Penn Highlands DuBois Opens Newly Expanded Emergency Department

On April 20, 2023, Penn Highlands DuBois opened its new $21.5 million Emergency Department. The expansion and modernization created a state-of-the-art, two-story ED that will efficiently meet the healthcare needs of the residents of Clearfield County and surrounding regions. The hospital’s new Neuro/Trauma Critical Care Unit, which is part of the expansion, is expected to open in late April.

“At Penn Highlands DuBois, we strive to provide the advanced care, equip our facilities with the latest technology and recruit the best physicians, nurses and extenders so that the people in the communities we serve can receive the care they need close to home,” said John Sutika, President of Penn Highlands DuBois. “Our goal is to provide the people in this region with world-class care so they do not have to travel far when they are ill or injured.”

Patients enter the ED, from a new entrance located directly off of South Main Street. This separate entrance provides greater privacy. The new area includes an expanded registration area and a large, comfortable waiting room. The treatment area includes:

• An eight-bay Vertical Care Unit for patients with minor ailments to receive expedited care.
• Nineteen treatment rooms in a circular design with multiple nurses’ stations.
• Four trauma treatment bays so that people can receive care in their own community.
• Four rooms to support patients with behavioral health needs.
• Treatment rooms with greater privacy for patients who require special treatment such as children and assault victims.

In addition, the project includes a 20-room Neuro/Trauma Critical Care Unit on the second floor for neurosurgery patients and those who need post-trauma care.

For patients arriving by personal vehicles, convenient parking is located adjacent to the ED entrance for easier accessibility. The expansion also includes a large ambulance bay to accommodate four ambulances at once and a second helipad to accommodate two medical helicopters simultaneously.

“We are thrilled to have the renovation completed for our community,” said Mr. Sutika. “When people visit the Penn Highlands DuBois ED, they will immediately notice that the technically advanced environment complements the high level of care we deliver.”

The new Penn Highlands DuBois Emergency Department is part of the health system’s nearly $200 million Master Facilities Plan that includes expansion, renovation and construction of facilities.

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Penn Highlands Healthcare was officially formed in 2011, and is comprised of eight hospitals – Penn Highlands Brookville, Penn Highlands Clearfield, Penn Highlands Connellsville, Penn Highlands DuBois, Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands Huntingdon, Penn Highlands Mon Valley, Penn Highlands Tyrone -- that have served area communities for the past 100+ years. Penn Highlands State College, a new, state-of-the-art, technically advanced hospital, is slated to open in 2024. The health system’s business continuum also includes a home care agency, long-term care facilities and residential senior living communities, as well as durable medical equipment companies and retail pharmacies.

Penn Highlands Healthcare has evolved into an organization with 6,651 workers in 150+ locations throughout 26 counties in Pennsylvania that include community medical buildings, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and physician practices. The facilities have a total of 1,498 inpatient, skilled nursing and personal care beds. The system, which has 827 physicians and 405 advanced practice providers on staff, offers a wide range of care and treatments with specialty units for cancer, cardiovascular/thoracic, neurosurgery, pulmonology, neonatal and high-risk pregnancy patients. Being focused on what is important – patients and families – makes Penn Highlands Healthcare the best choice in the region