Allegheny Valley Hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation program will double in size as part of an AHN $6.2 million expansion and conversion program. (Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

By Riley Dunn, Pittsburgh Business Times

On June 12, Allegheny Health Network announced a $6.2 million investment into a number of expansion and conversion projects at its Allegheny Valley and Forbes hospitals.

With the new expansions, AHN hopes to be better able to meet the growing needs of patients in its eastern service footprint. 

Some of the initiatives involved include a doubling in size of the inpatient rehabilitation program at the Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights, as well as an acquisition of 20 new medical-surgical beds at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville. 

“By strategically investing in these two important services, we are strengthening both hospitals and ensuring that our communities have access to the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” Mark Rubino, president of AHN Allegheny Valley and AHN Forbes Hospitals, said in a release. 

Rubino also said that the changes being made are part of AHN’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional patient care and improving the overall patient experience across the entire health system. 

Building upon its Joint Commission certified Traumatic Brain Injury program, Allegheny Valley Hospital will become AHN’s “center of excellence” for inpatient rehabilitation services. Construction on a new consolidated unit with 29 rehabilitation beds will begin in July and is expected to wrap up by the end of the year. This new unit will house the latest rehabilitation equipment and technology and will enable advanced care for patients recovering from serious illness, injuries or surgeries. 

To accommodate the expanded services, the hospital’s Progressive Care Unit will relocate back to its prior location on the first floor. 

At the same time as Allegheny Valley is making its changes, Forbes Hospital plans to respond to an increasing need for acute medical and surgical care by converting its inpatient rehabilitation unit into 20 new medical-surgical beds. 

The additional beds are expected to help reduce wait times, minimize patient transfers and improve overall patient flow and experience — particularly for those requiring emergency care. 

“The emergency department at Forbes is one of the network’s busiest, which means our medical-surgical units are always busy, too. We need more space and more beds for these patients,” Jeff Carlson, chief operating officer of AHN Allegheny Valley and AHN Forbes Hospitals, said. “At the same time, Allegheny Valley Hospital has a strong and growing rehab program, and by making AVH our hub for inpatient rehab services, we can help our patients recover more effectively.”

In 2024, Forbes’ emergency department reported upwards of 40,000 visitors, while Allegheny Valley’s rehab unit treated about 300 patients. 

In addition to expansion plans, Allegheny Valley plans to unveil its new Healing Garden and Courtyard beautification project early this summer, while Forbes is set to begin a $2 million renovation to its main lobby. 

“This is an exciting time for our hospitals,” Rubino said. “In addition to expanding our capacity, we’re reimagining our spaces to reflect the high-quality care our teams deliver every day. These improvements represent our deep investment in both the health and experience of our patients.”

Riley Dunn is a student at the University of Iowa and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns.