Geisinger to open 65 Forward Health Center in Centre County
Geisinger 65 Forward is designed to meet the health needs of those age 65 and older, with the goal of keeping members healthy and out of the hospital. At Geisinger 65 Forward, members can have longer appointments with their doctor — up to 60 minutes — and have access to same-day appointments, on-site lab services, and fitness and wellness activities.
Construction of the new center is underway at 293 Patriot Lane in the Trader Joe’s Plaza, in the former site of the GAP Factory Outlet. The facility is planned to open in October.
The health needs of those age 65 and up are all addressed under one roof at Geisinger 65 Forward. The program’s primary care physicians see a maximum of 450 patients, compared to the national average of 1,400 patients per primary care physician. In addition to their physician, members have access to a team of health care professionals, including nurses, nutritionists, social workers, wellness coordinators and a personal health care advocate.
“We’re continuing to expand this program to make it easier for our neighbors who are 65 and older to live healthier lives,” said Jonathan Welch, M.D., Geisinger chief medical officer for population initiatives. “We see how much our patients enjoy longer appointments and the convenience of having so many medical services in one location. Couple these with the wellness and social activities, and it’s a winning combination to provide better care.”
Whether it’s visiting the doctor, taking an exercise class or participating in social events, 65 Forward provides a “one-stop shop” for health care by focusing on convenience and offering specialized care. The program is available to Geisinger Gold (Medicare Advantage) members.
Anyone interested in learning more about Geisinger 65 Forward, touring the facility once opened, or enrolling can call 814-272-6770 or visit geisinger.org/ForwardNewsStateCollege to learn more.
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the non-profit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 134 care sites - including 10 hospital campuses, and Geisinger Health Plan, with 600,000 members in commercial and government plans. The Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $14 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
