UPMC Harrisburg Recognized as Gold-Level Center of Excellence Designation for ECMO Program

HARRISBURG, PA. (Aug. 31, 2026) – UPMC Harrisburg has been awarded the prestigious ELSO Gold Center of Excellence designation for 2027. The Award from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) recognizes hospitals and medical centers around the world that demonstrate exceptional commitment to evidence-based processes and quality measures, staff training and continuing education, patient satisfaction and ongoing clinical care in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). 
 

“This recognition reflects the extraordinary dedication of our multidisciplinary ECMO team and their unwavering commitment to providing the highest level of care for some of our sickest patients," said Dr. Paul Modelewski, ECMO medical director, UPMC Harrisburg. "Achieving Gold status is the result of years of collaboration, performance improvement and a shared vision to continually advance our program.” 
 

ECMO is an advanced form of life support that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and/or lungs for patients experiencing severe cardiac or respiratory failure, allowing time for recovery or additional treatment.  

The UPMC Harrisburg ECMO program began in 2021 through the efforts of a highly committed team of medical intensivists, cardiothoracic surgeons, intensive care cardiologists, critical care advanced practice providers, ICU nurses, ICU pharmacists, respiratory therapists and ECMO specialists. Through a sustained focus on quality improvement and program development, the team transformed the program from performing only a handful of cases annually to becoming one of the state's recognized centers for ECMO excellence. 
 

The program earned ELSO's Silver Center of Excellence designation in 2024 and has now advanced to the organization's Gold Center of Excellence designation for 2027, reflecting significant progress in clinical outcomes, operational excellence and program maturity.  

The ELSO Gold Center of Excellence designation is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a marker of excellence among leading institutions. The award will be presented at the 37th Annual ELSO Conference on September 28, 2026, in Nashville, TN. 
 

UPMC Harrisburg, including UPMC West Shore and UPMC Community Osteopathic under the same license, was named the No. 1 hospital in the Harrisburg metro area and No. 7 in Pennsylvania in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Hospitals rankings, with high-performing ratings in several heart and vascular specialties. 
 

For more information about UPMC services in central Pennsylvania, visit UPMC.com/CentralPa. 

About UPMC    
UPMC is a world-renowned, nonprofit health care provider and insurer committed to delivering exceptional, people-centered care and community services. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC is shaping the future of health through clinical and technological innovation, research, and education. Dedicated to advancing the well-being of our diverse communities, we provide nearly $2 billion annually in community benefits, more than any other health system in Pennsylvania. Our 100,000 employees — including more than 5,000 physicians — care for patients across more than 40 hospitals and 800 outpatient sites in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland, as well as overseas. UPMC Insurance Services covers more than 4 million members, providing affordable, high-quality, value-based care. To learn more, visit UPMC.com.