UPMC Passavant Marks 175 Years as Advanced Healthcare Hub
Celebrating its 175-year history, including 60 years located in Pittsburgh’s North Hills, UPMC Passavant has grown into an advanced health care destination for people in northern Allegheny County, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and surrounding communities. Today, employees and local leaders celebrated UPMC Passavant’s history and realization as an advanced tertiary care and specialty services hub for the northern Pittsburgh region.
“We are delivering a re-imagined model of care that brings the nationally recognized specialty health care services of UPMC closer to home for more people across our communities,” said Susan Hoolahan, president, UPMC Passavant. “We’ve created a new, local pathway to our signature specialty services for Pittsburgh’s northern communities and beyond.”
The $35 million Specialty Pavilion at UPMC Passavant, which opened in 2023 after five years of development and construction, brings together the best-in-class specialty care of UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute under a single roof in the North Hills.
“We’ve brought our vision to life. We evaluated our communities’ needs, prioritized our resources and responded to provide the best care for the people we serve,” said Hoolahan. “We are proud that U.S. News and World Report ranks UPMC Passavant as the number two hospital in Pittsburgh, just behind UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside, a recognition that reflects the exceptional care provided by our extraordinary doctors, nurses and staff who truly define world-class caring.”
Tuesday’s event included comments by a patient, Beaver County resident Nancy Barton, who shared the story of her life-changing care at UPMC Passavant. Diagnosed with lung cancer, Barton underwent a minimally invasive procedure using a first-of-its-kind injectable dye that illuminated the cancer spots on her lungs. Barton commented that, today, she is enjoying life and grateful for her care at UPMC Passavant.
Founded 175 years ago as the Pittsburgh Infirmary, UPMC Passavant first opened its doors in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1849. Then, 60 years ago, the North Hills community recognized the need for a hospital in northern Pittsburgh and dedicated fundraising efforts to bring the hospital north. In 1997, North Hills Passavant Hospital became a part of UPMC. And in 2002, St. Francis Hospital, in neighboring Cranberry Township, affiliated with UPMC, becoming an integral part UPMC Passavant’s care delivery network for the north.
“It’s been a real privilege watching UPMC Passavant grow over the years, responding to the needs of the community,” said Joel Yuhas, executive vice president, UPMC, and president, UPMC Health Services Division. “UPMC Passavant’s accomplishments and its passion to improve the health of its communities have cemented its longevity, its legacy and its reputation as the place you choose to receive a life-changing experience.”
In fiscal year 2023, UPMC Passavant contributed $34 million in community benefits and dedicated $23 million of that amount to care for those without means to pay. Beyond investments within the walls of UPMC Passavant-McCandless and UPMC Passavant-Cranberry hospitals, UPMC Passavant’s annual economic impact to the region is $888 million.
Over the past five years, UPMC has invested to open and expand convenient UPMC outpatient and specialty care centers in Cranberry Township, Hampton Township, Sewickley, Moon Township and Wexford. These additions, including embedding UPMC Children’s Express Care and UPMC Magee-Womens Specialty Services inside the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township have elevated local access to primary and specialty care across Pittsburgh’s northern communities.
To celebrate 175 years of community service, UPMC Passavant and Passavant Hospital Foundation will host a Healthy Living Fair on Wednesday, June 26. The event will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. at the UPMC Passavant-McCandless campus. It will include health screenings, information from various UPMC Passavant services, refreshments, giveaways, walk-in mammograms and an opportunity to meet UPMC Passavant therapy dogs. Registration is not required.