Penn State Health is expanding pediatric specialty services at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center.
Pediatric surgeons from Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital, based at the system’s flagship Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, are offering presurgical appointments and performing general surgery and gastrointestinal surgical procedures at the Bern Township medical center.
Dr. Rob Ricca, right, a pediatric surgeon at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, traveled to Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center in Bern Township to perform a pediatric surgery Wednesday. (Courtesy of Jason Plotkin/Penn State Health)
“This expansion represents the best of both worlds for Berks County families,” Dr. Robert Ricca, chief of pediatric surgery at the Children’s Hospital, said in a release. “They will have access to the expertise of pediatric surgeons from Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital, backed by the compassionate, experienced pediatric care team at St. Joseph Medical Center.”
Following surgery, children needing inpatient care will be admitted to St. Joseph’s pediatric inpatient unit.
“We are pleased to welcome our colleagues from Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital and to work together to advance pediatric care in Berks County,” said Dr. Kimberly Wolf, vice president and chief medical officer of St. Joseph. “This collaboration ensures the highest quality of pediatric surgical care is available to families in our community.”