Independence Health System remains steadfast to enhancing access to specialty care and cutting-edge technology, underscoring its commitment to the community.

In 2024, the system expanded its services, welcoming new providers to electrophysiology, pathology, primary care, pulmonology, vascular surgery, and women’s care. Furthermore, the system extended its cardiology, cardiothoracic, vascular and bariatric services in the region.

Butler Memorial Hospital added a Seimens Healthineers SOMATOM Force dual-source computed tomography (CT) scanner, featuring low-dose 4D and dual-energy spectral imaging. The technology enables more specialized testing, such as coronary CT angiograms to detect coronary artery disease.

The cardiovascular team at Butler Memorial Hospital was among the first in the region to treat a patient using the Evolut™ FX+ transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system. This minimally invasive procedure offers larger coronary access windows through a modified diamond-shaped frame design, four times larger than previous iterations.

The system is also leading the way in Alzheimer’s care, offering breakthrough diagnosis and treatment therapies. Neurologists from Butler and Westmoreland campuses began offering these infusions in December 2023, and the number of patients seeking treatment, in hopes of slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s, continues to grow.

Butler Memorial Hospital is enhancing the lung cancer screening program with the development of the Advanced Lung Center (ALC),

Staffed by a multidisciplinary team, the ALC aims to diagnose and treat lung cancer earlier, offering more treatment options and better outcomes. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and is particularly prevalent in Western Pennsylvania.

Independence Health System comprises five hospitals — Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland — with a combined bed count of 924. The system has more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, serving a population base of 750,000 across more than 10 counties.

Locally owned and controlled, the system offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across a broad spectrum of services including cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. To learn more, visit www.independence.health or call the IHS Care Center at 833-602-CARE (2273).

This article was submitted Independence Health System.