Warren General Hospital has seen a lot of contagious things over the past few years, but none have been as welcome as the one it's dealing with now.

The good news about downtown development in the City of Warren has spread across the river, bringing much needed optimism to a hospital that has struggled to recruit qualified medical professionals in the past. The difficulties stemmed largely from Pennsylvania's high malpractice insurance rates, but a perception of Warren as a declining community made the job even harder.

"Positive news about our community... is critical to the recruitment of physicians and professionals," said John Papalia, CEO of Warren General Hospital.

As the news in Warren has shifted from headlines about Loranger Manufacturing and National Forge Company to headlines about the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry and the Impact Warren project, recruitment efforts have seen a direct impact.

Seven new physicians have agreed to set up practices in Warren this year. While some of them would probably have come without all the good news, the high number that has agreed to come "speaks highly about the future," said Papalia.

The positive economic news that Warren has seen over the summer, he said, attracts physicians because they want a community that is growing, not shrinking.

"It is critical to us in health care," said Papalia. "We are a population dependent business and so are our physicians."

It is also important to health care professionals that their community have what Papalia called a good payer mix. When a community's unemployment or under-employment rate is high, many of the people whom doctors treat cannot afford to pay for the services. As employment opportunities in a community increase, so does the amount of money a doctor can earn.

"What makes a hospital grow is other employers in the county," said Papalia. "It not only helps to strengthen (hospital growth), it's the key to it."

As economic reasons not to move to Warren diminish, Papalia feels confident that Warren's existing strengths - a good quality of life, a safe family environment, the natural beauty of the region and a strong school system - will become more obvious. Doctors will be able to come to Warren, or stay in Warren, without worrying about the economic ramifications.

"(The recent good news) positions us to recruit quality medical staff into the area," said Papalia.