News & Articles

JS Hospital Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony

Jersey Shore, PA (November 14, 2006) -Jersey Shore Hospital broke ground today on their much-anticipated, new facility project. When completed, the project will add 45,000 square feet of modern, state-of-the-art inpatient and outpatient space, including: First Phase: First Floor A new Emergency Department designed to support the growing volume of patients. The department will include private treatment rooms to ensure patient privacy and comfort. A new Surgical Department that includes three new operating suites designed to handle increasing surgical volumes. A new, state-of-the-art, "horizontal" Imaging Department. All radiology procedures in one, single-level department adjacent to the ER and Surgical Departments for efficiency. The Imaging Department will house the fixed 1.5 tesla MRI unit, a 64 slice CT Scanner, advanced Ultrasound, Mammography and Nuclear Medicine which will support an advanced, Cardiac Diagnostic testing program. New Cardiac Stress Testing and Rehabilitation, situated adjacent to the Nuclear Medicine Department for better patient convenience when special types of tests are required involving Nuclear Medicine. Second Floor A new Med-Surg unit, adjacent to a new Critical Care unit, allowing greater efficiency for patients, physicians, nursing and other caregivers. Private rooms will ensure patient privacy. A new Critical Care unit to support critically ill patients. A new Swing Bed unit to support the "Bridges" program for patients in need of longer recovery periods. This unit will include an area for practicing activities of daily living and a separate dining area for patients who choose to take their meals out of their rooms. Second Phase: Renovations to Existing Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will occupy a newly renovated area, adjacent to the new Hospital, gaining significant additional space and efficiency with easier access for patients with disabilities. Diagnostic Laboratory will occupy a newly renovated area adjacent to the new lobby. Other support areas, including the Business Office and Finance will also be affected by renovations. HBE Corp., the projects architectural firm and Phase I builder, specializes in the design, engineering and construction of healthcare facilities. "Today's groundbreaking is certainly an important day for the staff and administrators of Jersey Shore Hospital, but it's an even more momentous day for the thousands of area residents it stands ready to serve in the future," said Congressman John E. Peterson, who serves on the House subcommittee that appropriates federal health care-related funding. "Access to affordable health care services, coupled with the newest and most innovative health care technology, is not a matter of convenience for rural Americans - it's a matter of life and death. This new wing, once completed, will go a long way toward improving the overall quality of life for area residents by improving the overall quality of healthcare. In that important charge, I'm always happy to lend a hand." "This project is crucial to our community and its present and future healthcare needs," said Hubert Valencik, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Jersey Shore Hospital. "Today is a milestone for Jersey Shore and our surrounding communities. Our physicians, staff and Board Members are excited to begin this project and we look forward to being a provider of exceptional healthcare for our communities into the next century." "Jersey Shore Hospital has been a cornerstone of our community for almost a century and we are grateful and happy that this project will help preserve such an important aspect of our lives, so that it will be here to serve many more generations," said Jersey Shore Mayor Mark Lehman. Jersey Shore Hospital began as a community Hospital in 1922 and was located on its present site in 1951. Throughout the 1960's 70's and 80's, space was gained through major and minor additions and renovations. The new facility will connect to the existing buildings adjacent to Howard Street with a new front entrance on Kerr Avenue. The entire project is expected to be completed in 22 months.