Tony Martinelli

Tony Martinelli, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital and Wetzel County Hospital, keeps a screenshot of this message on his phone: “Take time to befriend people and endear yourself to them.” It was sent to him by his mentor, Doug Harrison, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, on his first day at WVU Medicine Reynolds.

“It’s to remind myself that, beyond the spreadsheets and meetings, people are at the heart of what we do, and I always need to make time for that,” Martinelli says.

A native of St. Clairsville, Ohio, Martinelli’s father was a coal miner and his mother was an audiologist before they opened their own industrial hearing business. Martinelli attended high school at The Linsly School in Wheeling.

“It was quite a financial strain on our family but was the best decision we could have made,” Martinelli says. “While difficult, being held to a standard of excellence has been something I have carried with me for my entire life. I played soccer and football, wrestled and ran track at Linsly. Sports and being part of a team taught me many lessons that I still use today.”

Growing up, Martinelli wanted to be a farmer, and although this is still his retirement plan, his father pushed him to get his MBA and go to pharmacy school after reading an article about the industry’s future job growth.

“I could pick between Ohio Northern and Duquesne, but my dad preferred Duquesne because it would be easier to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins play hockey if I was living downtown,” he says. “I ultimately chose Duquesne and graduated in 2007.”

Martinelli’s first professional job was as a pharmacist at Kroger. He also worked at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital. His biggest professional challenge to date has been, unsurprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Overnight, the way we had done things for years in the hospital was turned upside down,” Martinelli says. “As recommendations changed for treatment or testing, having a team that trusted each other was one of the keys to being successful.”

He also learned the importance of a personal support system.

“No matter how long or challenging the day was, I knew when I got home my wife and I would be able to take a walk at Oglebay, relax and talk about the day,” he says. “Having that support at home is invaluable to anyone working in a stressful environment.”

The motivation behind Martinelli’s work is the understanding and empathy he possesses for those visiting a hospital.

“If you or a loved one have been to a hospital, there is a sense of fear that often accompanies that visit,” he says. “I have worked in health care for over 15 years, and when we have to take one of our daughters in for a sick visit or to the ER for a bump or scrape, I still fear the unknown.”

An active member of the community, Martinelli serves as board president for United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley and Wheeling Health Right as well as a board member for Scouting America’s
Ohio River Council.

“I choose which causes to support by trying to find organizations that make a long-term difference,” he says. “I like to find places that can change the trajectory of a life.”

Martinelli says his family will always be his greatest success regardless of any professional achievements and looks forward to his daughters having similar experiences.

“I choose to work in West Virginia because this is my home,” he says.