Warren General Hospital to End Maternity Services Next Week

UPDATE: Warren General Hospital in Warren, Pennsylvania, will terminate its inpatient labor and delivery services as of next week, a move that could leave many expecting families in the region scrambling for alternatives. This urgent decision, made public earlier today, stems from a severe shortage of OB-GYN specialists and a sudden change in physician availability.

“This difficult decision follows an exhaustive national recruitment search,” the hospital stated, highlighting the significant challenges faced in maintaining its maternity services. For years, Warren General’s OB-GYN program has relied on just two physicians. However, on December 29, 2025, the hospital learned that one of these doctors would be unable to deliver babies for the foreseeable future.

Despite a year of aggressive recruitment efforts—including outreach to 28 residency programs, collaboration with 10 recruiting agencies, and engagement with local legislators—Warren General has been unable to secure the necessary staffing to operate a 24/7 labor and delivery unit safely.

Dan Grolemund, the hospital’s CEO, emphasized, “Our priority is, and always will be, the safety and well-being of our patients.” Approximately 175 babies are delivered at Warren General each year, but this figure has dropped significantly over the past two decades, from nearly 400 deliveries annually.

For the expecting mothers affected by this service closure, the hospital is working to provide alternative labor and delivery options. Patients can choose from facilities such as UPMC Chautauqua (20 miles away), AHN St. Vincent Hospital (62 miles), and UPMC Hamot Magee-Women’s Hospital (67 miles).

In a bid to continue supporting local maternity care, Warren General has formed a partnership with Dr. Michael Scutella from OB-GYN Associates of Erie, who will offer labor and delivery services in Erie. Additionally, Dr. Hannah Zank, currently in her OB-GYN residency, is set to join the team in July 2027.

This critical change is part of a larger trend in Pennsylvania, where a growing number of counties—including McKean, Elk, Cameron, Potter, Warren, Clarion, Clinton, and Forest—lack maternity services. Nearby facilities have also reduced or relocated their labor and delivery options, contributing to a widening maternity desert in the region.

As these developments unfold, the community is urged to share their concerns and explore available healthcare options. The situation remains fluid, and further updates from Warren General Hospital are expected in the coming days.