Impacting the Community
Penn Highlands Healthcare provides outstanding medical care to the residents of Pennsylvania while significantly fueling the economy of the commonwealth.
According to the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), in Fiscal Year 2022, the eight Penn Highlands Healthcare hospitals in Northwestern, Central and Southwestern Pennsylvania represented a total benefit of more than $1.8 billion to the Pennsylvania economy. This benefit includes $836.6 million in spending by the hospitals for goods and services needed to provide healthcare services and support hospital operations as well as employee salaries, wages and benefits. During Fiscal Year 2022, Penn Highlands Healthcare employed approximately 6,200 people. In addition to the direct impact, the ripple effect contributed more than $991.2 million into the Pennsylvania economy through business interactions with other industries as well as the economic activity that results from the circulation of hospital dollars throughout the commonwealth.
“It is gratifying to contribute so significantly to the economic strength of Pennsylvania while providing excellent care to our communities,” said Steven M. Fontaine, CEO of Penn Highlands Healthcare. “The impact of our hospitals is reflected throughout the region as our expenditures and employees’ spending support many other industries and induce additional economic activity.”
Northwestern Pennsylvania Impact
As reported by HAP, in Fiscal Year 2022, the four Penn Highlands Healthcare hospitals in Northwestern Pennsylvania — Penn Highlands Brookville, Penn Highlands Clearfield, Penn Highlands DuBois and Penn Highlands Elk — represented a total economic benefit of more than $999.8 million to the regional economy.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, the economic spending for Penn Highlands Brookville totaled $33.3 million. With the ripple effect contributing more than $20 million into the regional economy, the total benefit from Penn Highlands Brookville reached $53.3 million.
During Fiscal Year 2022, the economic benefit from Penn Highlands Clearfield totaled more than $43.8 million. The ripple effect from Penn Highlands Clearfield provided $26.4 million for a total benefit of more than $70.2 million for the regional economy.
For Penn Highlands DuBois, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce reported economic spending totaling $482.4 million. The ripple effect contributed more than $290.3 million into the regional economy for a total benefit from Penn Highlands DuBois of $772.7 million.
Penn Highlands Elk also contributed significantly to the Northwestern Pennsylvania economy. During Fiscal Year 2022, the economic benefit from Penn Highlands Elk totaled more than $64.7 million. The ripple effect from Penn Highlands Elk provided $39 million for a total benefit of more than $103.7 million for the regional economy.
Central Pennsylvania Impact
According to HAP, in Fiscal Year 2022, the two Penn Highlands Healthcare hospitals in Central Pennsylvania, -- Penn Highlands Huntingdon and Penn Highlands Tyrone -- represented a total economic benefit of more than $138.8 million to the regional economy.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce reports the economic spending for Penn Highlands Huntingdon totaled $54.9 million. In addition to the direct impact, the ripple effect contributed more than $47.1 million into the regional economy for a total benefit of $102 million.
The economic spending for Penn Highlands Tyrone totaled $23.9 million. The ripple effect contributed more than $12.8 million into the regional economy for a total benefit from Penn Highlands Tyrone of $36.7 million.
Southwestern Pennsylvania Impact
As reported by HAP, in Fiscal Year 2022, the two Penn Highlands Healthcare hospitals in Southwestern Pennsylvania — Penn Highlands Connellsville and Penn Highlands Mon Valley — represented a total economic benefit of more than $320.4 million to the regional economy.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, the economic spending for Penn Highlands Connellsville totaled $34.2 million. In addition to the direct impact, the ripple effect contributed more than $32.5 million into the regional economy for a total benefit from Penn Highlands Connellsville of $66.7 million.
During Fiscal Year 2022, the economic benefit from Penn Highlands Mon Valley totaled more than $129.9 million. The ripple effect contributed more than $123.7 million for a total benefit from Penn Highlands Mon Valley of more than $253.6 million for the regional economy.
System Wide Enhancements and Expansion
Penn Highlands Healthcare continuously recruits new physicians and providers. Since 2022, we welcomed 217 physicians and advanced practice providers throughout our health system expanding services for the communities we serve.
In addition, in the past six years, our hospitals upgraded facilities while introducing advanced therapies and state-of-the-art technology to provide an even higher level of care and greater patient satisfaction.
- At Penn Highlands Brookville, a three-story medical office building was constructed to house primary and specialty care super clinics.
- At Penn Highlands Clearfield, the Emergency Department was relocated and expanded.
- Penn Highlands Connellsville introduced advanced therapies such as the minimally invasive EnPlace procedure to help re-suspend a dropped uterus.
- Penn Highlands DuBois opened a state-of-the art, two-story Emergency Department and was accredited as a Level II Trauma Center. Other enhancements include the West Wing Annex for specialty services; the Center of Excellence, a three-story hub for high-volume specialty services; and the Stern Center for Behavioral Health on the Penn Highlands DuBois East Campus.
- At Penn Highlands Elk Pinecrest Manor, upgrades were made to its public and residential areas. In addition, the Ridgway Community Medical Building is currently under construction which will conveniently provide primary and specialty services in one location.
- Penn Highlands Huntingdon installed a state-of-the-art Cardiac Cath Lab and angiography system. Other enhancements include an expanded Behavioral Health Unit; a new Hahne Cancer Center; an expanded Outpatient Infusion Center; and upgrades to its electronic medical record.
- Penn Highlands Mon Valley recently opened the CNX Foundation Substance Recovery Unit. It is the only Level 4.0 inpatient substance withdrawal and treatment facility in Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette and Greene counties.
- Penn Highlands Tyrone completed projects to provide easier access for patients and visitors including enhancements to the front entrance and the parking areas.
In addition to all of these enhancements, Penn Highlands State College will open in summer of 2024. This patient-centric hospital and medical office building will augment the services we already offer in Centre County.