Trauma Center

Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital has provided quality trauma care since the inception of trauma center accreditation in Pennsylvania. On July 13, 2023, the hospital was elevated by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation to be the region's only Level I Trauma Center. In addition to the multidisciplinary treatment and specialized resources for patients required of Level II trauma centers, Level I centers must also have trauma research and surgical residency programs. 

The Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital Trauma Program serves patients from all area hospitals including Guthrie Corning Hospital, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, Towanda Campus, and Guthrie Troy Community Hospital via helicopter transfer for expedited service. Our specially trained communications experts will help you expedite the transfer of your patients no matter what their needs.

Our trauma center provides patient-centered care from our team of fellowship-trained trauma physicians specializing in trauma, emergency surgery and critical care. Our specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to care for seriously injured patients.

Guthrie Troy Community Hospital is an accredited Level IV trauma center. Using a Rural Trauma Team approach for centers with limited resources, the emergency department can stabilize and care for critical needs that require transfer to the Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital trauma center.

Acute Care Surgery

In addition to state-of-the-art trauma care, the trauma team at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital’s Level I Regional Trauma Center also provides surgical critical care and emergency general surgical services. Our experienced surgeons are fellowship-trained and board-certified in general surgery and surgical critical care. They are on duty around the clock to perform procedures, oversee the surgical intensive care unit, and treat time-sensitive conditions such as:

• Severe soft tissue infections that may require specialized surgical care
• Perforated peptic ulcer
• Bowel obstructions or perforations
• Abscesses
• Post-operative complications
• Complicated appendicitis
• Cholecystitis (gall bladder attacks)
• Severe pancreatitis
• Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome

Transferring a Patient

To ensure that a patient is referred to the most appropriate medical or surgical specialty, Guthrie offers the Regional Transfer Center, a one-call central point of access operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To contact the Regional Transfer Center about a patient transfer or referral, call toll free: 866-336-7172.

For emergencies and patient transfers that require aeromedical transport, Guthrie Air offers medically dedicated helicopter service with a medical command provided by Robert Packer Hospital Medical Command physicians. To arrange for air transport call: 800-535-0911.

Rehabilitation Services

An important aspect of recovering from a traumatic injury is the rehabilitation services available to the patient. 

At the Newman W. Benson Acute Rehabilitation Unit at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, Towanda Campus our highly trained professionals provide nurturing support and physical rehabilitation for a variety of patients who have experienced the debilitating effects of an acute injury, impairment, or illness.  

Patients in the acute rehab unit receive a minimum of three hours of therapy each day for at least five days a week. Your team of compassionate providers will work with you and those involved in your care to develop a treatment plan unique to you, so you can get back to a more normal routine at home as soon as possible. 

Check our complete guide to acute rehabilitation and what we can do for you.