N.Y. hospital joins UPMC network

Health giant adds its first facility outside Pa.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

WCA Hospital in Jamestown, N.Y. is now officially part of the wider UPMC network, the first hospital outside of Pennsylvania to join the Pittsburgh-based health giant’s network.

Officials announced the deal’s Dec. 1 completion on Friday afternoon. The hospital, which has partnered with UPMC Hamot in Erie since 2012, has been renamed UPMC Chautauqua WCA.

As part of the agreement, UPMC has committed to investing at least $25 million at the 317bed acute care community hospital over the next 10 years as well as cover WCA’s debt and pension obligations.

“This is a big win for our community,” said Steve Kilburn, chair of the WCA Hospital board of directors, in a release.

“At a time when hospitals across New York State are challenged with unprecedented pressures, our local hospital has joined a world-class healthcare system.”

With the addition of the Jamestown hospital, UPMC has extended the network’s reach north from its Pittsburgh headquarters for a second time in eight weeks after acquiring Susquehanna Health in Williamsport in October.

Combined with UPMC Hamot, it also strengthens UPMC’s presence in the Erie region. “We are now positioned to become stronger than ever,” said Betsy Wright, president and CEO for UPMC Chatauqua WCA.

While WCA and UPMC Hamot had been working together for years, the integration into the UPMC network of more than 20 hospitals was nearly a year in the making.

UPMC and WCA signed an affiliation agreement Dec. 17, but then spent months waiting as the deal underwent regulatory review by the New York State Health Department. State approval came in June and officials then worked to complete the logistical work of bringing the two organizations together.

In the release, UPMC Senior Vice President Leslie Davis said, “We are pleased to welcome WCA into the UPMC network because WCA leaders have long shared our vision and commitment to extend UPMC’s advanced clinical excellence to residents of this region and compassionately deliver that care close to home.”

The Jamestown hospital was first chartered in 1885 as Woman’s Christian Association of Jamestown then incorporated as WCA Hospital in 1907.