A Message to Our Community

A Message to Our Community

Over the past week, we are aware that an article has led to questions and rumors about changes at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber. We'd like to take a moment to clarify the facts and provide reassurance to our patients, employees, and community.

Surgical Services

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Operating Room will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• There will be no evening or weekend OR coverage
• A surgeon will remain on call 24/7
• Anesthesia services will not be available outside of regular OR hours

If a patient presents to the Emergency Department and surgery is concluded to be the necessary treatment for the patient's medical condition, the hospital will determine whether the patient can be safely admitted and treated or whether a transfer is necessary. If a surgical patient requires emergency care or post-operative follow-up care, the hospital will determine whether the care can be provided at our hospital, and if not, arrange for transfer to an appropriate receiving facility.

This approach ensures patient safety while maintaining appropriate staffing and resources. Based on historical data, very few surgeries occur after hours each year, so this change is expected to have minimal impact on patients.

Emergency Services

Our Emergency Department is not closing and is not impacted by any recent changes. Emergency care remains available 24/7. We are actively recruiting additional Emergency Department nurses and currently offer a $5,000 sign-on bonus.

Cardiac Catheterization Lab

The Cath Lab is not affected by changes to anesthesia coverage and will continue to operate as usual.

Hospice & Palliative Care

Our Hospice and Palliative Care programs are not being reduced.

• The Inpatient Hospice Unit is not moving or closing
• Home hospice services remain unchanged
• Community-Based Palliative Care will continue as a home-based service, operating from a new office location within the hospital
  No employees are being lost as part of this transition, and services are being strengthened to better meet patient needs.

Like many rural hospitals across the country, we must continuously evaluate how we deliver care in the face of rising costs and low reimbursement rates. These decisions are made carefully, with patient safety at the forefront, and allow us to preserve essential services while investing in programs that meet the greatest community need.

We remain committed to serving Windber and the surrounding region with safe, compassionate, high-quality care - today and into the future.

Richard Sukenik, CEO
Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber