USA: In a shocking turn of events, patients across Pennsylvania were left in dire straits when Penn State Health abruptly closed its abdominal transplant program. Jessica Clark, a dedicated domestic violence counselor from Erie, Pennsylvania, was among those devastated by this closure. Living with kidney failure for over 16 years, she had been making five-hour journeys to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, hoping to receive a life-saving kidney transplant. However, her dreams were dashed when the program ceased operations just a day after receiving promising news.
Jessica’s battle with kidney failure began with a simple cut on her foot, which led to an infection and relentless antibiotic treatments that severely damaged her kidneys. Despite these challenges, she continued to work full-time, attended night classes for her psychology degree, and underwent early morning dialysis sessions. She was optimistic about the transplant, as it would mean the possibility of having another child and an end to her grueling dialysis routine.
The news of the program’s closure came as a complete surprise. On the Friday before, Jessica and her husband were filled with hope, sharing their excitement with loved ones and on social media. But by Monday, the hospital informed her that the transplant program was shutting down. This abrupt decision came just weeks after federal regulators reviewed the hospital’s kidney and liver transplant programs. Shortly afterward, Penn State Health was forced to halt these crucial operations.
This closure affected not only Clark but countless others across Pennsylvania, creating a healthcare crisis in the state. Former patients, left without options, had to scramble to find alternative care. Despite attempts by Spotlight PA to secure an interview, Penn State Health declined to discuss the impact in detail, showing little progress in addressing the serious consequences for its patients. As the investigation unfolds, it highlights the massive trust these patients placed in the hospital—and the far-reaching impact when that trust is broken.
