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WEIRTON -- With the transition to West Virginia University Medicine set to be complete at the beginning of 2025, Weirton Medical Center also will be seeing some changes in its on-campus leadership.
John C. Frankovitch will retire as president and chief executive officer of the hospital at the end of the year. He has held the post since 2016.
"Frankovitch's visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have been pivotal in establishing WMC as a leading health care provider for the region. Frankovitch also championed WMC's strategic vision for long term continued success through an integration with West Virginia University Health System," noted a statement released by hospital officials Thursday.
Frankovitch will remain involved with the hospital, as a president emeritus of the board of trustees and a strategic adviser, assisting to guide the transition process.
David Artman, the hospital's current chief operations officer, has been designated as the new president and CEO in Weirton, effective Jan. 1.
Artman has been with WMC since 2012, having previously served as CEO for Kindred Healthcare at Heritage Valley and Kindred Healthcare at Mercy Hospital Pittsburgh.
"It has been an honor and privilege to serve as president and CEO of Weirton Medical Center since 2016. We are so proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to the hospital's success as we enter our next chapter as part of the WVU Health System," Frankovitch said. "Dave Artman has been a key part of WMC's leadership team for over a decade. He was a big part of our success, and we are certain that the hospital will continue to expand on providing world class health care under Dave's leadership."
Hospital officials announced in March plans for Weirton Medical to become a full member of the WVU Health System, with a target of the transition taking place at the beginning of 2025.
WMC became a clinical affiliate of WVU Medicine in 2020, providing increased access to specialists and subspecialists, as well as receiving assistance in recruiting physicians to the region.
"I am grateful to John for his friendship and for the partnership that he has built, and continues to build, with us," Albert L. Wright Jr. president and CEO of the West Virginia University Health System, said. "I look forward to working with him in his new role as president emeritus of the board of trustees and strategic adviser, applaud his 27 years of outstanding service to Weirton Medical Center, and am excited to work with Dave Artman as he assumes the role of president and CEO."
Weirton Medical Center is a 238-bed acute care hospital serving patients in West Virginia, Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. It operates 50 ancillary locations throughout the Tri-State Area. The WVU Health System, meanwhile, is West Virginia's largest network of hospitals, clinics and specialty institutes with more than 3,000 licensed beds, 4,000 providers and 30,000 employees working through 24 hospitals and clinics.