Windber Hospice Announces Reopening of Somerset Inpatient Hospice Facility

Windber Hospice Announces Reopening of Somerset Inpatient Hospice Facility

Windber Hospice at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber today announced the reopening of the Somerset inpatient hospice facility, which had been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The community was deeply saddened by the loss of this essential resource; however, the facility will be restored to its original purpose: providing inpatient hospice care to our region.

After re-establishing ownership of the property, the Children's Aid Society Foundation approached Windber Hospice with a request to reopen and staff the facility for its intended purpose. The Foundation selected Windber Hospice for this important task because of its long-standing reputation for high-quality, compassionate care as one of the region's few remaining nonprofit hospice agencies.

"As the building owner, our goal has always been to make certain this facility continues to fill a vital community need," said Larry Stormer, President of the Children's Aid Society Foundation. "By bringing inpatient hospice services back to Somerset County, we are filling a critical gap and ensuring families can find comfort and dignity right here at home. We are grateful to The Wheeler Family and the partnership with Windber Hospice for restoring outstanding Hospice Care to families in our community."

The facility, originally known as the In Touch Hospice House, was established in 2009 thanks to the generosity of the Wheeler family following the passing of Harold W. Wheeler, co-founder of Wheeler Bros. Inc. His wife, Joan Wheeler, envisioned a comfortable, home-like setting where hospice patients and their families could spend meaningful time together. The result was a 12,200-square-foot facility on land donated by the family, offering private rooms and family spaces designed to bring comfort and dignity to patients with acute needs.

"It is an honor to have been chosen by the Children's Aid Society Foundation to continue this important work in Somerset," said Ginger Taylor, Director of Windber Hospice. "We view this as a vital service to the community and are dedicated to the longevity of Windber Hospice at Somerset. We will continue to focus on keeping patients in their location of choice, whether at home or in a local facility, but we also realize that in some instances families are not equipped to provide 24/7 care. Inpatient hospice in a home-like setting is an ideal alternative, and this beautiful facility was designed to provide patients and their families with an environment that feels as close to home as possible."

CSSMCW CEO Richard Sukenik added, "Reopening the Somerset inpatient hospice facility reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of our region with compassionate, patient-centered care. Hospice is about honoring dignity, supporting families, and providing comfort at one of life's most challenging times. We are grateful for the trust the Children's Aid Society Foundation has placed in Windber Hospice, and we look forward to serving the Somerset community with the same dedication and excellence that have defined our organization for decades."

Windber Hospice at Somerset will provide comprehensive inpatient hospice care, including symptom and pain management, comfort-focused care, 24/7 nursing and medical oversight, emotional and spiritual support, social work services, bereavement resources, and family education. The facility offers ten private rooms in a beautiful home-like setting along with living areas for family and patient comfort. This expansion strengthens the continuum of care already offered through Windber Hospice's home-based services and its hospital-based inpatient unit.

To ensure the success of this vital project, community support through donations and volunteering are essential. Your contributions will help us provide the high-quality care that our community deserves. More information on how to donate or volunteer can be found on https://www.windbercare.org.

The anticipated opening date is June 1, pending final approvals from Medicare and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. To prepare for reopening, a job and volunteer fair will be held on Wednesday, March 25 from 2-5 p.m. and Friday, March 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Windber Hospice at Somerset, located at 1474 N. Center Avenue in Somerset. Job postings will also be shared on Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber's website and social media channels.

About Windber Hospice
Windber Hospice at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber is a nonprofit, community-based hospice provider committed to delivering compassionate, holistic end-of-life care. Founded in 1977 by Dr. Earl Shope, Windber Hospice was the first hospice program in the state of Pennsylvania and the first rurally oriented hospice in the country. Windber Hospice offers inpatient care, home-based services, and bereavement support designed to meet patients and families wherever they choose to spend their time together.

About The Children's Aid Society Foundation
The Children's Aid Society Foundation's mission is to develop, grow, and distribute resources which will be used to support, guide, and enhance the lives of children and families in need. Through fundraising, partnerships, and community engagement, the Foundation provides financial resources that fund initiatives such as mental health support, educational programs, adoption and foster care services, youth development activities and residential programs that provide on-site housing for youth at the Children's Aid Home located on N. Center Ave. in Somerset, PA.

About Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber
Founded in 1906, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber (CSSMCW) is an independent, non-profit acute care hospital in northern Somerset County, bordering Cambria County. The 54-bed hospital shares a campus and collaborates with Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine at Windber (CSSIMMW), a private, non-profit biomedical research center. With more than 450 employees, CSSMCW is the fourth largest employer in Somerset County. CSSMCW's mission is to provide excellence in personalized, quality health care services through innovation, research and education in response to community needs. For more information visit www.windbercare.org.