Masking Guidelines

Penn State Health has revised its masking requirements. (as of April 24, 2023)

After three years of caring for patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State Health has made masking optional in most areas. Wearing a level-1 (surgical grade) mask is still necessary in non-private areas in the Emergency Department as well as in the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Adult Hematology-Oncology Unit, Penn State Cancer Institute Clinics; and Cancer Institute Infusion Services and Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Infusion Clinic. Additionally, anyone experiencing runny nose, sore throat, or cough is asked to wear a mask.

Visitation Guidelines

Penn State Health has revised its patient visitation guidelines. (As of 4/18/2022)
These visitation guidelines apply to all Penn State Health care settings with the exception of COVID-19 units. Contact your patient’s care team before visiting if you have questions about how the policy applies to you.

View our COVID-19 guidelines, as well as our visitation restriction policy for detailed information.

EMERGENCY: Please call 911

General: 610-378-2000

Referral Specialist: 610-378-2001

Patient Advocate: 610-378-2675

Central Scheduling: 610-378-2100

Spiritual Care: 610-378-2297

Billing: 610-378-2350

• Learn more about billing and insurance

Financial Assistance: 610-378-2277

Gift Shop: 610-378-2357

Image Library: 610-378-2247

Free, convenient parking is available on the Bern Campus in our spacious surface lots, located just off the main entrance. Visitors at the Downtown Reading Campus should park on the surface lot at the corner of 6th and Walnut Streets or in the Walnut Medical Pavilion parking, off of Walnut Street, and enter through the main entrance located on 6th Street.

Gift Shop

The gift shop is located on the first floor of the main campus, directly behind the Information Desk. We offer snacks, stuffed animals, gift baskets, cards, comfort items, toys, books, jewelry and a variety of gift items for staff and patients. If you can’t visit the hospital, give us a call during our business hours and we’ll be happy to assist you in customizing the perfect gift basket for your loved one; new baby, get well, bit of cheer, or sympathy. We have free same day delivery service to hospital patients. We accept cash, MasterCard, Visa, and Discovery for phone orders. We also offer Apple and Google pay for in person visits. 

• Phone: 610-378-2357
• Hours: Monday – Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Email

Hospitality Lounge Waiting Rooms

We welcome visitors to wait in the 2nd floor Hospitality Lounge. Complimentary coffee and tea, and vending machines, are available. Please notify the nursing staff of your plans to wait in this area. Also, if you wish to visit a patient following a procedure, please make this request to the staff. The hospital cafeteria, located on the garden level, is also available to all visitors. The Critical Care waiting room is located on the 2nd floor and also is used for visitors and families waiting for patients undergoing cardiac and other outpatient procedures.

While waiting for family or perhaps during your visit, there is a lot to see and do in Berks County. Also, there is plenty of shopping within several miles of St. Joseph. For information, visit the Greater Reading Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Meals and Snacks for Visitors

Main campus visitors are welcome to dine in our cafeteria which is located on the garden level, adjacent to the chapel. It is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We also offer guest trays to our patients’ friends and family. Guests may order meals using the same At Your Request – Room Service Dining menu located in the patient’s room by calling extension 2700. The guest tray will be delivered with the patient’s meal if requested and if it’s possible. There is a $8.00 charge per guest tray. Cash payment is payable to the room service staff when the guest tray is delivered. Our room service delivery staff cannot accept checks or credit cards.

Mail, Flowers and Gifts

All mail, flowers and gifts addressed to you, will be delivered directly to your room. The address is: St. Joseph Medical Center, 2500 Bernville Road, Reading, PA 19605. Flowers are not permitted in the Critical Care or the Neonatal Intensive Care Units and may not be permitted for patients with certain conditions. If you have questions, check with your caregiver. If you wish to send mail to someone outside the hospital, please affix the appropriate amount of postage and give it to your caregiver. Many people, including staff, have life-threatening allergies to latex, so please order mylar as opposed to latex balloons.

Find a Hotel or Accommodation near Your Hospital

Whether you're looking for an affordable motel room for one night or an extended stay suite, you'll find it in central Pennsylvania. When making a reservation, ask if they offer discounts to families of Penn State Health patients or provide a shuttle service.

Home Rental Services

A wide range of local housing rentals are available on VRBO.com, Airbnb.com and HomeAway.com.

Campgrounds and RV Parks

Several campgrounds and RV parks in central Pennsylvania are available for your stay. Search on pacamping.com and rvonthego.com

Click here for more lodging options