Member News / Shoutouts

WellSpan Health has entered into an agreement with Emerus, the nation’s first and largest operator of neighborhood hospitals, to build three new hospitals that will provide expanded access to inpatient care in Cumberland and York Counties. Neighborhood hospitals provide an innovative approach to caring for our communities by putting the care patients need closer to where they live. These facilities will operate 24/7, just as their larger more traditional counterparts, with an emergency department and up to 10 inpatient beds in a smaller, more accessible footprint.

“As WellSpan continues to reimagine the face of healthcare, we recognize that it cannot always be a one-size-fits-all approach. To truly make healthcare more accessible for our neighbors in South Central Pennsylvania, we must always strive to meet them where they are,” said Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., president and CEO, WellSpan Health. “As part of our mission to serve all, these neighborhood hospitals will provide efficient, close-to-home access to low acuity emergency and hospital care.”

The hospitals are being designed to enhance the patient experience with convenience and access at the forefront. Each will be fully licensed and WellSpan branded. The facilities will be operated and staffed by Emerus, but fully integrated with WellSpan systems, including the MyWellSpan patient portal.

“We are excited to partner with WellSpan Health to bring high-quality, convenient care to communities across central Pennsylvania,” said Vic Schmerbeck, chief executive officer, Emerus. “Our shared vision, complemented by Emerus’ unique neighborhood hospital concept, will produce an extraordinary patient experience that Pennsylvanians deserve. We look forward to an amazing partnership with WellSpan Health for many years to come!”

Emerus has numerous similar partnerships with other healthcare systems including Ascension, Baptist Health System, Baylor Scott & White Health, CommonSpirit Health, among others including Allegheny Health Network here in Pennsylvania.

A groundbreaking for the first of the three neighborhood hospitals is tentatively scheduled to occur by the end of 2023 and potential grand opening by the end of 2024. Specific details regarding the three sites including location and services for each are still being finalized.
To learn more about Emerus’ approach to neighborhood hospitals, visit www.emerus.com.

For details on WellSpan’s other six acute care hospitals across South Central Pennsylvania, visit www.WellSpan.org/Hospitals.

The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County has announced the appointment of Todd Dolbin as its new vice president of economic development. A Centre County native, Dolbin brings 18 years of experience in economic and workforce development, international business expansion and community development.

“Appointing Todd underscores the Chamber’s dedication to fostering smart, sustainable growth for Centre County,” Greg Scott, CBICC president and CEO, said in a statement. “Todd’s extensive experience and deep local roots will be invaluable in enhancing the region’s economic vitality.”

Dolbin previously served as the deputy director for Baltimore County’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development. He managed performance operations and executed the county’s economic development, workforce development and tourism divisions. He also held leadership positions in the Baltimore city government, directing tax incentive programs and foreign-trade zones.

“I am honored to return home and join the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County,” Dolbin said. “I eagerly anticipate collaborating with local businesses and community leaders to stimulate economic growth, generate jobs and maintain a thriving business community.”

In his new role, Dolbin spearheads the establishment of an economic development council, oversees the development of a county-based economic strategic plan and oversees business engagement, workforce development, international business expansion and community development initiatives for the chamber.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society celebrates 175 years in operation this year, and the extraordinary milestone was recently honored at a press conference in the state Capitol in Harrisburg. The society was founded after a meeting of 61 county and medical school representatives met at the first Methodist Episcopal Church in Lancaster to address major issues of the day, which at that time were smallpox and dysentery. According to the medical society, early records show the group was concerned with professional ethics, safeguarding medical education and professional qualifications.

Since that time, there have been many challenges and successes, but the society itself has remained steadfast as one of the oldest in the nation, helping to reshape medicine for all Pennsylvania residents. “We’ve evolved with technology and legislation,” Dr. F. Wilson Jackson, PMS president, told a crowd of about 80 people at the press conference. “We continue to evolve, not just from 100 years ago, but from 25 and 10 years ago as things change.” The goals, he said, were to advance medical knowledge, elevate professional character and protect lives in communities across the Commonwealth.

In addition to medical emergencies, physicians must pay attention to legislation, including tort reform, physician burnout, access to mental health services, noncompete clauses, telemedicine and more.

During the ceremony, state Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, presented a proclamation from the House of Representatives, and state Sen. Scott Martin, R-Lancaster, presented one from the Senate.