Submitted photo WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital President and CEO Skip Gjolberg, left, Mike Ross, center, and St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Director Paula Cutright, right, gather as Ross makes a donation to the foundation’s 2026 campaign.

BUCKHANNON — Local businessman Mike Ross has made a “substantial gift” to the WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Foundation’s 2026 campaign, hospital officials said.

On Jan. 5, Ross, president of Mike Ross, Inc., met with St. Joseph’s Hospital President and CEO Skip Gjolberg and St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Director Paula Cutright to commit a “substantial gift” to the foundation, the hospital announced in a press release.

Described as “generous,” the donation will directly support the hospital’s “2026 Foundation Campaign: Transforming Spaces, Enriching Lives” project.

“Philanthropic support like this allows us to continue investing in the comfort, safety and overall experience of our patients and their families,” Gjolberg said in the release. “We are incredibly grateful to Mike Ross for his ongoing generosity and belief in the mission of St. Joseph’s Hospital.”

The foundation’s capital improvement campaign is focused on enhancing patient care environments, according to the hospital.

“The 2026 Foundation Campaign: Transforming Spaces, Enriching Lives” builds on the success of the hospital’s 2024-2025 campaign, the release states. The 2024-2025 campaign is said to have exceeded its $125,000 goal and helped fund critical improvements to the hospital, such as a new treadmill for Cardiac Rehabilitation and furniture upgrades in the Medical Surgical, Critical Care, Obstetrics and Emergency departments.

Funds raised through the 2026 campaign will support “modernization efforts” in the Medical Surgical and Critical Care units, the hospital said. This will include updated flooring, paint, lighting, mirrors and faucets, as well as the conversion of tubs to showers where feasible to improve patient safety. The campaign will also refurbish the Medical Surgical waiting room furniture to create a more welcoming space for families during their loved one’s care.

“These enhancements may seem simple, but they have a powerful impact,” Cutright said in the release. “Creating calming, modern, and accessible spaces helps support healing and dignity during some of life’s most challenging moments.”

A long-time supporter of St. Joseph’s Hospital, WVU Medicine, and a former board member of the Hospital’s Foundation, Ross has donated to the hospital’s campaigns in the past, including the 2024-2025 “Your Family’s Health is Our Mission” campaign, the 2023-2024 “Our Vision-Your Health, Advancing Surgical Services at St. Joseph’s Hospital” campaign, the 2021 campaign that focused on women’s health, the “Every Heartbeat Matters” campaign and more.

For more information about the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation or to contribute to the 2026 campaign, community members are encouraged to email stjfoundation@wvumedicine.org or visit www.stj.net.