OVP Health – A Complete Guide
OVP Health is more than just a healthcare provider—it is a family- and physician-owned organization dedicated to improving lives across Appalachia. From its beginnings in 1999 as Ohio Valley Physicians, OVP Health has grown into a trusted name in healthcare, offering everything from emergency and hospitalist services to addiction recovery, primary care, behavioral health, and foster care support.
What makes OVP Health unique is its mission to serve communities that are often overlooked, especially rural areas in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and South Carolina. This guide explores the history, services, values, leadership, and community contributions of OVP Health to help patients, families, and partners better understand its impact.
History and Growth of OVP Health
Founded in 1999 by physicians Dr. Robert A. Hess and Dr. Stephen Shy, OVP Health began as Ohio Valley Physicians, focusing on local healthcare needs in West Virginia. Over time, the organization expanded its services and reach, prompting a rebrand to OVP Health as it grew beyond the Ohio Valley region.
Key milestones in OVP Health’s journey include:
- Establishing emergency department and hospitalist staffing at multiple regional hospitals.
- Expanding into addiction treatment with both outpatient clinics and a large inpatient recovery center.
- Adding family medicine and behavioral health services to provide holistic patient care.
- Creating OVP Family, an initiative that combines foster care with medical and behavioral support.
Today, OVP Health operates more than 30 facilities across five states and employs nearly 500 professionals committed to patient-centered care.
Core Values of OVP Health
At the heart of OVP Health are four core values that guide every decision and service:
- Family – Treating patients and communities like members of their own family.
- Community – Actively engaging in local initiatives, events, and volunteer work.
- Quality – Following evidence-based practices and achieving accreditations that prove excellence.
- Integrity – Upholding transparency, trust, and compassion in all aspects of care.
Unlike many corporate healthcare providers, OVP Health is physician-owned, meaning decisions are made by doctors and professionals who still work shifts in their communities. This ensures that care remains personal, grounded, and responsive to local needs.
Services Offered by OVP Health
Emergency and Hospitalist Services
OVP Health provides around-the-clock physician and nurse practitioner staffing for hospitals across Appalachia. Their teams don’t just fill shifts—they actively participate in hospital quality initiatives, medical leadership, and patient safety improvements such as sepsis protocols and infection control.
Addiction and Behavioral Health Treatment
One of OVP Health’s most impactful services is addiction recovery. The organization operates both outpatient and inpatient programs, including a 91-bed Recovery Center in South Point, Ohio.
Addiction services include:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Individual and group counseling
- Family support programs
- CARF-accredited care for opioid use disorder
Primary and Family Medicine
For patients seeking everyday healthcare, OVP Health offers family medicine services. These clinics focus on preventive care, chronic disease management, vaccinations, and referrals to specialists when necessary.
Foster Care and OVP Family
OVP Family is a unique branch of the organization that provides foster care services while integrating medical and behavioral health support. This holistic model ensures children in foster care receive stability, healthcare, and emotional well-being.
Behavioral Health and Telemedicine
OVP Health integrates behavioral health into its outpatient clinics and uses telemedicine to expand access for patients in rural communities who may not otherwise receive care.
Where OVP Health Operates
With its headquarters in Huntington, West Virginia, OVP Health operates in five states: West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and South Carolina. Its strategy focuses on underserved and rural areas, ensuring patients in smaller communities have access to quality healthcare.
Quick Overview of Coverage
| State | Services Available |
| West Virginia | Emergency care, primary care, outpatient addiction treatment, hospital partnerships |
| Ohio | Inpatient recovery center, outpatient clinics, hospitalist staffing |
| Kentucky | Rural health clinics, addiction services, family medicine |
| Virginia | Emergency department staffing, addiction treatment centers |
| South Carolina | Outpatient clinics and primary care facilities |
Leadership and Organization
OVP Health is led by a dedicated team of professionals who combine medical expertise with business leadership. Key leaders include:
- Dr. Robert A. Hess – Co-founder and President
- Dr. Stephen Shy – Co-founder
- Stacey Shy – Chief Executive Officer
- Paul Cowsar – Chief Operating Officer
- Nick Alexander – Vice President of Business Development
Their leadership model ensures that clinical expertise drives business decisions, not the other way around.
Accreditations and Quality Achievements
To maintain high standards, OVP Health consistently seeks accreditations that validate its services:
- CARF Accreditation – For addiction and behavioral health programs.
- Joint Commission Gold Seal – For rural health clinics in Kentucky and West Virginia.
These certifications highlight OVP Health’s commitment to safety, evidence-based care, and continuous improvement.
Community Engagement and Impact
Beyond medical care, OVP Health invests in the communities it serves. Staff members volunteer thousands of hours annually, organize back-to-school supply events, and participate in local charitable efforts. Their philosophy is that healthcare extends beyond hospitals and clinics—it’s about building healthier, stronger communities.
How OVP Health Stands Out from Competitors
Many healthcare providers focus on profits or serve only large urban centers. OVP Health differentiates itself in several ways:
- Physician-owned model – Doctors remain directly involved in patient care.
- Comprehensive care – Services range from emergency response to foster care support.
- Focus on rural areas – A deliberate strategy to serve communities with fewer healthcare options.
- National accreditations – CARF and Joint Commission recognitions ensure accountability.
FAQs About OVP Health
Q1. Does OVP Health accept insurance for addiction treatment?
Yes, OVP Health accepts most major insurance providers and also works with Medicaid and Medicare. Some centers offer self-pay and sliding fee scales for qualifying patients.
Q2. What is the difference between inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment at OVP Health?
Inpatient programs provide 24/7 care in a residential setting, while outpatient programs allow patients to receive treatment and counseling while living at home.
Q3. How can I find the nearest OVP Health clinic?
You can visit OVP Health’s official website and use their location search tool to find the nearest clinic or hospital partner.
Q4. Does OVP Health provide telemedicine for mental health?
Yes, OVP Health offers telemedicine appointments for both primary care and behavioral health, making it easier for rural patients to connect with providers.
Q5. Can hospitals partner with OVP Health for staffing solutions?
Absolutely. OVP Health partners with hospitals to provide full emergency department and hospitalist coverage, along with medical leadership and quality initiatives.
Q6. What makes OVP Health different from other regional healthcare providers?
OVP Health is physician- and family-owned, meaning decisions are made by practicing doctors rather than corporate executives. This ensures patient care and community needs always come first, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Q7. Does OVP Health provide support for families of patients in addiction recovery?
Yes, OVP Health integrates family support programs into its addiction treatment services. Families often participate in counseling sessions and educational workshops to better understand recovery and provide a strong support system for their loved ones.
Q8. How does OVP Health contribute to local job opportunities in Appalachia?
By operating over 30 clinics and recovery centers, OVP Health employs nearly 500 healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, counselors, and support staff. Many of these jobs are located in rural communities, boosting local economies.
Q9. Can patients switch their primary care provider to OVP Health?
Yes, patients can transfer their primary care services to OVP Health clinics. The transition process is simple, and staff help with medical record transfers to ensure continuity of care.
Q10. What role does technology play in OVP Health’s services?
OVP Health uses telemedicine to reach patients in remote areas, electronic health records for accurate care coordination, and evidence-based digital tools to monitor outcomes, ensuring patients receive modern, connected healthcare.
Conclusion
OVP Health has grown from a small physician group in West Virginia to a multi-state healthcare leader that serves thousands of patients each year. With services spanning emergency care, addiction recovery, primary medicine, behavioral health, and foster care, the organization stands out as a community-first provider dedicated to both quality and compassion.
Its physician-owned model, strong leadership, accreditations, and focus on rural and underserved areas set OVP Health apart from competitors. Whether you are a patient seeking care, a hospital looking for partners, or a family needing support, OVP Health represents a trusted choice in modern healthcare.
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