Dr. Sarknas: High-Quality Care at AHN McCandless Neighborhood Hospital

Sponsored by AHN McCandless Neighborhood Hospital, Pittsburgh

In Pittsburgh’s busy northern suburbs, finding high-quality, accessible health care isn’t always simple, especially for busy individuals and families. AHN McCandless Neighborhood Hospital is changing the game, offering affordable, compassionate care, right in the heart of our proud, local communities. We sat down with Dr. David Sarknas, Medical Director for AHN McCandless, to learn more about what makes the AHN McCandless Neighborhood Hospital such a valuable community asset.

AHN McCandless Neighborhood Hospital combines efficiency, personal attention and convenience to offer a unique health care experience for local residents. The hospital provides for a care environment that feels more inviting and easier to navigate.  It offers a refreshing alternative to larger, more complex facilities where wait times are often long, and the experience can feel impersonal. Dr. Sarknas assures, “Patients should feel comfortable coming to our AHN Neighborhood Hospitals for their health care needs.” This is a model of accessible, high-quality care, closer to home, and is reshaping health care delivery in western Pennsylvania neighborhoods.

AHN McCandless Neighborhood Hospital has been designed around convenience. From accessible front-door parking to the welcoming feeling when you enter our hospital, the health care team makes each visit as seamless as possible. Patients experience shorter wait times and a simplified process. Dr. Sarknas noted, “The time it takes for our patients to see the provider averages less than 10 minutes. We can complete complex workups, including labs and imaging, often in less than 90 minutes.” Dr. Sarknas and his team understand that their neighbors not only want high-quality but also convenient health care for patients of all ages. 

Convenience and short wait times are not the only piece of the puzzle when selecting your care. At AHN McCandless, short wait times don’t come at the cost of the quality care for our patients. Dr. Sarknas and his high-quality teams of skilled professionals ensure each patient receives the attentive health care they deserve. “Our physicians and staff are highly vetted prior to joining our teams. The expectation is that our entire staff provides the best patient experience possible.”  With the ability to provide emergency room care and inpatient, overnight stays, the highly skilled medical teams are dedicated to patient-centered care, ensuring everyone receives exceptional treatment, closer to home.

AHN McCandless is deeply committed to providing the level of care and support that every neighborhood deserves. Unlike larger, impersonal facilities, AHN McCandless’ health care workers are often familiar faces—neighbors, friends, and even family members of the patients they serve. This connection fosters a unique bond, allowing staff to understand and address the needs of the community on a personal level. Dr. Sarknas explains, “The expectation is that our entire staff provides the best patient experience, respecting the value of privacy in the care of our northern suburbs and communities.” This commitment goes beyond medical expertise; it’s about creating an atmosphere of trust, compassion, and respect.

Within our hospital, patients aren’t just numbers—they’re valued members of the community, treated with genuine care and empathy. This personalized approach ensures that each person receives not only top-tier medical treatment but also the warmth and understanding that come from a team dedicated to making every experience positive. For Dr. Sarknas and his team, “Providing the care patients need, in the neighborhoods they live, by teams they trust” is more than just our mission statement—it’s a daily commitment. We have created a model of health care that serves Pittsburgh with heart, exemplifying what community health care can be: a place where advanced medical care meets the warmth and compassion of a team delivering excellence to their neighbors in need.

In addition to our AHN McCandless location, there are three additional sites within the Pittsburgh area: AHN Brentwood, AHN Harmar and AHN Hempfield.  If you haven’t already received our exceptional care at one of our locations, we look forward to caring for you whenever you need us.  Wishing you good health and Happy Holidays!