“It’s neighbors taking care of neighbors”, was how Christopher Clay, CFO of Rainelle Medical Center (RMC), described a brand new integrated health facility coming to White Sulphur Springs, WV.
Rainelle Medical Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center which has served Greenbrier, Monroe, and Fayette for the past 50 years, broke ground for a new 9,000 square foot medical facility off of Midland Trail/Route 60 Thursday morning. Situated conveniently just off of the I-64 exit at White Sulphur Springs, the site will be developed into an upgraded office for renowned local physician, Dr. Robert Olexo, a West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni who has practiced in W.S.S. for decades.
Clay, RMC Chief Financial Officer and Project Manager, told WVDN, “Right now Dr. Olexo is working in a tiny building in downtown White Sulphur. It is hard to get everybody in during busy seasons. This should help expand his operations.”
Mentioning the convenience to the interstate, Clay is also hopeful that Dr. Olexo’s notoriety will pull patients in from neighboring Virginia counties who are seeking adequate healthcare as well. Clay anticipates about 15 to 20 jobs to open up upon the completion of the new facility too, and with WVSOM nearby, local hires will be first choice for the new staff.
Unlike anything this stretch of Route 60 has ever had before, this new facility will address a combination of needs, including both urgent and chronic care. Plans for the new facility include primary care, diagnostic and x-ray services, and an on-site drive-thru pharmacy. The new health care center will also include counseling and substance abuse services, working closely with the RMC Lewisburg Behavioral Health Center, which is practically across the street from the new building site along the same stretch of road.
Since the 1970s, up until it was recently sold to RMC, the land where the new healthcare center will sit was owned by the Sam Linkous family. Having lived in the Greenbrier Valley for generations, the Linkous’ will both honor their past and help future residents through Rainelle Medical Center. When WVDN asked about her family’s contribution, Linda Linkous, eldest daughter of Sam, responded “we are very proud that this is benefiting the community, Dad would have been very proud.”
Clay wanted to drive the point home, “There is a huge need for access to healthcare, a place where people can just show up and walk in to.” Going beyond just sick visits, Clay explained that “this is going to be the place where grandma can both see the doctor and can get her medications, this is a place where families will be able to hold difficult conversations in a safe and supporting space.”
RMC’s newest facility was designed by ZMM Architects (a WV based firm) and will be constructed by Veritas Contracting, LLC, which is a WV based contractor as well. A number of community organizations have come together to support this multi-million-dollar project, including Burke & Herbert Bank, the Encova Foundation of WV, the State of West Virginia, and the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA).
The new facility is expected to be complete in late 2026 or early 2027.
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