Comprehensive Guide to Healthcare Services and Facilities in State College

State College, Pennsylvania, offers a range of healthcare services and facilities to meet the diverse needs of its residents and visitors. This article provides an overview of the medical services available in the area, focusing on the State College VA Clinic, Mount Nittany Medical Center, and Penn Highlands State College.

State College VA Clinic

The State College VA Clinic, located at 2581 Clyde Avenue, State College, PA 16801-7508, provides comprehensive outpatient medical care to veterans. The clinic offers a variety of services, including general medical care, behavioral health, laboratory services, nutrition services, and smoking and tobacco cessation programs. Veterans can access these services by calling the main phone number or the VA health connect line. Mental health care services are also available.

Health Services Offered

The State College VA Clinic offers a wide array of specialized health services, designed to cater to the unique needs of veterans:

Audiology: The clinic diagnoses and treats conditions affecting hearing and balance, such as hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and vertigo. Veterans can visit the office or opt for virtual appointments.
Blind and Low Vision Rehabilitation: This program helps veterans regain confidence and skills needed for independent living after vision loss due to conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and glaucoma.
Caregiver Support: The clinic provides support services for those caring for veterans with serious illnesses or disabilities, including training, counseling, and respite care.
Homeless Veteran Care: The clinic offers programs and services to assist homeless veterans or those at risk of homelessness due to financial hardship, addiction, or other challenges. These services include free healthcare and connections to community resources.
Laboratory and Pathology: The clinic offers a full range of clinical and diagnostic testing services to monitor health, identify health problems, and inform treatment decisions.
Mental Health Care: The clinic provides consultation, evaluation, and treatment for mental health issues such as addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Same-day help is available.
Military Sexual Trauma Care: The clinic offers care for veterans who have experienced sexual assault or harassment during their military service, providing counseling and treatment to improve their quality of life.
Optometry: Optometrists examine, diagnose, and treat eye diseases and disorders, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. They also provide preventative vision care and prescribe eyeglasses.
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Kinesiotherapy: These therapies help restore movement and function for veterans disabled by injury or disease.
Podiatry: Podiatry specialists evaluate and treat a wide range of foot and ankle conditions, from ingrown toenails to diabetic foot ulcers.
Primary Care: Veterans work with a primary care provider to plan for their lifelong health and wellness, including immunizations and vaccinations.
Radiology: The clinic uses imaging technologies like X-rays to screen for, diagnose, and treat illnesses and injuries.
Smoking and Tobacco Cessation: The clinic provides support, resources, and programs to help veterans quit smoking or using tobacco.
Suicide Prevention: The clinic offers a Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1) for free, private help 24/7, and connects veterans with ongoing counseling and services.
Telehealth: Veterans can receive care from their health providers remotely via video conferencing, home telehealth services, and secure transfer of health information.
Travel Reimbursement: The clinic may reimburse veterans for travel expenses related to VA-approved care and can help arrange transportation.
Wound Care and Ostomy: The clinic provides diagnosis and treatment for veterans with acute or chronic wounds, as well as ostomy care and self-management classes.

Additional Information

The facility hours may vary for different services, it is advisable to check in advance. There is no lodging at the State College outpatient clinic, but there are hotels nearby.

Mount Nittany Medical Center

Mount Nittany Medical Center (MNMC), formerly Centre Community Hospital, is an acute-care facility located in College Township, near the Pennsylvania State University campus. It offers a wide range of services, including emergency, medical, surgical, diagnostic, and community services.

History and Development

The hospital's roots trace back to 1902 with the founding of the Bellefonte Hospital in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Over the years, it underwent several transformations, including being renamed Centre County Hospital in 1924 and Centre Community Hospital in 1971. In 1972, the Mountainview Unit opened at its current location in State College, while the Bellefonte location became known as the Willowbank Unit. The facility was renamed Mount Nittany Medical Center in 2003.

MNMC has seen numerous expansions and renovations, including a 52,000 square foot east wing in 2010 and a cancer center in 2012. Until the opening of Penn Highlands State College, it was the only hospital with an emergency department in Centre County. MNMC achieved Level IV trauma center status in 2026, and patients are sometimes transferred to larger facilities like Geisinger Medical Center and UPMC Altoona for specialized care.

Services and Features

Mount Nittany Medical Center is a leading regional employer with over 2,400 team members. The hospital is known for its commitment to providing high-quality care, as evidenced by positive patient reviews and investments in state-of-the-art facilities. The hospital also offers therapy dog programs, where certified dogs provide comfort and support to patients.

The Emergency Department (ED) at Mount Nittany Medical Center is equipped to handle a wide range of medical emergencies. Upon arrival, patients are greeted by registration staff and evaluated by a registered nurse. The triage process ensures that the most seriously ill or injured patients are seen first. The ED also has a dedicated area for pediatric patients, staffed by professionals with specialized training in pediatric emergency medicine.

Penn Highlands State College

Penn Highlands State College represents a new chapter in healthcare for the State College community. The facility is a technically advanced hospital that opened its doors in 2024.

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Construction and Development

The construction of Penn Highlands State College was a significant undertaking, with regular updates provided to the community. These updates highlighted various milestones, including:

Early Stages: Concrete pouring on the exterior, soffit support framing for the ambulance bay parking, and installation of exterior glass.
Interior Work: Completion of interior framing in the Medical Office Building, drywall hanging, and installation of ductwork and piping.
Exterior Progress: Brickwork completion, installation of air handling units on the roof, and landscaping.
Advanced Installations: Installation of a linear accelerator vault roof, exterior gas line, and exterior canopy leveling plates.
Final Touches: Installation of traffic signals, PACU slider doors, MRI magnet, CT scanner, and resinous flooring.

Features and Services

Penn Highlands State College offers a range of advanced medical services, including:

Advanced Medicine: Focused on providing innovative healthcare solutions.
Emergency Services: Equipped with modern treatment rooms and advanced diagnostic capabilities.
Surgical Suites: Equipped with boom equipment and state-of-the-art technology.
Inpatient Care: Features inpatient nurses' stations and comfortable patient rooms.
Medical Office Building: Includes outpatient registration areas and medical staff offices.

Recent Updates

Recent construction updates indicate the hospital is equipped with the latest technology, including ultra-violet light disinfecting lights in operating rooms and a linear accelerator for radiation therapy. The facility also focuses on patient comfort, with features like private patient rooms and newly seeded lawns around the perimeter.

Additional Resources

For more information about healthcare services in State College, the following resources are available:

State College VA Clinic: Provides comprehensive outpatient medical care for veterans.
Mount Nittany Medical Center: Offers a wide range of medical services and has a long history of serving the community.
Penn Highlands State College: A new, technically advanced hospital providing innovative healthcare.

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