Care where it’s needed: Geisinger’s western region

In the westernmost part of Geisinger’s footprint, Mifflin, Centre, Juniata and Huntingdon counties are defined by wide-open farmland, small towns and close-knit communities.

The region is home to one of the state’s largest Amish and Mennonite populations, alongside long-established families and growing retiree communities who value self-reliance, local connections and care that respects tradition.

At the same time, rural life brings distinct healthcare challenges. Rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, certain cancers and heart disease are higher than in some urban areas. Without specialty care nearby, early intervention is more difficult. Opioid misuse and overdose continue to impact families, while transportation barriers and healthcare workforce shortages often mean traveling long distances for care.

Local access to comprehensive, high-quality healthcare isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. Geisinger’s presence in the region brings advanced services, education and preventive care close to home, strengthening communities.

Over the years, a quiet transformation has yielded powerful results: Nationally recognized hospital care in Lewistown. Expanded specialty services in State College. Better access for Bellefonte residents. Geisinger is setting the standard for care in rural and small town America.

Small-town feel, national-level care

Since joining Geisinger in 2013, Geisinger Lewistown Hospital has grown from a respected community facility into a regional hub for advanced, patient-centered care. Today, it stands out not only for what it offers locally, but for how consistently it delivers care that meets — and often exceeds — national benchmarks.

• “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group every quarter since 2019, reflecting rigorous standards in patient safety and error prevention.
• 5-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a distinction maintained since 2021 and shared by only a small percentage of hospitals nationwide.
• Named to the inaugural Forbes Top Hospitals list, acknowledging strong clinical outcomes, patient experience and overall value.
• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Hospital.
• Designated a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by the Chartis Center for Rural Health.

Investing in care and the patient experience

• A newly opened inpatient unit marks a major step forward in the hospital’s transition to private patient rooms. Quieter spaces, greater privacy, reduced infection risk and environments designed for rest and recovery. Upgraded technology and improved layouts support comfort and care delivery.
• National recognition for infection prevention, including a zero rate of hospital-onset MRSA infections reported in recent CMS data.

Advanced care, close to home

• Primary stroke designation with Gold Plus recognition from the American Heart Association’s Get with the Guidelines^® program, along with tele stroke services that connect emergency teams with neurology specialists instantly.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction^® Center for Specialty Care recognizes high-quality orthopaedic surgeries like knee and hip replacements, highlights strong clinical outcomes, including fewer complications and readmissions, and recognizes a commitment to patient-centered orthopaedic care.
• Expanded obstetric care is another point of pride, with midwifery services, updated labor and delivery spaces, and teleNICU capabilities that allow newborns to be evaluated and supported virtually by specialists at Geisinger Medical Center when needed — an important safeguard in a rural region.

Growing the next generation of caregivers

Education is a central part of Geisinger’s Lewistown campus and a key investment in the region’s long-term health. Family medicine residency and pharmacy residency programs help grow the local healthcare workforce while strengthening care delivery for the community.

A cornerstone of that effort is the Geisinger School of Nursing, located in a newly renovated building in the heart of Lewistown. The school grants an Associate Degree in Nursing and provides hands-on education that prepares students to care for patients in rural and community-based settings. For Lewistown and the surrounding area, the school represents both opportunity and continuity — training caregivers who are likely to live, work and serve in the region they call home.

Beyond the hospital: Specialty and walk-in care

Centre County residents are benefiting from expanded access to specialty and outpatient services after improvements to Geisinger Healthplex State College.

• Redesigned pediatrics area with child-friendly spaces and separate “well” and “sick” waiting areas to improve comfort and reduce the spread of germs.
• Orthopaedics expansion has nearly tripled patient capacity while supporting advanced technology, including a Mako robotic arm for joint replacement surgeries that allows surgeons to plan procedures using virtual 3D models for highly precise care.

A new ConvenientCare walk-in clinic in Bellefonte has improved access for minor medical needs. Open 7 days a week with extended evening and weekend hours, the clinic includes 6 exam rooms staffed by 3 practitioners and does not require appointments.

The clinic is part of Geisinger Bellefonte, which relocated to Buckaroo Lane in November 2024, consolidating urgent care, primary care, imaging and lab services into one location.

Care that supports the community

Across Lewistown, State College and Bellefonte, Geisinger’s investments reflect an understanding of what rural communities need most: reliable access, advanced care, and healthcare providers who are part of the community itself.

Together, these efforts translate into shorter wait times, improved outcomes and compassionate care that meets patients where they are — reinforcing the role of healthcare as both a service and a community partner in Geisinger’s westernmost region.