By Holly Riddle
As we’ve covered in the past, Happy Valley is in the middle of a healthcare boom, with multiple projects coming from Mount Nittany Health, Penn Highlands and Geisinger. As for the latter, Geisinger currently has approximately $30 million in projects underway throughout the county, including a new Bellefonte Medical Clinic and an expanded State College Healthplex.
To learn more about these projects and Geisinger’s role in making Happy Valley a better place to live, work and play, we spoke to Geisinger’s Tammy Anderer, MSN, CRNP, PhD, North-Central and Western Region chief administrative officer.
Geisinger currently has Centre County projects underway that represent an approx. $30 million investment in the region. Why did decisionmakers feel that this investment was worthwhile?
Centre County is vibrant and beautiful, and it’s growing in many ways. Centre County is one of the few counties in all the state that is growing and expanding. That means there’s a greater need to provide care here. Geisinger desires to be part of that. Our team of doctors, nurses, medical students and staff are also either from this area, living here or traveling here to work – we’re caring for our Centre County patients who are our friends, family members and neighbors. So, really, it’s very personal for us. We want to make our community healthier and better because we also live, work and play here.
“The investment comes at a time when the need for expanded healthcare access is growing in Pennsylvania and across the country. In central Pennsylvania, the 65 and older population, which typically requires more health resources and specialized care, is expected to grow over the next decade.”
The investment comes at a time when the need for expanded healthcare access is growing in Pennsylvania and across the country. In central Pennsylvania, the 65 and older population, which typically requires more health resources and specialized care, is expected to grow over the next decade.
When the Bellefonte Clinic and Healthplex State College projects are finished, what voids will they fill within the Happy Valley healthcare ecosystem?
The brand-new Bellefonte Medical Clinic and the expansion of the State College Healthplex are benefits for community members looking for easy-to-access healthcare services closer to home. The medical clinic will co-locate primary care and ConvenientCare services at 226 Buckaroo Lane. This significant investment also allows dermatology, ultrasound, X-ray and lab services to be located there for easy accessibility. These additional services mean patients can get an X-ray or blood work during a visit to ConvenientCare or during their primary care appointment.
Our expansion project at Geisinger Healthplex State College located at 132 Abigail Lane in Port Matilda will provide services that will be grouped in the facility for convenience, such as placing pediatrics next to women’s health, and orthopaedics near imaging services. Our patients will benefit from expanded services and space for Bariatrics, Cardiology, ENT, GI/GI nutrition, Lab, Ophthalmology, Pharmacy, Pulmonology, Surgery and Urology, among others.
“Not only are these projects benefiting our patients right here in Centre County and in the neighboring counties, but they’re also supporting our current and future employees by offering healthcare job options not previously available.”
Not only are these projects benefiting our patients right here in Centre County and in the neighboring counties, but they’re also supporting our current and future employees by offering healthcare job options not previously available.
Why should Happy Valley locals be excited about these projects?
Whether you live in Philipsburg, Snow Shoe, State College, Howard or any other Centre County community or town in between, having Geisinger here means that you’re going to be cared for by the very best healthcare team in facilities that are modern and have the most up-to-date technology available today. Through these modern spaces and tools, we’ll be meeting the region’s current and future healthcare needs. It’s exciting that Geisinger has chosen to invest in the local community – not only to keep our community healthier – but to invigorate and grow the local economy, focusing particularly on patient experience and high-level care.
Do you have any further expansion/growth plans for Centre Co/the Centre Region, in the near future? Or is there anything else new that readers should keep an eye out for?
Our communities have depended on Geisinger for world-class health care for more than a century. In fact, our Geisinger Philipsburg Medical Clinic was the first clinic acquired by Geisinger back in the 1980s, making this region an anchor for our organization. We’re continuing that legacy through these projects. It’s proof of our commitment to making better health easier for our communities today and into the future.
Geisinger is proud to be part of Centre County and so pleased to be able to care for our friends, family and neighbors right here. We’re committed to our investment in Centre County and plan to be here providing the very best care for our patients and community for many years to come.
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress