Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA) is set to open its new Barbour Behavioral Health Building in Belington with a dedication ceremony. The event will take place at 70 North Sturmer Street, adjacent to the Belington Medical & Wellness Center, at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 6.
The ceremony will feature a ribbon-cutting, followed by an opportunity for the public to tour the facility, meet the healthcare team and learn about the behavioral health services offered. Eric Ruf, CEO of BCHA, highlighted the importance of this milestone.
“We are thrilled to open this new medical facility and provide enhanced critical behavioral health services for residents in Barbour County and the surrounding areas,” Ruf said. “Our goal with this expansion was to create a more welcoming and efficient environment for our patients.”
He added that the new behavioral health space, located on the ground floor, integrates with the medical team to streamline access and enhance user experience.
Residents can RSVP for the dedication ceremony at http://evt.to/eeougiahw.
The new facility features larger therapy rooms and specialized areas for group therapy and psychological testing, accommodating various therapeutic needs. It also includes a space for community engagement, offering educational programs to increase behavioral health awareness and reduce stigma.
Dr. Aaron Williams, Chief Behavioral Health Officer at BCHA, emphasized the significance of behavioral health.
“Our focus has always been on providing accessible, confidential and high-quality behavioral healthcare,” Williams said. “This new facility enhances patient privacy by incorporating soundproof rooms and sound machines, ensuring patient confidentiality.”
The building is fully ADA-compliant, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities or special needs, in line with BCHA’s commitment to inclusivity.
The project benefited from a financial gift from the William Kester estate, which matched a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
“Mr. Kester’s vision for expanding and improving healthcare services in Belington was instrumental in completing this important project,” Ruf said. “His generosity, along with community support, allowed us to build a larger facility, enabling us to improve overall health outcomes by addressing both physical and mental health needs in a coordinated manner.”
The facility was designed by Mills Group of Morgantown and constructed by JC Construction of Belington.
Barbour Behavioral Health Services operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit barbourhealth.org or call 304.823.4000.
The Belington Medical and Myers Clinics, as federally qualified health service centers, ensure no one is denied care. Programs are available for moderate and low-income families without health insurance or with high insurance deductibles.
