Penn Highlands Healthcare Stimulates the Central Pennsylvania Economy
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 employees. 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.
Central Pennsylvania Impact
As reported by 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.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, the economic spending for Penn Highlands Huntingdon totaled $54.9 million. Penn Highlands Huntingdon has 267 employees. In addition to the direct impact, the ripple effect contributed more than $47.1 million into the regional economy for a total benefit from Penn Highlands Huntingdon of $102 million.
The economic spending for Penn Highlands Tyrone totaled $23.9 million. Penn Highlands Tyrone has 158 employees. In addition to the direct impact, 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.
“Not only do our hospitals provide convenient access to a wide array of premier primary care and advanced healthcare services, the economic impact we have on the region is helping to enhance the quality of life for the people who call Central Pennsylvania home,” said Rhonda Halstead, Regional Market President for the Central Region at Penn Highlands Healthcare.
Penn Highlands Healthcare continuously recruits new physicians and providers for Penn Highlands Huntingdon and Penn Highlands Tyrone. Since 2022, the health system welcomed 35 physicians and advanced practice providers in the Central region expanding services for the communities it serves.
One of the health system’s largest expansion projects to date is construction of Penn Highlands State College, a $70 million hospital and medical office building directly off I-99 on Colonnade Boulevard in State College. The new facility, which is scheduled to open in summer 2024, will offer many medical services ranging from a state-of-the-art Emergency Department to advanced cancer care — all paying close attention to the patient experience. The hospital will feature an Emergency Department with 10 private treatment rooms; a Surgical Department with three high-tech operating suites and an Endoscopy Procedure Room; 18 private inpatient rooms; a Medical Imaging Department that will utilize advanced imaging equipment for the sharpest images; and a Pulmonary Function Lab for screening, diagnosis and treatment. Adjacent to the hospital will be a 32,000-square foot medical office building which will include offices of family medicine and specialty care physicians and providers; Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center, that will provide advanced medical oncology radiation oncology and infusion services; Penn Highlands Heart Center; Penn Highlands Lung Center; a retail pharmacy; and more.
Penn Highlands Huntingdon invested $9 million to expand and enhance services including the installation of a state-of-the-art Cardiac Cath Lab and angiography system; an expanded Behavioral Health Unit; a new Hahne Cancer; an expanded Outpatient Infusion Center; and upgrades to its electronic medical record. Penn Highlands Huntingdon continually receives recognition for excellence in patient care. For three consecutive years (2021-2023), the hospital was named one of the Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. In 2023, Penn Highlands Huntingdon was named a Top Hospital for Staff Responsiveness by Becker’s.
Penn Highlands Tyrone completed projects to provide easier access for patients and visitors including enhancements to the front entrance and the parking areas. In 2022, the hospital received The Chartis Center for Rural Health - Performance Leadership Award in Patient Perspective.