Joan Hawbaker Brower’s roots in Centre County run deep. Her story is not only a reflection of the region’s growth but also closely entwined with the evolution of Mount Nittany Health. From the health system’s early days as a small local facility to its development into a regional healthcare system, Joan’s commitment and presence have always been there. Together, they have become cornerstones of the community.
A longtime resident of Centre County, Joan recently made a transformative gift to Mount Nittany Medical Center, naming the surgical waiting area in the new Patient Tower. Her gift is more than an act of generosity—it’s a deeply personal tribute to the health system that has played such a meaningful role in her life and the lives of those she loves. It’s also a gesture of hope for future generations who will rely on high-quality, compassionate care close to home.
Known as a local historian and vintage postcard collector, Joan and her family’s story is interwoven with that of the community itself. In 1944, Joan’s family temporarily relocated to State College to help address a wartime housing shortage by constructing homes for employees of the Navy’s Ordinance Research Laboratory (ORL). The request for construction assistance originated from Eric Walker, who joined what was then Pennsylvania State College—now known as Penn State—after coming from Harvard. Bringing 80 families with him, he established ORL where he became director. At ORL, he led groundbreaking research in underwater acoustics in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, while also serving as head of the university’s electrical engineering department. In 1951, he was appointed dean of engineering and went on to serve as president of Penn State from 1956 to 1970. Recognizing the value of J. Alvin Hawbaker’s wartime construction experience, Walker personally reached out to him for support. Today, ORL is known as the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL).
At that time, Joan’s family rented a room and office on South Allen Street for just seven dollars a week. Housing was extremely limited in the small town of State College, and all shopping was centered in the downtown area. There were no housing developments or shopping centers, and the hospital was located in Bellefonte. Eighty years later, the transformation of the town, university, and medical center is truly remarkable. “Back then, things were slow to grow in State College until after the war,” Joan recalls. “But the hospital was always there. It was a constant. I’ve grown with the town, and the hospital has, too.”
Over the years, Joan actively participated in numerous initiatives through the Centre County Women’s Auxiliary. She served on various committees, including Mount Nittany Health Foundation’s Charity Ball Committee, as well as organizing antique shows and home tours during the 1970s. Her legacy of service extends through her family: her late husband, Ralph Brower, and daughter, Melissa Brower of Kissinger Bigatel & Brower Realtors, both contributed many years of service as members of the Mount Nittany Health Foundation’s Golf Classic Committee. Her daughter, Melissa, also dedicated time volunteering at the hospital during her high school years.
Throughout the decades, Joan’s experiences with Mount Nittany Health have been both personal and profound. “My children were born in the Bellefonte hospital, and I volunteered in the surgical waiting room starting in the ‘60s.” Her role as a volunteer eventually merged with her personal life, as she found herself on the other side of the waiting room—first as a daughter, then a wife, and later, as a patient herself. Her late husband, Ralph, who died in 2015, also experienced frequent hospitalizations and moves between care facilities. “I spent a decade going in and out of nursing homes and various hospitals for his medical care,” she recalls.
Her connection to Mount Nittany Health also includes memories of her mother’s care at the hospital and emergency airlift to Danville, and more recently, her own harrowing experience with a brain bleed and an ambulance ride to Danville. Joan has seen the health system from every angle. Through it all, one truth stands out for her: local care matters.
That’s why, when she considered how to give back, the new surgical waiting area felt like the natural place for her support. She hopes that her gift inspires others to support Mount Nittany Health. “I’ve been here since the beginning,” Joan says. “My family has grown here, and now I want to grow it for others to appreciate. That’s why I give.”
Joan’s gift will support a modernized surgical waiting area in the new Patient Tower, providing a calming space with ample seating, Wi-Fi access, and informational resources to keep families informed during procedures. The environment prioritizes comfort and ease, reflecting our overall commitment to patient and family care. Her generosity enhances not only the environment but the experience of care for countless patients and loved ones. “I’ve sat with families, helped bring them back to rooms,” recalling her time as a volunteer in the surgical waiting room. That’s where you’re waiting for news from the surgeon. I wanted to help improve that space for the next generation.”
Joan’s generosity extends well beyond her support of the new Patient Tower. She has previously contributed to several key initiatives at Mount Nittany Health, including the Cardiovascular Pavilion and Women and Children’s Unit renovations, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Centre County, and more.
Joan’s advocacy for Mount Nittany Health is as passionate as her philanthropy. “I can’t think of anything more important than the health of our families,” she says.
For Joan, her values—family, service, and community—form the foundation of her giving. Her vision is clear: a health system that keeps loved ones close in times of need, and that can grow alongside the community it serves.
“Joan’s generosity speaks to a deep commitment to our community,” said Kathleen Rhine, President and CEO of Mount Nittany Health. “It will play a vital role in shaping the future of Mount Nittany Health. Her legacy will continue to touch lives for generations, and we are profoundly grateful for her visionary support.”
Adrienne Krasowitz, Executive Director of Mount Nittany Health Foundation, reflected on Joan’s long history in the community. “Joan and her family have been pillars of this community for generations,” she said. “Her remarkable gift will help bring the new Patient Tower to life—a lasting tribute to a family deeply committed to the well-being of others.”
Joan’s message to others considering a gift is simple and powerful: “I want to grow this hospital in any way that I can, that’s what this community deserves,” Joan says. “I want people to be able to stay here for their health care.”
Donors like Joan make an extraordinary impact at Mount Nittany Health. Their generosity helps expand access to high-quality care, improve facilities, and ensure that every patient and family experiences comfort and dignity during their most vulnerable moments. From advanced technology to welcoming spaces for healing, philanthropic support plays a critical role in shaping the future of healthcare in our region.
Every gift, large or small, contributes to Mount Nittany Health’s mission of “Healthier People, Stronger Community.” To join Joan in making an impact, please visit mountnittany.org/donate or contact Mount Nittany Health Foundation at 814.234.6777. With your support, we can ensure that exceptional care remains close to home for generations to come.