PHMC and Penn Medicine Transform Mercy Philadelphia Campus into Public Health Campus on Cedar
PHMC and Penn Medicine Transform Mercy Philadelphia Campus into Public Health Campus on Cedar
In a groundbreaking move for public health in West and Southwest Philadelphia, Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) and Penn Medicine have officially announced the transition of Mercy Catholic Medical Center—Mercy Philadelphia Campus into the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar. This innovative and integrated public health campus is designed to cater to the needs of the local communities.
Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic had previously announced the transition of the campus away from inpatient operations to better address the current and future needs of the neighborhood. Effective immediately, PHMC is the owner and operator of the property, with Penn Medicine managing the hospital emergency department, inpatient services, and hospital-based behavioral health programming as a remote location for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania—Cedar Avenue. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Independence Blue Cross Foundation have also joined as Coalition partners for this transformation.
The PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar aims to provide high-quality, community-informed, patient-centered health care and social services to support the needs of the West and Southwest Philadelphia neighbors. The Coalition’s goals focus on health equity and providing access to primary and behavioral health care, emergency services, acute care services, substance use treatment, and other social support services.
Richard J. Cohen, President and CEO of PHMC, expressed excitement for the future of public and community health in the area, emphasizing the critical need for equitable and collaborative care, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, highlighted the commitment to the community and the importance of working with partners to ensure health equity for all.
The transition allows the Mercy Philadelphia workforce to continue their vital work in the community, with all eligible employees offered employment with Penn Medicine. Penn Medicine plans to hire for additional positions in the facility and is hosting a job fair on April 14 for open positions at the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar.
Coalition partners have been working closely with elected officials and community leaders to ensure continuity of care for patients during the transition. The campus vision includes on-site programming for physical and behavioral health care, with CHOP exploring the option of offering inpatient psychiatric care for children.
The Independence Blue Cross Foundation will support community-based social services addressing key issues such as health and wellness education and food insecurity. Since the Coalition partnership announcement in September 2020, partner organizations have engaged with community stakeholders to identify partnerships and understand key issues in the community.
The efforts of PHMC, Penn Medicine, and their partners have already made an impact in the community, with vaccination clinics and community engagement initiatives providing essential services to residents. Plans for complementary campus services and offerings will be announced in the coming months, solidifying the commitment to improving public health in West and Southwest Philadelphia.