UPMC Passavant offers snapshot of 2025, highlights Cranberry hospital renovation
At its annual meeting on Thursday, Dec. 4, at UPMC Passavant-McCandless, a wide-ranging report highlighting the hospital’s achievements and expansions over the past year — including several at their Cranberry Township campus — was presented.
Dr. Elizabeth Piccione, president of UPMC Passavant, highlighted that in August, UPMC Passavant-Cranberry celebrated the completion of a $6.6 million renovation as part of its First Impressions project, including a modernized lobby and enhanced clinic spaces. The hospital also expanded specialty services.
“This year, we have been committed to excellence at UPMC’s hub of advanced specialty care … and will continue to commit to serving our communities for years to come,” Piccione said.
New service enhancements at the Cranberry campus include advanced cardiac CT imaging, behavioral health upgrades, pediatric telehealth through UPMC Children’s Hospital, expanded Heart and Vascular Institute clinics, expanded surgical services in gynecology, gynecologic oncology, orthopedics, urology and general surgery and more.
Piccione noted a sharp rise in behavioral health needs since the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, UPMC Passavant constructed a behavioral health room in the Cranberry Emergency Department. The space is hazard-free and designed for comfort, privacy and safety. Psychiatric telemedicine and behavioral health navigators were added to support follow-up care.
Since 2022, the Passavant system has seen patient growth across Western Pennsylvania, including Butler, Beaver, Lawrence, Allegheny and Mercer counties. Areas of increase include cancer surgery, neurosurgery and spine surgery, and thoracic and esophageal surgery.
The hospitals’ proximity to major highways — I-79, the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 228 — provides a geographic advantage that supports continued growth, Piccione said.
She noted Cranberry and McCandless emergency departments experienced year-over-year growth in both 2024 and 2025.
Cranberry Township’s hospital now houses the only advanced cardiac CT scanner between UPMC Passavant and UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland. The noninvasive technology provides detailed images of coronary arteries and supports early detection of coronary artery disease.
“None of this would be possible without out incredible staff, foundation and leadership,” Piccione said. “We encourage the community to consider UPMC for their health care needs. Our advisory boards ensure that community feedback continues to shape our direction.”
Passavant brought back Dr. Chad Kassanovich, a cardiac imaging specialist, she said. In total, UPMC Passavant brought in 17 new physicians and 142 new nurses in 2025.
Piccione also reported $32 million in community benefit support in fiscal year 2024, including $21 million in charity care. UPMC Passavant contributed an estimated $950 million in economic impact to the region, she said.
