated from West Liberty State College with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She and Poole worked at the St. Clairsville VA Clinic for approximately two years.

“I have always had an interest in a career in medicine,” explained Poole. “As an osteopathic physician, I am licensed to practice the full spectrum of conventional medicine while incorporating the philosophies of Osteopathy and the practice of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT).”

The practice of osteopathy embraces the beliefs that: The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance. There is an intimate relationship between structure and function and that rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.

Such therapy is a holistic (whole body) approach to health care. Osteopaths do not simply concentrate on treating the problem area, but use OMT in addition to conventional therapy to balance all the systems of the body to provide overall good health and well-being.

“Our primary goal is to provide quality care to the community that is cost-effective and patient centered,” said Poole.

Dr. Poole and his wife, Wendy, are the parents of two children, Everett, age 8, and Rhys, age 5. Mrs. Poole, who has a degree in Photojournalism from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, was formerly employed by Bethany College. The family lives in New Martinsville.

Dr. Poole is now accepting new patients and accepts most insurances, medicaid and medicare. Office hours are Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m, and Friday, 8 a.m. – noon. To schedule an appointment, call 304-447-2030.

“I welcome the opportunity to offer integrated health care services to my community,” said Dr. Poole.