POTTSTOWN >> “On behalf of Pottstown Hospital I would like to be the first one to formally welcome you to Tower Health — to a bold new beginning in health care.”
With those words from Pottstown Hospital President and CEO Rich Newell Monday, a new era for health care in Pottstown began. Newell made his remarks during a ceremony at the hospital that featured the unveiling of banners and an employee celebration.
“Our dedicated doctors and employees create an environment of healing, of caring, of connection. We are a community hospital that meets the needs of our unique community. That legacy will continue. And with more strength than ever,” Newell added.
Pottstown Hospital, along with four other area hospitals formerly owned by Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems Inc., have been acquired by the Reading Health System, which has been renamed Tower Health. Terms of the purchase have not been disclosed.
The transaction, which was announced in May, was finalized on Friday, Sept. 29. As part of the transition to the new health system, Pottstown Memorial Medical Center now goes by the name Pottstown Hospital.
In acquiring Pottstown Hospital, Jennersville Hospital, Brandywine Hospital, Phoenixville Hospital and Chestnut Hill Hospital, the new Tower Health System has more than 11,000 employees, including 2,000 doctors and providers offering care at six community hospitals and 65 locations.
“Today we’re all coming together — boldly rising together to create an even more dynamic, expansive and nationally recognized health system. Pottstown has a long history of providing high quality compassionate care in our community. Residents in our area know that they can count on us for excellent and experienced care,” Newell added.
Pottstown Hospital’s sign at the corner of High Street and Armand Hammer Boulevard has changed, and there is temporary signage on the building. Inside the hospital lobby, banners display the Tower Health name and the tagline: “Advancing Health and Transforming Lives.” It’s a tagline that people will be seeing a lot of “on billboards, newspapers, television in your communities,” according to Amit Powar, executive vice president and CEO of Tower Health Medical Group.
“What an amazing opportunity for all of us to consider how it would be to unleash the collective strength of this team. It is our greatest opportunity for our patients, for our communities for advancing health and transforming lives,” Powar said.
On hand for the event were hospital employees, as well as businesses and community members. Monday’s celebration played out simultaneously across the six hospitals within the new Tower Health System.
“This is an exciting collaboration. Reading Health is highly regarded in the medical community. Bringing all the hospitals together will increase the resources available to the community,” said Montgomery County Commissioners Chairwoman Val Arkoosh.
Also on hand representing Pottstown were Borough Manager Mark Flanders and borough council President Dan Weand.
“There is reason to be enthusiastic about this change — change is required for progress to be made,” Weand said. “In my position I am looking for the opportunity to create a win-win for Tower Health and the Pottstown community.”
Peggy Lee-Clark, executive director of Pottstown Industrial Development Inc., said it’s exciting having a healthcare system with ties to the tri-county area.
“I am looking forward to the possibilities. The biggest opportunity is the introduction to others of all that we have and are about in Pottstown,” she said.
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