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Penn State Health St. Joseph

2.8 (421)

Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, founded in 1873 in Reading, Pennsylvania, is a 204-bed acute care hospital. It has earned national accreditations for chest pain, stroke, heart failure, and cancer treatment. The hospital is known for its cardiology, neurology, and oncology services, as well as its family medicine residency program affiliated with Penn State College of Medicine.

NPI Number : 1699734665

2500 Bernville Rd, Reading, PA 19605

+1 (610) 378-2000

www.pennstatehealth.org

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Departments

Cardiology

Family Medicine

Laboratory Services

Imaging Services

Physical Therapy

Dental Services

Nutrition Services

Diabetes Management

Pharmacy

Neurology

Gynecology

Orthopaedics

Appointment Information

Department	Online Scheduling	Phone Scheduling	Walk-In	Same-Day
Cardiology	Yes	610-685-8500	No	Limited
Family Practice	Yes	610-779-1330	Yes	Yes
Gynecology	Yes	610-779-1330	No	Limited
Laboratory Services	No	610-779-1330	Yes	Yes
Orthopaedics	Yes	610-779-1330	No	Limited
Urgent Care	Yes	610-378-2000	Yes	Yes

Visiting Hours

Department	Visitation Options
General Visitation	- In-person visits allowed 8am-8pm daily - Number of visitors may be limited per patient - Masks required for all visitors
Online Visits	- Virtual visits available through Penn State Health OnDemand app - Video calls with providers 24/7 - $69 per visit or insurance copay
Phone Scheduling	- Call 610-378-2000 to schedule appointments - Same-day appointments often available
Walk-In Care	- Urgent care centers accept walk-ins - Open until 9pm weekdays, 8am-4pm weekends - Locations in Strausstown, Maidencreek, Muhlenberg

Important Doctors

General Surgery

Michael Abboud

Appendicitis, hernias, gallbladder diseases, stomach and intestinal issues

General Surgery

Terrence McKee

Appendicitis, hernias, gallbladder diseases, stomach and intestinal issues

General Surgery

Maggie Riccardi

Appendicitis, hernias, gallbladder diseases, stomach and intestinal issues

General Surgery

Levente Szalai

Appendicitis, hernias, gallbladder diseases, stomach and intestinal issues

Family Medicine

Juan A. Perez

Family Medicine, Hospital Medicine

Alexis B. Reedy-Cooper

Family Medicine

Christina M. Scartozzi

Family Medicine

Theresa E. Yurkonis

Penn State Health St. Joseph Information

Management and Leadership Team

Name	Title	Areas of Expertise
Joseph J. Frank	Regional Hospital President, East Region	Executive leadership, operations, growth, physician relationships
Kimberly Wolf	Vice President of Medical Affairs	Clinical activities coordination, quality, patient safety
Marc Rovito	Medical Director, Cancer Center	Hematology, oncology, Cancer Care
Randy Morris	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	Financial management, multiple hospital oversight
Wendy Clayton	Chief Nursing Officer	Nursing oversight, clinical operations, patient-centered care

Average Salary

Department	Service	Average Cost
Cardiology	Initial Consultation	$250 - $400
Cardiology	Echocardiogram	$1,000 - $2,000
Cardiology	Angioplasty	$28,000 - $40,000
Oncology	Initial Consultation	$300 - $500
Oncology	Chemotherapy Session	$5,000 - $10,000
Oncology	Radiation Therapy	$10,000 - $50,000
Neurology	Initial Consultation	$300 - $450
Neurology	MRI Brain Scan	$1,500 - $3,000
Neurology	EEG	$200 - $700
Orthopedics	Initial Consultation	$200 - $400
Orthopedics	Knee Replacement	$30,000 - $50,000
Orthopedics	Physical Therapy Session	$75 - $150
Outpatient Services	Lab Tests	$100 - $1,000
Outpatient Services	X-Ray	$200 - $500
Outpatient Services	CT Scan	$500 - $2,000

Support Programs for Patients

Program/Service	Description
Financial Assistance Policy	100% financial assistance for eligible patients for medically necessary services
Home Recovery Care	Allows patients to recover at home with regular nurse visits and doctor consultations
Palliative Care	Specializes in relief of pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness
Social Work Services	Emotional support, counseling, financial assistance, and referrals to community resources
Chronic Disease Support Group	Monthly meetings for patients with chronic conditions like COPD, diabetes, heart failure
Spiritual Care	Emotional and spiritual support from trained chaplains
Care Coordination	Assistance with discharge planning and connecting to outside services
Bereavement Support Group	7-week program for those experiencing grief due to loss of a loved one

Payment Plans

Payment Plan Option	Details
Standard Agreement	- $0-$199: Due Now - $200-$499: 4 Months - $500-$999: 8 Months - $1000-$5000: 12 Months - >$5001: 18 Months
Allowable Exception	- $200-$499: 6 Months - $500-$999: 12 Months - $1000-$5000: 15 Months - >$5001: 24 Months
Interest-Free Options	- AblePay: 0% interest for 12 monthly payments - Financial assistance for eligible patients
Flexible Structures	- Customized plans available - Management approval for exceptions
Minimum Payments	$50 minimum monthly payment for balances under $200

Accepted Insurance Companies

Amerihealth Caritas

Humana

Medicaid

Medicare

Cost Consulting

Department	Services Offered
Financial Counseling	- Available weekdays 8 AM to 4:30 PM - Discuss insurance coverage and medical bill questions - Help uninsured/underinsured patients access insurance coverage - Evaluate eligibility for financial assistance programs - Spanish-speaking representatives available
Patient Access Financial Counseling	- Meet with patients/families to discuss financial arrangements - Available Monday-Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM - Call 610-378-2351 to schedule appointment
Financial Navigators	- Provide cost estimates for procedures - Available Monday-Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM - Call 888-835-5850
Online Pricing Tool	- Estimate out-of-pocket costs for common procedures - Requires entering personal/insurance information

Hospital for patients with disabilities or special needs

Accommodation	Details
Physical Accessibility	- Wheelchair accessible entrances and facilities - Elevators - Accessible parking spaces
Assistive Devices	- Wheelchairs available - Hearing assistance devices - Adaptive equipment for exams/procedures
Communication Aids	- Sign language interpreters - Language interpretation services - TTY/TDD devices
Priority Services	- Priority registration - Flexible appointment scheduling - Extended appointment times if needed
Staff Training	- Disability awareness training - Cultural competency education - Training on assistive technologies

Digital Health Services

Department	Digital Health Services
Behavioral Health	- OnDemand virtual counseling sessions - Online psychiatric consultations - Mental health app with mood tracking
Cardiology	- Remote heart monitoring devices - Virtual follow-up appointments - Online cardiac rehab programs
Emergency	- Virtual triage system - Online ER wait time tracker - Telemedicine consultations for non-critical cases
General Medicine	- OnDemand video visits for urgent care - Secure messaging with providers - Remote prescription refills
Imaging	- Online scheduling for imaging tests - Digital image sharing portal - Virtual Radiology consultations
Laboratory	- Online lab test scheduling - Digital lab results portal - At-home test kit ordering
Neurology	- Tele-stroke consultations - Remote neurological assessments - Virtual cognitive therapy sessions
Oncology	- Virtual tumor board meetings - Remote chemotherapy symptom monitoring - Online cancer support groups
Patient Portal	- My Health Patient Portal access - Online bill pay - Appointment scheduling - Medical record access
Pediatrics	- Virtual pediatric consultations - Remote developmental assessments - Online parenting classes
Pharmacy	- E-prescribing services - Online medication management tools - Virtual pharmacist consultations
Pulmonology	- Remote lung function monitoring - Virtual COPD management programs - Online sleep studies
Surgery	- Virtual pre-operative consultations - Online post-surgery follow-ups - Remote Wound Care monitoring

Collaborations / Educational Programs

Department	Program
Family Medicine	3-year ACGME-accredited residency
Dental	1-year ADA-accredited residency
Medical Laboratory	Clinical rotations for MLT students
Respiratory Care	Clinical rotations for respiratory therapy students
Nursing	Clinical rotations for ADN students
Pharmacy	1-year ASHP-accredited residency
Medical Education	Clerkships and electives for visiting medical students

Collaborative Research Projects

Department	Research Project	Details
Cancer Center	CAR-T cell therapy clinical trials	Testing novel CAR-T treatments for lymphoma patients
Cardiology	Heart failure device development	Creating new implantable devices to monitor and treat heart failure
Neurology	Multiple sclerosis drug trials	Testing new medications to slow MS progression
Pulmonology	COPD treatment study	Evaluating combination therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Women´s Health	Endometriosis research	Investigating genetic factors and novel treatments for endometriosis

Professional Development Programs

Department	Affiliations	Professional Development Programs
Family Medicine	ACGME	Family and Community Medicine Residency
Cardiology	American College of Cardiology	Chest Pain Center Accreditation
Neurology	American Heart Association/American Stroke Association	Stroke Center Certification
Nursing	American Nurses Credentialing Center	Nursing Education and Professional Development Program
Research	Penn State College of Medicine	Physician-Scientist Training Program

Certification and Accreditation Programs

Department	Certification/Accreditation	Accrediting Body
Cardiology	Chest Pain Center Accreditation	American College of Cardiology
Neurology	Stroke Care Excellence Award	Healthgrades
Pulmonology	Pulmonary Care Excellence Award	Healthgrades
Hospital-wide	America´s 250 Best Hospitals Award	Healthgrades

Internship and Observation Programs

Department	Opportunity
Child Life	Summer Junior Volunteer Program (ages 16-18)
Family Medicine	Family and Community Medicine Residency
Medical/Surgical	Graduate Nurse Residency Program
Nursing	Nurse Externship Program (9 weeks, summer)
Various Departments	Adult Volunteer Program (age 18+)

Hospital Academic Awards and Achievements

Department	Award
Hospital-wide	America´s 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2023)
Maternity Care	Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care
Maternity Care	Baby-Friendly Hospital Certification
Stroke Care	Stroke Care Excellence Award™ (2024)
Stroke Care	America´s 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award™ (2023)
Pulmonary Care	Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ (2023)

Hospital Specialization and Expertise Opportunit

Department	Program
Family Medicine	3-year ACGME-accredited residency
Pharmacy	1-year ASHP-accredited residency
Dentistry	1-year ADA-accredited residency

Hospital Residency and Assistantship Programs

Department	Program
Dental	1-year General Practice Residency
Family Medicine	3-year Family and Community Medicine Residency
Pharmacy	1-year Pharmacy Residency

What are the activities of the hospital for patients without insurance?

Department/Service	Options for Uninsured Patients
Emergency Care	- Provided regardless of ability to pay - Stabilization guaranteed before discussing payment
Financial Assistance	- 100% free care for eligible patients - Based on income and family size - Application available online and at clinic locations
Payment Plans	- Interest-free payment plans offered - No fees for carrying a balance
Discounted Services	- Uninsured patients not charged more than insured patients - Amounts generally billed (AGB) policy in place
Insurance Enrollment	- Assistance applying for Medicaid - Help exploring Marketplace insurance options
Prescription Assistance	- Pharmacy specialist to find low-cost prescriptions - Connection to drug company programs
Financial Counseling	- One-on-one counseling available - Explore all payment and assistance options

Hospital Research Collaborations

Department	Research Partner
Cancer Research	Penn State Cancer Institute
Pediatrics	Penn State Health Children´s Hospital
Medical Education	Penn State College of Medicine
Cardiovascular	Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute
Translational Research	Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Mentoring and Consultancy in Hospital Education

Department	Mentorship/Advisory Program
Emergency Medicine	Mentoring for new EM physicians and residents
Nursing	New Nurse Mentorship Program for recent nursing graduates
Residency Programs	Structured mentoring for all medical residents
Spiritual Care	Chaplain mentoring program for new spiritual care providers

Penn State Health St. Joseph Nearest Places

Hotels

0.8 km

4.5

Homewood Suites by Hilton Reading

Free breakfast, Free WiFi, Kitchen, Pool

0.9 km

4.3

Courtyard by Marriott Reading Wyomissing

Free WiFi, Pool, Fitness center

0.9 km

4.2

Candlewood Suites Reading

Free WiFi, Kitchen, Fitness center

1.0 km

4.1

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wyomissing

Free breakfast, Free WiFi, Pool

1.0 km

Crowne Plaza Reading

Free WiFi, Pool, Restaurant

1.0 km

3.9

Best Western Plus Reading Inn & Suites

Free breakfast, Free WiFi, Pool

Florists and Gift Shops

0.3 mi

4.4

Royer´s Flowers & Gifts

Fresh flowers, plants, gift baskets

0.1 mi

4.2

Penn State Health St. Joseph Gift Shop

Hospital gift shop, flowers, balloons, gifts

0.7 mi

4.8

Sunshine Blue Skies

Unique gifts, home decor, jewelry

0.8 mi

4.6

Roth´s Gifts & Occasions

Gifts, cards, home decor

0.9 mi

4.7

Mariah´s Accents For the Home

Home decor, gifts, seasonal items

1.0 mi

4.3

Things Remembered

Personalized gifts, engraving

Food and Restaurant

0.8 km

4.5

Blue Marsh Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Italian, Pizza

0.5 km

4.3

Klinger´s at the Airport

American, Bar

0.1 km

3.8

Rotunda Café

Hospital Cafeteria, American

0.2 km

3.7

Tree House Café

Hospital Cafeteria, American

0.1 km

4.2

Starbucks

Coffee, Snacks

0.9 km

4.4

Eagle Hotel

American, Bar

Pharmacies

0 km

4.5

St. Joseph Ambulatory Pharmacy

Walk-In Clinic, Handicapped Accessible, Medicaid, Immunizations, Compounding

0.8 km

3.9

CVS Pharmacy

Drive-thru, Photo Services, Immunizations

0.9 km

3.7

Rite Aid Pharmacy

Drive-thru, Photo Services, Immunizations

1 km

4.1

Weis Pharmacy

Grocery Store Pharmacy, Immunizations

1 km

4.2

Giant Pharmacy

Grocery Store Pharmacy, Immunizations, Drive-thru

1 km

4.8

Medicine Shoppe

Compounding, Immunizations, Medication Therapy Management

Taxi and Transportation

0.8 km

4.2

Grab-A-Cab

24/7 taxi service, airport transfers, local transportation

0.9 km

Reading Metro Taxi

24/7 taxi service, airport transfers, local transportation

0.7 km

3.8

BARTA Transportation Center

Public bus service, local transportation

0.9 km

4.1

La Mexicana Express

24/7 taxi service, door-to-door transportation

0.8 km

3.9

Reading Yellow Cab

24/7 taxi service, airport transfers, local transportation

1.0 km

3.7

Supportive Concepts for Families

Medical appointment transportation

ATMs and Banks

0.1 km

4.5

Riverfront Federal Credit Union ATM

ATM, Surcharge-free withdrawals

0.3 km

4.2

Santander Bank ATM

ATM, 24/7 access

0.5 km

4.3

Wells Fargo ATM

ATM, 24/7 access, Cardless ATM access

0.7 km

4.1

M&T Bank ATM

ATM, 24/7 access

0.9 km

4.4

PNC Bank ATM

ATM, 24/7 access, Cardless ATM access

1.0 km

WSFS Bank ATM

ATM, 24/7 access

Parking Lots

0 km

4.1

Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center Parking

Free parking, Accessible parking

0.5 km

4.2

Reading Regional Airport Parking

Free parking, Long-term parking

0.8 km

3.9

Bern Township Municipal Building Parking

Free parking, Public parking

Shopping Malls

0.8 km

4.3

Broadcasting Square Shopping Center

Target, Giant Food Store, Staples, Petco

0.9 km

3.9

Berkshire Mall

Boscov´s, Dunham´s Sports, Planet Fitness

1.0 km

4.1

Spring Ridge Shopping Center

Weis Markets, Redner´s Pharmacy, Dollar Tree

Stationery and Copying Services

0.2 km

4.2

PSUprints

Digital printing, posters, banners, signs, business cards

0.5 km

Penn State Health Printing Services

Custom brochures, booklets, calendars, cards

0.1 km

4.3

St. Joseph Medical Center Gift Shop

Cards, stationery, gift items

Car Rental

0.4 km

4.4

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Wide selection of vehicles, Free pick-up service

0.7 km

3.8

Hertz

Airport rentals, Business rentals

0.9 km

3.9

Budget Car Rental

Economy to luxury vehicles, One-way rentals

Patient Experiences

✅ Summary of Positive Reviews

The positive reviews highlight exceptional care and professionalism by the staff, particularly in the ER. Reviewers appreciated the compassion and competence of specific nurses, mentioning flawless procedures and advocacy for patient needs. The efficiency and dedication of the staff, such as staying late to resolve prescription issues, left a strong impression, leading reviewers to recommend the facility and express willingness to return.

❌ Summary of Negative Reviews

Negative reviews focus on long wait times, inadequate communication, and perceived lack of care. Patients expressed frustration over delayed treatment and insufficient follow-ups on test results, describing experiences that left them feeling neglected and dissatisfied with the service. Concerns about costs and resource management also contributed to their disappointment, suggesting a need for improved staffing and patient care protocols.