Penn Highlands center awaits state certification

Penn Highlands Healthcare is awaiting certification from the state Department of Health in order to open its new Clarion Community Medical Building along Holiday Inn Road, near Route 68 across from the Clarion Mall.

“We’re excited about getting it open,” said Dave Trudell, Penn Highland’s system director of marketing and communications. “We would like to be in there now, but we have to wait for the Department of Health’s certification.”

That certification could come soon, Trudell said, as all the required surveys and inspections have been completed.

“We don’t have a definite date (for opening to the public) yet,” he said. “It’s hard to predict. I haven’t been through this kind of certification process in other states where I have worked.”

Trudell acknowledged the opening of the state-of-the-art medical center is behind schedule from when Penn Highlands originally planned. When first announced, Penn Highlands officials hoped to open the center in May.

“There were a lot of issues with COVID,” he said.

The major medical equipment is in the building and has been reviewed by the Department of Health.

“The equipment has to be in there in order to be certified,” Trudell said.

Most of the staff needed for the new center has been hired.

“We hope to hear about the certification very soon and then we can set a date for opening,” Trudell reiterated.