UHS plans hospital expansion in Walton. How project addresses rural health care

Pressconnects - September 10, 2025

UHS Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton will be building a new four-story structure for its main hospital, a project described by UHS CEO Rolland “Boomer” Bojo as the "largest expansion project" for UHS Delaware Valley Hospital.

The new four-story addition will include 25 inpatient beds in private suites, and the second floor will house all primary and specialty care.

All of the private rooms will be designed to have natural light, views of the mountains, and bathrooms in a design layout similar to the new UHS Wilson Tower in Johnson City.

Funding for the $80 million project includes $20 million awarded from the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV application with the New York State Department of Health. Bojo said this is “the largest grant in UHS history,” and it speaks volumes to the work and importance of expanding health care to rural communities.

Two new primary care doctors and one primary care nurse practitioner will be joining the UHS Delaware Valley Hospital team and specialists are actively being hired to address the needs of the area.

Currently, the pediatric and general surgery departments only operate a few days out of the month. The new building is meant to provide the space needed to expand services.

"This concept in this building would not be possible without the incredible staff that we have here, the leadership that we have — not only here in this facility but across the UHS system," Bojo said.

One of the main focuses for the UHS DVH Medical Neighborhood Project is to include more specialty care services to cut down on patients having to travel to surrounding counties.

The area is “grossly underserved” when it comes to health care, something Bojo said he has witnessed firsthand, living in Delaware County his whole life.

"There’s profound shortages of primary care, specialty care, access is a huge issue," he said.

Lack of transportation often leads to patients not seeking care overall, or patients in rural communities may miss out on work to travel to appointments. "We see individuals coming from...probably at least 40-mile range, maybe even a little further than that," said Bojo.

What's ahead for Delaware Valley Hospital project
Delaware Valley Hospital will also be partnering with local organizations like the county Office for Aging and Public Health Department to create an all-in-one facility.

No transportation services are planned in the project, but it is an idea DVH would like to explore while working with local agencies.

Construction is expected to begin in November and be completed by 2027.