Rainelle Medical Center celebrates 50th anniversary, announces two new services

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

On Wednesday, a crowd of more than 100 people, including community members and employees of Rainelle Medical Center (RMC), gathered under a blue sky to celebrate the clinic’s 50th anniversary.

“Congratulations!” announced Mayor Andy Pendleton. “Happy 50th anniversary. You have substantially and positively impacted Rainelle.”

Debra Bennett, who is a singer and also the Director of Credentialing, sang the RMC jingle she remembers hearing on the radio as a child: “Rainelle Medical Center, people who care for your life!” She said that simple song impacted her years ago and still informs the work she now does everyday with her co-workers.

50 years strong

In 1974, a local group of citizens committed to better health care in the Greenbrier Valley opened a clinic in Rainelle. After reorganization under a board, they adopted the name Rainelle Medical Center (RMC). And fifty years later, they continue to perform the same mission as when they were founded–to provide “excellent health care right at home” for all patients. 

“We began serving patients with family practice, lab, and x-ray services,” said Kristi Atha-Rader, CEO of RMC. “That has grown to add other services such as pharmacy, dental, and behavioral health. RMC houses the only local mammography services for uninsured women and has the only black lung clinic program in our area.”

In addition, they place great emphasis on school-based health clinics in three counties (Greenbrier, Summers, and Fayette). “In some cases, it’s the only health care a student has access to,” Rader said. 

New initiatives announced

RMC has achieved sustained growth over the past five decades and used the occasion of their anniversary to announce two new ways to serve patients–a mobile unit to travel between schools with medical and dental capabilities a new clinic dedicated to substance use services for people struggling with addiction. 

“My prayer is that all of the things we do now will leave RMC stronger in the future when we’re gone,” Atha-Rader told the crowd as she holds back tears. “We can all use our talents to serve people by using leadership skills and compassion to others.” 

‘Sky is the limit’

“The sky is the limit,” board president Ron Fleshman told the crowd. “Look around. We’re always growing. The future is bright.”

RMC is a federally qualified health center (FQHC). As a nonprofit clinic, they provide health services to underserved communities regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. 
The 50th anniversary celebration was held at the main clinic, located at 176 Medical Center Drive, Rainelle, WV 25962. You can reach them at (304) 438-6188  or find more info at https://communityhealthcenter.net/.