(Beaver, PA) - U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-4) today presented a check for $87,000 in federal funding to Heritage Valley Health System for the renovation and expansion of its emergency departments in Beaver and Sewickley. Congressman Altmire secured this funding in the final budget bill passed by the House last December.

"Heritage Valley Health System is a vital part of western Pennsylvania's first responder network. I am pleased that I could help secure federal funding to expand its emergency departments and improve its ability to meet local residents' health care needs" Altmire said. "By investing in our hospitals' infrastructure now, we are taking the steps needed to ensure these facilities are fully prepared to respond to whatever emergencies arise in the future." 
 
The emergency department expansion projects will better prepare both Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley to handle an influx of people injured or contaminated during a bioterrorism event. Heritage Valley Beaver is the closest hospital to the nuclear power plant in Shippingport, making it especially important that it has enhanced decontamination capacities. When Heritage Valley Beaver's emergency department upgrade is completed, it will expand from 13,000 square feet to 23,000 square feet and will be able to accommodate 60,000 visitors a year. It will also have a new designated decontamination area.

"We are extremely grateful and appreciative for the funding Congressman Altmire secured for the emergency department expansion projects at both of our facilities, Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley," Norm Mitry, President and CEO, Heritage Valley Health System, said. "These funds will be combined with the approximate $8.3 million raised in the community through our recent capital campaign and will enable Heritage Valley to address emergency health care needs in a timely manner."

A portion of the funding Congressman Altmire delivered today will be used to expand Heritage Valley Sewickley's emergency department from 8,700 square feet to 21,800 square feet. Heritage Valley Sewickley will then have the capacity for 46,000 annual visits, more than double the 22,000 annual visits it is currently designed to accommodate. A new designated decontamination area will be added to the facility as well.