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Lansdale, PA (November 5, 2008)-Today leaders of Abington Memorial Hospital unveiled a new name for the former Central Montgomery Medical Center (CMMC) as they confirmed that the purchase of the hospital was completed on October 31, 2008.
Richard L. Jones, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Abington Memorial Hospital, said, "After careful deliberation and with input from physicians, employees and key stakeholders at CMMC, the hospital has been named Lansdale Hospital and will become a part of Abington Health, bringing all the Abington facilities under a new umbrella. This new name best reflects the location of the hospital and its role in serving the community, but also makes the important connection to Abington Memorial Hospital."
Gary Candia, Ph.D., senior vice president, Professional and Support Services, at Abington Memorial Hospital, has been appointed chief executive officer of the newly acquired hospital. Katie Farrell, executive director, Abington Health Center-Warminster Campus, will serve as chief operating officer. Candia and Farrell will join with the Lansdale Hospital's existing management team and medical staff to plan future programs and services.
In the short term, Candia and his team will focus on ensuring a smooth transition for both patients and staff while they continue to develop a longer range plan for the campus.
"Plans are underway for the expansion of surgical services and growing the inpatient services. Additionally, strengthening and adding to outpatient services in general will be a priority," Candia noted.
A thorough assessment of the obstetrical service, however, made it clear that maternity patients could best be served by consolidating the Lansdale Hospital birthing service to Abington Memorial Hospital. The obstetrical service at CMMC reported little more than one birth per day or fewer than 400 deliveries per year.
"In the current health care environment, a maternity program as small as Lansdale Hospital's is not considered viable since it cannot support the many other services that a full scale obstetrical program requires, such as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and perinatology support for high-risk pregnancies. All of these services are available at Abington," Candia explained. "Therefore, we will be closing the obstetrical unit effective February 1, 2009."
Lansdale Hospital obstetrical nurses will have the option of being assigned to other areas of the hospital or applying for positions in labor and delivery, or elsewhere, at AMH. A total of 18 full and part time employees will be affected by the change.
"We recognize the difficulties caused by consolidation of this service and are inviting the Lansdale Hospital ob/gyn physicians to apply for full staff privileges at AMH. We welcome the opportunity to care for their obstetrics patients and will join with them to develop a plan that enables them to remain in their current offices and continue to provide prenatal and gynecological care for women locally.
"In addition, we have notified the neighboring hospitals—Grand View, Doylestown and Mercy Suburban—and understand that they can handle additional maternity volume should Lansdale Hospital patients decide to deliver their babies at those hospitals," Candia added. "We hope that women will continue to receive their prenatal care right in their neighborhood."
In commenting on the acquisition of the hospital, Candia stated, "We are working with a fine facility, a talented medical staff and a great community, and we are all very excited about the many possibilities for enhanced services and growth moving forward."
About Lansdale Hospital
Lansdale Hospital is a 125-bed, acute care general hospital that provides a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. The facility includes a 24-hour Emergency Department, a 13-bed Acute Rehabilitation Unit, a Sleep Care Unit and a Wound Care Center. Owned and operated by Abington Memorial Hospital, Lansdale Hospital has more than 700 employees and a staff of more than 300 active physicians.
About Abington Memorial Hospital
Abington Memorial Hospital is a 570-bed, acute care teaching hospital with a medical staff of more than 900 physicians and more than 5,000 employees. These professionals provide medical care and health services to residents of Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. A regional provider, Abington Memorial Hospital has the only Level II accredited trauma center in Montgomery County and offers highly specialized services in cardiac care, cancer care, neurosciences, orthopedics and maternal child health.
Lansdale Hospital is pleased to offer an advanced, multi-disciplinary bariatric program designed to help patients achieve exceptional outcomes. These include dramatic weight loss and improvement of other conditions — diabetes, hypertension, acid reflux, sleep apnea, arthritis, back pain and more.
