Serving Seniors
RICHLAND TWP, Allegheny County — What started out as a convalescent home in 1900 eventually expanded into a health system with facilities in two counties — and it's still growing.
The St. Barnabas Health System, which already operates in Valencia and Richland Township, has moved into Pine Township in Allegheny County with the acquisition of Treesdale Manor, a former estate that includes a mansion dating back to the early 1900s.
Robin Taylor, St. Barnabas public relations director, said there are no plans for the site yet.
St. Barnabas also took over operations of Beaver Meadows, an 83-bed assisted living facility in Beaver.
Taylor said the ongoing growth is the vision of William Day, St. Barnabas president and chief executive officer.
“When he came, it was just a nursing home,” she said.
The first expansion occurred in 1972 with the addition of the St. Barnabas Medical Center in Richland Township.
The next big step was in 1980 with the opening of the Village of St. Barnabas, independent living apartments.
The Village provides its residents with such offerings as eateries, a grocery store, a beauty shop, a gift shop and a post office.
Jeanne Brooks, a Butler native, returned to Pennsylvania a few years ago after living in Florida to be close to family and to get the necessary care for her late husband.
Brooks said she is glad to be living at the Village, where she can get everything she needs.
“I don't have to dig my car out of the snow,” she said.
Another benefit is the people.
“There are some nice friends here,” Brooks said.
She enjoys such activities as Friday night movies and card games.
“I learned canasta,” Brooks said.
She also frequents the Village's pub, but in ladylike fashion.
“I don't sit at the bar,” Brooks said.
However, some people are less bashful.
“I've seen some old ladies at the bar,” Brooks said.
Resident Rita Foster, another Butler native, also likes the convenience of the Village.“It makes it a lot easier,” Foster said.Anne Lou Conley, originally from the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh, agreed with Brooks about having congenial neighbors.“It's very nice,” Conley said. “Everyone says hello.”Resident Cecelia Rusnak also enjoys the amiable atmosphere.“I met a lot of friends,” Rusnak said.Resident Philip Petraglia, originally from Mount Washington, likes the Village's library best.“I do a lot of reading,” he said.
Petraglia also likes more active pastimes.“I enjoy playing pool with the guys,” he said.St. Barnabas has more than 900 residents in its living facilities, and it has 650 employees.In 1900, Brother Gouverneur P. Hance opened the Church Army Convalescent Home in downtown Pittsburgh.The following year, Hance relocated the home to Pittsburgh's South Side, renaming it St. Barnabas Home.The facility moved to Richland in 1916.Throughout the changes over the decades, nursing home care remains a priority.To help those who can no longer afford such care, the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund provides more than $6 million to patients at St. Barnabas Nursing
Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and The Arbors at St. Barnabas.“Nursing home care can get very expensive,” Taylor said.Despite being named after a saint, the nursing home was founded by Episcopalians.“It's not a Catholic institution,” Taylor said.Along with providing activities for its residents, St. Barnabas holds events for the public.The Kean Quest Talent Search at the Kean Theatre is the local version of the TV show “American Idol,” with adult and youth vocal competitions.St. Barnabas Charities has an annual 5K Run/Walk and golf opens.There also is a fashion show and a CEO leadership conference.
Buildings of The Village, part of the St. Barnabas Health SystemHere is the timeline of the growth of the St. Barnabas Health System:1900 — The Church Army Convalescent Home is founded in downtown Pittsburgh1901 — The home relocates to the South Side of Pittsburgh and is renamed St. Barnabas Home1916 — The facility moves to Richland Township1972 — The St. Barnabas Medical Center opens in Richland Township1980 — The Village at St. Barnabas retirement community opens in Richland Township1989 — A new 65-bed wing is added to the nursing home1991 — Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas, a long-term care nursing facility, opens in Valencia1996 — A 91-bed wing is added at Valencia Woods1997 — The Arbors at St. Barnabas, an assisted living facility, opens in Valencia1998 — The Woodlands at St. Barnabas, a retirement community of carriage homes, opens in Valencia2001 — The Washington Place limited assisted living apartments open at the former Washington Elementary School in Richland2002 — The Edward Kean Theatre in Washington Place opens2005 — The Woodlands expands with the Lilian Taylor Camp addition2006 — St. Barnabas takes over Rudolph’s Auto Repair in Richland2009 — The second Arbors, the White Tail Ridge Carriage Homes and the Crystal Conservatories open in Richland2011 — The Arbors at St. Barnabas III, an 85-bed living assistance and memory care provider, opens in Valencia.
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