WEST GROVE – Rep. John Lawrence was joined by state Senator Senator Carolyn Comitta, Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline, Penn Township Supervisor Victor Mantegna, and other local officials at the Penn Township Building earlier today to announce the continued operation of Jennersville Hospital. The hospital had been slated for closure at the end of the year by its current owner, Tower Health.
“Today’s announcement is welcome news for our community,” said Rep. John Lawrence. “For the past seven weeks, we have worked night and day to find a solution to keep this facility open for the people of our community, and keep this Emergency Room open for the acute medical needs of our area. I am so grateful for each person that contacted my office to voice their support, and especially to the hardworking first responders with Medic 94, Union Fire Company, and West Grove Fire Company, who serve our community with such dedication. Keeping the Jennersville ER open is critical both for them and our community.”
“This is a win for the community that was driven by the community – the residents, patients, staff, doctors, nurses, and medical personnel served by and employed by Jennersville Hospital,” said state Senator Carolyn Comitta. “They spoke up and stood up. Together, we worked with various stakeholders to amplify their voices and ensure that this vital community asset and center for medical and emergency care in southern Chester County is preserved. I want to thank our local municipalities, the Chester County Commissioners, our bipartisan legislative delegation, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and Tower Health for finding a solution to save Jennersville Hospital.”
Canyon Atlantic Partners will assume ownership and operation of Jennersville Hospital effective Jan. 1, 2022. The announcement follows Tower’s previous decision to close Jennersville at the end of 2021. Based in Reading, Tower Health purchased five local hospitals, including Jennersville Hospital, for $423 million in 2017.
Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline said, “Confirmation that hospital services, especially emergency treatment, will continue at Jennersville and Brandywine is excellent news, and we are grateful to the leadership at Tower Health for working to find a way to keep the operations going. Together with Representative Lawrence and Senator Comitta, we have been trying to secure ways to keep Jennersville and Brandywine open. We look forward to working with the new hospital operator to ensure the range of healthcare services continue.”
Lawrence, Comitta, and Moskowitz participated in numerous calls and in-person meetings after Tower’s abrupt late-September closure announcement. A particular focus developed in keeping the Emergency Room open, with alternate facilities more than 40 minutes away. Recent population increases and the growth of senior living options across the southern part of the county also contributed to the need to find a solution.
“Jennersville Hospital has faithfully provided for the health, safety and welfare of southern Chester County residents for over 100 years,” said Victor Mantegna, Chair of the Penn Township Board of Supervisors. “The news of its imminent closure was both devastating and constituted a substantial threat to our community at large, PA State Police, and emergency services. Today is a great day as we celebrate the continued presence of this health providing organization in the community of Penn Township. On behalf of the Penn Supervisors, community of Penn and our neighboring townships throughout southern Chester County, I would like to thank our PA Department of Health, Senator Comitta, Representative Lawrence, our Chester County Commissioners, Board of Supervisors, staff and Tower Health for working diligently together to preserve our Jennersville Hospital with this sale. We look forward to continuing our close partnership with Jennersville Hospital and working hand in hand with its new owners for years to come as we continue to work to keep our community healthy, safe, and well.”
###