Geisinger strengthens EMS access through Central Juniata EMS acquisition
This acquisition follows months of discussion and planning with community based EMS partners and local leaders. The process was initiated at the request of Juniata County EMS organizations facing increased demand, workforce challenges and growing complexity in patient care needs, including the rising cost and limited availability of ambulances and the need to keep pace with advanced, technology driven patient care.
“Across our communities, emergency medical services are under tremendous pressure,” said Dr. David Schoenwetter, D.O., division chief, Division of EMS, Geisinger. “By bringing Central Juniata EMS into Geisinger, we can ensure continuity of care for patients who rely on safe, timely emergency and non-emergency transportation.”
Demand for EMS services and the need for higher-level care have grown significantly in Juniata County and across central Pennsylvania. The acquisition allows Geisinger to more closely coordinate care from the field to the hospital, improving reliability and consistency of service for patients who depend on EMS every day. This decision reflects long-standing conversations among Geisinger, EMS partners and community leaders about how best to meet growing patient needs and create a sustainable model for EMS delivery in the region.
“Our goal is, to provide dependable, high-quality emergency and transport services for our patients while supporting the EMS professionals who serve this community every day,” Dr. Schoenwetter said.
“We’re pleased with this acquisition and new partnership with Geisinger,” said Steve Baumgardner, board president, CJEMS. “Partnering with Geisinger provides the stability and support we need to continue serving our community reliably and sustainably.”
The acquisition brings several benefits for patients, employees and the broader community, including a dependable, locally based ambulance and transport service supporting Geisinger Lewistown Hospital and surrounding communities; job stability and new career opportunities for EMS professionals, including competitive pay, comprehensive benefits and retirement programs; expanded EMS education and training opportunities to help grow and sustain the local workforce; and improved consistency of coverage for emergency and non-emergency services, reducing the risk of service interruptions.
Geisinger emphasized that the acquisition is intended to strengthen — not replace — the broader EMS ecosystem across central Pennsylvania.
“Geisinger recognizes and respects the vital contributions of all EMS providers serving Juniata County,” said Dr. Schoenwetter. “This acquisition is designed to complement existing services and support community-based EMS, not diminish the important role communities play in shaping and supporting emergency care.”
Transition efforts are underway to ensure seamless operations for patients, EMS staff and clinical teams. EMS transport begins at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital on May 3. Geisinger operations will officially begin at CJEMS in early July 2026.
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in rural and urban communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $9 billion in annual revenues across more than 130 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with 509,000+ enrollees in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 600 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,600 clinical research studies. With 28,000 employees, including 1,900 employed physicians and 5,400 registered nurses, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $18 billion on the state’s economy. In 2024, Geisinger joined Risant Health, a 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 and LinkedIn.
