Effective 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, ownership of Holy Spirit Health System will transfer from Geisinger to Penn State Health. The transfer of ownership of the Camp Hill-based health system includes a 306-bed hospital and 28 outpatient locations across four counties.

“The transition of Holy Spirit into Penn State Health brings together two well-known and respected Central Pennsylvania health care organizations for the benefit of our region,” said Penn State Health CEO Steve Massini. “It strengthens health care choices, preserves continuity of care for Holy Spirit patients and retains the system’s talented and experienced health care workforce.”

“Holy Spirit has a longstanding tradition of quality, compassionate, faith-based care, and we are confident this will continue under Penn State Health’s stewardship,” said Dr. Jaewon Ryu, Geisinger’s president and CEO. “We firmly believe that this is the best path forward for all parties and most importantly for the communities within the Greater Harrisburg region that are served by the Holy Spirit team.”

Geisinger will remain active in the Harrisburg region through Geisinger Health Plan and continue to offer coverage options through its Medicare Advantage, CHIP and commercial group and individual health insurance plans. The transaction has no impact on the coverage and benefits of current Geisinger Health Plan members in south central Pennsylvania.

Penn State Health’s acquisition of Holy Spirit builds upon the university health system’s increasing commitment to expand health care services and access to care in one of Pennsylvania’s fastest growing regions. Next year, Penn State Health is scheduled to open its new Hampden Medical Center, a 110-bed adult hospital in Hampden Township, Cumberland County. Construction remains on schedule.

Penn State Health also is building a new primary care location at the intersection of Route 114 and Market Street in Upper Allen Township, just south of Mechanicsburg. The 10,000-square-foot Penn State Health Medical Group practice will include 12 exam rooms and additional clinical support space for a team of four primary care providers and around a dozen support staff. In March, Penn State Health acquired Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Associates, which cares for more than 24,000 patients annually and includes 10 physicians, nine advance practice providers, and practices in Lemoyne and Carlisle. In September 2018, Andrews Patel Hematology/Oncology, a 10-physician cancer care practice with locations in Harrisburg and Camp Hill, joined Penn State Health.

In acquiring Holy Spirit, Penn State Health committed to honoring the hospital’s long-held Catholic affiliation just as it has done with Berks County-based St. Joseph Medical Center, which it acquired in July 2015.

“Teams of dedicated professionals have been working together for many months to plan a smooth transition. From day one we expect to provide the patients and families we serve at Holy Spirit facilities with excellent and compassionate care,” Massini said. “This is an exciting new chapter for both Holy Spirit and Penn State Health. Together we’re committed to improving the future of health care for the people of our region.”