Elk Regional Health Center

Description

Mission Statement
Elk Regional Health System will be the healthcare provider of choice for our communities through a commitment to service quality people finance and growth

Values Statement
Elk Regional Health System is committed to

Service Putting those we serve first by clearly understanding and meeting
their needs and expectations

Quality Continuously improving our care and services

People Encouraging the personal growth of those associated with the Health
System

Finance Prudently managing our human and financial resources

Growth Evolving to meet the needs of our communities

History

History
Since its inception Elk Regional Health System has had a rich history of community support ERHS stands on a solid foundation established by those who at the start of the 20th Century saw fit to establish hospitals the former Andrew Kaul memorial Hospital in St Marys and the former Elk County General Hospital in Ridgway in their community Those hospitals merged in 1999 to create Elk Regional Health System an organization that strives to build upon the cherished tradition of community service and to enhance its ability to respond to the everchanging needs of its community The health system proudly serves the residents of Elk and Cameron counties and the surrounding community

The History of Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital
In 1922 three daughters of Andrew Kaul recognized the need for a hospital to serve the area They organized and helped finance a community fund drive to convert an empty monastery building into a modern wellequipped 38bed hospital which they named Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital

In the late 1920s the ownership and operation of the hospital was turned over to the Sisters of the Order of St Benedict After 45 years the hospital in 1978 transferred from the religious order to the community again

The hospital enjoyed several major expansions over the years In 1934 a fire gutted the entire hospital and a temporary hospital was established at St Josephs Convent By 1941 the shell of the old monastery was once again serviceable and two wings were added A 138bed extended care facility named Pinecrest Manor was added in 1970 In 1984 dedication and ribbon cutting ceremonies were held for the twostory wing housing

In 1990 the hospitals Board of Directors voted to restructure forming the Andrew Kaul Health System with three subsidiaries Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital the Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital Foundation and ELCOHousing Inc

In 1994 the name of the hospital was changed to St Marys Regional Medical Center

Also that year construction of a threefloor Medical Office Building was completed Just three years later the Outpatient Rehabilitation Building which houses the rehabilitation facility and Community Nurses Inc opened A major renovation in 2002 added a new front lobby Emergency Department and operating and recovery areas

The History of Elk County General Hospital
Elk County General Hospital located in neighboring Ridgway was incorporated on Dec 28 1900 Its first patient was admitted on Nov 20 1902

In 1908 it was decided that a Nurses Home presently the Dickinson Mental Health Center should be built In 1913 complete xray equipment was installed Just two years later a laboratory was installed and in 1924 complete laundry equipment was put into operation

In 1959 a 1 million expansion was completed with the opening of a new fourstory wing A separate 28bed psychiatric unit was also incorporated that year

A construction program got under way in October 1978 In 1980 a new 3 million wing was completed on the hospitals northern side Once that was completed buildings constructed in 1902 and 1926 were demolished to make room for a new parking lot The construction program was complete by 1989

In November 1993 the name of the hospital was changed to Elk County Regional Medical Center In 1994 a Professional Office Building was erected at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Hospital Street

Elk Regional Health System Is Created
On July 1 1999 St Marys Regional Medical Center merged with Elk County Regional Medical Center to become Elk Regional Health System

Elk Regional Health System Today
Today Elk Regional Health System is composed of

Elk Regional Health Center a fullyaccredited notforprofit 89bed general acute care institution that offers cuttingedge services such as digital mammography filmless radiology sameday surgery hip resurfacing as an alternative to total hip replacement and laparoscopic hysterectomy Elk Regional also has a 10bed behavioral health unit for the elderly a stateoftheart surgical suite electronic medical record and beside medication verification

Elk Regional Professional Group a notforprofit physician employment vehicle through which the Health System is able to successfully recruit and retain high quality providers in a variety of specialties Since its incorporation ERPG has grown into a large and effective multispecialty group that includes family practitioners cardiologists OBGYN and general orthopaedic and vacular surgeons

Community Nurses Inc a nonprofit Medicare certified statelicensed home health agency serving all of Elk Cameron and McKean counties and parts of Clearfield Jefferson and Potter counties in Pennsylvania Community Nurses offers home health care hospice care home support services and adult day services Referrals to CNI can be made by the patient family members friends physicians hospitals or social service agencies

Pinecrest Manor an extended care facility that also offers a dementia and Alzheimers unit A team of qualified professionals at Pinecrest Manor provides 24hour nursing care and rehabilitative therapy with personalized attention to each resident When a physician resident and their family decide upon endoflife care services Pinecrest Manor will arrange for the entire spectrum of quality hospice care to be provided Conveniently located on the campus of Elk Regional Health Center all of the hospitals resources equipment and staff are easily accessible

ELCO Glen a 32unit multitenant independent living facility for the low income elderly handicapped or disabled individuals of any age Conveniently situated on six acres of land adjacent to Elk Regional Health Center ELCO Glen offers a safe secure living environment Each apartment is connected to an emergency response system that enables the tenant to signal for help if necessary The building is also secured by a lockeddoor intercom system Parking is available for residents who own vehicles For those who dont public transportation is available through ATA

The Elk Regional Health System Auxiliary a volunteer organization that has stood behind ERHS since 1922 The Auxiliary has pledged 250000 to the Health Centers new expansion project which will add a third floor to the Health Center privatize and modernize every single patient room create a new more secure 10bed Generations Unit and create a new eightbed Family Unit The Auxiliary has also funded Elk Regionals cardiac rehabilitation program which is located at the Health Systems Ridgway campus purchased new furniture for the main lobby multipurpose room and solariums at Pinecrest Manor purchased a new canopy for Pinecrest Manors main entrance and purchased equipment for Elk Regionals Intensive Care Unit and The Family Unit The Auxiliary operates The ReSale Shop which is open five days per week and features second hand clothes furniture and other household items The Auxiliary also operates a Gift Shop at the St Marys campus of Elk Regional Health Center and
The Elk Regional Health System Foundation another integral part of the Health System that is committed to developing the resources necessary to enable Elk Regional to provide quality health care services Each year the ERHS Foundation sponsors a Charity Golf Tournament and a Womens Health Program It offers two scholarships one in memory of Kathryn Kilhoffer Walsh and her dedication to nursing and the Elk County Diabetes Group scholarship available to students who pursue careers in diabetic education or nursing