Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) announced today it will acquire the Hazleton-based American Patient Transport Systems, Inc. (APTS) effective July 15, 2018.
APTS is an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) company which employs about 100 people and operates a fleet of almost 30 ambulances and non-emergency stretcher/wheelchair vans. It is based on East Holly St. in Hazleton, Luzerne County, and has a second location in Pottsville, Schuylkill County.
APTS is an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) company which employs about 100 people and operates a fleet of almost 30 ambulances and non-emergency stretcher/wheelchair vans. It is based on East Holly St. in Hazleton, Luzerne County, and has a second location in Pottsville, Schuylkill County.
“We are excited that this opportunity was presented to us,” said John Fletcher, President, Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Hazleton. “APTS has been a valued partner with our hospital and has provided a valuable service to our community for many years. We want to ensure our community that there will be no change to these services under the new arrangement.”
Fletcher said LVH-Hazleton and APTS have worked well together for many years since APTS serves the Greater Hazleton area as the primary 911 provider for the region. Under the new arrangement, APTS staff and equipment will come under the LVHN umbrella as a subsidiary of LVH–Hazleton.
Fletcher said APTS services under LVHN will be business as usual with no significant changes in staffing or operations anticipated. “The ever changing health care landscape continues to present new challenges and has opened the door to new collaborations and partnerships. We plan to continue the important patient transport and life-saving care that APTS has provided for so many years. This is a new service for LVHN and we are excited to embark on this venture.”
“We are pleased to announce the sale of APTS to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton,” said Dr. William Pavlick, President, APTS. “We are confident that this transaction will be of great benefit to our employees and to the residents and customers served by APTS. We are certain that Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton will continue to build upon our history of providing quality service as they continue to improve the entire health care system in the Greater Hazleton area and beyond."
Fletcher stressed LVHN also recognizes the important work of all first responders in the Greater Hazleton and Schuylkill areas. “This region is fortunate to have so many first responders that look after the community and are first on the scene when an emergency occurs,” Fletcher said. “LVHN is honored to be part of this elite group and looks forward to teaming up with them to provide these
critical services.”
Fletcher stressed LVHN also recognizes the important work of all first responders in the Greater Hazleton and Schuylkill areas. “This region is fortunate to have so many first responders that look after the community and are first on the scene when an emergency occurs,” Fletcher said. “LVHN is honored to be part of this elite group and looks forward to teaming up with them to provide these critical services.”