By John Chambless
Staff Writer

Big changes took place at Jennersville Regional Hospital this week as the former Reading Health System completed its takeover of the 63-bed facility. Operations will continue as always at the newly rebranded hospital, now known as Jennersville Hospital.

The purchase was announced last summer, part of a five-hospital deal including Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville, Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville, Pottstown Memorial Medical Center in Pottstown, Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, and Jennersville Hospital. The five hospitals had previously been owned and operated by a Tennessee-based company, Community Health Systems. The system, the nation's second-largest investor-owned hospital company with 146 hospitals, had posted a net loss of $1.7 billion in 2016.

As part of the new expansion, Reading Health has changed its name to Tower Health.

At noon on Oct. 2, there were simultaneous speeches at the five hospitals now run by Tower Health. At Jennersville, Mark McNash, the vice president of Tower Health, spoke to a crowd of doctors, nurses, staff and the public in front of the hospital entrance.

 “Today is a monumental day,” McNash said at the podium. “Today, we come together to create an even more dynamic, expansive and nationally recognized health care system. Jennersville Hospital has a long history of providing high-quality, compassionate care in our community. … That legacy will continue, and with more strength than ever.

“Tower Health reflects a collective strength, innovative spirit and bold commitment to taking health care to new heights,” McNash said. “Today, we are over 11,000 people strong. We have more than 2,000 physicians and providers offering exceptional care, with convenient access across 65 locations.”

After dropping a banner announcing the new Tower Health brand, McNash added, “What an exciting time for all of us. Consider what an amazing opportunity we have. At this time, across the system, everyone – physicians, staff and volunteers – are participating in this opening day banner drop launch recognition. We are proud and excited to be part of this new beginning in health care.”

In a press release issued previously, Clint Matthews, president and CEO at Tower Health, wrote, “This is a tremendous opportunity to collectively deliver on our Tower Health promise of advancing health and transforming lives.

 Under the terms of the sale agreement, Tower Health offered employment to all active employees in good standing. Privileges will continue for all physicians in good standing on the medical staff. “The acquisition will ensure the continued development of acute care and related assets, and provider network capabilities to best serve our region in a cost-effective manner,” Mattnews continued. “Integrating our new health plan into the continuum of services offers this expanded region increased access to value-based care and further controls costs for employers and individuals. Also, by expanding the scope of our clinical programming through this acquisition, the new system will maximize opportunities to leverage best practices of each organization and further coordinate our system-wide brand of high-quality care across the entire system.”

The new health care system serves an estimated 2.5 million people.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email [email protected].