COUDERSPORT, Pa (MARCH 5, 2018)—Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017, Cole Memorial is set for another historic year as it became UPMC Cole on March 1, 2018. After a decade-long relationship with UPMC Hamot, Cole Memorial, now UPMC Cole, officially becomes part of the growing Pittsburgh-based UPMC health system, which also has tertiary hospitals in Erie, Altoona, Williamsport, and Harrisburg.
“UPMC Cole will be part of a large, growing health system, a world-renowned research center, and expanding network of physicians and hospitals working together to provide seamless care for patients,” said Ed Pitchford, president and chief executive officer of UPMC Cole. “We share a common vision with UPMC to optimize the health of individuals and communities. Together, we're making great strides and we look forward to future partnerships and innovation."
UPMC Cole will continue to be supported by its local Board of Directors and a new partnership with UPMC Susquehanna, based in Lycoming County.
“Today marks a new era of health care for Potter County and the surrounding region as UPMC Cole joins a family of hospitals committed to advancing care and growing services locally,” said Steven P. Johnson, president, UPMC Susquehanna. “As a pre-eminent academic medical center and insurer, UPMC brings great resources to elevate health care and innovation in our rural communities. UPMC Susquehanna is proud to move forward together with UPMC Cole to provide advanced and compassionate care to northcentral Pennsylvania.”
The Cole Foundation will continue in its current form with donations staying local to support health care services in the communities UPMC Cole serves.
“UPMC and Cole Memorial have the same commitment to patient-focused clinical excellence, and for nearly 10 years, we have partnered through UPMC Hamot in Erie to provide cardiology and shared education services in this region,” said Leslie Davis, senior vice president of UPMC, and executive vice president and chief operating officer of UPMC’s Health Services Division. “We look forward to extending and growing UPMC’s innovative resources in Potter County to keep high-quality affordable care locally accessible and close to home for our patients.”
