West Virginia
WSAZ Investigates | Unheard
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – She was a rising star at the West Virginia Department of Transportation.
Shawna, who has chosen not to reveal her last name or show her face on camera, started her career at the West Virginia Department of Transportation in 2019 as a secretary working for one of the district engineers.
In 2020, she was promoted to executive assistant to the number two of the agency, Alan Reed, the West Virginia State Highway Engineer. It was a job she considered a dream come true.
“I considered that an absolute honor and everything that I handled, it’s an honor you take it very serious every phone call you get with a concerned citizen, whether it’s a pothole needing fixed or they’re just needing a phone call, return,” said Shawna in a sit down interview with WSAZ’s Sarah Sager.
From there, accolades for her work started rolling in.
Shawna received a couple of awards, including Employee of the Year in 2022.
However, that same year Shawna says behind the scenes that dream had been turning into a nightmare.
SAGER: “How do you get from Vision Award, and Employee of the Year to where we’re sitting in 2024?”
SHAWNA: “I can’t answer that. I don’t know. It hurts.”
Shawna says starting in 2021 she endured inappropriate behavior from her supervisor – former WV State Highway Engineer, Alan Reed.
SAGER: “When did things start to change because seems like at that time, you were pretty happy and things were going well, you were continuing to draw, when did things shift?”
SHAWNA: “You know, Sarah, looking back, in hindsight I would say it was it was probably, you know, right away. If you look at text, there was some some difference in texting honestly. But when it was about a year, year and a half later, I really started noticing the differences.”
SAGER: “So you’re seeing this shift, maybe like March or so of 2021. Things are changing within the department. Are you also feeling a shift with within your personal workspace with the people that you’re interacting with?”
SHAWNA: “Most definitely – more specifically with with Mr. Reed. There’s a lot of personal, a lot of personal text. A lot of late night early morning text. A lot of physical touch. Just a lot of intimacy, to be honest, if you want to call it that.”
SAGER: “When you say physical, this became a physical encounter for him, was he touching you? Did things cross the line?”
SHAWNA: “Absolutely.”
SAGER: “Can you give me an example?”
SHAWNA: “It’s tough to talk about. It’s even more tough to tell you.”
Shawna went on to describe several instances she says made her uncomfortable in the office and work trips where she says Reed would cross the line.
SHAWNA: “I would travel with him. He has a state car. And there would be trips that he would place his hand within the inner part of my thigh. That would be about the extent of that, but extremely uncomfortable. Is that what a supervisor does to an employee? And I mean in any job, but is that what I expected my executive branch state leader to be? Absolutely not.”
In 2022, it was on two of those trips that Shawna says things escalated further.
Shawna says on a trip to Biloxi, Mississippi, Reed got a key card and got into her hotel room while she was sleeping.
Then, at a DOT Human Resources conference held at Pipestem Resort in early October 2020, Shawna says Reed grabbed her leaving bruises seen here on her arm.
Shawna says that incident was the breaking point.
After she returned from the conference, Shawna says she went directly to the head of the department, West Virginia Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston – who is also Alan Reed’s cousin.
SHAWNA: “I remember telling him he’s my supervisor. I think I said that like three or four times, but he’s my supervisor. I was trying to say he can’t do this. He’s my supervisor. You know, he thinks there’s a relationship. He’s my supervisor. I’m not comfortable in this. He’s my supervisor. And that’s when he said let me have a talk with him. He’s off Friday. Then he waited until I got back to my office and said, “Go home early today. Hang in there kiddo.”
Shawna says she was off work the following Monday. When she returned to work Tuesday, she went to Secretary Wriston for an update.
SHAWNA: “He said to give the situation two weeks and he had a stern talk with him over the weekend.”
SAGER: “What were the two weeks? What did he expect to change?”
SHAWNA: “I have no idea. I didn’t ask. That’s when I just felt sick when he said that. I wanted to say, “What do you really expect me to do?”. Do you know what’s already happened today?”
Shawna says at that point she filed a report with the State of West Virginia’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office on October 13th hoping to get help there.
However, the response from the head of the department of transportation just didn’t sit right with her.
SAGER: “Secretary Wriston took no action? Even moving your desk? Or putting you in another place?”
SHAWNA: “Nothing.”
WSAZ confirmed Reed was not suspended until November 3, 2022 – almost four weeks after Shawna says she took the issues to Secretary Wriston.
WSAZ’S Sarah Sager emailed, called and left a messages with Secretary Wriston to see why there was no immediate suspension or any action taken.
Secretary Wriston did not answer or return her calls or emails.
Sager also called Reed to speak with him about the allegations. He did answer her call, but would only say, “He had no comment”, and, “He did not know what she was talking about”.
What we do know is that according to a West Virginia EEO document, Shawna had a right to a decision within 70 working days of her complaint being assigned to investigators.
That paperwork was signed by Shawna and a West Virginia State Investigator on October 13, 2022.
If you check the calendar, 70 working days later was January 27, 2023 – the same day Alan Reed submitted a letter stating he was retiring effective January 31, 2023.
We also know Shawna was supposed to be notified if her case was substantiated or not substantiated, according to a West Virginia EEO complaint form found online.
SAGER: “With your EEO report, we read through the documentation and know that you were supposed to be notified if the case had been substantiated or not substantiated. Were you ever told either way?”
SHAWNA: “No, I was not.”
Sager reached out to the State of West Virginia Department of Administration which did oversee the EEO office, to find out why Shawna never received any information. A communications director told Sager the EEO office was actually disbanded in June of 2022 – months before Shawna filled out forms that all have EEO written on them.
That same communications officials told Sager that, that office does not and did not make determinations regarding the substantiation of complaints. The communication official even went on to say, “To the extent that she expected a determination from the Office of Equal Opportunity Office, her understanding of the process was mistaken.”
However, the state’s own website and voicemail tells a much different story.
The office that took over for West Virginia’s Equal Employment Opportunity office is now called the Office of Equal Opportunity, but when you call, the voicemail for that office still says EEO.
The State of West Virginia’s Office of Equal Opportunity’s website is also full of references to EEO.
Until Monday January 22, 2024, there were even links to the same complaint form Shawna filled out in October of 2022. That complaint form has now been taken down, and the link goes to an error message.
And remember how a state communications official said they do not and never have made determinations about substantiation of complaints?
WSAZ found a 2020 West Virginia Equal Employment Opportunity Office’s annual report found online shows otherwise. It breaks down the number of complaints, and how many were substantiated. The link to that 2020 WV EEO Annual Report now goes to an error page, but WSAZ saved that report before it was taken down. You can see it here.
Sager asked for clarification, but no one from the state will call or email us back.
With no answers from the state, Shawna tells us she did retain a lawyer who put the state on notice that she planned to file a lawsuit against the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Reed, and Secretary Wriston. However, that lawsuit was never filed, because the State of West Virginia settled.
Through a Freedom of Information Request, WSAZ obtained the settlement which shows the State of West Virginia paid Shawna hundreds of thousands of dollars to drop her claims against the Department of Transportation, Secretary Wriston, and Reed. The state’s attorneys also tried to get Shawna to sign an agreement not to disclose the terms of her settlement, but Shawna wouldn’t do it.
Shawna says while she tries to move on from the situation, she just wants change for other employees.
SHAWNA: “It hurts, but all I can tell you is that’s why I’m here talking with you today. All of this has taken things from me and I don’t want anybody to ever have to endure what I’ve done. If you see something, say something, stand up for your colleagues. Stand up as a woman, that government any job you work in and know that no, not okay. No means no. Stand up for yourself.”
Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
West Virginia
Local organizations among those who received $16 million in grant awards for West Virginia victims of crime
Two local organizations received funding as part of a recent announcement of more than $16 million in West Virginia Victims of Crime Act grants to 83 projects across the state.
Mountain CAP of West Virginia received $83,328, which will be used to provide forensic interviewing, support and resources for children and their non-offending caregivers, referrals, trauma-focused therapy and outreach to the community. The Upshur County Commission received $37,630 to provide crime victims notification of criminal charges, personal safety planning, court accompaniment, court notifications, change in case status, assistance obtaining restitution and referrals.
VOCA funds provide direct services like counseling, personal advocacy, court advocacy, client transportation and support services to victims of crimes including domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and elder abuse. The funds will also support assistance to victims as they move through the criminal justice system.
“West Virginia is committed to ensuring victims of crime are treated with the dignity, respect and care they deserve,” Governor Patrick Morrisey said. “These VOCA funds will aid the many organizations who play a critical, yet often unseen role in the criminal justice system.”
The funds, totaling $16,327,849, are received from the Office for Victims of Crime of the U.S. Department of Justice and administered by the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services, Justice and Community Services Section.
Funds were awarded to the following:
A Child’s Place CASA – $49,384
These funds will be used to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children.
Barbour County Commission – $38,856
These funds will be used to assist victims of crime, including but not limited to court notification, personal advocacy, information, referrals, transportation and victim compensation fund applications.
Branches Domestic Violence Shelter – $661,784
These funds will be used for crisis intervention services, a hotline, legal advocacy, counseling, outreach services, support groups, assistance with court accompaniment in five counties, follow-up services and assistance with housing, employment and medical and financial needs of crime victims.
Burlington United Methodist Family Services – $78,763
These funds will be used to provide community partnership of intake, investigation and follow-up services for victims of child abuse, ages 3-17, in Hampshire, Mineral and Pendleton counties.
Cabell County Commission – $212,462
These funds will be used to provide direct services such as crisis intervention, information and referral, criminal justice support and advocacy, assistance in filing crime victim compensation claims, personal advocacy, restitution, the return of items held in evidence, victim impact statements and victim rights.
CASA for Children – $191,536
These funds will be used for recruiting, training and supporting volunteers to represent the best interest of abused and neglected children in the First and Second Judicial Circuit Courts.
CASA of Marion County – $91,078
These funds will be used for recruiting and training community volunteers who are appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interest of child victims in civil abuse and neglect proceedings.
CASA of New River – $82,181
These funds will be used to provide court-appointed advocacy to children who are victims of abuse, neglect or who are impacted by domestic violence and substance abuse in Raleigh County.
CASA of the Greenbrier Valley – $89,003
These funds will be used to increase advocacy services for child victims of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, as well as child neglect, including medical, educational and substance abuse.
CASA of the Eastern Panhandle – $341,676
These funds will be used for recruiting, training and empowering community volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect in the Eastern Panhandle.
CHANGE, Inc. – $121,739
These funds will be used to ensure abused children in Brooke and Hancock Counties receive child-centered services that focus on their individual needs by assessing, investigating and offering a coordinated service response to the physical, emotional and legal dimensions of child abuse.
CHANGE, Inc. – $56,131
These funds will be used to provide free, confidential, 24-hour specialized services to domestic violence victims in Hancock and Brooke County, including crisis intervention, community referrals and help filing for victims’ compensation and protection orders.
CAMC Health Education & Research Institute – $277,306
These funds will be used to provide quality victim advocacy and forensic interviewing services to Kanawha and Jackson County child victims of abuse through the funding of family advocates, a forensic interviewer and a therapist.
Child and Youth Advocacy Center – $202,638
These funds will be used to provide direct services to victims of child abuse and support the agency’s mission of ending child abuse in Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas Counties.
Child Protect of Mercer County – $142,350
These funds will be used to mend the lives of child victims of abuse in Mercer County through the funding of various positions and expenses at the Mercer County Child Advocacy Center.
ChildLaw Services – $160,262
These funds will be used to provide legal, social and therapeutic services to child victims of domestic violence, neglect and physical/sexual abuse in Putnam, Mercer and McDowell Counties.
Children’s Home Society of West Virginia – $199,092
These funds will be used to encourage and facilitate the multidisciplinary team approach to the investigation and response to child abuse allegations.
Comprehensive Women’s Service Council – $549,725
These funds will be used to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual assault with an emphasis on outreach.
CONTACT Huntington – $539,830
These funds will be used to provide free and confidential direct advocacy and support services for victims of sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking.
Cornerstone Family Interventions – $148,541
These funds will be used to provide services to the victims of crime in Boone and Lincoln Counties regardless of their ability to pay for services rendered or the availability of insurance.
Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center – $656,215
These funds will be used to provide victims and survivors the resources necessary to effectively cope with the personal, social, emotional and legal ramifications of victimization.
Family Counseling Connection – $311,477
These funds will be used to provide therapy services to victims of crime.
Family Crisis Center – $298,866
These funds will be used to continue providing direct services to victims of violent crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence and human trafficking and to provide public awareness and network on behalf of victims.
Family Crisis Intervention Center of Region V – $358,323
These funds will be used to provide direct service advocates in Wood, Jackson, Ritchie, Wirt, Tyler and Pleasants Counties who will provide allowable trauma-informed core services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking.
Family Refuge Center – $547,343
These funds will be used to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse in later life, exploitation, stalking and dating violence.
Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area, Inc. – $108,459
These funds will be used to provide therapy to victims of violence, sexual/physical abuse, spousal abuse and survivors of childhood trauma.
Greenbrier County Commission – $42,093
These funds will be used to provide direct services to victims of crime via a prosecution-based advocate, coordinate access to prosecutors, contact persons for victims and provide institution and legal information for victims in Greenbrier County.
Greenbrier County Commission – $45,861
These funds will be used to support a victim advocate in the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department that will continue to serve as a guide, liaison and contact person for victims, while also making appropriate referrals to better serve victims as needed.
Hancock County Commission – $157,848
These funds will be used to provide assistance and support to all victims of crime in Hancock, Brooke and Ohio Counties.
Harmony House – $172,532
These funds will be used to provide a victim-centered, child-appropriate approach to victim services to reduce the effect of crime on children, adults with developmental disabilities and non-offending members by providing advocacy including therapeutic intervention and forensic interviewing at no cost to the victims and their families.
Harmony Mental Health – $277,875
These funds will be used to increase access to trauma-informed professionals, therapeutic and medication management, supportive counseling and group services for victims of crime.
Harrison County CASA Program – $121,831
These funds will be used to fund critical advocacy for children named in child abuse and neglect proceedings.
Harrison County Child Advocacy Center – $328,120
These funds will be used to increase support to child victims of crime and their protecting caregivers by providing a coordinated, comprehensive response to allegations of child maltreatment in Harrison, Doddridge, Taylor and Barbour Counties.
HOPE Inc. Task Force on Domestic Violence – $569,864
These funds will be used to provide comprehensive services to domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse victims, including those victims in underserved population groups.
Jackson County Commission – $35,588
These funds will be used to provide direct services for victims of crimes including referrals, personal, court and legal advocacy, as well as help in filing compensation claims and working with counselors to assist victims in court situations.
Jefferson County Commission – $111,256
These funds will be used to provide direct services to all victims of crime but emphasizes serving the needs of victims of violent crimes and under-served populations.
Just for Kids – $312,418
These funds will be used to provide direct services to children and families who are victims of sexual abuse and other criminal abuse.
Kanawha County Commission – $59,655
These funds will be used to employ one full-time advocate and one part-time advocate at the Kanawha Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to ensure victims are informed and involved with the criminal justice system throughout the entire process.
Kanawha County Commission – $100,350
These funds will be used to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, strangulation, malicious wounding, property crimes and survivors of homicide victims.
Legal Aid of West Virginia – $740,455
These funds will be used to collaborate with local victims’ programs to address service gaps and support victims with legal services.
Logan County Child Advocacy Center – $167,160
These funds will be used to provide specialized services for child abuse victims, adult survivors of childhood abuse and identified adult victims of violent crime and the underserved.
Logan County Commission – $50,411
These funds will be used to employ one full-time and one-part time system-based victim advocate in the prosecutor’s office to provide victims information, notification, referrals, shelter, relocation, court accompaniment and filing of claims.
Logan County Commission – $36,881
These funds will be used to fund one full-time victim advocate in the sheriff’s department to provide direct services to victims of crime while assisting law enforcement agencies by providing information and notification, referrals, individual advocacy and support.
Marion County Children’s Advocacy Center – $161,167
These funds will be used to provide forensic interviews, victim advocacy, case coordination and supportive services for child victims of sexual and physical abuse and their protective families.
Marion County Commission – $58,812
These funds will be used to provide direct services to all crime victims in the county to help navigate the judicial system and act as a liaison for the prosecuting attorney and law enforcement.
Mason County Commission – $42,266
These funds will be used to fund one full-time victim advocate who provides information, direction and support to crime victims during the judicial process.
Mercer County Commission – $165,687
These funds will be used to guide and serve all victims of crime and survivors through the complex criminal justice process from start to finish.
Mineral County CASA – $132,282
These funds will be used to recruit and train community-based volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children within the Mineral County circuit courts.
Mingo County Commission – $30,899
These funds will be used to employ a full-time victim advocate in the prosecutor’s office to assist victims through the judicial process by informing them of their rights as victims and providing information about their particular cases and the steps necessary to resolve them.
Mingo County Commission – $25,248
These funds will be used to employ a full-time victim advocate in the sheriff’s department to assist victims at the onset of a case and reduce the number of victims not reported/not tracked throughout the justice process.
Monongalia Child Advocacy Center – $256,105
These funds will be used to provide forensic interviewing, family advocacy and therapy to child abuse victims to promote resiliency and decrease the costly negative long-term effects of abuse.
Monongalia County Commission – $122,587
These funds will be used to provide support/information services to victims through advocacy, crisis intervention, referrals, crime compensation, notifications, impact statements and court presentations.
Monongalia County Youth Services Center – $174,387
These funds will be used to provide consistency and support to children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving – $46,958
These funds will be used to provide direct support to victims of impaired driving crashes and DWI/child endangerment crimes including crisis intervention, criminal justice advocacy, victim tributes and referrals.
Mountain CAP of West Virginia – $83,328
These funds will be used to provide forensic interviewing, support and resources for children and their non-offending caregivers, referrals, trauma-focused therapy and outreach to the community.
Nicholas County Family Resource Network – $110,256
These funds will be used to support a well-trained, highly functioning multi-disciplinary team through memorandums of understanding, team training and providing self-care for each discipline involved in the MDT.
North Star Child Advocacy Center – $221,591
These funds will be used to provide a child-friendly, safe and neutral environment where law enforcement and child protective service workers can observe forensic interviews with children who are alleged victims of abuse.
Ohio County Commission – $38,235
These funds will be used to offer guidance, support and assistance to victims of crime through information, advocating and allowing the victim to have a voice in the legal system.
Preston County Commission – $43,100
These funds will be used to employ a victim advocate to assist all crime victims who are predominately underserved and suffer from poor access to services either due to the rural nature of the county or their limited education.
Putnam County Commission – $35,127
These funds will be used to employ staff at the prosecutor’s office to aid victims of all crimes regarding their rights and resources available as provided by statute to serve as a liaison between the victim and the prosecutor in charge of their case in Putnam County.
Putnam County Commission – $67,470
These funds will be used to employ a position at the sheriff’s office to act as a direct and immediate line to victims for accessing victims’ services, both government and nonprofit; to inform the victim of their rights and available resources, help navigate the criminal justice system and to act as a liaison between the victim and law enforcement.
Randolph County Children’s Advocacy Center – $121,084
These funds will be used to provide expanded intervention, support and advocacy to children who have been victims, their non-offending caregivers and adult victims with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Randolph County Commission – $46,213
These funds will be used to continue to provide support, advocacy and information to victims of crime throughout the judicial process.
Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center – $645,793
These funds will be used to provide community-based, comprehensive programs for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking and other victims of violent crimes and temporary emergency shelter in Monongalia, Preston and Taylor Counties.
REACHH Family Resource Center – $69,178
These funds will be used to provide child victims (and their non-offending family members) of physical abuse, sexual abuse, negligence and domestic violence with counseling, case management, forensic interviews and advocacy.
Roane County Commission – $27,300
These funds will be used to employ a full-time victim advocate in the prosecutor’s office to assist victims of crime with scheduling, transportation and barriers as they arise.
STOP Abusive Family Environments – $411,171
These funds will be used to provide services of advocacy, crisis intervention, case management, emergency shelter and criminal justice advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, elder abuse and human trafficking.
Stop the Hurt – $79,233
These funds will be used to provide advocacy to child victims and their families with forensic interviews, forensic medical exams, home visits and parental visitations.
Team for West Virginia Children – $497,075
These funds will be used to provide direct services to approximately 950 child abuse victims by supporting trained CASA volunteers to advocate for children until they are in safe, loving and permanent homes.
Tug Valley Recovery Shelter Association – $209,694
These funds will be used to provide an array of services 24/7 to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, dating violence and underserved communities.
Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center – $267,894
These funds will be used to provide free, confidential and comprehensive services (hotline, advocacy, counseling and support) to victims of sexual violence.
Upshur County Commission – $37,630
These funds will be used to provide crime victims notification of criminal charges, personal safety planning, court accompaniment, court notifications, change in case status, assistance obtaining restitution and referrals.
Voices for Children – $98,608
These funds will be used to advocate for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and to ensure their well-being and best interests are met while out of the home.
West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation – $101,782
These funds will be used to provide direct services throughout the state while networking with county prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, advocates and service providers to continue to share information to better assist victims and the safety of the public and communities in all 55 counties.
West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information Services – $256,728
These funds will be used to broaden the range of services available by trained, trauma-informed professionals to sexual assault victims by increasing training and support for advocates and sexual assault forensic examiners.
Wetzel County Commission – $80,903
These funds will be used to provide support to child victims of abuse and their protective caregivers by ensuring victims have access to all CAC core forensic interviews, advocacy and referral services.
Women’s Aid in Crisis – $586,306
These funds will be used to provide direct services, including shelter, advocacy and a 24/7 crisis hotline to victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, child abuse, human trafficking and stalking with a focus on underserved populations experiencing abuse in 6 counties.
Wood County Commission – $71,600
These funds will be used to employ a full-time victim advocate and an assistant victim advocate to serve approximately 5,500 crime victims.
West Virginia Child Advocacy Network – $204,112
These funds will be used to support a comprehensive, statewide project aimed at expanding child advocacy services to underserved areas and enhancing the quality of services provided to victims of child abuse in the 46 counties already served by a child advocacy center.
West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence – $243,750
These funds will be used to provide direct legal services, housing and emergency financial assistance to survivors and victims of crime and support the domestic violence orientation training program.
Wyoming County Commission – $31,833
These funds will be used to provide victims with criminal justice and personal advocacy support services, crisis counseling, crime victim’s compensation and to educate individuals about their rights.
YWCA of Wheeling – $266,533
These funds will be used to provide safety and victim services through Madden House Emergency Safe Shelter and will offer and provide support services to all ages and bring awareness to domestic violence and dating violence within our community.
YWCA of Charleston – $312,656
These funds will be used to provide both emergency and comprehensive support services to victims of domestic violence.
West Virginia
West Virginia health system plans to acquire 5 Pa. hospitals | Chief Healthcare Executive
The Independence Health System in western Pennsylvania has decided it’s better to join forces with a partner.
The West Virginia University Health System has announced plans to acquire Independence, which operates five hospitals in western Pennsylvania.
The WVU Health System also says it will invest $800 million over the next five years to improve Independence’s hospitals and expand clinical services. Regulators must approve the deal, but officials say they hope to complete the transaction in the fall of 2026.
Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the West Virginia University Health System, said in a statement that he’s looking forward to adding Independence’s five hospitals to the system.
“Today marks the beginning of what I’m confident will be an exciting and rewarding journey, one grounded in our shared commitment to our mission, our patients, and the communities we serve,” Wright said.
Independence serves more than 750,000 residents across 10 counties in western Pennsylvania, just outside the city of Pittsburgh. Its service area isn’t far from the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border.
The system operates Butler Memorial Hospital, Clarion Hospital, Frick Hospital, Latrobe Hospital and Westmoreland Hospital. The five hospitals have a combined total of 925 beds, with Westmoreland (349 beds) and Butler (249 beds) being the largest. Independence employs more than 7,000 workers.
Independence leaders touted the benefits of joining a strong academic health system. Ken DeFurio, president and CEO of Independence Health System, said joining the WVU Health System helps ensure the system’s long-term viability.
“This is a transformational moment for our organization as we take this first, critical step toward building a new future with a nearby health system that shares our values and is community focused,” DeFurio said in a statement.
He praised the WVU Health System as “a progressive and innovative health system that has a proven track record in making deep investments in its people, clinical programs, and infrastructure.”
For his part, Wright said he appreciated Independence’s leaders “for the trust they are placing in us to ensure their five hospitals continue to serve as community pillars and beacons of hope for generations to come.”
Independence Health System faces two large competitors in western Pennsylvania: UPMC and the Allegheny Health Network. And both systems have been growing.
Independence was created in 2023 with the merger of the Butler Health System and Excela Health, forming a system with $1 billion in revenue.
The WVU Health System
The system is also in the midst of building
West Virginia men’s basketball takes on Xavier in the third-place game of the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic on Sunday afternoon.
The Mountaineers will be looking to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season in the opening round of the event against Clemson.
Here is everything you need to know for the game:
WVU basketball vs. Xavier game information
WVU basketball vs. Xavier matchup preview
Xavier fell to undefeated Georgia in its first game of the event by just one point, 78-77. A three-pointer with 11 seconds left gave the Bulldogs the lead and Xavier’s All Wright missed a last-second jump shot.
Tre Carroll and Jovan Milicevic led Xavier in that game with 19 points each. Carroll made it a double-double with 10 rebounds. Wright scored 17 and Filip Borovicanin had a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double. Milicevic made five three-pointers, while Wright added four.
Carroll has been the team’s leading scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game, with Roddie Anderson III coming off the bench to add 13 points per game. Anderson was held to four points in 19 minutes against Georgia.
West Virginia suffered a similar fate in its first-round game, falling at the very end to Clemson. The Tigers took the lead with 30 seconds left and led by three when Brenen Lorient opted for a wide-open dunk rather than try to tie the game with 11 seconds left.
Honor Huff led the Mountaineers with 17 points, while Jasper Floyd added 17. Chance Moore scored 16 with five rebounds, two blocks and two steals in his season debut after sitting out the first five games due to eligibility requirements.
Huff leads WVU in scoring, averaging 17.2 points per game. Lorient averaged 11.3 points and seven rebounds, while Floyd averaged 10.5 points and 4.2 assists.
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Get to know Méabh McMahon, co-anchor of Euronews’ Europe Today
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