Charles Cole Memorial Hospital and the Keystone Rural Health Consortia have announced plans to reopen the Bowman Health Center in Smethport in honor of Douglas Bowman, M.D.

Dr. Bowman, a member of CCMH’s medical staff since 1983, served the hospital and Smethport area in numerous capacities until his untimely death November 25. He joined Keystone in 2005 at which time he opened the Misty Valley Health Center.

Under the terms of the joint plan, CCMH affiliated physicians Dr. Amit Khanna, Dr. Seth Shifrin, and Dr. Nirav Patel and nurse practitioner Judy Flynn will see patients at the office’s current location, the Misty Valley Health Center, with Dr. Bowman’s office staff, including physician assistant Crystal Fowler, PA-C.

CCMH intends to operate the Bowman Health Center at the Misty Valley Health Center location until its building, currently under lease to the Guidance Center, becomes available in about a year. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 814-887-5395.

CCMH and Keystone said this interim arrangement will help serve patients in the Smethport area until a permanent, full-time physician is hired. CCMH has initiated an aggressive national search for a physician and plans to keep the community informed through periodic mailings, media, and its Community Benefit Advisory Committees.

The Keystone Rural Health Consortia, Inc. Opened its Emporium office in 1976 and has since expanded its services with offices in Coudersport, Johnsonburg, Snow Shoe, and Smethport. The organization provides community health care and related services to the rural communities in northern and central Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.keystoneruralhealth.com.

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital is a full service, comprehensive health system based in Coudersport with service throughout north central Pennsylvania. In addition to the hospital’s main campus in Coudersport, CCMH provides primary health care, including wellness and physical therapy, to surrounding communities at rural health centers in Galeton, Ulysses, Westfield, Shinglehouse, Port Allegany, Eldred, Smethport, and Emporium. For additional information on the hospital’s services and medical providers, visit www.charlescolehospital.com.