Punxsutawney Hospital holds celebration for $23 million project

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (WTAJ) – The Punxsutawney Hospital is preparing to start construction of a $23 million renovation project.

The project is broken down into a $18 million construction and $5 million equipment/technology project that will focus on improving the medical services that the community demands most often. It will include the construction of a 14,000 square foot addition and 13,500 square feet of extensive renovation along the south side of the hospital providing the community greater access to quality care.

“As the President of the Punxsutawney Area Hospital, I am honored to be a part of this monumental project and look forward to seeing first-hand how it will increase access to care, meet the needs of our patients, and benefit the community. Rural health care is ever changing but Punxsutawney Area Hospital has a Proud Past and a Solid Future,” President Jack Sisk said.

To celebrate the hospital held a groundbreaking celebration. Hospital officials as well as county commissioners, State Representative Brian Smith, Senator Joseph Pittman as well as Representative Glenn Thompson were at the groundbreaking to take part in the celebration. Also in attendance was USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small.

“It was inspiring to see the tenure of leadership that exists here and recognize that they are invested in Punxsutawney and in rural America. President Biden also recognizes the importance of that, and through the emergency world health care grants as well as through community facilities, will continue to invest in rural America,” Torress Small said.

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In total, the hospital will be making changes and improvements in five separate areas:

• Emergency Department – The new Emergency Department (ED) will occupy 9,113 square feet and create a total of 11 treatment spaces. These spaces will provide privacy and improve patient experiences. The new ED will have specific treatment rooms with increased safety measures for those with behavioral health concerns.
• Outpatient Service Entrance – The new entrance will allow patients to experience a streamlined process when entering the facility by having access to up-to-date registration technology.
• Laboratory and Phlebotomy Services – This area will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for inpatient services and offers outpatient laboratory services for the community. The staff is comprised of medical technologists, technicians and phlebotomists. The lab provides microbiology, chemistry, hematology, urinalysis and blood bank services.
• Woman’s Health Center – The new center will provide a comprehensive diagnostic and screening opportunity for the residents of the community and the surrounding area.
• Imaging Services – The imaging department specializes in the following services: x-ray, new state-of-the-art MRI machine, bone densitometry, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and computerized tomography (CT).

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