LEWISBURG, W.Va. (Nov. 6, 2025) — Greenbrier Valley Medical Center (GVMC) is initiating plans to change its operational status from an acute care hospital to a Critical Access Hospital (CAH), a designation intended to bolster the facility’s financial sustainability and better align with healthcare trends.
The transition, which requires various approvals and certifications, is expected to be complete in 2026.
Like acute care facilities, Critical Access Hospitals provide essential inpatient services and 24/7 emergency rooms. However, the CAH designation caps the number of available beds at 25, with nine additional observation beds.
This designation is crucial because Critical Access Hospitals receive a higher level of reimbursement for services, which is expected to make the facility more sustainable for the community. GVMC’s parent company, Vandalia Health, noted that this move supports its efforts to grow the facility by shifting focus toward expanding outpatient care in both clinic and surgery settings.
“With the changes in health care reimbursement and the challenges facing rural hospitals, many hospitals across the country will be transitioning to CAH status,” GVMC said in a press statement. There are currently 21 Critical Access Hospitals operating throughout West Virginia.
As part of the restructuring, GVMC will be making adjustments to its maternity and inpatient pediatric services. Due to over two years of unsuccessful recruitment efforts for OB/GYN providers and nurses, GVMC has decided to transition these services.
GVMC will no longer provide OB delivery services or inpatient pediatrics after April 2026.
Physicians practicing at GVMC will continue to provide comprehensive outpatient prenatal, gynecologic, and pediatric care.
Delivery options for current patients will transition to facilities in Beckley and Charleston.
Vandalia Health has invested more than $50 million in GVMC over the past three years. The company plans to continue expanding outpatient services, including enhanced cancer care. Furthermore, Vandalia Health/CAMC is currently building a new, $15 million outpatient facility on the GVMC campus to grow specialty care for the region.
Because the CAH designation aligns with the hospital’s current patient census trends, the number of employees directly affected is anticipated to be limited. While some staff may transfer to a different unit or office, GVMC and the broader CAMC/Vandalia Health organization have numerous open positions available.
Providers and administrators stated they are working collaboratively to plan for these transitions, prioritizing both patient care and the facility’s employees.
