Work on a major expansion of Mount Nittany Medical Center’s women and children’s services unit has resumed after being put on pause last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Joseph V. and Suzanne P. Paterno Women and Children’s Unit, the largest of its kind in the region, has dedicated medical and nursing teams serving women’s healthcare and pediatric patients and welcomes more than 1,300 newborns every year.
“This space is a celebration of new life and enhanced care for our community’s women and children,” Sue Paterno said in a statement. “I’m proud to be part of one of the many reasons Mount Nittany Health continues to be the best.”
The expansion will include new labor and delivery rooms, post-partum rooms, nursery, family support space, revamped clinical work areas and a new operating room, with personalized features, advanced technology and a focus on safety, according to a news release.
“This expansion is another illustration of our continued investment in the health and wellbeing of our community,” Kathleen Rhine, president and CEO of Mount Nittany Health, said. “Ensuring access to quality healthcare has always been a priority for us, and we are honored to provide a space that will further enhance care for so many of our neighbors.”
The project also includes new spaces for women’s healthcare offering comfort and privacy, and a new space designed for the special needs of pediatric patients, with more privacy and family support places.
The expanded unit is expected to open in the spring of 2022.
“These updates will provide a beautiful and serene setting for our patients, and a modern, innovative clinical space for our healthcare providers,” Jess Lewis, manager of Mount Nittany’s women & children’s services department, said. “The expansion will provide tremendous benefit for our community and we’re so excited to be moving forward with these plans.”
More than $666,000 has been raised to date for Mount Nittany Health Foundation’s Women and Children’s Future Renovation fund, with gifts from major donors including Joan Brower, William and Carolyn First, Suzanne Paterno, Charles and Annette Rohrbeck, the Mount Nittany Medical Center Charity Ball and the medical staff of Mount Nittany Medical Center.
