Groundbreaking Held for Holzer Child Care Center

On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Holzer Health System held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for its new Child Care Center, an innovative and inspiring project to benefit Holzer’s workforce and communities.

Dr. Rodney Stout welcomed everyone to the event with the following comments, “Together, we gather not only to celebrate the start of construction on a vital new facility, but to recognize the power of partnership and progress in shaping the future of Gallipolis and the broader Appalachian region.”

In 2022, the Appalachian Community Grant Program was created to support workforce development, enhance critical infrastructure, and improve the overall quality of life for residents of our region. In May 2024, Holzer received notice of an award through a collaborative application with Ross County. “The effort and coordination of people, projects, and paperwork has been nothing short of monumental but the focus and the generosity of the State of Ohio, the General Assembly, Governor DeWine, Senator Shane Wilkins, Representative Jason Stephens, Ms. Lydia Mihalik the Director of the Department of Development and Mr. John Carey, the Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia and the many others that have brought this opportunity to our doorstep is a testament to their  enduring dedication and desire to help our region prosper,” continued Dr. Stout.

Over the next coming months, Holzer will build a state-of-the-art facility spanning more than 11,000 square feet, reflecting our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of families and staff.

“This project is a true reflection of collaboration with a plan for community impact, both now and in the future. From our dedicated staff and administrators to our engaged community partners and local leaders, it has taken vision, teamwork, and trust to bring us to this day. The Holzer Child Care Center is not just a building—it is a testament to what we can achieve together,” shared Gary Roach, Chairman of the Board, Holzer Health System.

Roach continued, “One of the things that we wanted to accomplish as we started this journey of investment with the State, was to do all we could to ensure dollars were invested locally with local contractors, subcontractors, architects, material purveyors and anyone that could support this project locally, based on the specifications required. We are proud that the workforce we are using are our friends, our neighbors, and our patients from our community.”

“The center is to support Holzer employees as part of the commitment to support the healthcare workforce and stabilizing the out migration of young families / mothers from the area that have healthcare degrees, and finally enhancing our ability to recruit additional healthcare resources to our area to support the needs of our community, “shared Troy Miller, Chief Strategy Officer, Holzer Health System.

Holzer’s Childcare Center will feature specialized classrooms tailored to each age group with innovative STEM and language programs that inspire curiosity and early learning.  We are working on constructive learning techniques, multi-language learning (3 to start), parental participation plans, healthy and happy eating programs, curious and courteous kids programming, all built around the familiar creative curriculum.  Miller continued, “This facility will offer a safe, engaging play place where children can grow and thrive. The features to be included in our center are not just amenities—they are investments - Investments in our kid’s futures.”

For more information on the Center, or for information on Holzer Health System Services, please visit www.holzer.org.

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About Holzer Health System:

Holzer Health System is a not-for-profit multi-disciplinary regional health system with locations throughout southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia. The system includes two hospital locations, multiple clinical locations, long-term care entities, and more than 180 providers in more than 30 medical specialties. Holzer provides the entire continuum of care for the communities we serve. For more information, visit www.holzer.org.