MARTINSBURG — After five decades of serving residents across the Eastern Panhandle, Panhandle Home Health marked its 50th anniversary with a celebratory ribbon cutting, honoring its past while looking ahead to the future of in-home care.
Founded in 1976 as a free-standing nonprofit and Medicare-certified home health agency, Panhandle Home Health has grown from just two employees into a team of 42 staff members and additional contract professionals. The agency provides services across Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties, offering skilled nursing, physical, speech and occupational therapy, as well as medical social work, dietitian support and home health aide services.
In 2025 alone, the agency served 1,214 patients, delivering 19,891 home health visits, continuing its mission to help patients recover safely at home, maintain independence and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations. The organization specializes in wound care, chronic disease management and post-surgical care, with a focus on preventing hospital readmissions. Its commitment to quality is reflected in a 5-star patient satisfaction rating and a 4½-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The anniversary event drew a large crowd of community members, staff and former employees.
“It’s pretty overwhelming to see so many people from the community, so many employees and former employees,” said Executive Director Lisa Bivens, who has been with the agency for 42 years. “It’s been a privilege and an honor to serve the residents of this community for 50 years.”
Bivens credited the agency’s longevity to its dedicated staff. “Our team — there is just no other,” she said.
The celebration also paid tribute to the agency’s founder, Naomi Slonaker Aikens, who launched the organization nearly five decades ago. Her daughter, Kay Barkwill, shared memories of her mother’s leap of faith.
“She came home and told my dad she was quitting her job of 19 years with the state health department and starting a home health agency,” Barkwill said. “He just said, ‘okay.’”
Barkwill recalled that her mother began the agency with just one other employee in a small office on Winchester Avenue. That location is now the site of Congressman Riley Moore’s office, Barkwill said giving attendees a reference point. Aikens’ establishment of Panhandle Home Health was the first home health agency in West Virginia.
“She truly was a woman of faith,” Barkwill said, noting that she herself worked at the agency for five years after first witnessing its early days as a high school student.
Longtime nurse Linda Eccard who served for 42 years on the staff, was present for the ceremony Wednesday. Eccard, who started out as a nurse, served in multiple leadership roles, including director of nursing services and director of clinical services.
Eccard shared that one of the most meaningful parts of her time included “seeing the family members and especially the patients how happy and grateful they are that it’s their family member being taught and they can provide that care.”
Community leaders joined in the celebration, including Richard Dennis, who read a proclamation from Gov. Patrick Morrisey commending the agency’s 50 years of service. Martinsburg Mayor Kevin Knowles and Ken Barton, president of the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, also offered remarks, highlighting the organization’s strong reputation and employee retention.
“People like to work there. People stay,” Knowles said, pointing to Bivens’ decades-long tenure as an example.
Christine Johnson welcomed attendees to the event, emphasizing the significance of the milestone. “It just means so much as we launch our 50th year,” she said.
As the ribbon was cut, marking both a celebration and a new chapter, leaders reflected on the agency’s enduring impact.
For Panhandle Home Health, the past 50 years have been defined by compassionate care and community trust and the next 50 will continue that dedicated service.
The Journal. “Panhandle Home Health celebrates 5 decades of service.” Journal‑News, Martinsburg, WV.
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