COAL TOWNSHIP - For the past 100 years, patients have received medical care from a small rural hospital nestled in the hills of Coal Township.
On Wednesday, Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, a campus of Geisinger Medical Center, (G-SACH), recommitted itself to the future of health care in the Shamokin-Coal Township area.
During a special transition ceremony to mark the merger between the two health care providers, which became effective Jan. 1, all who spoke touched on the committment G-SACH is making to the area.
"We will not sacrifice quality, efficiency or convenience for those seeking health care here," Geisinger Health System President and CEO Dr. Glenn D. Steele Jr. "This is a great area to live and we will continue the commitment to bring what we feel is the best health care in the nation to all residents."
G-SACH Chief Administrative Officer Thomas Harlow gave praise to the Shamokin Area Community Hospital Board of Directors, many of whom were in attendance for the ceremony.
"Several years ago, the board looked at the changing landscape of healthcare, what we were doing and had the forward thinking to keep optimal health care in the region," Harlow said. "What you see today is the collaborative effort between both boards."
Harlow gave credit to the staff and employees of the former Shamokin Area Community Hospital for their continuing efforts.
"For a small hospital, they have taken a proactive approach to the merger so the standard of care that has been here for 100 years will live on," Harlow said.
Tom Sokola, Chief Adminstrative Officer for Geisinger Medical Center, discussed the effort taken for the smooth transition.
"Over two years ago, a collaborative team got together to figure out how to put all of the pieces together for this merger," Sokola said. "I am proud to say that we did get it right. All the elements are in place and together, we will serve toward a common goal: to provide the best possible care at the best possible price for our patients."
Sokola said the hospital will work on accreditation for G-SACH from the Joint Commission on Healthcare and becoming designated as a Magnet Hospital for nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
In his remarks, Steele credited a name from the hospital's past in helping to get G-SACH to where it is today.
"Many remember former CEO John Wiercinski and the board for having the vision to bring this hospital to where it is today," Steele said. "Tom Harlow, Earl Foura and the board of directors from Shamokin and Geisinger dealt with it all well. We are now ahead of the curve."
William Alexander, chairman of the Geisinger Health System Foundation Board of Directors thanked the area for their support during the transition.
"We appreciate the trust that you have in us, and we promise that we will not betray that trust," Alexander said.
A ceremonial tree will be planted on the grounds of the hospital in the spring to symbolize growth. Employees were given tree saplings as well.
In 2009, the two hospitals entered into a non-binding letter of intent to explore additional ways the health care organizations could work together, including bringing more GMC specialists and doctors into SACH.
In November 2010, the two health care facilities announced they would be pursuing a full merger.
In July, word was received from the state Attorney General's office and the Pennsylvania Department of Health that the merger was approved.