Penn State Health will significantly expand medical services in the Hershey community by adding internal medicine, endocrinology and nephrology to family medicine services currently offered at the CocoaPlex Center. The health system aims to improve patient access and convenience to these high-demand services.

Room One Corporation announced plans today to close the CocoaPlex Cinema Center after the first of the year. Following the decision to close the theater, Room One chose to offer Penn State Health a lease option for the 20,000-square-foot space currently occupied by the theater.

The CocoaPlex Cinema space is in the same complex as the Penn State Health Medical Group – Cocoa family medicine practice site. The space is also adjacent to Penn State Health Medical Group – Fishburn family medicine practice and less than a half mile from the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus.

Two internal medicine practices currently operating on the east and west side of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus will consolidate services to the CocoaPlex location. Adult endocrinology and nephrology services also will move to CocoaPlex from locations at the University Physician Center.

Moving these services off campus will provide easier access for internal medicine and adult endocrinology and nephrology patients. The move allows Penn State Health to create additional capacity for pediatric specialties on the Hershey campus. It also frees up more space for services remaining in the University Physician Center – including surgery; audiology; ear, nose and throat; dermatology; and urology – to expand and treat more patients in need of these services.

“This new location is an opportunity to expand the specialized services that we provide as the region’s only academic medical center in a location that will enhance access and convenience for our patients.” said Deborah Berini, president, Hershey Medical Center.

“The pending availability of this additional CocoaPlex Center space is a real opportunity for Penn State Health to provide a better experience for our patients,” said Peter Dillon, president of Penn State Health Medical Group. “We believe it will be a win for the Hershey community, as well.”

Pre-construction and design work on the project is underway. The project is expected to take 12-14 months, with opening of the new space to patients anticipated for late 2020.