Guthrie Names Robert Packer Hospital, Towanda Campus Emergency Department in Honor of Community Donor And Details Renovation Project
Guthrie is thrilled to announce the naming of the Robert Packer Hospital, Towanda Campus Emergency Department in honor of a family deeply rooted in the community, and unveil plans for its expansion and renovation to further our goal of providing high-quality care to rural communities.
The Ferrario Emergency Department at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, Towanda Campus will undergo a transformative expansion and renovation, due in part to the generosity of Don and Robin Ferrario.
The Ferrario Family has been familiar to the Towanda community since 1969 when Don’s father, Bob purchased Perry Chevrolet of Wysox. He would go on to serve on the board of Towanda Memorial Hospital, now Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, Towanda Campus, including a term as chair.
Don followed a similar path, serving as a member of the Robert Packer Hospital Board and a Guthrie Trustee for many years. In 2021, he became a member of The Guthrie Clinic Board of Directors. Additionally, Don currently serves as the chair of the Guthrie Finance Committee.
Don and Robin have seen first-hand how vital it is for families to have quality care close to home. Their generosity will allow Guthrie to expand and strengthen emergency care, ensuring that essential care is available for the greater Towanda community when needed most.
“At some point, you have to give back to the places that brought you success in life. I’ve spent most of my life in the Towanda area. The hospital and Guthrie are so important to our community. We want the Towanda hospital to be there for the future,” said Don Ferrario. “It’s so important that Towanda continues to have a well-equipped and staffed emergency room.”
Over the next three years, more than $10 million will be invested in the Robert Packer Hospital, Towanda Campus.
$7 million will be spent on the renovation and expansion of the Towanda Campus Emergency Department, with more than $4 million coming from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). Guthrie will match that grant through community fundraising efforts, including a generous donation from the Ferrario Family. This project will accomplish the following goals:
- It will accommodate more than 10,000 annual visits.
- Footprint will be expanded to 5,200 square feet.
- Installation of state-of-the-art equipment
- Redesigned layout to create a more efficient and patient-centered environment by increasing the number of patient care areas from 6 to 10.
- Will include a flexible treatment room for diverse needs (pediatric patients, bariatric patients and behavioral health needs).
- A new corridor will be added so patients, visitors and staff can access department without having to travel through patient treatment areas.
- Separate decontamination unit will be added.
- Separate entrances for ambulances and pedestrians
Additionally, investments will be made to enhance Guthrie Emergency Medical Services (EMS) capabilities, which is increasingly more important given the rural communities for which Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, Towanda Campus is their closest option. In 2023, more than 4,800 ambulance calls and more than 3,500 non-emergency transports were provided, covering Guthrie’s service region and beyond. These numbers are expected to rise to more than 5,000 ambulance calls and 4,300 non-emergency transports this year. Guthrie EMS has experienced a 19% increase in demand over the past several years both for external emergency response and intra-facility transport for Guthrie. Project expenses would include a new ambulance shelter and new ambulance, as well as equipment upgrades to ensure Guthrie can continue to provide the following EMS services:
- Transport to/from any hospital, nursing facility, personal care home, doctor appointments, dentist appointments, and return trips home.
- On duty 24-hours a day to respond to pre-hospital medical or trauma-related emergencies.
- Provide both basic and advanced levels of care to the residents of Guthrie’s service region.
Guthrie understands the unique challenges rural communities face in accessing health care and stands in the gap, working tirelessly to ensure that high-quality care is available close to home. By integrating the latest technology and advanced practices, we are not only expanding our physical space but transforming how emergency care is delivered.
“Guthrie’s vision for the future extends beyond this expansion,” said Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, President and CEO, The Guthrie Clinic. “Our goal is to establish a model for rural health care, where every individual has access to the highest quality care. We are profoundly grateful for the generous support of Don and Robin Ferrario which allows Guthrie to elevate the level of care we can provide, particularly in enhancing emergency services. This project is a step toward realizing that vision, ensuring that our community is well-prepared for the demands of the future.”
The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit multispecialty health system integrating clinical and hospital care along with research and education. Headquartered in Sayre, Pennsylvania, The Guthrie Clinic stands as one of the nation’s longest established group practices, founded in 1910 by the visionary Dr. Donald Guthrie. The organization’s patient-centered approach revolves around a clinically-integrated network of employed providers. Among The Guthrie Clinic’s more than 9,000 caregivers are close to 1,000 highly skilled physicians and advanced practice providers representing the spectrum of medical Specialties and sub-specialties. Situated across 10,000 square miles in northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York, The Guthrie Clinic’s comprehensive six hospital campuses also encompass an expansive network of outpatient facilities across 13 counties. Post-acute care includes acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, personal care home, home care and hospice services, completing the continuum of care. With a commitment to shaping the future of health care, the organization offers eleven residencies and five fellowships, serving as a training ground for the next generation of leaders in the field.
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