Holy Spirit Medical Center main entrance renamed to honor Harrisburg couple
Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center’s main entrance now bears the names of two longtime Harrisburg leaders and Penn State donors. In recognition of their extraordinary gift to the hospital earlier this year, Penn State Health renamed the hospital’s main entrance the Hersha H. and Hasu P. Shah Main Entrance during a dedication ceremony on March 13.
“Hersha and Hasu Shah are exemplary role models and community leaders,” Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said. “When I first met them, it was clear that their generosity was motivated by gratitude for the opportunity they have enjoyed in their adopted homeland in the U.S. and that their commitment to family and their faith inspired a deep sense of purpose to make life better for people in their community. With their gift, they are doing precisely that. I thank Hersha and Hasu and their family for their generosity and partnership with Penn State and Penn State Health to meet the needs of our hospitals on the West Shore, so everyone in our growing region has access to world-class health care.”
Prior to their leadership gift for Penn State Health, the Shahs also established the Hersha H. and Hasu P. Shah Endowed Scholarship for Women in the School of Business Administration at Penn State Harrisburg. In addition to their philanthropy to Penn State, they have supported the local community for many years with generous gifts to the United Way of the Capital Region. In 2010, they received the National United Way Tocqueville Society Award, the highest honor given by the organization for philanthropic work across the U.S. The Shahs also remain involved with charitable initiatives in their home country of India, including funding one million cataract surgeries in the country.
Holy Spirit Medical Center, acquired by Penn State Health in 2020, and Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, which opened in 2021, are the two foundational pillars of Penn State Health’s growing network of care facilities on the West Shore and in the Harrisburg area.
“I am thrilled and humbled that the Shah family has chosen to join us as a philanthropic partner,” said Penn State Health CEO Steve Massini. “All those who know Hasu and Hersha know how passionate they are about serving others. Holy Spirit Medical Center has a rich history of compassionate care, and thanks to the Shahs, we can do so much more to improve outcomes for our patients and improve lives across central Pennsylvania and beyond.”
“Thank you to Penn State and the Holy Spirit team – the doctors, nurses and staff who have made this a remarkable institution,” said Neil H. Shah, president and chief executive officer of Hersha Hotels and Resorts, on behalf of the Shah family. “My parents have been philanthropic from the time they first came to this country. Before they could give of their treasure, they dedicated their time and, importantly, engaged the entire community to join them in giving back. We look forward to continuing to work together with the family, friends and colleagues who are with us here today, as well as other community supporters, to build a sustainable future for this hospital, which has long been an important part of our lives.”
Donors like the Shah family advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the Commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.
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