Courtesy photo: A UPMC flag flutters in the breeze outside the entrance to the former UPMC Lock Haven Hospital after UPMC recently announced it would transfer the property, including Haven Place, to Allaire Health Services.
LOCK HAVEN — More than a year after it moved its facilities along Cree Drive from a hospital to an outpatient emergency department, UPMC has announced it will transfer the facilities, including Haven Place, a senior living facility, to Allaire Health Services.
Allaire Health currently owns and operates the former Susque View Nursing Home, now Lock Haven Rehabilitation and Senior Living.
The announcement was made Thursday afternoon via a press release from UPMC, which stated, “After months of careful evaluation and thoughtful planning, UPMC and Allaire Health Services are pleased to announce a new partnership that brings opportunity to Lock Haven.”
Under the agreement between the two entities, UPMC will work with Allaire over the next 60 to 90 days to transition ownership of the campus at 24 Cree Drive, which includes Haven Place, which is part of UPMC Senior Communities.
Through its lease agreement with Alaïa, UPMC will continue to operate its outpatient emergency department, including foot and ankle, pain management, imaging, laboratory, orthopedic and sports medicine, rehabilitation services and rheumatology services, at its current location, according to the announcement.
“Alaïa will assume ownership of the property following regulatory review, after which UPMC will lease the space from Alaïa as needed to maintain services such as an outpatient emergency department and other outpatient specialty services,” UPMC public affairs director Tyler Wagner told the Express.
Wagner did not disclose the specific length of the lease agreement, but said, “Details of the long-term lease are still being finalized. UPMC continues to drive its commitment to serving the community at the highest levels of the organization and looks forward to providing care and services that meet the needs of the community now and for many years to come.”
“During our search for a partner, we focused on finding an organization that would be committed to our residents, staff and community, and to expanding services not only in Lock Haven, but also in Clinton County,” said Patti Jackson Gehris, president of UPMC North Central Pennsylvania. “Alaïa was entrusted by the Clinton County Commissioners with Lock Haven Rehabilitation & Senior Living and is a caring partner who is already committed to the community, and together we see great opportunities to impact the health and wellness of the community. UPMC is proud to have found a partner like Alaïa, and together we are focused on finding further opportunities to provide new services to the region.”
Allaire Health Services is a residential, long-term, rehabilitative and subacute care provider that manages and operates facilities throughout Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
Allaire currently manages Lock Haven Rehabilitation & Senior Living, located at 22 Cree Dr. in Lock Haven, and acquired ownership in 2022 from the Clinton County government.
“We feel there is a lot of opportunity in Lock Haven and are excited to work with UPMC and our other community partners to bring vitality to the community,” said Ben Kurland, president, CEO and owner of Allaire Health Services. “We commend UPMC, especially their staff and other members of the community, who have done an outstanding job of ensuring our residents receive the care they deserve. We will continue to invest in these facilities and attract additional providers and resources to expand the services available locally.”
Haven Place is a 90-bed facility with skilled nursing and memory care units. With this transition, Allaire now offers 236 beds for long-term and short-term stays in Lock Haven.
Wagner said Haven Place relies on about 120 employees to keep it running.
“Our staff is highly valued, Allaire is interested in a smooth transition and will be hiring qualified employees to ensure continuity of operations,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure all employees have the opportunity for continued employment, whether at UPMC or Allaire.”
The release did not provide comment on the other two UPMC facilities in Clinton County: The medical group has one outpatient center on High Street in Lock Haven and another in McElhattan.
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