Cabell Huntington (W.Va.) Hospital President and CEO Kevin N. Fowler said the Huntington area will experience significant growth within the next five to 10 years, allowing the system to become a top healthcare provider and provide the types of services available in larger urban cities like Cincinnati or Pittsburgh, according to The State Journal.
Mr. Fowler told the publication the ever-changing hospital landscape has motivated numerous health systems nationwide to band together and "work … with hospitals they competed against in the past. Fortunately, here in Huntington, we have two entities that recognize the value of coming together, and I think that is going to be key to going forward."
He said Cabell Huntington's pending merger with Huntington, W.Va.-based St. Mary's Medical Center will help pave the way for the area to become one of the top destinations for care. The proposed merger is still pending approval by the Vatican, as St. Mary's is a Catholic institution.
"I see so many things happening in healthcare for this region," Mr. Fowler said. "Where other regions might not be doing as well, we are going to continue to flourish. When you look at us in five or 10 years, we are going to be looking more like Cincinnati or a Pittsburgh in terms of what we deliver here."
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