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POINT PLEASANT — Pleasant Valley Hospital has been recognized for its efforts to ensure all children and adolescents receive the appropriate care in a health emergency.

PVH was awarded the Always Ready for Kids (ARK) recognition from the West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services. The ARK award recognizes hospitals in West Virginia that have the appropriate facilities, equipment and trained personnel to care for children when they have a medical or trauma emergency.

The presentation for the ARK award took place on Wednesday in PVH’s main lobby with hospital staff and local officials on hand. Vicki Hildreth, EMS for children coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services and Beth Jackson, medical review coordinator, division of trauma designation and categorization for DHHR, spoke about how PVH, like many rural hospitals, had stepped up to ensure children receive the same level of care as adults in emergency room situations.

Jackson and Hildreth then presented the ARK plaque to Tom Schauer, PVH CEO, who accepted the award on behalf of all PVH employees and its board of trustees, with special recognition to PVH emergency room staff. Schauer said this certification solidified PVH’s commitment to quality health care. He also spoke more indepth about the emergency room team and the fact PVH is a level four trauma center - the only one within 40 miles. Dr. Daniel Trent then spoke about the ER team, saying he was proud to be a part of it and proud to be recognized for the emergency treatment of children.

Mason County Commission President Rick Handley also spoke on behalf of the Mason County Commission, applauding the efforts of PVH’s staff, saying Mason County was “very blessed” to have a hospital of its caliber in the community. Following Handley was Point Pleasant Mayor Brian Billings accompanied by City Clerk Amber Tatterson. Billings shared Handley’s sentiments, adding he himself had recently used PVH’s express care for a health problem, speaking highly of the care he received and adding was proud to have the hospital as a neighbor and as a part of the city.

Emceeing the event was Tracy Call, director of marketing and community relations for PVH. Call released a prepared statement from PVH which noted becoming an ARK recognized facility has a positive impact for both PVH and the communities it serves.