Level II NICU planned for Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center
Expectant mothers and families in Lancaster County will soon benefit from enhanced care close to home, as Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center expands its Family Birthing Suite to include a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The Level II NICU, expected to open by fall 2026, will provide advanced care for newborns who need a higher level of medical support than a standard newborn nursery, while allowing families to stay close to home during critical early days. With 24/7 staffing and seamless access from Labor and Delivery, the hospital’s new NICU will ensure that babies receive timely, continuous care from the moment they are born.
The new NICU reflects Penn State Health’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to specialized care to people in the communities it serves.
“Lancaster Medical Center’s new Level II NICU will bring expert, trusted care closer to home for patients in Lancaster County and minimize disruptions in neonatal care,” said Joseph Frank, president of Penn State Health’s Lancaster and St. Joseph medical centers. “It will also help ensure smoother transitions for infants who need the most advanced treatment at our Level IV NICU at our Children’s Hospital just up the road in Hershey.”
The High Foundation has made the first philanthropic commitment to the project.
Currently the project is in the design phase. When that is completed, the project will go out for bid, and then construction can begin.
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