Lancaster Medical Center to Open NICU on October 31
The new facility aims to keep newborns close to home by providing specialized care for infants born at 32 weeks or later.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Babies
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Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center will open a new three-bed level II neonatal intensive care unit in East Hempfield Township on October 31, 2026. This facility allows babies born at 32 weeks gestation or later to receive care locally instead of being transferred.
Why it matters
The unit was designed to allow parents to stay with their babies 24/7, facilitating skin-to-skin care that supports infant development. It also incorporates natural lighting to help newborns maintain healthy sleep patterns.
The new unit represents a $4.5 million investment and is equipped to serve infants weighing approximately 3.5 pounds. The facility adds three neonatologists, two neonatal nurse practitioners, and two neonatal nurses to the hospital staff.
The players
Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center
This is a medical facility located in East Hempfield Township that provides health services to the Lancaster County region.
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
This facility previously served as the primary transfer location for Lancaster babies requiring level II neonatal care.
The details
The medical center utilizes a negative pressure isolation room designed to trap airborne pathogens and provides specialized medical-grade refrigeration units for breast milk storage. Approximately 8% to 10% of the 20 to 30 babies born each month at the center are expected to require this level of care.
Timeline
March 2026 marked the period when 6 to 10 babies were transferred monthly to Hershey.
October 31, 2026 is the date the neonatal intensive care unit opens.
Culture Shift
This facility expansion reflects a growing healthcare trend toward localized, family-centered neonatal care that prioritizes parental presence. By adopting these standards, the hospital aligns with broader movements to reduce the medical and emotional strain of long-distance infant transfers.
Families in Lancaster County will no longer need to transport newborns requiring specialized care to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Parents can expect to stay in rooms equipped with sleeper chairs, allowing for constant access to their infants.
The takeaway
This development ensures families receive critical neonatal support without the logistical burden of traveling long distances. Parents should consult with their healthcare providers to understand how this new unit integrates with existing postnatal care plans.
Further reading
Learn more about local pediatric resources in the Lancaster Babies section.
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Do you trust community hospitals to provide the same quality of intensive care as regional centers?
