Lancaster NICU to Open at Local Medical Center October 31
The new three-bed unit allows families to stay in Lancaster for level II infant care instead of traveling to Hershey.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Babies
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Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center in East Hempfield Township is set to open a new level II neonatal intensive care unit on October 31, 2026. The three-bed facility allows local families to keep infants born at 32 weeks gestation or later closer to home for specialized care.
Why it matters
The $4.5 million investment eliminates the need to transport infants requiring level II care to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, a journey families have faced for six to 10 babies monthly since March. This shift ensures parents can remain with their newborns 24/7 to facilitate skin-to-skin care in a dedicated environment.
The new unit provides three beds for babies weighing approximately 3.5 pounds or more, supported by $4.5 million in funding. This replaces the previous necessity of transferring 6 to 10 infants each month to a different facility.
The players
Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center
A medical facility serving East Hempfield Township that is expanding its maternal and infant care capabilities.
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
A regional medical hub that previously served as the primary destination for Lancaster-area infants requiring level II neonatal care.
The details
The facility is equipped with a negative pressure isolation room to trap airborne pathogens and provides medical-grade refrigeration for breast milk storage. Rooms feature natural lighting designed to support healthy sleep patterns for infants and include sleeper chairs for parents. The unit is staffed by three full-time neonatologists, two neonatal nurse practitioners, and two neonatal nurses to manage specialized care for infants born at 32 weeks gestation or later.
Timeline
Six to 10 babies per month were transferred to Hershey starting in March 2026.
The new neonatal intensive care unit opens on October 31, 2026.
The Home Front
This development represents a departure from the trend of centralizing specialized neonatal care at large academic medical hubs like the Hershey campus. By expanding local capacity in Lancaster, the hospital is prioritizing family-centered logistics over consolidated regional transport.
Parents delivering at the Lancaster Medical Center should confirm their care plan with their obstetrician if they anticipate a birth at 32 weeks gestation or later. Families can now coordinate with the hospital to utilize the unit's sleeper chairs and 24/7 access policy for skin-to-skin care.
The takeaway
Local families now have a permanent facility for level II neonatal care in Lancaster, keeping newborns and parents together during the critical weeks after birth. Parents should verify their insurance network coverage for the new unit at the Lancaster Medical Center before their anticipated delivery date.
Further reading
Learn more about local pediatric care options in Lancaster.
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