One of the main hospitals in Scranton will soon be under new management.
As of this coming Tuesday, Community Medical Center in Scranton will become part of the Geisinger Health System.
This follows the sale of the two other hospitals in the city last year.
"I think it's a wonderful thing. Any time you can merge and get money into your system, it's a good thing," said Mary VanBlaricom of Scranton.
When you come in to the city of Scranton, one of the first things you might notice is the big Community Medical Center sign. Officials say starting next week, the sign will read "Geisinger Community Medical Center", but the biggest changes are going on inside.
"We are in an aging facility, and we want to provide state-of-the-art care for out patients, and this will allow us that opportunity," said Dr. Timothy Farrell, Director of Surgery at CMC.
As a condition of the merger, Geisinger Health System will invest more than $150 million in CMC. The emergency room and the intensive care unit will be remodeled and equipment in the exam rooms will be improved. Doctors and nurses at CMC say these updates will improve patient care and recruit more doctors.
"Along with the medical school, Geisinger does a lot for the recruitment of physicians. So, that will make it more attractive for everyone," said nurse manager Michael Cola.
CMC officials say all of the hospital employees will keep their jobs and benefits won't change when the merger takes effect. But, some of the employees in billing may move to Geisinger's billing headquarters in Moosic.