A Legacy of Care
For a century, UPMC Hanover has grown alongside the community it serves. This timeline reflects the milestones, people, and moments that have shaped our hospital from 1926 to today. Through periods of change and advancement, one constant has remained: a commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care. Explore our history, see how far we have come, and discover the impact of the donors, staff, and patients who helped build the foundation of our next 100 years.
A Community Hospital Is Born
1926–1959
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Hanover General Hospital, now UPMC Hanover, was founded when philanthropists Harper D. Sheppard and Clinton N. Myers united local residents around the vision of a community hospital. They provided financing for construction as well as funding for the hospital’s first year of operating expenses.
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In 1942, a new wing was built, increasing the hospital’s service space by 70 percent.
Growth and Medical Innovation
1960–1989
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In 1962, a third wing was added, expanding patient care space by another 60 percent.
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In 1969, a Mobile Coronary Care Unit donated by R.H. Sheppard was placed into service as a joint operation of Hanover Hospital and the fire department, becoming the first unit of its kind in Pennsylvania and only the seventh in the United States.
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In 1983, the hospital nearly doubled in size with a major expansion that became the main hospital building.
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In 1986, Pediatric Specialty Therapy was introduced to address the functional needs of children through physical therapy, with occupational and speech therapy added in 1993, a dedicated space established in 2000, and continued growth leading to the program’s current expanded home in 2016.
Expanding Care Beyond the Hospital Walls
1990–2009
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In 1995, Hanover Hospital expanded care into surrounding communities with the formation of the Hanover HealthCare PLUS network, which grew from offering lab, imaging, and rehabilitation services to include primary and specialty care practices, the Hanover SurgiCenter, Hanover Apothecary, Medical Fitness Center, Lung and Sleep Center, and Total Wound Care Center.
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In 1999, a new wing opened featuring an expanded Emergency Department, occupational health services, same day surgery, and gastroenterology.
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In 2009, the hospital completed a 66,000 square foot vertical expansion above the Emergency Department, adding seven new operating rooms.
Modern Care and System Integration
2010–2025
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In 2008, the first Express Care walk-in clinic opened in Hanover to treat non-emergent needs, with additional locations opening in New Oxford and Spring Grove over the next two years.
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In 2013, a completely renovated medical and surgical unit opened, transitioning the hospital to entirely private patient rooms.
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In 2015, the Heart and Vascular Center expanded with two new cardiovascular catheterization suites, procedural rooms, and private recovery rooms, supported in part by a RACP grant.
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In 2017, Hanover Hospital became part of PinnacleHealth, then became part of the UPMC health system, officially becoming UPMC Hanover.
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In 2018, UPMC Hanover completed its first da Vinci robotic assisted surgery, with the system upgraded to the da Vinci Xi in 2020.
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In 2018, the Express Care located in south Hanover moved to the newly constructed UPMC Outpatient Center. This expansion included lab and imaging, and primary and specialty care services.
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In 2022, Hillman Cancer Center began providing medical oncology services in the Medical Office Building.
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In 2023, UPMC Hanover opened its Behavioral Health Unit to support individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
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In 2025, UPMC Hanover opened the Pediatric Pod, expanding specialized care and creating a dedicated space designed to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients and their families.
