Honoring 75 Years of Community-Based Care at UHS Delaware Valley Hospital

For generations, UHS Delaware Valley Hospital (DVH) has stood in Walton, NY as a cornerstone of health and healing for the people of Delaware County and the surrounding region.

A 25-bed critical access hospital, DVH offers patients a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services, providing access to essential care for residents of the rural community who would otherwise have to travel far distances for routine care. This fall, DVH proudly celebrates 75 years of serving its community.

From the beginning, DVH has always been rooted in community support. Responding to a shortage of quality healthcare available locally, a fundraising campaign was launched in the 1940s to support the construction of a new hospital. With strong community backing, the hospital broke ground on construction in July 1950.

DVH opened its doors to patients in the fall of 1951. At the time, the hospital included 31 inpatient beds, a 10-bed maternity department, an operating suite, an emergency room, X-ray services and a laboratory. Bringing these essential services under one roof was a milestone for healthcare in Delaware County, laying a foundation of compassionate, community-based care on which the hospital continues to build to this day.

As healthcare has advanced and conditions have become more complex, DVH has always evolved, expanding and improving facilities and introducing innovative technologies and services to meet the needs of its patients. Many milestones have marked DVH’s progress as the hospital has transformed into the facility it is today, including:

•    1972 – The hospital’s Medical Office opens with 3 physicians, bringing primary care services to the Walton campus
•    1970s – Specialty care services are introduced throughout the decade, with the opening of the Neurology specialty clinic and Cardiac Care unit
•    1983 – DVH opens its new Medical/Surgical Wing, expanding capacity and allowing the hospital to care for more patients
•    1990s – DVH continues to embrace advances in healthcare, introducing CT scanning, Mammography services and laparoscopic surgery, while also launching its swing bed program
•    2002 – A helipad is constructed, allowing patients to be flown in for life-saving emergency care
•    2004 – Telemedicine is introduced, enhancing the ability of providers and staff to connect with patients where they are
•    2007 – The construction of a new Emergency Department and Imaging center further modernizes care
•    2014 – The DVH Community Pharmacy opens, providing patients a simple and convenient option for getting prescriptions filled safely and reliably
•    2014 – The hospital begins mobile MRI service, bringing essential diagnostic capabilities out into the community to meet patients where they are
•    2020 – DVH, along with the rest of the UHS System, implements the Epic electronic health record system

A major milestone in DVH history came in 1997, when the hospital joined UHS and became part of the Southern Tier’s leading integrated healthcare system. In 2005, DVH earned designation as a critical access hospital, a status granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improve access to care in rural communities. The designation helps ensure that DVH can continue providing essential healthcare services in Walton and throughout the region.

That commitment to community continues with the advancements being made today. In 2025, DVH broke ground on its Medical Neighborhood, which will add a state-of-the-art, four-story facility to the campus, featuring a new medical unit with 25 private patient rooms, expanded primary and specialty care spaces, an updated laboratory and more. Expected to be completed in 2028, the project reaffirms DVH’s commitment to providing high-quality care close to home while investing in the future of healthcare in Delaware County.

More than a hospital, DVH is a community where neighbors care for neighbors and staff form lasting connections with the people they serve. That spirit of compassion and commitment has helped define the hospital for 75 years.

The support of the people it serves has continued to play a significant role throughout DVH’s history. In the early 1990s, when the hospital faced financial difficulty, a campaign was launched called “HEAL DVH” that raised $425,000 from the community to support the hospital’s continued operation.

Today, that spirit persists with the “Enhance DVH” campaign, which has already seen an outpouring of meaningful community support contributing toward its $3 million fundraising goal in support of the DVH Medical Neighborhood.

“Here in Delaware County, you don’t just work in healthcare, you live it. We know our patients by name, we celebrate their recoveries, and we support them during the most challenging times. That kind of connection is what makes DVH so special,” said Rolland “Boomer” Bojo, president and chief executive officer, UHS Delaware Valley Hospital. “Doing what is right for our community is always our priority, and that begins with delivering accessible, high-quality care to our neighbors.”

For 75 years, UHS Delaware Valley Hospital has played a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of the people of Delaware County. As DVH looks to the future, investments like the Medical Neighborhood will help ensure that legacy is carried on for generations to come, as DVH remains committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care close to home for decades to come.