Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) is moving forward with the construction of the region’s first children’s hospital. This will allow more families to stay close to home, greatly reducing the financial burden that comes with traveling to hospitals hundreds of miles away.
PMC has received two grants totaling nearly $6.3 million to construct and equip the region’s first children’s hospital and pediatric clinic. The larger of the two grants, $4.78 million, was awarded by Abandoned Mine Lands (AML). PMC was also awarded a $1.5 million POWER initiative grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
“Receiving these grants allows PMC to move forward and purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the children’s hospital,” said PMC CEO and Vice President of the Board of Directors, Donovan Blackburn. “With the overwhelming support of Congressman Hal Rogers and AML’s grant selection committee, the dream of developing a children’s hospital has become a reality.”
He says not only will PMC add jobs and help boost the region’s economy, but they will be able to provide care to some of our region’s youngest and most vulnerable patients.
“We have spent several years working to find ways to better serve our pediatric patients,” said Blackburn. “The PMC Children’s Hospital will be the first and only children’s hospital in our region, helping to fill the existing gap in pediatric care.” Blackburn says without the support of Congressman Hal Rogers, our project may not have been funded. “We want to thank Congressman Rogers for all he has done for PMC.”
