Ribbon-Cutting Celebration for Highlands Therapy & Industrial Rehab

The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism conducted a ribbon-cutting celebration for Highlands Therapy & Industrial Rehab, R H2 Health Company, at 320 W. Main Street in Covington on Jan. 26.

Executive Director of the Chamber Teresa Hammond led the welcoming ceremony by introducing Jonathan Arritt, the past president of the Chamber.

2Health staff members- L to R: Jennifer Smith, Occupational Therapist; Abby McCutheon, Physical Therapist; Amanda McGuire, High- lands Clinic Director; Amy Simmons, Business Development Director; Heather Redmond, Patient Coordinator, not pictured Matthew Zierler, Physical Therapist Assistant. (Photo by M. Ray Allen)

He was followed by Tom Sibold, mayor of the City of Covington; Jeff Irvine, vice-mayor of the Town of Clifton Forge; and Terri McClung, director of the Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation.

The three expressed their appreciation to Mark and Libby McCoy, the previous owners who operated the business for 22 years. Each welcomed A H2 Health Company that will continue to provide physical therapy services.

Closing remarks were made by Amy Simmons, the new business development director of R H2 Health and clinical director for Ridgeline in Low Moor, a sister company.

Libby remarked, “Mark and I just want to thank the community for the years of kindness and support we have received, and we are very happy that the clinic will continue.

Both Libby and Mark moved to Covington in 2000. Libby grew up in the St. Louis area, and Mark’s roots are in Portland, Oregon.

Mark said, “I want to thank the community for its support, and we have made a lot of friends over the years.”

Hammond presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and she noted, “We are very thankful to the McCoys for being the owners and for the excellent services they have provided over the years.”

She added, “We appreciate the transition to H2Health.”

Concerning her new job, Simmons observed, “Highlands Therapy H2 Health has a real commitment for patient-centered care and support for their employees.

Like so many other area residents, Mark and Libby arrived in the Alleghany Highlands from other states.

Following up on a tip from a friend in Roanoke who recommended that they consider the Covington area for opening a clinic, the couple opened their business in Covington on June 20, 2000.

They made their home in the Falling Springs area where they plan to remain following their retirement.

The couple issued a statement in the welcoming flyer distributed to those in attendance concerning their plan to remain at their current location, “We can’t imagine finding a more beautiful location to live in.”

The couple has become active members of the community, having served on the boards of Ole Town Covington, the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, YMCA, Jackson River Enterprises, Rotary Club, and Kiwanis Club.

Mark has served as captain of the Falling Springs Rescue Squad and the Homestead Ski Patrol.

Prior to settling in the Alleghany Highlands where they established Highlands Therapy, the couple had traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada where they taught therapists about the use of modalities and performing industrial testing, creating functional job descriptions, and work conditioning programs.

Their concluding statement in the flyer is, “Daily we enjoy a friendly greeting from someone we have met through our 21 years of treating patients at our clinic. We are very pleased that these services will continue to be provided for this community.”