BUCKHANNON — Upshur County Commissioners recognized Dr. Joseph B. Reed for his 55 years of service to the community along with the 100th Anniversary of St. Joseph’s Hospital on Thursday morning. Dr. Reed was commended for dedicating his life to the service of others since 1966 as the hospital celebrates their impressive milestone this month.
The Upshur County Commission and the City of Buckhannon declared March 26, 2021 as “Dr. Joseph Reed Day” in celebration of his 86th birthday. Although Dr. Reed could not attend, Commissioners expressed their appreciation for his dedication to Upshur County.
Dr. Joseph Reed’s proclamation stated, “Whereas, professionally, Dr. Joseph Reed has served on the West Virginia Chapter of American Academy of Family Medicine, the West Virginia State Medical Association and as President of St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Staff. Whereas, personally, Dr. Joseph Reed has been a valued member of the community through various organizations such as the Upshur County Family Resource Network, Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce, Create Buckhannon, Upshur Cooperative Parish House Council, St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and actively attends the Buckhannon Presbyterian Church.”
Dr. Reed has also served as the Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department Health Officer since June 4, 2012. In this role, he has provided exceptional leadership, guidance, and support to the Citizens of Upshur County, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congressman Alex Mooney’s District Representative Rhett Dusenbury noted that Dr. Reed is also very proud of the Annual Green Bean Day celebration, which he started in 2016. “I’m sure he takes as much pride in that one, as he does the other ones,” Dusenbury expressed.
Commissioners encourage the community to express their appreciation to Dr. Reed for “his unfailing commitment to our community.”
An additional proclamation was also read on Thursday morning, recognizing St. Joseph’s Hospital for its 100th year of service to the citizens of Upshur County. Commissioners declared March 25, 2021 “St. Joseph’s Hospital Day.”
County Administrator Carrie Wallace read the proclamation which stated, “Whereas, over the past 100 years St. Joseph’s Hospital has transformed from an 8-bed hospital into a 25 inpatient bed and 16 long term bed hospital and multi-faceted medical community serving the needs of residents of Buckhannon, Upshur County and all of Central West Virginia. Whereas, employing over 400 people, St. Joseph’s Hospital is one of the largest employers in our community. Whereas, during the year 2020, St. Joseph’s Hospital treated 2,500 patients and conducted 61,000 outpatient visits and warmly greeted nearly 300 new arrivals in its birthing center.”
St. Joseph’s Hospital Administrator Skip Gjolberg expressed, “It’s been an honor to be here for the last five years and for the hospital to be here for 100 years. You just think about the magnitude of that—providing healthcare to Upshur County and the people of Buckhannon. And all that the Sisters that first came here went through. They used to grow their own food and raise chickens and pigs… It’s just amazing. We really appreciate the honor and recognition.”