Altoona Hospital Campus

Description

About Us
Altoona Regional Health System was formed on November 1 2004 as a result of Altoona and Bon SecoursHoly Family hospitals along with many health systemaffiliated companies joining together

Altoona Regional is a charitable notforprofit health care system governed by a volunteer community board of directors Acute care services are provided at two hospital campuses the Altoona Hospital Campus and the 7th Avenue Campus The hospitals are licensed for a combined 497 beds

Altoona Regional offers more than 200 years of health care experience over 300 talented and highly recognized physicians nearly 4000 specialized and experienced caregivers and 600 supportive volunteers The health system serves more than 20 counties throughout Central Pennsylvania

History

The Roots of Altoona Regional

Driven by desperate need the Pennsylvania Railroad and the residents of the growing territory of Blair County created the Altoona Hospital in 1883 The railroad donated the land situated along Howard Avenue between 6th and 7th streets chosen because it was considered quota most beautiful locationquot It was also close to the rail lines certainly a convenience for transporting injured railroad workers

On Jan 1 1886 Altoona Hospital opened as a 30bed twostory wooden structure at a cost of 1664526 The hospital admitted 113 patients its first year

The railroad continued to power the new hospitals early growth even to the point of feeding and boarding the horse for its horsedrawn ambulance In return the railroad used the horse between ambulance runs It was an arrangement that worked until 1917 when the hospital purchased its first motorized ambulance

In 1904 the Altoona Hospital School of Nursing was established A new residence hall opened in 1905 in the east end of the complex Two students graduated from the schools first class on May 28 1907

In the 1920s the hospital opened a dispensary functioning as a precursor to todays modern trauma centers and emergency rooms

Between 1942 and 2000 Altoona Hospital experienced tremendous growth and change Some of the highlights included

1957 First ICU opens

1968 Altoona Hospital becomes a pioneer in heart care by opening the areas first coronary care unit and then two years later hiring the first cardiologist as that physician specialty debuts

1978 Current 13story tower constructed

1989 Drs John Anastasi and Burt Fazi perform first open heart surgery at Altoona Hospital bringing cardiac care closer to home

199495 A sevenstory Outpatient Center amp fivestory parking garage are built to meet the growing demands of the community for more outpatient services and convenience

2001 Altoona Hospital Trauma Center is accredited as the board of directors makes a commitment to residents of the region to provide superior emergency care when minutes matter the most

MercyBon SecoursHoly Family Hospital

In 1909 the ideas and dreams of prominent and civicminded leaders doctors businessmen and a priest who envisioned a hospital and a school of nursing for a growing community became reality as they set their signatures to an agreement of association quotfor the purpose of forming a corporation to be known as the Mountain City Hospitalquot

Shortly thereafter with the hope of asking a congregation of sisters to staff the hospital the new organization was renamed the Mercy Corporation Its purpose as set forth in its charter was the treatment of diseases injuries and disabilities and the training of nurses It was organized and conducted for purely benevolent purposes not for profit

The formal ceremonies marking the opening of Mercy Hospital took place July 14 1910 The hospital was staffed by 15 physicians and six nurses with all modern facilities such as laboratory and Xray equipment To meet the needs of the community patient beds were steadily increased reaching 180 in 1927 Major building expansion programs were also undertaken in 1960 1976 and 1991 In 1985 Mercy became the first community hospital in the country to offer Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI

In 1992 the hospital changed its name to Mercy Regional Health System to reflect its transition to a modern integrated delivery network

The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth who were asked by the board of directors in 1935 to administer the hospital and its school of nursing guided the hospitals development for more than 60 years before inviting the Sisters of Bon Secours to cosponsor the organization in 1996 The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth withdrew their sponsorship in 2003 to concentrate their precious resources on their core ministries for families

The Merger

In April 2003 collaboration efforts began anew between Central Pennsylvania Health Services Corp the parent of Altoona Hospital and Bon Secours Health System Inc the parent of Bon SecoursHoly Family Hospital

Those efforts culminated on Nov 1 2004 when Altoona and Bon SecoursHoly Family hospitals and more than 20 health systemaffiliated companies merged to form Altoona Regional Health System

Altoona Regional builds on the rich pasts of both institutions to move forward into the future with confidence and optimism for the betterment of our health care system and community