Harrisburg: Health Care

PinnacleHealth is a community-based system offering comprehensive services and programs for people of all ages and backgrounds in Central Pennsylvania, from prenatal and maternity services to gerontology. Care is provided through four hospitals in Harrisburg: Community General Osteopathic, Harrisburg, Polyclinic, and Seidle, as well as the Fredricksen Outpatient Center, a network of family practice and urgent care centers, managed care entities, home health-care, hospice, and an array of other healthcare services. PinnacleHealth's medical staff is comprised of more than 800 primary care physicians supported by more than 4,000 skilled nurses and technicians.

Since 1845 Harrisburg has been the home of the Harrisburg State Hospital, a psychiatric facility, which is located on 200 acres and comprised of 50 buildings. With most mental health patients being cared for at community-based centers, it was announced in January 2005 that the hospital would close. The decision will impact approximately 250 patients and 540 staff members, although patient numbers have steadily declined since the early 1990s.

Health Care Information: PinnacleHealth System, PO Box 8700, Harrisburg, PA 17101-8700; telephone (717)782-5678