(The Center Square) – Community members are voicing their anger following the announcement that UPMC Cole in Coudersport has made the decision to end their labor and delivery services in April.
The move signifies the expansion of rural Pennsylvania’s maternity care deserts.
The network says it will centralize care at its facility in Wellsboro and expand outpatient women’s health services at Cole and throughout the region. Wellsboro is about 40 miles and 51 minutes from Coudersport, where Cole is located.
“This is another devastating health care blow to our region. UPMC executives clearly lack knowledge and understanding of the region they serve, and I told them as much,” said Rep. Martin Causer, R-Cameron, in a statement about the closure.
UPMC is the largest non-government employer in the commonwealth. In recent years, it along with PennState Health, has dominated the healthcare industry, absorbing independent practices and leaving many regions without alternatives.
“Our top priority is to provide every patient with high-quality care that is accessible and sustainable and ensure that every birthing parent receives the safest and most advanced care possible in a setting that offers enriched resources and support,” said Ethan Gable, MD, ob-gyn, medical director, Women’s Health Services at UPMC Cole.
He noted that Cole will be providing expectant mothers with “concierge-style” service and assist them with planning adequate transport to a birthing center.
“As local physicians and caregivers, we know that expectant parents need more than just medical care — they need reassurance, empathy, and support as they prepare for one of life’s most significant moments,” said Gable. “Our providers and care coordinators are working closely with families to ensure that transportation and other access needs are met, making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible”
In a 2023 report assessing maternity care in Pennsylvania, the March of Dimes noted that maternal morbidity and adverse infant outcomes – including NICU admission and stillbirth – increase along with the distance traveled for maternity care.
“Clinical specialty and nursing workforce challenges are prevalent in rural health care and are not unique to Coudersport and the UPMC Cole team,” said Gable.
After learning of the closure, staff at Cole were tasked with reaching out to patients individually to notify them of the change.
A post announcing the decision on UPMC North Central Pa.’s Facebook page received outrage from community members who have already seen closures of other vital facilities and services in the area. The sentiment that the company’s primary focus was its bottom line was echoed by both disappointed patients and medical workers who say wages aren’t competitive and working conditions aren’t sustainable.
UPMC acknowledged the difficulties posed by staffing shortages. While the issue is nation and industry-wide, rural areas have been hit particularly hard. State legislators are working to incentivize medical professionals to live and work where they’re most needed, but conditions lead to high levels of burnout and attrition.
Situated in the north-central region of the state, the area is remote and vulnerable to heavy snowfall and potentially dangerous driving conditions, which contribute to transportation concerns.
“Here in the most rural part of Pennsylvania, our communities are spread out and we depend on facilities like UPMC Cole to provide access to basic services, including the ability to deliver a baby!” said Causer.
In the event that laboring mothers aren’t able to follow through with transportation plans, many end up utilizing emergency services, which are not designed to offer complex obstetric care, and suffer from the same shortages as the rest of the medical field.
“Our EMS system is in a state of crisis and is struggling to respond to calls in many communities. This decision puts the lives of mothers and babies at risk, and that is completely unacceptable,” said Causer.
All of the counties in the region have high levels of chronic health burdens according to the March of Dimes. These include conditions like diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and smoking. Such conditions increase the risk of preterm birth and adverse outcomes for both mother and baby.
