In a significant move to enhance healthcare services, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre is expanding its capacity by adding 36 private medical-surgical beds. This $8.2 million renovation project, aimed at increasing inpatient capacity, is set to be completed by early fall, according to hospital officials.
Expansion Details and Community Benefits
The current capacity of 68 inpatient beds at the hospital will rise to 104, thanks to the new beds being added on the unused fourth floor. This floor has not been utilized for inpatient care since 2009. The addition of private rooms is expected to improve patient experience by offering a more peaceful recovery environment.
Dr. Corey Goldberg, associate chief medical officer and medical director for Geisinger’s Northeast region emergency departments, emphasized the importance of this project for the local community. “It’s very important for that local community, because they can trust the care that is being provided to them, and they don’t have to then be transferred on to the larger tertiary care facilities if they can be appropriately managed locally,” he said.
Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, part of the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, offers a comprehensive range of services, including an emergency room, ConvenientCare+, pediatric urgent care, and a fully functioning operating room.
Recent and Upcoming Hospital Upgrades
The new inpatient beds are part of a series of recent and planned upgrades at the Church Street hospital:
● In September 2025, the emergency room nearly doubled its capacity, enhancing its ability to serve the community.
“Having a fully functioning emergency department — just like any emergency department in the country — in a hospital that is going to have increased capacity, it’s very important,” Goldberg noted.
● The hospital began offering inpatient services for routine EEGs in February, reducing the need to transfer patients to other locations.
● A discharge lounge was opened in January, providing a comfortable space for patients waiting for transportation home.
● Dialysis services for inpatients became available in April.
● A Geisinger Pharmacy is set to open by the end of the year, supporting the Meds to Beds program, which ensures patients are discharged with the correct medications.
Geisinger’s Broader Expansion Efforts
Geisinger is actively expanding its facilities beyond South Wilkes-Barre. A nearly $900 million expansion is underway at the Geisinger Wyoming Valley campus, and an $880 million project is progressing at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
Dan Landesberg, associate vice president of clinical operations in Geisinger’s northeast region, highlighted the growing need for acute care services in the area. “We’re focused on providing the best possible care for our patients and community, and using Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre to its full potential as a community hospital is necessary to deliver that care,” he stated.
Preference for Private Rooms
As the expansions continue, there is a notable shift towards all-private patient rooms, which are increasingly favored by patients and families. Dr. Goldberg explained, “Patients expect a peaceful recovery in the hospital, right? And so if you can imagine sharing a room with someone … you’re not going to get a restful night. There’s constant interruption.”
With these developments, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre is poised to enhance its role as a vital healthcare provider in the community.
