Conemaugh Health System

The first hospital in the health system, Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital, opened its doors December 2, 1889{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribdem.com/news/local_news/celebrating-caring-conemaugh-memorial-marks-125th-anniversary/article_110eb878-7a54-11e4-b3cc-17fd729b64fa.html|title=Celebrating caring: Conemaugh Memorial marks 125th anniversary|first=Randy|last=Griffith|website=The Tribune-Democrat}} six months following the catastrophe of the Great Johnstown Flood of 1889. 2,209 people were killed in the flood, and much of the town's infrastructure was demolished or unusable for months following the disaster. Temporary medical quarters were established at St. Mark's Episcopal church while more permanent accommodations for the survivors could be created. The American Red Cross responded a few days after the flood by establishing a temporary hospital in the city's 8th ward{{cite web | url=https://gme.conemaugh.org/about-us/conemaugh-health-system#:~:text=1889%20Johnstown%20Flood,were%20drawn%20by%20economic%20opportunity | title=Conemaugh Health System }} in a wooden farmhouse in the midst of a local orchard. In 1892, a permanent stone structure was completed for the new hospital, and the Red Cross withdrew its field hospital from the region.

In 1896 a training school for nurses was opened at the hospital,{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rEwVAAAAYAAJ&dq=conemaugh+valley+hospital&pg=PA533|title=History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania|first=Henry Wilson|last=Storey|date=October 20, 1907|publisher=Lewis Publishing Company|via=Google Books}} assisting with the medical and surgical care that was being offered at the hospital proper. It remains in operation as the Conemaugh School of Nursing. The physical facility of Conemaugh hospital continued to expand in the coming years with the construction of its modern facility on Franklin Street in 1923.

In more recent years the hospital has noted that it is shifting away from inpatient care to smaller regional outpatient facilities in the region.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribdem.com/news/hospital-leaders-health-care-business-model-shifting-away-from-in-patient-services/article_b6e3b144-feb4-11ec-88dd-738537418094.html|title=Hospital leaders: Health care business model shifting away from in-patient services|first=Russ|last=O'Reilly|website=The Tribune-Democrat}}

Conemaugh Health System (CHS) is the parent corporation for the following healthcare entities:

• Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center – located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania this campus services as the primary medical campus of the health system. It consists of two inpatient medical centers that were merged in 1997:{{Cite web|url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/19990111/NEWS/901110342/1998-hospital-mergers-acquisitions-joint-ventures-long-term-leases-and-other-partnerships-2-2|title=1998 Hospital mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, long-term leases and other partnerships (2/2)|date=October 3, 2006|website=Modern Healthcare}}{{Cite journal|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23035572|title=Hospital Mergers and Referrals in the United States: Patient Steering or Integrated Delivery of Care?|author=Nakamura, Sayaka|year=2010|journal=Inquiry|volume=47|issue=3|pages=226–241|doi=10.5034/inquiryjrnl_47.03.226 |jstor=23035572 |pmid=21155417 |s2cid=32362575 |url-access=subscription}} Good Samaritan Medical Center (previously known as Mercy Hospital), a Catholic hospital,{{Cite web|url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/19940808/NEWS/408080311/keeping-a-catholic-identity|title=Keeping a Catholic Identity |date=October 2, 2006|website=Modern Healthcare}} founded in 1910,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0573419D:US|title=Profile|website=www.bloomberg.com}} and Conemaugh Valley Medical Center founded in 1889 following the disaster of the Johnstown Flood. It currently sustains 537 inpatient beds.{{Cite web|url=https://www.conemaugh.org/conemaugh-memorial-medical-center|title=Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center | Johnstown, PA|website=Conemaugh Health System}}
• Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center – located in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania it was founded in 1952 to attend to the rural medical needs of Somerset County.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dukelifepointhealthcare.com/our_locations/conemaugh_meyersdale_medical_center.aspx|title=Duke LifePoint | Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center|website=www.dukelifepointhealthcare.com}}
• Conemaugh Miners Medical Center – located in Hastings, Pennsylvania, it was originally designed to serve the local coal mining community. True to its original purpose, the hospital itself still offers Black Lung screenings.{{cite web | url=https://www.conemaugh.org/black-lung-screening | title=Black Lung Screening }}
• Conemaugh Nason Medical Center– located in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, previously known as 'Nason Hospital' until its acquisition in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.altoonamirror.com/sports/local-sports/2017/05/nason-hospital-unveils-changes-to-name-logo/|title=Nason Hospital unveils changes to name, logo}} It is an inpatient 45-bed facility.{{cite web | url=https://www.ahd.com/states/hospital_PA.html | title=American Hospital Directory – Individual Hospital Statistics for Pennsylvania }}
• Conemaugh Physician Group (CPG) – is a multi-specialty, integrated group practice that represents the physicians of Conemaugh Health System
• Conemaugh School of Nursing – located adjacent to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, it has been graduating nurses since opening in 1892, and offers a large educational selection of other medical disciplines. It has been fully accredited since 1918. The school of nursing also partners with various Pennsylvania universities for the transferring of academic credits. These include: Drexel University, Carlow University, Mount Aloysius College, and Chamberlain University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.conemaugh.org/school-of-nursing-curriculum|title=Curriculum | Conemaugh School of Nursing|website=Conemaugh Health System}} The school offers other Allied Health programs as well, such as the program for Surgical Technology, which it offers in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.{{cite web | url=https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu/news/conemaugh-s-program-surgical-technology-observes-graduation-and-achieves-100-certification | title=Conemaugh's Program for Surgical Technology Observes Graduation and Achieves 100% Certification | University of Pittsburgh Johnstown | University of Pittsburgh }}
• Conemaugh East Hills – located in Richland, Pennsylvania, this facility opened in 2020{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyamerican.com/story/news/local/2021/02/21/conemaugh-plans-new-medical-facility/43689085/|title=Conemaugh plans new medical facility|first=Beth Ann |last=Miller |website=Daily American}} and is largely an outpatient medical facility. It includes diagnostic imaging, cardiac/pulmonary rehab services, pulmonary function testing, outpatient surgery, pain/neuroscience clinic, and an orthopedic practice.{{cite web | url=https://wjactv.com/news/local/university-orthopedics-to-begin-practicing-out-of-conemaugh-east-hills-med-center | title=University Orthopedics to begin practicing out of Conemaugh East Hills Med Center | date=3 September 2020 }}

In 2005, Conemaugh Health System also acquired Lee Hospital (previously Johnstown City Hospital) from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in downtown Johnstown,{{cite web|last=Glover|first=Lynne|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2004/09/06/story5.html|title=Lee Regional may file suit against UPMC|date=September 6, 2004|access-date=October 20, 2022}} incorporating it into their inpatient clinical network.{{cite news |author=Tom Corbett|title=Boards sign off on Conemaugh-Lee Regional purchase|access-date=November 23, 2022 |work=Pittsburgh Business Times |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2005/07/25/daily43.html|date=July 29, 2005}} Founded in 1916{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribdem.com/news/local_news/hospital-history-celebrated-in-wall/article_dc0c44d4-61e9-556a-bed5-8d310a191f25.html|title=Hospital history celebrated in Wall|website=The Tribune-Democrat}} it currently holds the name Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center – Lee Campus{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribdem.com/news/legacy-endures-for-lee-hospital/article_4a1f16a6-8d3b-5850-ac7c-ff54ddb89f37.html|title=Legacy endures for Lee Hospital|first=Randy |last=Griffith |website=The Tribune-Democrat}} and serves as a Select Specialty Hospital.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribdem.com/news/business/conemaugh-parent-lifepoint-acquires-specialty-hospital-group-launches-subsidiary/article_c7cf0104-675e-11ec-8a49-9f89ad019c3f.html|title=Conemaugh parent LifePoint acquires specialty hospital group, launches subsidiary|first=Randy|last=Griffith|website=The Tribune-Democrat}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.selectspecialtyhospitals.com/locations-and-tours/pa/johnstown/johnstown/|title=Select Specialty Hospitals – Johnstown|website=www.selectspecialtyhospitals.com}} It is located two miles from Conemaugh's main campus. As of 2018, Duke Lifepoint Healthcare announced they have no plans to abandon the former inpatient hospital, instead converting it for non-clinical purposes{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribdem.com/news/lee-campus-will-remain-as-conemaugh-charts-future/article_92be9c6c-cf64-11e8-a524-f76d2b3d942c.html|title=Lee campus will remain as Conemaugh charts future|first=Randy|last=Griffith|website=The Tribune-Democrat}}

In 2007, Windber Medical Center formally left Conemaugh Health System amid administrative issues.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribdem.com/news/windber-hospital-conemaugh-health-system-cut-all-ties/article_b48b4b7a-8cd7-53ae-806a-74912f41b9e1.html|title=Windber Hospital, Conemaugh Health System cut all ties|first=Randy |last=Griffith |website=The Tribune-Democrat}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20070820/MAGAZINE/70817004/windber-leaves-conemaugh|title=Windber leaves Conemaugh|date=August 17, 2007|website=Modern Healthcare}} It had been a subsidiary since 1970.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribdem.com/news/timeline-of-windber-medical-facilities/article_395e48de-4173-11e5-a446-e70429f3965e.html|title=Timeline of Windber medical facilities|first=The|last=Tribune-Democrat|website=The Tribune-Democrat}}

The 1889 Foundation is a non-profit that provides medical and philanthropic aid to residents of Cambria County and Somerset County. Originally founded in 1993 as the 'Conemaugh Health Foundation', it remained a department within Conemaugh Health System until 2014. At that time the hospital was purchased by Duke Lifepoint Healthcare, and became a for-profit hospital, after which the 1889 Foundation was formed as a separate 501(c)3 non-profit organization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.1889foundation.org/about-us/|title=About Us}}

Conemaugh is a Teaching hospital and has a large number of students and 84 residents on its clinical staff.{{cite web | url=https://www.ahd.com/free_profile/390110/Conemaugh_Memorial_Medical_Center/Johnstown/Pennsylvania/ | title=American Hospital Directory – Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center (390110) – Free Profile }} Graduate medical education (GME) was introduced at Conemaugh Valley Hospital in 1915 for three original residents. The original generalist program was shut down in 1975 and replaced with a modern medical graduate education program. This program has expanded over the years to include: General Surgery (1961),{{Cite web|url=https://www.imgprep.com/residency-programs/surgery-general/conemaugh-memorial-medical-center-program/4404111288|title=IMGPrep | Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center Program 4404111288 | Surgery-General}} Family Medicine (1971),{{Cite web|url=https://www.pafp.com/Pages/Content.aspx?id=55|title=Family Medicine Residency Directory|website=www.pafp.com}} Internal Medicine (1972), Pharmacy (2002), Emergency Medicine (2008), and Health Psychology{{Cite web|url=https://membership.appic.org/directory/display/528|title=APPIC|website=membership.appic.org}} (2012).{{Cite web|url=https://gme.conemaugh.org/about-us/history-of-conemaughs-gme-program|title=History of Conemaugh's GME Program|website=gme.conemaugh.org}} Conemaugh also attracts regular medical student rotations from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine,{{Cite web|url=https://lecom.edu/college-of-osteopathic-medicine/clinical-education/location-rotations/|title=Where do LECOM Students go for Rotations|website=Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine}} Drexel University College of Medicine,[https://webcampus.med.drexel.edu/ClinicalEducation/Year3/RequiredCourseSitesgrid22-23.pdf Clinical Education] Temple University School of Medicine{{cite book|editor1=Saul Wischnitzer|editor2=Edith Wischnitzer|title=Guide to Medical and Dental Schools|publisher=Barrons Educational Series|year=2012|isbn=978-0-7641-4752-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4E_pDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA370|page=370}} and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Conemaugh also maintains a residency program for the American Osteopathic Association, as well as a sports medicine fellowship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uoc.com/news/university-orthopedics-sports-medicine-fellowship-program-in-conjunction-with-conemaugh-memorial-medical-center-earns-continued-accreditation|title=UOC Sports Medicine Fellowship Program Earns Continued Accreditation | University Orthopedics Center|website=UOC}}

In 2013 it was formally announced the Conemaugh was seeking affiliation with other medical systems in the region because of financial constraint.{{Cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/business/2013/11/23/Conemaugh-exploring-its-options/stories/201311230052|title=Conemaugh exploring its options|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} On September 3, 2014, Conemaugh Health System was acquired for $500 million by Duke LifePoint Healthcare,{{Cite web|url=https://www.wallerlaw.com/experience/528/1/127|title=Duke LifePoint Healthcare acquires non-profit Conemaugh Health System for $500 million – Experience Details [Waller]|website=www.wallerlaw.com}} a joint venture between Duke University Health System and LifePoint Hospitals.{{cite web|title=Conemaugh Health System Joins Duke LifePoint|url=http://www.lifepointhealth.net/news/conemaugh-health-system-announces-new-ceo|website=Lifepointhealth.net|access-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220133506/http://www.lifepointhealth.net/news/conemaugh-health-system-announces-new-ceo|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=bot: unknown}} Since its corporate acquisition the hospital continues to expand its pool of physicians and specialists, as well as expand its primary medical campus in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribdem.com/news/conemaugh-health-system-doing-ok-ceo-says/article_23960858-3f80-11ed-a536-7bd7920ebe31.html|title=Conemaugh Health System 'doing OK,' CEO says|first=Dave|last=Sutor|website=The Tribune-Democrat}} In 2021, the main campus was expanded to make way for additional inpatient/outpatient cardiovascular services as well as specialized imaging services.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyamerican.com/story/news/local/2021/04/14/conemaugh-memorial-medical-center-starts-new-building-project/43700153/|title=Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center starts new building project|first=Beth Ann |last=Miller |website=Daily American}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.conemaugh.org/ Conemaugh Health System] Official Website
• [http://www.dukelifepointhealthcare.com/our_locations/conemaugh_memorial_medical_center.aspx Duke Lifepoint – Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center]
• [https://www.conemaughphysiciangroup.com/ Conemaugh Physician Group]
• [http://www.johnstowncafe.com/johnstownhistoryconemaughppms.php List of the Previous Presidents of Medical Staff at Conemaugh Hospital]

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Category:Buildings and structures in Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Category:Hospital networks in the United States

Category:Medical and health organizations based in Pennsylvania

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Pennsylvania

Category:Trauma centers