Hempfield chosen as location for first Highmark, AHN neighborhood hospital

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network have their sights set on Hempfield Township.

On Monday, senior leadership from both organizations detailed their plan to build a new hospital at the corner of Route 30 and Agnew Road. The hospital will be called AHN Hempfield. Pending state approval, the hospital is targeting a 2019 opening.

“With this neighborhood hospital, we are bringing to Westmoreland County an innovative, patient-centered model that will provide the best possible experience, quality and outcomes for those requiring emergency care, short hospital stays and other outpatient services,” Cynthia Hundorfean, AHN president and CEO, said in a news release.

AHN Hempfield is the first of four community hospitals that Highmark and AHN plan to build over the next four to five years. Officials with the companies said the neighborhood hospitals are part of their goal to improve access to affordable, high-quality health care services across western Pennsylvania.

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The facility will operate like a mini-hospital, with 10 in-patient beds. It will be open 24 hours per day.

"Unlike urgent care where their capacity to do advanced imaging and lab testing is minimal, this is a full ED (emergency department) that will even allow patents to be admitted," said Dr. Thomas Campbell with Allegheny Health Network.

"It will be customized to the neighborhood based on what their needs are," Hundorfean said. "We can flex that as we go along."

People in Westmoreland County have been waiting for a move like this, one that's slated to provide even more health care than initially expected.

"It was a pleasant surprise to many of us that they were willing to invest this much money into such an impressive facility," said Ted Kopas, Westmoreland County commissioner.

They are teaming up with Emerus, which is a leading developer and operator of neighborhood hospitals.

AHN representatives have not yet said where the other locations will be.

For more information on the services that will be offered at AHN Hempfield, CLICK HERE.

Cox Media Group