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In 1891, Hazleton General Hospital was established to care for coal miners of the region. In 1996, the hospital became part of the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance (GHHA), which also includes a health and wellness center, health care providers and services. Today, GHHA is officially Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). The announcement was made in Hazleton by health network leaders.
In recent years, the organizations developed many partnerships, including MI Alert for heart attacks, emergency department partnerships and telehealth partnerships. They also shared a commitment to providing high-quality, low-cost care. Now these two organizations share one brand.
Today’s event included the unveiling of a new logo and the announcement of the following changes:
- Greater Hazleton Health Alliance is now Lehigh Valley Health Network.
- Hazleton General Hospital is now Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton.
- The Alliance Medical Group (a group of health care providers) will soon become Lehigh Valley Physician Group–Hazleton.
- Home Care is now Lehigh Valley Home Care–Hazleton.
- The Hazleton Health & Wellness Center is now the Health & Wellness Center at Hazleton.
- Medical Imaging of Lehigh Valley is providing diagnostic imaging services at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton and the Health & Wellness Center at Hazleton.
- LVHN–MedEvac is now based at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton instead of nearby Weatherly, Pa.
Many more changes will take place over the next 12 months as both organizations become fully integrated.
The merger marks a major step forward in the health network’s continuing effort to lower health care costs and improve quality. As part of the merger, Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton will become part of AllSpire Health Partners, LVHN’s alliance with six other health systems in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, representing more than 25 different hospitals. AllSpire will help the health network lower costs through group purchasing and allow systems to share best practices to enhance the quality of care and better manage the health of the community.
Today’s announcements were made by Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton board Chairman Tom Kennedy, LVHN President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ron Swinfard, MD, retiring President and CEO Jim Edwards, interim Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton President John Fletcher and Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton medical staff president Anthony Veglia, MD.
“We at Lehigh Valley Health Network have admired the work of everyone in Hazleton for quite a few years,” said Swinfard, who commended caregivers for their steadfast commitment to provide high-quality, low-cost care for the people of the Hazleton area. Fletcher added, “Both our organizations realize that our successes are due to our employees.”
A reception was held after today’s announcements that gave Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton’s employees an opportunity to meet LVHN leaders.
Tomorrow, you can return to Lehigh Valley Health News for even more coverage of today’s event. You’ll be able to watch a video of the news conference, see a photo gallery of the day’s festivities and read stories of the people who attended. On Jan. 16, a new video will be posted here that captures the energy and excitement of this monumental day in LVHN’s history.
See media coverage of the event:
- GHHA/LVHN Hospital Merger -- SSPTV/News 13
- Video from WYLN-TV 35
That enthusiasm felt by all LVHN colleagues was captured in video taken throughout the celebration day. The camera crew tagged along as new Hazleton colleagues exchanged greetings with LVHN leadership, received LVHN logo pins and talked about what this merger means for the community. Watch the video and experience the excitement and energy for yourself. The two-and-a-half-minute feature provides an inside look at great moments from the celebration and inspires us to move medicine forward in the Greater Hazleton area.