April 2, 2012
UPMC Hamot Collaborates with Charles Cole Memorial Hospital to Expand Regional Services
UPMC Hamot and Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, a clinical affiliate of UPMC Hamot, hosted an open house March 28 at the Port Allegany Community Health Center, located in Port Allegany, Pa. (near Coudersport, Pa.).
The open house showcased completed renovations at the facility. UPMC Hamot and Charles Cole collaborated on the project, renovating the 7,900-square-foot existing facility and adding another 4,600 square feet.
Part of the renovation project included the addition of a telemedicine suite so patients can speak with specialists at UPMC Hamot from the Port Allegany office.
“Through telemedicine, UPMC Hamot can not only assist in the delivery of specialty care to rural communities that presently do not have access, but it can also foster collaboration among providers to improve standards of care and disease-management protocols,” said Val Jackson, director, Regional Business Development; regional director, Heart Institute at UPMC Hamot; and program director, Telemedicine.
“Telemedicine provides access to a variety of specialty and subspecialty services and serves to bridge the distance gap between community hospital facilities and UPMC Hamot. As a result, rural patients do not need to delay seeking care due to the inconvenience or expense of travel. Enabling patients to remain in their local community for health care services is important to UPMC Hamot and is an integral part of our regional philosophy.”
