Penn Highlands Clearfield to build medical facility in Philipsburg

PHILIPSBURG – Penn Highlands Clearfield, a subsidiary of Penn Highlands Healthcare, is pleased to announce that construction will soon be under way for its new medical facility in Moshannon Valley.

The Moshannon Valley Community Medical Building is scheduled to open in 2015. The 23,000-square-foot-building, which will be located on 7 acres near the intersection of North Front and Railroad streets in Rush Township, will be the new home of Philipsburg Medical Services. Services provided at the location include primary care, surgical services, orthopedic services, outpatient diagnostic testing and ophthalmology.

The new building has been designed to provide a welcoming environment for patients and will feature an atrium to allow for plenty of natural light.

Perhaps most important, the additional space will allow for growth. Among the new services planned are a walk-in clinic, digital mammography and bone mineral density testing. A docking area will provide the opportunity for mobile healthcare services in the future.

The facility will serve Philipsburg and surrounding municipalities in the Moshannon Valley.

“This is an exciting time for residents of the Moshannon Valley as they have been asking for additional medical services in the region. This project highlights our continued growth and commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities and services for the communities we serve,” stated Gary Macioce, president of Penn Highlands Clearfield.

The total cost of the project is more than $6 million, which will be offset by two grant awards. Earlier this year, Penn Highlands Healthcare applied for assistance from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which is a commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

Hospital officials recently learned that the project’s importance was recognized by program officials and state legislators, as Penn Highlands Healthcare was awarded $1.75 million in RAC-P grant funding. This award represents one of the largest government grants received by Penn Highlands Healthcare.

Also boosting the coffers is a $1 million Highmark Community Investment Grant, which represents Penn Highlands Clearfield’s share of a larger grant awarded to Penn Highlands Healthcare for system-wide facility improvement projects.

Penn Highlands Healthcare will contribute the remainder of the project costs, more than $3 million, representing a significant investment in the Moshannon Valley.

“The generous support from the state and Highmark will allow us to pursue our vision of enhancing healthcare services. We are very grateful, and believe these awards serve as a testament to our strength as the region’s premier healthcare provider. Without these grants, and the resources of Penn Highlands Healthcare, this project would not be moving forward,” Macioce noted.

Raymond A. Graeca, chief executive officer, Penn Highlands Healthcare, thanked local government officials, legislators and citizens for their backing.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from local and state officials and citizens interested in improving healthcare in the Moshannon Valley. From assisting us with site location to letters of support for our grant applications – many people played a role in making this project a reality. Thanks to that support, Penn Highlands Healthcare will once again reach new heights in healthcare, and, in turn, improve access to high-quality, patient-centered medical care,” Graeca said.

In particular, Graeca and Macioce recognized the following for going the extra mile to ensure the project moved forward: C. Alan Walker, secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development; Rush Township Supervisors; Rush Township Planning Commission; state legislators Rep. Scott Conklin, D-77, Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-25, Sen. Jake Corman, R-34, and Sen. John Wozniak, D-35; Gov. Tom Corbett for releasing the RAC-P funds; and Stan LaFuria, executive director of the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership.

LaFuria noted his enthusiasm for the project: “The staff and board of directors of the Partnership are extremely pleased about the Penn Highlands’ medical center project. New construction projects are not that common here, especially since the advent of the Great Recession in 2008, so it is terrific to see this kind of investment being made here in the Moshannon Valley region. We wish Penn Highlands Healthcare the best of luck with this project.”

In addition to improving access to healthcare services, the project is expected to have a significant economic impact, as a number of construction jobs are anticipated.

KTH Architects of DuBois designed the building; Hallstrom Construction Inc. of DuBois is the general contractor.

Penn Highlands Healthcare was officially formed on September 30, 2011, with the linkage of Clearfield Hospital, DuBois Regional Medical Center and Brookville Hospital. Elk Regional Health Center joined Penn Highlands on July 1, 2013.

Through this partnership among the hospitals, Penn Highlands Healthcare has evolved into an organization with approximately 3,800 workers in 70 locations throughout eight counties in North Central/Western Pennsylvania with annual net revenue exceeding $450 million. Penn Highlands Healthcare annually contributes about $904 million to the region’s economy.

It has 363 physicians and 130 advanced practice providers on staff, and its facilities have a total of 556 inpatient beds. Its business continuum also includes four home health agencies, a long-term care facility and a home medical equipment company.