UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is a significant driver of the Pennsylvania economy, with a positive impact on the lives of the citizens in communities across the Commonwealth.
A recent report showed that UPMC Hillman generated $3.98 billion in total economic impact in Pennsylvania through its clinical, research and educational missions in 2023.
Overall, UPMC Hillman support
s 17,615 jobs statewide, including 4,100 direct jobs and 13,515 indirect jobs. It generates $180.1 million in tax revenue to support schools, public safety and public infrastructure and an additional $83.4 million in direct tax payments, resulting in a total contribution of $263.5 million to state and local governments. Visitors to UPMC Hillman – including patients, caregivers and individuals who travel to its facilities for events and education – generated $542.8 million in economic benefits.
"The economic impact of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center extends beyond its direct healthcare services and includes considerable contributions to the local and regional economies, supporting both direct employment and secondary industries," said Beth Wild, president, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. "In addition to job creation, UPMC Hillman stimulates the local economy through demands for goods and services, such as medical supplies and pharmaceutical services, housing and transportation, and also generates tax revenues that are reinvested in the community."
With the University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman is Western Pennsylvania's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of only 57 centers nationwide.
"The University of Pittsburgh, as the academic partner of UPMC Hillman, has a history of attracting leading cancer and immunotherapy scientists to this region," said Anantha Shekhar, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice chancellor for Pitt Health Sciences and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean of Pitt's School of Medicine. "These innovative experts are responsible for medical breakthroughs that fuel ongoing research funding and have led to a number of spinoff companies and licensing agreements that bolster the regional economy."
The economic impact report shows that UPMC Hillman and Pitt research generated $497.2 million, with an estimated additional $1.2 billion from the commercial spin-off of UPMC Hillman's research activities.
"Scientific and clinical teams together create healthier and more productive populations," Shekhar said.
An estimated 170,000 patients annually seek care each year at one of more than 70 UPMC Hillman sites across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Maryland and in Italy, Ireland and Croatia, making it one of the largest cancer networks.
"UPMC Hillman was built on the concept of bringing expert cancer care to patients where they live, helping them to reduce out-of-pocket costs for travel and increasing the economic viability of the communities where we are located," said Stanley M. Marks, M.D., chairman, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. "Ultimately, the economic impact of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers can be seen not only in job creation but also in improved healthcare access, innovation and long-term community health outcomes."
Community outreach and health equity and inclusion are a large focus of the cancer center through UPMC Hillman's prevention and early detection efforts. These include cancer screenings and educational activities that resulted in an estimated $1.4 billion in healthcare cost avoidance in Pennsylvania in the last year.
UPMC Hillman's economic impact was prepared by consulting firm Tripp Umbach.
Access the full report here.
