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Mark A. Rubino, MD, a seasoned gynecologist with deep roots in the Pittsburgh area and President of Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Forbes Hospital since 2016, assumed the additional role of president for AHN’s Allegheny Valley Hospital (AVH) in May 2023. While a newcomer to the leadership team at the 188-bed Natrona Heights facility, Dr. Rubino is no stranger to the hospital's patients and staff, having built strong connections through his years of practice in the region.
“Many of my former patients and their families are part of this community, which has helped in building trust,” says Dr. Rubino, “As I walk through the halls of AVH, I've had a number of the employees come up and say, 'Hey, you delivered my baby' or 'I had my baby at Forbes'. …My role at AVH and Forbes is not only a professional relationship, but a personal one as well.”
That personal connection to the region is one of the reasons that Dr. Rubino was chosen to serve as the president of AHN’s two eastern-most full-service hospitals. Though separate entities, AVH and Forbes are now strategically linked, reflecting their common mission of serving Pittsburgh’s eastern and northeastern suburbs with outstanding clinical programs.
“Hospitals like AVH were built and funded by the communities they serve,” Dr. Rubino says. “Our role as stewards is to ensure we provide safe, high-quality, and accessible care, while also assuring that AVH is well-positioned — financially, professionally, technologically — for the decades ahead.”
I recently sat down with Dr. Rubino to discuss his first year as president, the hospital’s recent investments and the challenging health care environment in which AVH and all hospitals operate.
Sarafina James: Congratulations on the completion of your first year as president of AVH. How would you describe the first year in one word?
Dr. Mark A. Rubino: Transformative.
Sarafina James: Tell me more about that transformation.
Dr. Mark A. Rubino: In my new role, I’m executing on a regional approach to care by integrating services at AVH and Forbes. This approach keeps care close to home, reduces the need for patient transfers to the city, and maintains community trust and care efficiency.
We've worked hard to integrate both operational leadership and clinical services. This includes consolidating departments such as pharmacy, radiology, and lab services to drive efficiencies and reduce costs. Given the pressures smaller community hospitals face, especially financially, these steps are vital.
Sarafina James: What initiatives and investments have been at the forefront of this transformation?
Dr. Mark A. Rubino: This year, we've focused on enhancing several clinical services. For instance, our traumatic brain injury rehabilitation program, the only one of its kind in the area, received Joint Commission certification.
We recently implemented a tele-neurology consultation service, providing a dedicated neurologist for two hours a day, which has significantly reduced the need to transfer patients for neurology services. For example, a local resident with stroke symptoms was able to receive advanced diagnostic services and appropriate treatment at AVH thanks to this new service. This saved her from having to travel into the city for care, allowing her to be close to her family and support network.
Aligning surgical services is another priority for AHN. We now have surgeons who practice at both AVH and Forbes. We've invested in diagnostic and surgical capabilities, including a new Da Vinci Xi robotic platform, allowing us to perform advanced procedures locally. We've teamed up with our acute care surgery service to provide an advanced level of surgical care on nights and weekends at AVH. We've also done that across some of our other medical subspecialties, such as infectious disease and, hopefully soon, gastroenterology.
Sarafina James: In March 2023, AHN announced a $12 million expansion project to enhance the imaging and radiology department at AVH. What does this expansion mean for patients?
Dr. Mark A. Rubino: The imaging project has been a major focus, consolidating all diagnostic modalities under one roof with state-of-the-art equipment. This allows patients to receive comprehensive diagnostic services in one visit, enhancing their experience and care efficiency. Advanced diagnostic services within the community mean patients no longer need to travel for these services, reducing delays and improving access.
This is particularly crucial for our senior population and those with limited transportation. It's about ensuring that high-quality care is available locally, fostering a sense of security, and reducing the stress associated with travel.
Sarafina James: What accomplishments are you most proud of over your first year?
Dr. Mark A. Rubino: One that stands out is the “A” grade in the 2024 Leapfrog hospital safety report, which recognizes the exceptional high-quality care delivered by our care teams across AVH and Forbes. On a personal note, Becker’s Healthcare recognized me amongst a talented group of "community hospital CEOs to know", which was a true honor.
Sarafina James: Beyond medical advancements, AVH is addressing community needs like food insecurity through the Healthy Food Center. How has the Healthy Food Center been received since opening in June 2023?
Dr. Mark A. Rubino: The Healthy Food Center has been a significant addition to our facility. There is food insecurity in the population that we serve here, and we’re proud that our clinicians now have a resource to offer patients struggling with food insecurity, which directly impacts health outcomes. The clinic has been embraced, making it easier for health care providers to discuss and address these issues with patients. We're also establishing a Healthy Food Garden to support this initiative further.
Sarafina James: Health care staffing is a challenge everywhere. How are we working to ensure that AVH always has appropriate staffing, especially on our clinical teams?
Dr. Mark A. Rubino: There is no question that we need to grow our talent, so we have strengthened our relationship with our school of nursing. That relationship with the Citizens School of Nursing has resulted in a graduating class where almost 75 percent of graduates, if not more, have taken jobs at AHN.
Sarafina James: Looking ahead, what are the critical areas of focus for the next few years for AVH?
Dr. Mark A. Rubino: We aim to expand specialty coverage to retain more patients within the community. Integrating services with Forbes and other network hospitals remains crucial.
We've been able to stabilize our surgical procedures, which are up in 2024 compared to 2023. Our emergency department receives 2,000 visits a month, which is a testament to the trust our community has placed in our hospital and caregivers.
We're also focused on the sustainability of AVH, particularly in managing our aging infrastructure. We've already torn down the oldest building, and now there's a parking lot where that administrative office was. These buildings are nearly 100 years old, which takes a tremendous amount of investment. So, we need to consider what this campus should look like as we think about a five-year and 10-year plan.
One of the opportunities is to try to consolidate more outpatient services here to allow for a one-stop shop for patients to see their doctors and have diagnostic services and any outpatient or inpatient care they may need. Geographically, AVH is well-positioned to care for the communities it serves.
Sarafina James: Given the challenges and closures facing community hospitals, how is AVH ensuring its continued viability and ability to serve the community?
Dr. Mark A. Rubino: This place isn’t going anywhere. Stability is important, and strategic growth is the icing on the cake when it comes to hospitals in aging communities, especially for hospitals operating in under-resourced communities.
AVH is fortunate to be part of a robust health network, backed by a diversified and financially stable health and wellness organization. This provides us with a level of stability and flexibility that many hospitals our size simply don't have.
As a result, we're able to continue providing a comprehensive range of advanced services, from robotic surgery and neurology care to brand new imaging capabilities and a state-of-the-art Cancer Institute.
We deeply value the trust that families place in us, and we remain committed to providing exceptional patient-centered care. Through our dedication to innovation and community engagement, AVH is poised to continue serving the region for generations to come.
Mark A. Rubino, MD, MMM, FACOG, is the president of AHN’s Allegheny Valley Hospital and Forbes Hospital. Previously, he served as Forbes Hospital’s chief medical officer. Prior to that, Dr. Rubino was the president of the medical staff at Forbes and West Penn Hospitals. With over 40 years of experience as an OB-GYN, Dr. Rubino has a deep understanding of the health care needs of Pittsburgh's eastern and northeastern suburbs.
Dr. Rubino received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania, his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and later his master’s degree in Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University. He completed his internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Magee Women’s Hospital and was elected the hospital’s chief resident in 1986.
Dr. Rubino is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Dr. Rubino is actively involved in the healthcare community, serving as an Officer on the Board of The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania. He is also a Board member at the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce, Forbes Health Foundation, and Franklin Regional Panther Foundation.
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