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On March 18, 2022, Mount Nittany Health opened the expanded and modernized Joseph V. and Suzanne P. Paterno Women and Children's Services Unit located at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College. The largest unit of its kind in the region, the new Women and Children’s Services Unit combines state-of-the-art technology and clinical spaces with modern design and family-centered comforts that match Mount Nittany Health’s reputation for clinical excellence.
The state-of-the-art suite includes six new labor and delivery rooms, two triage rooms, an advanced technology surgical suite, and Level I and Level II nurseries. Mount Nittany Medical Center offers three dedicated pediatric hospitalists. The unit
also ensures the best birthing experience, offering eleven spacious all-private rooms, many with views of Mount Nittany, a lactation consulting area, and amenities for labor and delivery partners, for example sofas that convert to beds.
"The new unit is a warm and welcoming space, designed to be calming and relaxing," said Tiffany Cabbibo, Executive Vice President, Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Mount Nittany Health. "Our labor and delivery spaces now match the
high-quality and compassionate clinical care our patients have come to expect."
Mount Nittany Health was recently named a “Best Place for Maternity” by U.S. News & World Report, based on a review of 2,700 hospitals across the nation. High-performing hospitals had fewer newborn complications, fewer early deliveries,
and fewer C-sections compared with other hospitals.
"Our Women and Children's Services staff has a long legacy of clinical excellence, compassionate care and dedication in our region,” said Kathleen Rhine, President and CEO, Mount Nittany Health. “With a continuum of care that begins with
our highly skilled OB/GYN physicians and extends through labor and delivery, pediatric care, and a dedicated pediatric hospitalists program, we are thrilled to be the first choice of 1,300 families each year as they celebrate their most precious
moments. It’s wonderful to be recognized nationally for the excellence of our teams."
Additional features of the new maternity unit include two cozy family waiting areas with pod-style seating that enable families to be together, a counter area with electrical for device plug-in during long waits, and family support areas affording
respite and complementary refreshments.
"The beautiful family-centered design provides unmatched comfort with large, private spaces for families to feel comfortable and confident, knowing they’re receiving the best possible care,” shared Jessica Lewis, RN, Manager, women &
children's services unit.
The new unit is the culmination of a five-year plan that doubles its size and expands clinical services. The facility modernization is possible, in part, by contributions from generous community members to the Mount Nittany Health Foundation, including a naming gift by Joseph V. and Suzanne P. Paterno and family.
Top: Laurie Smeal, RNC, has cared for laboring moms for most of her 35-year career at Mount Nittany Health.
Bottom: Staff and Mount Nittany Health’s CEO Kathleen Rhine cutting the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the new unit on Friday, March 18, 2022.
