Windber Hospice at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber celebrated the reopening of the Somerset inpatient hospice facility today with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by community leaders, healthcare representatives, supporters, and members of the Children’s Aid Society Foundation.
The facility, originally established in 2009, will once again provide compassionate inpatient hospice care in a comfortable, home-like setting for patients and families throughout Somerset County and the surrounding region. The facility is expected to begin welcoming patients in the coming weeks, pending final approvals from Medicare and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The ribbon cutting marked an important milestone in restoring a service many community members deeply missed following the facility’s closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Windber Hospice has continued providing hospice care to Somerset County patients and families through home-based and other services, and the reopening expands those offerings by reintroducing a local inpatient option for patients who require additional support.
CSSMCW CEO Richard Sukenik recognized the partnership and community support that made the reopening possible.
“We are grateful to the Children’s Aid Society Foundation, the Wheeler family, and the many supporters who helped bring this project to life,” Sukenik said. “This reopening restores an important resource for families who need compassionate care close to home and reflects our continued commitment to providing patient-centered care throughout our region.”
During the ceremony, Hospice Medical Director Dr. Kelly Warshel spoke about the importance of accessible inpatient hospice care and the impact the facility will have on patients and families throughout the region.
“The availability of local inpatient hospice care provides families with comfort, support, and specialized symptom management when needs become too great to manage at home,” said Dr. Warshel. “Having this option available within the community is incredibly meaningful for both patients and their loved ones.”
Windber Hospice at Somerset features ten private patient rooms, welcoming family spaces, and comprehensive inpatient hospice services including symptom and pain management, 24/7 nursing and medical oversight, emotional and spiritual support, social work services, bereavement resources, and family education.
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, community members toured the facility during a public open house and had the opportunity to learn more about available services, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support Windber Hospice’s mission in Somerset County.