Mount Nittany Medical Center on Wednesday celebrated the completion of the second phase of a multi-year project to comprehensively update its Diagnostic Pavilion.
The latest phase of renovations includes:
- A new patient waiting room with registration and radiology clerical area;
- Ultrasound department;
- Digital specials X-ray room for interventional radiology;
- Digital X-ray room;
- Technologist’s workroom and office;
- Updated corridors; and
- A renovated nuclear medicine department.
“Each phase of the renovations is crucial to the care and comfort of our patients, but this one is very special because it provides a tranquil waiting area for our patients to relax before their imaging procedure,” Kathleen Rhine, Mount Nittany Health president and CEO, said in a statement. “The welcoming, open space is an important part of improving our patient experience. This is a highly visible expression of our commitment to patients—and our care team.”
Phase 1 of the Diagnostic Pavilion renovations was completed in 2023 and included upgraded MRI capabilities and two new CT scanners that provide expedited imaging processes and better resolution, as well as reduced radiation dosages. The new imaging technology was installed closer to the emergency department in an effort to streamline patient care.
The overall project is scheduled to consist of four phases, with the third expected to begin soon, according to Mount Nittany Health. It will include a new high-performance 3.0T MRI, an upgraded 1.5T MRI, a new digital x-ray room, new RN space, a new staff support area with dressing rooms, locker rooms and lounge and new offices.
The hospital’s imaging department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and performs 160,000 imaging studies annually, including tens of thousands of CTs, MRIs, ultrasounds and mammograms. Those numbers are projected to rise, particularly because of the growing retiree population, according to Mount Nittany.
“As the largest imaging center in Centre County, we want to make sure we providing high-quality and compassionate care to our patients,” said Dr. Jacob Alexander, of Mount Nittany Health’s Imaging Services, said. “The new equipment and renovations will allow us to continually provide great services that our patients have come to rely on each and every day. Our volumes continue to increase across the board in Imaging Services, and these improvements will help us to meet the growing needs of the community.”
The diagnostic pavilion is among several recent and ongoing projects for expansion and renovations at the medical center and outpatient locations.
Work began last year on a 10-story patient tower addition at the medical center, with completion anticipated in late 2026. A new four-story outpatient medical center at Toftrees West in Patton Township is nearing completion and is expected to open this summer.
A 2,400-square foot Mount Nittany Health ExpressCare walk-in clinic also will open soon in at 2051 S. Atherton St., State College, in the Hills Plaza.
Other recent projects include a new clinical laboratory that opened in early 2023 at the medical center.
