From generations of care to building what’s next at WellSpan York Hospital

For Mark, WellSpan York Hospital has always been more than a building. It has been part of his family’s story for generations.

Mark Hyser, a lifelong York County resident, was born at WellSpan York Hospital. So were his brothers, his children and even his grandchildren. Over the years, the hospital has been where his family experienced some of life’s happiest moments and some of its hardest as they came here when they needed complex care.

Ahead of Father’s Day, Mark reflects on his work at WellSpan York Hospital surrounded by family. From left: his son Zach; grandchildren Keegan, Lyjah and Carmalynn (Zach’s children); Mark; his son, Steve and his brother, Eric.

“This hospital has always been where you go,” Mark said. “Everybody knows where it is.”

Today, Mark’s connection to WellSpan York Hospital has come full circle. After decades working in construction management and even a brief retirement, he is now serving as a project manager for McClure Company on the hospital’s largest expansion project to date.

Returning with experience and purpose

Mark joined the WellSpan York Hospital expansion project last September, about a little over a year after construction had already begun. By then, steel was up and the project was well underway, but the scope and complexity of the work quickly became clear.

At peak construction, as many as 140 people were working on site from McClure Company alone at one time, managing everything from piping and ductwork to coordination across multiple trades. In total from McClure and others, there were nearly 450 workers onsite at one time. Logistics can be challenging, but for Mark, that challenge is exactly what motivated him to step back into the field.

His experience has proven critical as construction moves from the tower build into renovation work inside the existing hospital, where precision, collaboration and timing are essential.

A family legacy on the project

Mark’s professional connection to the project is personal too. His oldest son, Steve, also worked on the expansion as a CAD coordinator, overseeing piping design and coordination. Like his father, Steve started his career in the field before moving into project management.

“Like father, like son,” Mark said with a smile.

Construction runs deep in the family. Mark began his career as a plumber and pipefitter before becoming a project manager, and his brother followed a similar path.

Steve and Mark reflecting on the ongoing expansion project.

Building for the community’s future

Beyond family history, what matters most to Mark is what the expansion means for the community.

WellSpan York Hospital has cared for his parents, including through their final illnesses, and for his grandchildren who have spent time there for emergencies and overnight care. Knowing the hospital will soon offer state-of-the-art areas for heart and vascular care, neurology, orthopedics and trauma brings his family even more reassurance.

“The work we’re doing is going to be here for a long while,” Mark said. “You take ownership in it because it’s helping the community. You want the systems to work and the quality to be right.”

While Mark is quick to credit teamwork across all trades, he takes pride in knowing that long after construction wraps up, the building will continue serving future generations.

“My great-great-grandchildren might be here someday,” he said. “I’ll always be able to say I was part of this.”

As cranes came down and the new tower takes shape, Mark sees more than steel and concrete. He sees a continuation of care that has defined his family’s relationship with WellSpan York Hospital for decades and will carry it forward for many more.

WellSpan Health’s expansion of WellSpan York Hospital is a transformational investment designed to meet the growing healthcare needs of York County and the surrounding region by significantly expanding access to advanced, specialized care close to home. Centered around a new eight-story surgical and critical care tower, the project increases capacity for high-acuity services with additional operating rooms, expanded intensive care space and modern technology, while also enhancing the patient and family experience through thoughtfully designed, healing environments. Beyond the hospital walls, the expansion strengthens the region by creating jobs, supporting economic growth and positioning WellSpan York Hospital as a leading destination for complex care, ensuring the community has access to high-quality, innovative treatment for generations to come.