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WVU Medicine eyes affiliation with ailing south central Pennsylvania hospital

By Kris B. Mamula, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Tribune Content Agency

April 20, 2026 8:10 AM

WVU Medicine is reaching into rural south central Pennsylvania in offering a lifeline to a distressed hospital.

The West Virginia University Health System has signed a nonbinding letter of intent to affiliate with the Fulton County Medical Center in McConnellsburg, a 21-bed, critical access hospital with financial problems. As part of the deal, the Morgantown-based university health system, which operates as WVU Medicine, would invest up to $17 million over the next seven years to modernize FCMC, including the latest electronic medical records system, and expansion of clinical services in the rural area served by the hospital.

"The FCMS board believes the letter of intent is the first step to achieving long-term viability and continuing to strengthen local access to care for the Fulton County community," FCMC Board Chair Rodney Walters said in a prepared statement. "The board is eager to continue exploring the benefits this potential affiliation with the WVU Health system could bring to the community."

FCMC, founded in 1947, operates the only hospital and nursing home in Fulton County. The 67-bed nursing home serves Fulton, Bedford, Blair, Franklin and Huntingdon counties.

"I am excited to further explore the opportunity with WVU Medicine," FCMC President and CEO Mike Makosky said. "FCMC will be able to better serve the health care needs of our communities and ultimately flourish for many years to come under this potential partnership."

The hospital is 46 miles from WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia, where WVU Medicine is planning a new $200 million patient tower and increasing the number of beds to 325 from 190 today. Completion is expected in 2028.

"Our goal is to become the national leader in rural population health management and the addition of Fulton County Medical Center will broaden our impact," WVU Health System President and CEO Albert L. Wright Jr. said.

Finalization of the deal outlined in the letter of intent is anticipated to close by January, 2027, subject to execution of a definitive agreement, regulatory approval and other conditions. If the deal is consummated, FCMC would become the seventh Pennsylvania hospital operated by WVU Medicine.

In addition to Uniontown Hospital in Fayette County, WVU Medicine is prepared to affiliate with the five-hospital Independence Health System in Westmoreland, Butler and Clarion counties, significantly increasing its presence in Western Pennsylvania.

FCMC reported revenue of $55.4 million and expenses of $58 million in 2024, according to Cause IQ, a Missoula, Montana-based data analytics outfit serving nonprofit clients.

Last year, Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Health Access Network included FCMC on a list of 47 hospitals that were at risk of financial distress from cuts to Medicaid. Medicaid was a top source of revenue for the hospital, PHAN found.