The last steel beam was placed Tuesday at the new Lehigh Valley Hospital - Tannersville campus, marking a construction milestone for more health care options for people in Monroe County and the Pocono region.

The new medical campus is expected to open late this year.

“We’re one step closer to the community having more access to care,” says Holly Badali, President, Neighborhood Hospitals, Lehigh Valley Health Network. “The excitement is building because we have two other neighborhood hospitals (Macungie and Gilbertsville) open. They’re seeing that and word is spreading.”

Recent frigid temperatures have not slowed construction progress, says Bret Buchman, director of health care construction for Boyle Construction.

The final beam, signed by LVHN officials, was placed on the Health Center at Tannersville building, which will occupy the site along with LVH — Tannersville, creating a new health care hub.

Both are being built on the site of the former Hunter Pocono Peterbilt truck dealership on Golden Slipper Road, close to major roads including Interstate 80 and Routes 33 and 611. Ground was officially broken on Nov. 1, 2024.

Cor Catena, president, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono, says the construction is generating additional local and regional enthusiasm. “It’s a great opportunity and we’re excited about it,” he says.

The Health Center at Tannersville will have services including physician practices, adult rehabilitation, cardiology and more.

Neighborhood hospitals are licensed and accredited acute care facilities, with a full-service emergency room. They are open 24 hours a day, year-round. LVH — Tannersville, like its counterparts, will feature 11 ER beds and 10 inpatient beds for those requiring overnight stays or additional monitoring and testing. Anyone requiring more acute care can be stabilized and taken to a larger LVHN hospital with increased capability. In LVH — Tannersville’s case, that would be LVH — Pocono.

“This gives us a lot of options regarding care for our community and we’re happy it’s finally coming to fruition,” says David Burmeister, DO, associate chief physician executive for Jefferson Health, president of Lehigh Valley Physician Group and chair of the Department of Emergency and Hospital Medicine.

Learn more at LVHN.org/Tannersville.