BRIDGEPORT, W. Va. (June 12, 2026) WVU Medicine, United Hospital Center (UHC), DeAngelis Diamond, Studio+, Arthrex, and project partners gathered June 12 to celebrate the Topping Out of the new 62,000 square-foot outpatient surgery center that will bring expanded surgical care to patients across the Bridgeport region.
Located on the UHC campus, the two-story facility will feature eight outpatient surgery rooms, preoperative and postoperative recovery areas, and support spaces designed to enhance care delivery. The second floor will be shelled to accommodate future program expansion, allowing WVU Medicine UHC to grow services as community needs evolve.
“This milestone brings us one step closer to transforming how we deliver surgical care to our region,” David F. Hess, M.D., UHC president and CEO and Central Region president of the WVU Health System, said. “This state-of-the-art facility is designed entirely around the patient experience, offering convenient, world-class outpatient surgical services right here at home. By expanding our footprint and adding flexible space for future growth, we are ensuring that UHC can meet the healthcare needs of the Bridgeport region for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to our construction and project partners for their hard work and dedication in reaching this pivotal moment.”
The Topping Out ceremony marks a significant milestone in construction, commemorating the placement of the final steel beam on the outpatient surgery center.
Teammates, trade partners, and project stakeholders were invited to sign the beam before it was hoisted into place. An evergreen tree and the American and project team flags were also secured to the top, symbols of good luck and pride in the work.
The tradition traces back to Norse and Scandinavian custom, where a felled tree placed on the roof was believed to appease displaced tree spirits and bring good fortune to future occupants. Similar practices appear in Indigenous American tradition as well, where evergreens were used to honor spirits, rooted in the belief that no human structure should stand taller than a tree.
The Topping Out ceremony is also a time to recognize the trade partners whose work
made this moment possible. Together, they have placed 375 tons of structural steel,
poured 900 cubic yards of concrete, and logged 15,000 total manpower hours to date,
with peak construction expected to bring 120 workers on site at once. A portion of that
workforce lives and works in this community, meaning the project’s economic impact is
already underway, well before the facility opens its doors.
“Topping Out is a moment to celebrate not just the structure rising, but the relationships
that made it possible.” said Adam Milner, Project Executive for DeAngelis Diamond.
“The collaboration on this project has been exceptional from day one. WVU Medicine,
United Hospital Center, Studio+, Arthrex, The Thrasher Group, Arrow Structural
Engineering, Concord Group, and TLC Engineering have each brought something
meaningful to this effort, and together we’ve built something far greater than any of us
could have on our own. Seeing our trade partners bring that collective vision to life is
one of the most rewarding parts of this work. We are proud of this team and genuinely
excited for what comes next.”
