Centre Community Hospital changed its name yesterday, and will now appear as the Mount Nittany Medical Center.

Maureen Karstetter, director of communications at the hospital, said the change is a more accurate categorization of what type of hospital it is. "It is reflective of the advancements we've made in technology and medical services," Karstetter said.

Karstetter said they do not anticipate any confusion with the name change.

"We're switching over forms and explaining to patients the current changes, and nothing has changed in regards to the structure," Karstetter said.

Whitney Christiano (senior-anthropology) said she feels the name change should not create confusion. "[The name change] shouldn't be a problem if it is publicized," Christiano said.

Phil Park, chairman of the hospital's board of trustees, said the change helps to explain to the public the services the hospital offers.

"It is to make sure people understand all the services and capabilities we have now and the new ones that we intend to add on to," Park said.

State-of-the-art capabilities in diagnostic imaging and the radiation department are new services the hospital provides, Park said.

"These are the kinds of things that people might understand better with the new name," Park said.

Park also said the name change should not create any confusion.

"It will take people a while to get used to it, but people in the area will still say 'I'm still going to hospital,' " Park said.

Matt Hiller (junior-finance) said the change should not affect new students.

"[The change] may be confusing for people who are used to the name, but not a problem for students new to the area," Hiller said.

The hospital's board of trustees began re-searching the development of a new hospital name in January, according to a news release. Mount Nittany Medical Center is a 200-bed acute-care facility.