WellSpan is growing its presence in Lancaster

A new outpatient surgical center will open in Lancaster next summer. 

WellSpan Health is building a 34,000-square-foot surgery center in CityGate Corporate Center on Erick Road to meet the growing demand for health care services, WellSpan said. 

In addition, WellSpan announced Thursday it is expanding its digestive health services and building an outpatient endoscopy center in Brownstown. 

“Our strategy in developing a value-based care model at WellSpan is focused on providing such surgical and digestive health services in these outpatient settings that will both improve quality outcomes and lower costs for our patients,” said James Stuccio, senior vice president of WellSpan Health’s east region. “With these new locations, we’ll be able to meet and treat patients where they are, by providing a level of convenience that will be matched by a strong patient experience in such state-of-the-art facilities.” 

Outpatient surgeries in Lancaster County are currently performed at WellSpan Ephrata Hospital, which is at capacity. Stuccio said this center will provide more convenient access to WellSpan patients living in Lancaster. 

“I can feel the excitement in the air,” he told a crowd of about 50 people at the official groundbreaking Thursday. 

The three-story surgical center will have an ambulatory surgical center, diagnostics and physician offices on the top two floors and a parking garage on the first level.  

The Brownstown facility at 4150 Barrett Blvd., is slated to open in the spring of 2024, Stuccio said. The gastroenterology outpatient procedures will “raise the bar” on outpatient care, he said. 

“We know from data we’ve collected that when people have surgery in an outpatient setting, which they prefer to hospitals, they have an equal or higher quality patient experience and lower costs,” Stuccio said. “That’s what we call the WellSpan Value Proposition.” 

“Performing a surgery in an outpatient surgery center often costs 45% to 60% less than in a hospital and in a setting that typically tends to have better patient safety results, according to the CDC,” said Dr. David Gasperack, vice president and regional chief medical officer, WellSpan Health. “That increases affordability coupled with localized, high-quality care makes this a win-win for patients.” 

The new facilities further WellSpan’s expansion into Lancaster County. Earlier this year, WellSpan EMS partnered with Christiana Community Ambulance Association to provide emergency transport and expanded its WellFllight air ambulance fleet by stationing a helicopter at a new base at Stevens Fire Company in East Cocalico Township.  

“WellSpan Health is committed to ensuring our neighbors that call Lancaster County home have accessible and exceptional care,” Stuccio said.