Dr. Jack Gelman cuts the ribbon in front of WVU Medicine Plastic Surgery's new office in Shepherdstown on Tuesday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — WVU Medicine Plastic Surgery held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new office, located at 60 Maclaine Way Suite C in Shepherdstown, on Tuesday.

Over the past week, WVU Medicine Plastic Surgery underwent a move from its temporary office in the Dorothy McCormack Center in Martinsburg, to its new office in the WVU Medicine Shepherdstown Medical Office Building.

“This move is part of our longterm commitment to Jefferson County. We’re investing in an already outstanding practice, expanding its reach and making sure expert care is available close to home for the people we serve,” said WVU Hospitals East President and CEO Mark O’Hern. “As I said when I started here in November, our goal here is to provide everything that is needed to serve the health needs of those in the local area, so that folks don’t have to leave the Eastern Panhandle and can continue to receive their care with us.”

O’Hern noted that research pointed to the need to expand WVU Hospitals East’s services in this health care field.

“As we looked at our Community Health Needs Assessment, we found that there were people who left the Eastern Panhandle for services like plastic surgery,” O’Hern said.

Jefferson County Commissioner Cara Keys, left, chats with WVU Hospitals East President and CEO Mark O'Hern at the ribbon cutting for WVU Medicine Plastic Surgery's new office on Tuesday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

Dr. Jack Gelman, a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 25 years of experience, will serve as the office’s head. He is also an associate professor at West Virginia University (WVU), where he serves as the associate director for the plastic surgery residency program. A couple years ago, when his employer saw the opportunity for expansion in this area at WVU Hospitals East, Gelman was encouraged to move to the area and join WVU Medicine Plastic, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery in Martinsburg.

He and his wife found themselves moving into their new home in downtown Shepherdstown, soon after.

“In this area, there was a real need for plastic surgeons. Many people were having to go all the way to the District of Columbia and Baltimore, to get work done,” Gelman said. “There was no plastic surgeon in the Eastern Panhandle. With the Eastern Panhandle growing, they said I should come out here.”

Gelman will continue leading the practice alongside physician assistant Sarah Cross, who has worked in the plastic surgery field for a decade. Together, they intend to provide services that empower their clients and provide them with changes they will enjoy for many years to come.

“People will still get the same quality of care here, as they would have had at the main hospital,” Cross said, noting she and Gelman were deeply involved in the development of the new office space. “Here, our clients will also be able to experience a calming environment, with a personal touch.”

WVU Medicine Plastic Surgery opened in its new office location, at 60 Maclaine Way in Shepherdstown, on Tuesday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

The same surgical and nonsurgical procedures previously offered by the practice in its temporary office space, will remain unchanged, according to Cross.

The surgical procedures will include: facial procedures like face lifts, neck lifts and eyelid surgery; breast surgery like augmentation, lifts, reductions, fat grafting, reconstruction and mommy makeovers; and body contouring like tummy tucks, liposuction, arm lifts, thigh lifts, buttock lifts, body contouring after massive weight loss, fat grafting and mommy makeovers.

The nonsurgical procedures will include: Botox, dermal fillers, micro needling with radio frequency using the Morpheus8 system and medical-grade skincare, chiefly from the brand ZO Skin Health.

All consultations for procedures and skincare regimens are complimentary.

To schedule a consultation, call 304-350-3274.

WVU Medicine Plastic Surgery head Dr. Jack Gelman speaks about the new office, at its ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

WVU Hospitals East President and CEO Mark O'Hern welcomes attendees to WVU Medicine Plastic Surgery's ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston