Warren Scott NEW LOCATION — The Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce and city officials joined Dr. E. Robert Marks in celebrating the opening of his new location at 1429 Commerce St. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. An affiliate of West Virginia University Medicine Wheeling Hospital, Marks has maintained a family medical practice in Wellsburg for 25 years.

WELLSBURG — A well-known local doctor has expanded his family medical practice at a new location at 1429 Commerce St.

Dan Otto, president of the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce and other members of the group, as well as Mayor Dan Dudley and City Manager Steve Maguschak, joined Dr. E. Robert Marks, his staff and many supporters in celebrating the move with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 8.

Many of them toured the office which, with more than 30,000 square feet, has double the exam rooms of Marks’ previous office. Located on the west side of state Route 2, the office is in space leased from Traubert’s Pharmacy, which is at its south end.

Also in attendance was Doug Harrison, chief executive officer of West Virginia University Medicine Wheeling Hospital, who said WVU Medicine strives to make quality medical care easily accessible to all communities.

“This is a commitment to the Wellsburg community we’re very proud of,” said Harrison, who added WVU Medicine hopes also to make specialized medical treatment more accessible to residents in smaller communities.

Marks has had a long association with Wheeling Hospital, having served there as chief resident and program director for family practice residency, and he continues to be a member of the hospital’s medical staff.

A 1995 graduate of the Marshall University School of Medicine, he has served as clinical assistant professor for the WVU School of Medicine’s department of family medicine and helped to create West Liberty University’s physician assistant program while serving on WLU’s board of governors.

In 2007 and 2014, he was recognized by Consumer’s Research Council of America as one of the nation’s top family doctors and was twice awarded the Physicians’ Recommendation Award with Commendation by the American Medical Association.

Marks’ staff at his new location includes Chelsea Camerlengo and Olivia Gray, both certified physician assistants, and Amy Spurrier, a board-certified family nurse practitioner.

Camerlengo, a Weirton resident, and Gray, a Washington, Pa. Resident, each earned master’s degrees in physician assistant studies at WLU.

A Wellsburg native, Spurrier holds master’s and doctorate degrees in nursing from Franciscan University of Steubenville and Capella University.

A 1987 graduate of Brooke High School, Marks said, “I’m very fortunate to practice medicine in my hometown. I wouldn’t live and work anywhere else.”