I am so sad to be sharing this information.
UPMC has announced this morning that effective April 7, we will be regionalizing childbirth services at UPMC Cole to UPMC Wellsboro. This is a thoughtful and important decision to expand and enhance the care we provide to families in north central Pennsylvania.
Please see the Op-Ed below from Dr. Ethan Gable, ob-gyn, UPMC Cole, and Dr. Dan Glunk, president, UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro, which contains more details on this announcement.
A Commitment to Families and Quality Care
At UPMC, we understand that healthcare is deeply personal—it’s about the well-being of our families, neighbors, and communities. That’s why our highest priority is to provide high-quality, compassionate care that is both accessible and sustainable for the people we serve. As part of that commitment, we continuously evaluate how we can best meet the needs of our communities, ensuring that every patient receives the safest and most advanced care possible.
With that in mind, we are making a thoughtful and important decision to expand and enhance the care we provide to families in north central Pennsylvania. Starting Monday, April 7, we will be regionalizing childbirth delivery services from The Birthplace at UPMC Cole to The Birthplace at UPMC Wellsboro.
This decision was not made lightly. We know that bringing a child into the world is a deeply significant experience, and we are committed to making that experience as safe, comfortable, and supported as possible. By centralizing childbirth delivery at UPMC Wellsboro, we can strengthen our resources, enhance patient care, and expand outpatient women’s health services across the region, including in Coudersport. Importantly, prenatal, postnatal, and specialty women’s health services will continue to be available through our UPMC Magee-Womens teams in Coudersport and throughout north central Pennsylvania.
This change comes at a time when healthcare providers everywhere are grappling with significant challenges, especially in rural communities. The shortages in clinical specialties and nursing staff are not unique to Coudersport, but we recognize the impact these challenges have on you and your families. We want to express our deep appreciation for the dedication and hard work of our staff in continuing to care for our community, even in the face of these difficulties.
As local physicians and caregivers, we know that expectant parents need more than just medical care—they need reassurance, empathy, and support as they prepare for one of life’s most significant moments. That’s why our UPMC Magee-Womens team at UPMC Cole, under our leadership, will be providing personalized, concierge-style support to help guide you through this transition. They will work closely with families to ensure that transportation and other access needs are met, making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Change is never easy, but it also brings opportunities to strengthen and improve the care we provide. We want you to know that UPMC remains steadfast in our commitment to you, your families, and the communities we are privileged to serve. We appreciate your trust and will continue to prioritize your health, safety, and peace of mind—because we are in this together.
Ethan Gable, MD
Ob-Gyn, UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro
Dan Glunk, MD
President, UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro
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