WellSpan Expands Cancer Care Access in Central Susquehanna Valley with Phased Oncology Investment
核心洞察
WellSpan Health is launching a phased expansion of oncology services across Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Columbia and surrounding counties, anchored at WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital (搜索).
Medical oncologist Dr. Joshua Van Allen will begin seeing patients in September 2026, with initial chemotherapy and infusion services offered in dedicated hospital space.
A comprehensive cancer (搜索) center offering medical oncology, radiation oncology and infusion services is expected to open in spring 2027.
WellSpan Health is expanding access to cancer (搜索) care through a phased investment that will bring medical oncology, infusion and future radiation oncology services closer to home for patients and families across Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Columbia and surrounding counties. The expansion is part of WellSpan's broader strategy to build a comprehensive oncology program through the WellSpan Cancer Institute (搜索) at WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital (搜索).
The first phase of the program begins with the arrival of Dr. Joshua Van Allen, a medical oncologist who will begin seeing patients in September. Initial chemotherapy and infusion services will be available within dedicated hospital space while WellSpan advances plans for a larger, comprehensive cancer (搜索) center that will provide both medical and radiation oncology services.
"For many individuals and families facing cancer (搜索), access to care can be just as important as the care itself. This expansion of oncology services reflects our commitment to bringing more cancer care closer to home, reducing travel burdens and ensuring patients can receive high-quality treatment while remaining connected to their support systems," said Allen Fasnacht, vice president WellSpan Health and president WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital (搜索).
Phased Timeline for Service Expansion
The phased expansion will take place over the next year, with three key milestones:
In September 2026, Dr. Joshua Van Allen joins WellSpan and medical oncology services begin, including chemotherapy and infusion at the practice WellSpan Medical Oncology & Hematology, a service of WellSpan Medical Group. The practice will be temporarily located on the first floor of WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital (搜索), just steps from the hospital's main entrance, making it easy for patients to find and access.
In December 2026, renovations begin on existing space on the health campus as WellSpan prepares for expanded oncology services and installation of advanced technology, including a linear accelerator used for radiation therapy.
In spring 2027, a newly renovated cancer (搜索) center is expected to open, offering a comprehensive cancer program that includes medical oncology, radiation oncology and infusion services in a modern, patient-centered environment.
Clinical Leadership and Integrated Care Model
A native of the greater Williamsport region, Dr. Joshua Van Allen brings specialized training in hematology and oncology and will play a key role in establishing WellSpan's oncology presence in the region. His arrival marks an important milestone in the development of a locally based cancer (搜索) care program designed to improve continuity of care and reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the region.
"By expanding these services and the ultimate connection to the WellSpan Cancer Institute (搜索), patients will benefit from the strength of an integrated cancer (搜索) program that brings together expertise, evidence-based treatment, multidisciplinary collaboration and a coordinated approach to care," said Dr. Nikhilesh Korgaonkar, vice president, WellSpan Health, and chief medical officer, WellSpan Cancer Institute. "This investment helps create a seamless experience for patients, from screening and diagnosis through treatment and survivorship."
Through the WellSpan Cancer Institute (搜索), patients will have access to a comprehensive cancer (搜索) program backed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists who collaborate across medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery, imaging, pathology, genetics, supportive care and survivorship services. This integrated approach helps ensure patients benefit from coordinated treatment planning, access to leading clinical expertise and a consistent standard of care throughout every stage of their cancer journey.
Community Funding Supports Patient-Centered Environment
WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital (搜索) has been awarded a $55,441 grant from the Ralph and Josephine Smith Fund at First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (搜索) to support the purchase of infusion chairs for the future cancer (搜索) center. The new infusion chairs funded through the grant will help create a comfortable, patient-centered environment for individuals receiving cancer treatment locally, reducing travel burdens and increasing access to care close to family, friends and support systems.
"Community partnerships like this play a vital role in helping us build the cancer (搜索) care resources our neighbors need close to home," said Allen Fasnacht. "We are grateful to the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (搜索) and the Ralph and Josephine Smith Fund for investing in the future of cancer care in the Central Susquehanna Valley."
This investment is part of WellSpan's broader effort to build a comprehensive oncology program through the WellSpan Cancer Institute (搜索) at WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital (搜索) and recent expansion of the Johns Hopkins Medicine (搜索) collaboration for second opinions, clinical trials and other research opportunities. The future cancer (搜索) center will connect local patients to the expertise of the WellSpan Cancer Institute, which brings together specialists across medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery, imaging, pathology, genetics, supportive care and survivorship services. Through this coordinated model, patients benefit from multidisciplinary treatment planning, evidence-based care and access to the resources of a nationally recognized cancer program.