PIKEVILLE, Ky. (May 8, 2015) — Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) committed $300,000 to Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) and its initiative to improve the economy and quality of life in Appalachian Kentucky.
Gov. Steve Beshear and Congressman Hal Rogers established SOAR in 2013 to strengthen health care, expand job creation and promote innovation as well as spearhead other regional initiatives. SOAR collaborates with organizations, institutions, businesses, leaders and citizens in its efforts.
As a presenting partner with SOAR, PMC will participate in the corporate partner roundtable, which meets quarterly and advises SOAR’s executive committee. PMC will also take part in an action committee addressing community health and wellness.
Over the past several years, PMC has added every major medical specialty, joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network, opened an 11-story clinic on its main campus and established clinics throughout the region to make quality health care more accessible.
PMC President and CEO Walter E. May, who served on SOAR’s planning committee, is committed to keeping patients close to home for care and helping SOAR in its health care initiatives and overall plan of action.
“Partnering with SOAR is in line with what we’re already doing at Pikeville Medical Center,” said May. “We have been at the forefront of driving the region’s economy for many years. The future of Pikeville Medical Center is directly linked to the economic future of our region. SOAR has a difficult task, and we support them and embrace their goals. Our future will be determined by the future of our region.”
“Having insight from the Pikeville Medical Center and Walter May will be a tremendous benefit to the SOAR organization as it develops key strategies for future job creation and improvements in wellness across the region,” said Congressman Rogers, Co-Chair of the SOAR Executive Committee. “PMC is a cornerstone in eastern Kentucky’s economy and I applaud this partnership to help shape our future.”
“Having an anchor institution in central Appalachia, like Pikeville Medical Center, come on as a Presenting Partner of SOAR shows their commitment to creating a bright future for our region,” said Jared Arnett, Executive Director of SOAR. “Their partnership will increase our capacity to implement the strategies for growth and development that have been created by the citizens of our region.”
“We need a healthy and well-educated workforce in eastern Kentucky to meet our primary goal of creating and maintaining jobs across this region,” said Gov. Beshear. “I’m pleased that Pikeville Medical Center is further investing in the region to support that work. Health and wellness plays a critical role in the future of this region, and I look forward to PMC providing informed and meaningful guidance as we implement our SOAR strategies.”
About PMC
PMC is a 261-bed hospital offering more than 400 services, including every major specialty and many subspecialties. An 11-story Clinic and 10-story parking garage were recently opened on the hospital’s main campus.
A proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, PMC employs approximately 2,500 people. The hospital was named one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky for seven years and ranked in the top 10 Best Places to Work in the nation by Modern Healthcare for four years. PMC is a three-time winner of National Hospital of the Year.
PMC’s mission is to provide quality, regional health care in a Christian environment. For more information, please visit pikevillehospital.org.
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