After signing a non-binding letter of intent in October, Armstrong County Memorial Hospital’s Board of Directors announced they have reached a definitive agreement on Wednesday to join the Pennsylvania Mountains Care Network (PMCN).
The affiliation aims to preserve, enhance, and provide quality healthcare for patients in the Armstrong-Indiana-Jefferson tri-county region, while also creating synergies, cost-efficiencies, and sustainability for ACMH, Indiana Regional Medical Center and Punxsutawney Area Hospital.
From left: Stephen Wolfe, PMCN President and CEO, and Nichole Geraci, ACMH President and CEO.
The three hospitals will retain their local identities and operate as two community nonprofit corporations. Additionally, each hospital will retain their existing medical and nursing staffs, employees, volunteers and community connectors, but there will be some sharing of human resources.
PMCN President and CEO Steve Wolfe said ACMH will be a welcomed addition to the network.
Audio Player
Wolfe adds the agreement could bolster opportunities, not just within the network, but also at ACMH.
Audio Player
The agreement will be finalized once regulatory and third-party approvals take place.
View additional comments below:
“The beauty of this affiliation is that the three hospitals have cultures and goals that are very much aligned. All three hospitals are focused on keeping vital services within our individual communities. That being said, this relationship allows us to leverage what works well for ACMH, while also taking advantage of opportunities identified as a part of the affiliation.” – Nichole Geraci, ACMH Hospital President and CEO
“As a small, rural hospital, we have benefitted from an expanded structure. We are confident new hospitals coming together will improve not only our financial bottom line, but our ability to provide enhanced services to our patients. Providing optimal care to patients is a shared vision for all the PMCN hospitals.” – Dr. Clark Simpson, Punxsutawney Area Hospital Chief Medical Officer.
