Congresswoman McClain Delaney secures $1 million for cancer care expansion
Garrett Regional Medical Center (GRMC) has received approval from the House Appropriations Committee for $1 million in federal Community Project Funding to support the planning, design, and engineering phases, as well as site preparation, for a new radiation oncology center. This funding is proposed for inclusion in the next federal spending bill, which is still under development, marking an important step toward expanding local access to comprehensive cancer care for rural communities in Maryland and surrounding states.
“I’m honored that $1 million in my requested Community Project Funding has been approved by the Appropriations Committee for consideration in the next federal spending package to launch radiation oncology services at GRMC,” said Congresswoman April McClain Delaney. “If passed into law, these funds will help plan for a radiation oncology treatment center, bringing lifesaving care closer to home for families in Garrett County and surrounding areas.”
Congresswoman McClain Delaney visited GRMC on August 25th, meeting with hospital leadership, board and foundation members, staff, and community partners to discuss the potential impact of this funding and the future of cancer care in the region. During the visit, GRMC and Potomac Valley Hospital President and CEO Mark Boucot provided an overview presentation outlining how the funds would be used and shared preliminary plans for the new facility. Boucot expressed gratitude for the support of Congresswoman Delaney, Delegate Hinebaugh, Garrett County commissioners, and the broader community.
GRMC’s grant request was included in the House FY26 Agriculture Appropriations bill and is pending final approval as part of the federal budget process, made possible through Congresswoman Delaney’s leadership in securing this Community Project Funding (CPF) request.
“We are very excited and grateful to be included as a top priority for funding by Congresswoman McClain Delaney,” said Boucot. “While this funding is not yet law, approval by the Appropriations Committee is an important step forward. If enacted, it will allow us to develop a solid plan to bring Radiation Oncology to the GRMC campus, reducing the burden on patients who currently travel long distances for treatment. Congresswoman Delaney’s leadership demonstrates her commitment to our community, and we are sincerely grateful.”
Since opening its Cancer Center in 2016, GRMC has provided on-site chemotherapy and infusion services for patients, staffed by a full-time oncologist, a nurse navigator specializing in cancer care, and a complete team of oncology nurses and technicians. However, patients requiring radiation therapy must currently travel up to two hours round-trip, often five days a week for as many as eight weeks, creating a significant burden for patients and families. These challenges can make it difficult for patients to complete their treatment regimens.
Bringing radiation therapy to GRMC would represent a transformative step in reducing these barriers and easing the burden on patients who need consistent care. The expansion of cancer services would also strengthen GRMC’s role as one of the largest employers in Garrett County and the surrounding region.
Garrett Regional Medical Center, part of the West Virginia University Medicine health system, is an award-winning 55-bed acute care hospital located in Oakland, MD. The hospital serves more than 46,000 residents across eight counties in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, one of the most rural service areas in the state.
For more information on Garrett Regional Medical Center, visit WVUMedicine.org/Garrett.
Photo Cutline: From left to right: Mark Boucot, President and CEO of Garrett Regional Medical Center and Potomac Valley Hospital (Keyser, WV); Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Margaret Kaiser, MD; Kevin Shannon, MD; Marjorie Fridkin, MD, FACS, Chief Medical Officer at GRMC and Potomac Valley Hospital.
