Penn State Health expands pulmonary care with new aquisition

Penn State Health will acquire a pulmonary practice that will allow it to expand its lung disease and sleep disorder care to more of its facilities across the midstate.

Penn State Health announced the acquisition of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Associates (PCCMA) Friday for an undisclosed sum. PCCMA will merge with Penn State Health in March.

The Hershey-based health system plans to use PCCMA to offer care at Penn State Health’s outpatient facilities and at Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, which is under construction and scheduled for completion in 2021.

PCCMA operates clinics in Lemoyne and Carlisle and provides lung disease and sleep disorder care to patients at UPMC Pinnacle’s Harrisburg, Carlisle, West Shore and Memorial hospitals.

“Partnering with the largest independent pulmonary practice group in the state that has served so much of central Pennsylvania for decades is tremendous for Penn State Health, and for patients,” said Dr. Peter Dillon, executive vice president and chief clinical officer of Penn State Health.

PCCMA’s 65 employees, including 11 physicians and 10 physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses, will become Penn State Health employees when the agreement takes effect in March.

The pulmonary practice started in 1978 and offers treatments for COPD, asthma, lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. The providers at its sleep laboratory in Lemoyne evaluate and treat disorders like insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea.

“Penn State Health’s reputation and respect for PCCMA’s mission and culture will help make the transition easy for our staff and our patients,” said Dr. Richard Evans, CEO and president of PCCMA. “We look forward to partnering to expand access to high-level care while continuing to serve our community partners.”