Since 2010, UPMC has invested $40 million into the clinical component and infrastructure of the McKeesport campus. Mark O'Hern, vice president of operations at the hospital, said various departments were recipients of upgrades, including the expansion of the emergency department, renovations to radiation oncology, upgrades to the MRI unit, the catheterization lab and the surgical suite, and the addition of the wound care center and history wall. “We look to continue those efforts in the next two to three years,� he said. Another area receiving attention is the parking garage. “It was built in 1975 and the infrastructure needs some help,� he said. “We want to be able to get at least 10 more years out of the garage.� Another major project is trying to “right-size the campus and reduce the footprint,� O'Hern said. The focus is the Kelly Building, which at one time was home to the hospital's nursing school. The school recently returned to UPMC St. Margaret. As a result, O'Hern said, the building has low use, although the main conference center and internal medicine's teaching rooms are located there. O'Hern said the building could be vacated and demolished to add flat-space parking. A state-of-the-art conference center would be created in the Mansfield Building and a new internal medicine clinic would be relocated. “That would right-size the campus for us and create additional parking,� he said. Some of the infrastructure work has included roof repairs and replacements, work in the pneumatic tube system, replacing some elevators, work on the Evans Avenue sidewalk, repairs and upgrades to the air handling unit, inpatient behavioral health upgrades, and replacement of some shower units in the Mansfield Building. Another change will be the introduction of a self-serve vending area, offering visitors and employees a variety of fresh choices including salads and wraps. “We have that at other UPMC facilities,� O'Hern said, noting it provides access to food 24/7, which benefits employees who work in the evenings and weekends. UPMC McKeesport has seen the introduction of physicians with subspecialities including orthopedics, specialized surgeons, a new ear-nose-throat group and a urology team. “We are trying to keep more work local and keep UPMC McKeesport as a full-service hospital for the community,� he said. Other progress includes: • Expansion of the Lions Diabetes Center and outpatient education services at several primary care physician practices. • A new palliative care team that provides specialized medical care for patients with serious life-limiting illness. The goal is to relieve suffering, enhance communication and provide the best possible quality of life for the patient and family. The team consists of a physician, nurse practitioner and social worker. • Vascular testing accreditation from the Intersocial Accreditation Commission by demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care. • American College of Radiology-designated lung cancer screening site using low-dose CT screening. It is the only test that has documented evidence to reduce mortality, secondary to early detection. • A certified primary stroke center, with a multidisciplinary team educated in stroke care. The hospital has direct 24/7 access to neurologists at UPMC Presbyterian's Stroke Institute. • The heart catheterization program is Corazon-certified. The cath lab is exceeding national quality metrics on many key performance indicators and is open to schedule elective heart cath procedures every day of the week. • Holy Family Institute utility assistance provides access to a variety of programs supporting low- and fixed-income households so they can maintain utility services. The office is located in 1 Crawford, across from the Aging Institute. • A team effort between UPMC McKeesport and East to raise funds for the American Heart Association. The fundraisers included bowling challenges, a softball tournament, Denim Fridays, a T-shirt sale, raffles and various sales, and a celebrity guest Halloween party. Carol Waterloo Frazier is an editor for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1916, or cfrazier@tribweb.com.