Ellwood City Medical Center has big changes on the horizon with new staff, new construction, new hospital units and technology being implemented. The hospital will become a medical sanctuary for area residents.
When the hospital switched to new ownership in 2017 there were necessary layoffs made to promote hospital growth. Still remaining are many familiar veteran nurses and doctors.
CEO, Beverley Annarumo said she wants to bring in new hospital staff to mix with the veteran staffs due to some of the long-lasting heading toward retirement.
“Many of the staff members have been with us and working for the facility for over 30 years,” Annarumo said. “With so many headed toward retirement, we want to bring in some new people to grow with the hospital, and become the friendly faces of our community.”
The new staff being implemented will range from new college graduates to industry professionals with years of work experience.
“I want this hospital to be a place where everyone inside and outside of the community wants to come for medical attention,” she said. “This will be a hospital young adults can come to and see any specialist, but they can also bring their grandparents here for appointments.”
Pictured: CEO, Beverly Annarumo
The hospital has been under construction updating numerous floors and units. The fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building is having a complete renovation they’re installing new flooring, paint and cabinetry. The new internal medicine and pediatrics clinic opened May 14.
Along with the new renovation in the Medical Arts Building, there are future plans to renovate the third floor of The Medical Center’s main campus.
“We want patents to feel comfortable, like their staying in a luxury hotel when they come to the hospital,” Annarumo said. “The whole third floor is going to look and have a boutique feel.”
The third floor will not only resemble that of a boutique but will also include cutting-edge technology. The hospital wants to implement a “smart hospital,” where everything is electronic.
Doctors, nurses and other staff will have badges with electronic mechanisms inside that will emit a signal when they walk through patient’s doorways. The rooms will have screens that will display the name and specialization (doctor, nurse etc.) on them so the patients know who has entered the room.
The hospital is also implementing a 42-bed duly licensed substance use disorder unit. Ellwood City currently doesn’t have a substance rehabilitation unit. The unit will provide detox and rehabilitation for patients, along with a separate entrance and check-in.
There is also talk of the hospital implementing the areas first psychiatric unit.
“The unit will feature 10-15 beds and will be the only psychiatric unit in the area,” Annarumo said.
New renovations mean new staff and growth and there will be no shortage of specialists at the hospital.
Dr. Beth Magnifico, who previously worked at the borough’s hospital, will be returning as the hospital’s pediatrician she will specialize in patients starting at age five and up. The hospital is looking for a second pediatrician who will specialize in ages zero to five.
The hospital is hiring a gynecologist and gastroenterologist. The gynecologist will start July 1, and already has a well-known practice in New Castle.
If patients are worried the hospital might not have a specialist or doctor who can help them, there are plans to implement Telemedicine. The Medical Center is partnering with Allegheny Health Network to bring Telemedicine to Ellwood City.
Telemedicine will allow patients to see specialists immediately through video chat with a nurse or doctor present to help.
“The technology is really cool and it allows us to have a broader range of patients we can treat,” Annarumo said. “If someone comes in with an odd rash, a nurse or doctor would be able to connect with a specialist through telemedicine to help figure out what is wrong.”
The hospital is rebranding itself and trying to connect with the community as much as possible. They are utilizing many different mediums to advertise than in the past.
People will start seeing billboards and direct mail as well as hearing and seeing advertisements on the radio, in newspapers and on television. The hospital is also working on a new website that will launch soon, and they have created a new Facebook page.
How about bringing a Dermatologist to this area , there are none in town . Would be nice to have one .
Since there are no dermatologists in town; I don’t think they should do anything “rash”.
Dermatologist would be great even better is an Endorologist
All of this, however they will not pay for the Electricity that illuminates and lights the sign up for the hospital at the bottom of the hill……and now all the subozone junkies can just walk down the street and check themselves in at the substance abuse facility.
A sleep apnea area would be wonderful to have.
Just wondering if there is going to be a need for Physical Therapist Assistants in the new setup. Would love to be closer to home!