(Natrona Heights, PA) — U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-4) today presented a $365,000 check in federal funding to Alle-Kiski Medical Center (AKMC) to help construct a new emergency department at its Natrona Heights campus. This ongoing, major facilities improvement initiative, which began in November, is the largest construction project that AKMC has launched in over 20 years and is critical to maintaining its ability to meet growing patient demand. Congressman Altmire secured the funding he delivered today in the final budget bill passed by the House in December.

“Right now, the demand for services at Alle-Kiski Medical Center far outpaces its intended capacity. Expanding its emergency department is crucial to ensuring AKMC can continue providing local families with the quality health care they deserve,” Altmire said. “I am very pleased that I could secure federal funding to help move this project along, and I look forward to the day when these improvements will be fully realized.”

AKMC houses the only emergency department in the Alle-Kiski Valley and its primary service area includes more than 160,000 residents in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler and Westmoreland counties. While the current facility was originally built to accommodate 20,000 visits a year, more than 33,000 patients sought treatment here last year. A number of factors have increased demands on AKMC’s emergency department in recent years, including a significant number of uninsured patients who rely on the emergency room for primary care, an aging population, and an increase in population due to recent economic growth.

“Congressman Altmire recognizes the needs of this community.  His hard work and diligence in securing this much-needed funded for AKMC's Emergency Department project is evidence of his commitment and vision for the future of health care for the residents of the A-K Valley,” Cindy K. Schamp, President and CEO of AKMC, said. “On behalf of the hospital, I would like to thank him for helping AKMC turn our vision of a state-of-the-art facility into a reality.”

When completed, the new emergency department will occupy 20,000 square feet, more than double its current size, and will be able to serve 40,000 patients annually. The new emergency department will also double the number of patient exam / treatment rooms from 12 to 24 and contain specialized treatment rooms and enlarged waiting areas. AKMC also expects to add 25 new clinical / nursing positions in the next four years as a result of the expansion.