About the Center

History

HistoryIntro

On July 8, 1902, the Bellefonte Hospital was incorporated in a frame house with six patient beds. Continual growth led to a number of building and expansion programs and a name change to Centre County Hospital in 1924 and then to Centre Community Hospital in 1971.

Mary LockeTo meet increasing demand for services, a new hospital building, known as the Mountainview Unit, was opened July 26, 1972 in State College. The Bellefonte Hospital (called the Willowbank Unit) and the Mountainview Unit both operated until 1978 when Willowbank was closed.

Major construction projects were completed in 1980 (South Wing), 1984 (Health Services Wing), 1989 (Branigan Wing - ED) and 1993 (expansion and renovation). The Centre Medical Sciences building opened in 1994 and the Centre Community Surgical Center began operation there. During 1996-97 major additions included a new Birthing Center, new Transitional Care Unit, Laboratory expansion and Operating Suite renovation.

An affiliation between Centre Community Hospital, Penn State's Hershey Medical Center and Lehigh Valley Hospital created the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute in September 2000. New President and CEO Thomas J. Murray took the helm September 4, 2001.

On November 6, 2003, Centre Community Hospital's name was changed to Mount Nittany Medical Center to more accurately represent the organization's progress and vision of becoming a medical center of choice.

Today, Mount Nittany Medical Center has emerged as a regional medical center growing in scope and prominence, focused on its singular mission to provide superior care to the communities it serves.

Historical Highlights

Mount Nittany Medical Center's history spans more than a century of serving the healthcare needs of the central Pennsylvania region:

1902 FoundingFounded as a six-bed community hospital in nearby Bellefonte.
1924 Named Centre County HospitalContinual growth led to a number of buildings, expansion and a name change to Centre County Hospital.
1971 Named Centre Community HospitalThe hospital was renamed Centre Community Hospital.
1972 Mountainview Unit OpenedTo meet increasing demand for services, a new facility, referred to as the Mountainview Unit, was opened in State College. The Bellefonte facility was renamed the Willowbank Unit.
1978 Bellefonte Location ClosesTo better serve its patients, the Bellefonte location closed and services consolidated at the Mountainview Unit.
2000 Cancer InstitutePenn State Hershey Cancer Institute created
2003 Named Mount Nittany Medical CenterSignifying its growth as a regional medical center, Centre Community Hospital became Mount Nittany Medical Center.
  The FoundationThe Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center was incorporated.
2006 Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical CenterMount Nittany Medical Center, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and The Pennsylvania State University signed a master affiliation agreement.
2007JuneInterventional CardiologyInterventional cardiology saves lives in the region bringing life-saving cardiac care close to home.
 FallMaster campus planMaster campus plan approved by Mount Nittany Medical Center and The Pennsylvania State University
2008MayWound CareMount Nittany Center for Wound Care opened on Radnor Road.
 MayPenns Valley Area Family MedicinePenns Valley Area Family Medicine acquired by Mount Nittany Health Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Mount Nittany Medical Center.
 JuneCommitment to DistinctionCommitment to Distinction: The Campaign for Mount Nittany Medical Center kicked off. The campaign is the most substantial fundraising campaign in the Medical Center’s history.
 JulyFirst clerkshipsFirst clerkships at Mount Nittany Medical Center
 Aug.First fellowshipFirst fellowship at Mount Nittany Medical Center
 Sept.Triology StereotacticMedical Center brings Triology Stereotactic system online, providing precision radiation therapy in Centre County.
 Oct.Digital mammographyDigital mammography capabilities new at Park Avenue Imaging