Bucks County Healthy Living Guide

BUCKS COUNTY

HealthyLiving 2019

Work Injuries • Behavioral Health How to THRIVE • Faster Hip Surgery Aging and Your Eyes • Detecting Bladder Cancer St. Luke’s Opening Newest Lunging at Fitness • Life Campus Adjustments Doylestown Health’s New Heart and Vascular Center

OUR GUIDE TO STAYING HEALTHY IN

BUCKS COUNTY

St. Luke’s Opening Newest Campus in Upper Bucks County

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t. Luke’s University Health Network, the region’s largest most established health system and recently named a 2019 IBM Watson Health™ 100 Top Hospital, is building its newest campus in beautiful Upper Bucks County. Located on a 38-acre parcel of land at the corner of Route 663 and Portzer Road in Milford Township, St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus is a short five-minute drive west from downtown Quakertown and three miles east of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The campus is easily accessible from major area roadways including Route 309, Route 313 and Interstate 476.

St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus is the newest hospital development in Bucks County since 1973, and with a $100 million investment, it is the largest construction project in Quakertown’s history.

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ture is creating approximately 200 construction jobs and will sustain hundreds of permanent, family-supporting jobs upon completion.

St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus will be an 80-bed modern hospital, offering comprehensive care and advanced technology to area residents. Residents will have access to spacious private rooms, a large emergency department, four operating rooms and a state-of-the-art Interventional Radiology lab where specialized procedures are utilized to test internal organs, open blocked arteries and veins, and treat many other conditions and disorders. For added convenience, additional lab services and an on-site pharmacy will also be available.

Thoughtfully designed for future growth, over time the campus will include additional bed capacity and expanded inpatient and outpatient services, as well as

physician offices. Area residents can take comfort in knowing that the region’s only fully accredited Level 4 Trauma Center and the only designated Center of Excellence in Hernia Surgery are our community. The 131,000 square-foot facility is scheduled for completion this Fall.

St. Luke’s commitment to the community will continue at the current campus site on Park Avenue in Quakertown. The campus will undergo a beautiful renovation to expand the inpatient Behavioral Health Unit to 32 beds. Other essential patient services including lab draw, radiology, infusion, wound care and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation which will continue to be provided at the Quakertown Campus. Learn moreabout this new Upper Bucks County campus, visit www.slhn.org/upperbucks.

HealthWatch

Doylestown Health’s New Center for Heart and Vascular Care

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oylestown Health’s nationally-recognized cardiovascular provide will services enhanced access to patients throughout the region.

Spanning the entire second floor of the Cardiovascular and Critical Care Pavilion, Doylestown Health’s Center for Heart and Vascular Care, will include an Endovascular Hybrid Procedural Suite, upgraded equipment and advanced technologies. A new preand post-operative suite and a 30-bed cardiovascular unit will enhance patient safety, comfort and privacy.

Slated for completion this fall are 100,000 square feet of new clinical and patient space, 30 new private patient rooms with “zoned” areas designated for clinicians, patients and families.

There will be a state-of-the-art Endovascular Hybrid Operating Suite that integrates the latest technology and techniques in minimally invasive

surgery. For pre-procedural care and post-op recovery there will be 20 private bays.

The new clinical space will house upgraded equipment and advanced

A new pre-and post-operative suite and a 30-bed cardiovascular unit will enhance patient safety, comfort and privacy.

diagnostic and imaging technologies, and the configuration of nursing stations and other clinical functions throughout will dramatically reduce

ambient noise In addition there will be a new Café that will offer heart-healthy menu options and cooking demonstrations.

Natural light, soothing colors and signature artwork will create a more relaxing environment, and elegantly appointed family and visitor waiting areas will provide comfortable spaces to gather in support of loved ones.

In addition to housing a comprehensive cardiovascular program, the third floor of the Cardiovascular and Critical Care Pavilion is designed to accommodate the newly established Richard and Angela Clark Center for Critical Care Medicine serving as a new home for the hospital’s 32-bed state-of-the-art For more Intensive Care Unit. information about this and other proHealth, Doylestown at jects visit/doylestownhealthfoundation.org/c ampaign-priority-center-for-heart-andvascular-care.

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HealthWatch Work Injuries of the Hand

by Eon K. Shin, M.D, Orthopedic Hand Surgeon

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t is no surprise that upper extremity injuries occur frequently in the workplace environment. The hands are among a worker’s most valuable tools, used for everything from threading delicate electrical wires to cutting through a steel pipe. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers are referred to emergency rooms each year due to serious hand injuries. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System reports that finger and hand injuries are the most commonly injured body parts at work.

Lacerations, crush injuries, and fractures account for most workplace hand injuries. However, they can range from carpal tunnel syndrome in an office setting to burns at a chemical plant. While everyone is potentially at risk, there are certain groups of workers who need to be most vigilant: 1) Less experienced workers, or those whom the Occupational Safety and Health Administration considers to be new to the workforce, may be at higher risk for injuries at work.

2) Older workers over the age of 55 are also more susceptible. While less likely to be injured on the job due to their level of experience, older workers often require a longer recovery time and may sustain more serious injuries when they do get hurt. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers older than 55 can require a median of 12-14 days away from work, while workers between 20 and 44 typically require only 5-9 days.

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Hand injuries often occur when employees are distracted and not focused on where they are or what they are doing. A lack of education and a disregard for safety procedures are also to blame.

Hand surgeons are often asked to evaluate workplace injuries. When hand injuries occur, it is best tosee a specialist as soon as possible. The hand is a unique body area that is made up of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Many hand injuries can be approached conservatively with splints and physical therapy. More serious injuries—like crush accidents or bony fractures—may require surgery. The role of the hand surgeon is to minimize the damage caused by workplace injuries and to return the injured worker to the highest level of function as soon as possible.

Dr. Eon Shin is an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon with the renowned Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center and an Associate Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He cares for patients with hand, wrist, arm, and elbow injuries and chronic conditions in his Langhorne, Pennsylvania office. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-385-7472 or visit Hand2ShoulderCenter.com for more information.

HealthWatch Hunterdon Healthcare’s Integrated Behavioral Health Program • Hunterdon Family Practice and Obstetrics • Hunterdon Family Medicine at Cornerstone • Hunterdon Internal Medicine Associates • Hunterdon Family Medicine at Delaware Valley • Hunterdon Family and Sports Medicine at Hopewell Valley • Hunterdon Family Medicine at Phillips-Barber • Hunterdon Family Medicine at Riverfield • Hunterdon Pediatric Associates

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eople with chronic health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure may struggle to manage their own health at home, especially when they also suffer from anxiety or depression. Hunterdon Healthcare offers patients an Integrated Behavioral Health model of care delivery in their primary care practices. This innovation is a clear demonstration of Hunterdon Healthcare’s commitment to patient centeredness.

Integrated Behavioral Health is a very focused short-term treatment, usually about four visits, and connects patients to other resources throughout Hunterdon Healthcare and in the community when necessary. The primary care doctor also has direct access to psychiatrists for assistance when needed.

Hunterdon Healthcare offers Integrated Behavioral Health services at: • Hunterdon Family Medicine at Branchburg • Hunterdon Family Medicine at Bridgewater

“What makes Hunterdon Healthcare’s Integrated Behavioral Health program different is how we connect our patients to this care, and how the team members caring for our patients communicate. When the family doctor and the patient discover that anxiety or depression is interfering with managing other conditions or their everyday life, they agree to a new way to approach the problem: Integrated Behavioral Health.

The medical home makes the connection for the patient, sets up the appointment and sends insurance verification. The patient visits the behavioral health professional right in the medical home rather than going to another office. And perhaps most important of all, the medical home team led by the primary care doctor works directly with the behavioral health therapist on behalf of the patient,” explained Geralyn Prosswimmer, M.D., F.A.A.P., Chief Medical Officer, Hunterdon Healthcare Partners.

In addition, Integrated Behavioral Health services will be added this year to Hunterdon Family Medicine at Highlands and Hunterdon Medical Associates in Whitehouse Station.

For more information, visit www.hunterdonhealthcare.org.

The Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center

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very year, approximately seven million Americans suffer from chronic, non-healing wounds and ulcers. Dealing with a wound can be frustrating and can restrict the performance of daily activities. Left untreated, these wounds can lead to more serious life-changing health conditions, such as amputation.

The Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Lower Bucks Hospital treats many different types of wounds, including bone infections, pressure ulcers, burns and radiation soft-tissue injuries and complications, diabetic ulcers and leg wounds, neuropathic ulcers, arterial/ischemic wounds, atypical inflammatory wounds, gangrene, post-surgical wounds, venous stasis ulcers, 90

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HealthWatch vasculitis and traumatic wounds.

“If you are concerned about a wound that may not be healing, talk to your doctor right away or call our office in order to maximize the chances for complete healing” said Dr. Jakumar Patel, board-certified plastic surgeon at Lower Bucks Hospital who is the Wound Care Center’s medical director.

The Wound Care Center has a team of multidisciplinary professionals, including registered nurses, that are certified WCC (Wound Care Certified), CHT (Certified Hyperbaric Technologist), vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, hyperbaric medicine doctors, orthopedists, and therapists.

Personal treatment plans are developed for each patient,

and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is one of the specialized treatments options offered to promote healing for the most difficult wounds. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves exposing the body to 100 percent oxygen at a pressure that is greater than what you normally experience, which can often speed the healing process.

Leveraging the teams combined experience and Dr. Patel’s focus on providing exceptional quality, evidencedbased medical and surgical care, the Wound Care Center offers community-quality healthcare right next door.

For more information, call the Wound Care Center at 215.785. 9650. Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Wound Care Center accepts Medicare, and mostly all private insurances plans.

Aging And Your Eyes

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e age and so do our eyes and are more susceptible to various conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and Glaucoma. The chances of having any of these eye problems increases dramatically after the age of 50, and all are easily detected in routine eye exams and all can be treated.

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens inside of the eye. It is a process that happens to everyone. As a result, it is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States. Dr. Sagun J. Pendse MD, F.A.C. S. of Eye Associates of Bucks County Division of Vantage EyeCare is armed with the most up-to-date surgical procedures for cataracts. Cataract Surgery performed by Dr. Pendse is done through small incisions that do not require a stitch or suture. An ultrasound probe is used to remove the cataract and a lens implant is inserted in its place. The procedure is painless and most patients return home and resume most normal activities the same day and this surgery has the lowest complication rate of any surgery performed in the United States.

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition in older adults and the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in people over the age of 65. This occurs when when abnormal blood vessels under the retina begin to grow toward the macula.

The macula provides the sharp, central vision we need for reading, driving and seeing fine detail. Early detection macular degeneration is crucial to prevent further damage and 92

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blindness. Preventive treatments such as protective eyewear and vitamins are utilized. Dr Pendse offers various treatment options for macular degeneration, including injections (Eylea, Avastin, Lucentis, and Macugen), laser (PDT), and surgery.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the US. Although it affects people of all ages, it is often found in patients over the age of 50. Glaucoma actually refers to a group of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve as a result of increased pressure within the eye.

Treatments offered by Eye Associates of Bucks County Division of Vantage EyeCare include eye drops, laser treatments (YAG peripheral iridotomies, ALT, and SLT), and surgery (iStent). Early detection is the key to the most successful treatment.

Dr. Pendse specializes in cataract surgery utilizing the most advanced technology including the newest intraocular lens implants. He also offers Refractive Surgery and Functional Eyelid Surgery. For further information or to schedule an appointment contact Eye Associates of Bucks County Division of Vantage EyeCare at 215-757-6200 or wwww.eabceyes.com.

HealthWatch Detecting Bladder Cancer Early At St. Mary Medical Center

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t Mary Medical Center now offers the Bucks County community access to blue light cystoscopy with Cysview®, a newer technology to aid in earlier and more accurate detection, surveillance and treatment of bladder cancer.

According to the American Cancer Institute, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, and is less common in women, with the average age of 73 for a bladder cancer diagnosis. More than 80,000 patients in the U.S. are diagnosed each year. Importantly, bladder cancer has one of the highest rates of recurrence among all cancers, requiring lifelong surveillance.

The most common method to detect bladder cancer is through a cystoscopy, a minor procedure that allows a physician to use a very small cystoscope to view the bladder lining directly. A cystoscope is a thin tube with a camera and light on the end that is inserted through the urethra and into your bladder, allowing doctors to see the bladder's interior.

Under the normal white light in a traditional cystoscopy, doctors spot cancerous bladder cells. However, using blue light cystoscopy significantly increases the detection of cancerous bladder cells compared to white light. With blue light cystoscopy, a contrast solution is used to make it easier for urologic specialists to accurately identify cancerous bladder cells. Cancerous cells glow bright pink under blue light, but are nearly invisible under normal, white light. Because the blue light highlights cancerous cells, the doctor can more easily identify and remove them.

“Using this blue light technology makes detecting cancerous bladder cells and tumors much easier, which helps us find

and treat bladder cancer earlier before it becomes a major problem for our patients,” said St. Mary Medical Center's Chief of Urology Jamison Jaffe, DO, FACOS, St. Mary Comprehensive Urologic Specialists.

Dr. Jaffe added that though the median survival rate for bladder cancer after five years is already high, the use of this technology can make that percentage even higher.

“There is a high recurrence rate of bladder cancer, in part because bladder cancer cells are not easily spotted. So, when we can introduce a new technology or treatment that could significantly increase the diagnostic accuracy and survivability of the disease, that’s great news for our community,” said Dr. Jaffe.

St. Mary is currently one of the only hospitals in the Philadelphia region to use this exciting new technology in the operating room and the only urology office in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York to offer blue light detection for bladder cancer with the newly approved flexible cystoscope.

The flexible scope allows for urologic specialists to perform the procedure right in the physician’s office. Due to the high recurrence of bladder cancer, bladder-cancer patients require a cystoscopy every three to six months. Having access to this technology in the operating room and in the urology, office can potentially change the lives of St. Mary’s bladder-cancer patients, as continued care can be regularly and conveniently addressed in a physician’s office.

For more information about blue light cystoscopy, or to make an appointment with St. Mary Comprehensive Urologic Specialists at St. Mary Medical Center, please call 215.710.4490.

Hemp Headquarters Celebrates An Amazing Plant

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emp and marijuana are different varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant, just like bell and cayenne peppers are different varieties of the Capsicum annuum plant.

Though the leaves of hemp and marijuana may look similar, the two plants have significant characteristic differences. Foremost, marijuana can produce a psychedelic effect which “gets you high.”

Hemp is non-psychoactive and is one of the most useful plants on Earth. Hemp produces the world’s strongest natural fiber: great for shirts, hats, bags, purses and jewelry. Hemp seeds are loaded with

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Whether it’s scheduling a wellness check-up or you’re not feeling well, we have NEW PRIMAR RY Y CARE OFFICES right in BUCKS COUNTY: CAPITAL TA HEAL LT TH PRIMAR RY Y CARE – LANGHORNE 680 Middletown Boulevard, Suite 201, Langhorne, P PA A 19047 215.736.9362 | capitalhealth.org/langhorne

CAPITAL TA HEALTH LT PRIMAR RY Y CARE – NEWTOWN 3 Penns Trail Tr Road, Newtown, P PA A 18940 215.504.1761 | capitalhealth.org/primarycarenewtown

CAPITAL TA HEALTH LT PRIMARY RY CARE – WA WASHINGTON CROSSING 1240 General W Wa ashington Memorial Boulevard, Suite 3 Washington Crossing, P Wa PA A 18977 855.247.2725 | capitalhealth.org/washingtoncrossing

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nutrients such as Omega essential acids along with vitamins and protein. Hemp oil promotes healthy skin and is an excellent moisturizer. Hemp can be

The store’s specialty is providing expert advice for the use of the hemp extract cannabidiol (CBD) for its antiinflammatory, anti-anxiety, analgesic and antioxidant properties. used to make plastic, biofuel and building materials.

Hemp Headquarters in Willow Grove celebrates this amazing plant by presenting all the goodness hemp has to

offer in one retail location. The store’s specialty is providing expert advice for the use of the hemp extract cannabidiol (CBD) for its anti-inflammatory, antianxiety, analgesic and antioxidant properties. “We pride ourselves on providing the widest selection of high-quality CBD products available on the market and backing that up with exceptional customer services so customers get the product best suited for their needs,” says Ron Kaufman, a former teacher and store’s owner. “Our store provides each customer with a one-on-one consultation and explanation of the makeup and usage of every product.”

Whether you need guidance looking for a CBD product or are just interested in exploring the different products that can be derived from hemp, Hemp Headquarters will help you find the perfect natural solution.

Hemp Headquarters is located at 115 York Road, Willow Grove, PA. for more information, call 215-657-1099 or visit www.hempheadquarters.us.

THE WOUND CARE AND HYPERBARIC C CENTER AT LOWER BUCK KS HOSPITAL A ’

Contact the Wound Care Cen nter if you or your loved one is experiencing e the following: Wounds that have not made proogress to heal in two weeks or completely heal h in four weeks (commonly experienced by people with diabetes or vascular issues) Sores accompanied by increasing pain, redness or swelling, foul order, or change in color.

Surgical wounds that have become infected.

Call the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Ce enter at Lower Bucks Hospital at 215.785. 9650.

(The Wound Center accepts Medicare, and mostly all private insurances plans) 2018

Yo Y our Neighbor for Life! www.lowerbuckshosp.com /LowerBucksHospital

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@lowerbuckshosp

@lowerbuckshosp

Can You Hear Me?

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early 50 million Americans live with some form of hearing loss, making it the country’s third most common health problem.

There are a host of factors that can play a role—age, illness, genetics, medications, and ongoing exposure to loud noise. Hearing loss is not considered curable, but treatment can help.

Cadence Hearing Services offers a broad range of audiological services, including hearing aid dispensing, tinnitus (“ringing in the ear”) treatment, and customized noise-filtering plugs, ideal for musicians, concert-goers, and others exposed to loud noise. It all begins with cutting-edge, computerized diagnostics, an approach that eliminates the human error associated with older diagnostic techniques.

Dr. Lynda Wayne says hearing aid technology has changed dramatically over the years, with many types of digital devices now available. Digital hearing aids receive sound waves and breaks them into very small units prior to increasing the volume, while the older analog hearing aids simply made the sound wave larger to amplify the sound. With digital hearing aids, the amplifier is basically a really small, really powerful computer which can do much more than just amplify sounds.

This design makes it possible for audiologists to create programs that are customized to each individual’s specific needs.

Hearing Tests • Variety of Digital Hearing Aids 20 years’ experience in Audiological care Tinnitus management 0% Financing • Reasonable Pricing State of the art offices and independently owned Most Insurance Accepted

101 Progress Drive 207 Corporate Drive East Newtown / Langhorne PA 19047

(Lower Level)

Doylestown PA 18901 (Across from Hospital)

215.860.3154 • www.cadencehearing.com

Audiologist Dr. Lynda Wayne

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Dr. Wayne recommends that everyone over the age of 50 has a baseline hearing evaluation, conducted by a fully-credentialed audiologist. On a related note, Dr. Wayne is cheered by the fact that younger people are increasingly more aware that hearing loss is a serious health issue.

Cadence Hearing Service has two locations: 207 Corporate Drive East (Luxembourg Corporate Center) in Langhorne/Newtown and 101 Progress Drive in Doylestown. Either office can be reached by calling 215-860-3154, and their website is www.cadencehear ing.com.

HEALTH LISTINGS

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2019 Arts and Antique Guide Contact Bill Waite at 215-920-9660 or bill@buckscountymag.com 98

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Capitol Health Center for Comprehensive Breast Care, One Capitol Way, Pennington,

NJ; 1-800-637-2374.

Our center provides the complete range of breast care under one roof at Capitol Health Medical Center- Hopewell. We offer the most advanced diagnostic technology in the region, a team of specialists intensely focused on your care, genetic and high risk assessments, and a personal nurse navigator to guide you.

Doylestown Hospital, 595 W. State Street, Doylestown, PA 19446; 215-345-2200; www.dh.org.

Doylestown Hospital is a comprehensive, visionary medical center serving families throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and Western New Jersey. The Hospital, along with the Health & Wellness Center, Pine Run Community and Lakeview, comprise the V.I.A Health System. Doylestown Hospital's Medical Staff includes over 370 physicians in 40 specialty areas. The Heart Institute of Doylestown Hospital is a regional center of excellence for cardiology and cardiac surgery. Other areas of clinical emphasis include emergency medicine, maternal child health, orthopedics, advanced diagnostics and surgery. The Cancer Center of Doylestown Hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Network.

Doylestown Oral Surgery, 3655 Route 202, Georgetown Crossing #210, Doylestown, PA; 215-345-6880; www.doylestownoralsurgery.com.

Providing surgical and anesthesia services in a comforting, state-of-the art environment. D. Kathleen Herb Brower practices a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with expertise ranging from corrective jaw surgery to wisdom

Exceptio p onall Retire ement

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Whether it’s the luxurious lifestyle, premier dining, a multitude of o activities and social programs, exceptiona al health and wellness programs — there are a many reasons our residents love livin ng at The Man a or!

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Contact us today at a (877) 242-0412 or go to TheManoratYorkTown.or o o g/Lifestyle to schedule you ur personal visit.

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HUN NTERDON F AMIL A Y MEDI CINE AT PHILLIP PS S-BARBER nterdon Family Medic ine at Phillips-Barber is art of a network of fam mily practices operated Hunterdon Healthcare e throughout Hunterdon, W Warren, S Somerset t and d Mercer M counties ti with ith locations close to whe ere you live and work.

We pride ourselves on keeping you healthy y.

CALL AND SCHEDULE E AN APPOINTMENT T. Hunterdon Fam mily Medicine at Phillips s-Barber 2 Alexande er Avenue, Lambertville e, NJ 08530 609-397 7-3535

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tooth removal. We can also diagnose and treat facial pain, facial injuries and TMJ disorders, and perform a full range of dental implant and bone grafting procedures.

Eye Associates of Bucks County, 360 Middletown Blvd, Suite 402, Langhorne, PA 19047; 215-703-7922; www.langhorneophthalmology.com.

At Eye Associates of Bucks County, we offer quality healthcare services to ensure that your vision is at its best. No matter what your issue may be, we always make sure that our patients get the personalized attention that you deserve. Our physicians are committed to the appropriate diagnosis of all your eye needs.

Fitness Factory Outlet, 122 S. West End Blvd., Quakertown, PA; 215-538-1959; www.fitnessfactoryoutlet.com.

Fitness Factory Outlet has been the online leader for Powertec and Body Solid fitness equipment for over a decade. We carry an incredible selection of equipment for Residential and Commercial applications.

Manufacturers like Body-Solid, Powertec, BodyCraft, Spirit Fitness, Lifespan, Diamondback and more guarantee we'll have the equipment for your commercial facility or for your home.

Gina Genin, DC, Chiropractor, practicing in Falls Township, PA; 215-295-9013.

We utilize gentle, hands-on methods in a caring atmosphere. Low-force, specific chiropractic adjustments, nutritional assessment, care during pregnancy, acupuncture, massage therapy, exercise rehabilitation and family wellness care are available. We provide our patients with state-of-the-art, NASA-certified spinal scanning technology for the most up-to-date methods of subluxation detection. Additionally, Dr. Gina, as she is known to her patients, is a skilled and compassionate healer, who has honed her God-given talents and combined them with her exceptional training to become one of our areas most highly thought of health and wellness professionals.

Hemp Headquarters, 115 York Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090; 215-657-1099; www.hempheadquarters.us.

Specializing in CBD-infused natural herbal remedies. This natural herbal extract derived from the Cannabis sativa (hemp) plant has a variety of benefits including anti-inflammatory, pain relief, anti-anxiety without any addictive or high feeling. It is infused in products like edibles, drinks, pain creams, oils, drops, sprays and concentrates.

Keystone Biologicals, 214-675-2500; www.keystonebiologicals.com.

A special need exists for patients with any of the these conditions. Lupus, Anti Streptolysin-0, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Autoimmune, Anti-Nuclear Antibody Disease, Antiphospholipid, Cardiolipin Antibody Syndrome, Rubella, Mumps, Measles, Lyme Disease, Hepatitits and other specialty infectious or auto-immune disorders. Contact us and earn up to $1000 a week.

Lower Bucks Hospital, 501 Bath Road, Bristol, PA 19007; 215-785-9200; www.lowerbuckshosp.com.

Located in historic Bristol, Pennsylvania, the Hospital was built by the local community as part of a grassroots movement in 1954. Lower Bucks Hospital is well-known for its knowledgeable medical staff, including cardiology, orthopedics, behavioral health, radiology, emergency medicine, and general surgery. There is a residency program with an affiliation with The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The residency program is well known for internal and family medicine.

Additionally, the nursing and support staff are as compassionate as they’re skilled. In total, there are over 300 physicians on staff, as well as another 700 employees.

Eye Associates of Bucks County Center for Advanced Cataract Surgery

“The most experienced Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgeon in Bucks County”

After doing over 20,000 cataract and implant procedures over my forty years as an eye surgeon, when it came time to have my cataracts removed and implants inserted I knew exactly who I wanted to do the procedures. Since I have been practicing with Dr. Pendse for five years, his skills and capabilities become well known to me and he was the person that I selected to do this surgery.

In October I had bilateral cataract and implant surgery by Dr. Pendse and after an excellent period of post-operative care by Dr. Pendse, Dr. Ries and Dr. Patel I now enjoy excellent vision without the need of distance glasses.

Dr. Poole

360 Middletown Blvd., Suite 402 Langhorne, PA

215-757-6200 100

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www.eabceyes.com

Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center, 18 convenient offices in PA & NJ including Langhorne and Willow Grove, PA; 1-800-3857472; www.Hand2ShoulderCenter.com We diagnose, treat, repair and manage the complete rehabilitation of injuries to the hand, wrist, arm, elbow and shoulder. Patients, from elite athletes and active adults to children and disabled seniors, with unique care requirements turn to the Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center for expert care.

We continue to improve techniques and develop innovative protocols for the treatment of injured and diseased hands. Our physicians have developed a number of innovations now used by surgeons throughout the world. Research remains an important part of our mission.

Pine Run Retirement Community, 777 Ferry Road, Doylestown Pennsylvania 18901; 215-345-9000; www.pinerun.org.

Pine Run is committed to and passionate about seniors, and we are dedicated to being an exceptional retirement community. By focusing on a spectrum of wellness for everyone in our continuum, we will enhance the quality of life throughout the region. Pine Run attracts those with an affinity for independence, who appreciated the fine setting and neighborly ways.

Intelligent, talented people who make a difference wherever they live, have over the last thirty-five years fine-tuned Pine Run into a wonderful environment, rich in life and spirit.

St Mary Medical Center, 1201 LanghorneNewtown Rd., Langhorne, PA; 215-710-2000; www.stmaryhealthcare.org.

St. Mary Medical Center is a 371-bed hospital providing care to generations of families in Bucks County and nearby communities.

Recipient of the America's 100 Best Hospitals award for three consecutive years, St. Mary offers advanced non-invasive treatments, adult and pediatric emergency services, inpatient medical and rehabilitation facilities, along with supportive health and wellness classes.

The Manor at York Town, 2010 York Road, Jamison, PA; 877-273-2711; www.themanoratyorktown.orgThe Manor at York Town blends classic charm with a modern and vibrant approach to retirement living. Located in Jamison, PA, The Manor stands as one of the Philadelphia area’s premier independent living communities.With its award-winning architecture reminiscent of a gabled country manor and proximity to dining, cultural, and shopping hotspots, The Manor at York Town isn’t an ordinary retirement community. Our approach to active lifestyles and healthy aging, and location in picturesque Bucks County, provides an idyllic atmosphere. So much awaits you within 64 impressive apartment residences. Learn more about how you can enjoy the lifestyle offered by The Manor at York Town.

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P E T HE ALT H

Veterinary Oncology On The Move Veterinarian M.J. Hamilton’s mobile service provides personalized and accessible treatment for pets with cancer

by Maria Canfield

ccording to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey, 68 percent of U.S. households own a pet. The survey counted all types of pets, from freshwater fish to reptiles to horses. But (of course) cats and dogs lead the pack, with over 94 million felines and nearly 90 million canines enjoying their place as beloved family members.

It’s terribly difficult for all concerned when a pet gets sick, especially with a serious disease such as

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cancer. Dr. M.J. Hamilton, the owner of Private Veterinary Specialties L.L.C., is committed to providing an unprecedented level of medical care during a pet’s cancer journey. In support of that mission, he has designed a “mobile” care model, which makes oncological services both more accessible and more personalized.

Dr. Hamilton calls this model the “mobile department.” He has a specialty vehicle, built to his exact specifications; think bloodmobile but much

more sophisticated. On any given day, it is parked at one of 10 “host locations”—animal hospitals—in Central New Jersey. (One of the locations is dedicated to treating horses with cancer.) The newest host location is in Stockton, a stone’s throw from several cities in Bucks County, including New Hope, Solebury, and Lahaska.

In addition to being a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Dr. Hamilton is a board-certified veterinary oncologist; the specific credential is DACVIM(O) and it means that he has completed an approved residency training program in vetinary medical oncology and has achieved board certification.

“This is the first time that mobile cancer care services have been provided for pets,” Dr. Hamilton says. “We are making it much more convenient for owners to get treatment for their pet, by eliminating the need to travel long distances.” The preliminary meeting and examination take place in the host location, but all cancer care takes place in the vehicle. This care includes diagnostic procedures, lab

services, and the administration of treatment.

As intriguing as the mobile aspect of Dr. Hamilton’s care model is, he sees it as just one component of what differentiates his practice. “We provide specialized, personal, private care,” he says.

“When pet owners call during our operating hours, they get me or a nurse—there is no ‘press 1 for this, press 2 for that’ phone tree to struggle through. We make sure no one gets lost in the shuffle.” And— somewhat unusually—only one pet is scheduled for each appointment time. “It’s not a cattle call, where pets are lined up and we go from one to another. We see one pet at a time and give them our undivided attention,” he says.

Another differentiator: the technicians who work with Dr. Hamilton are “Fear Free” certified.

They have gone through a program, developed by board-certified veterinary behaviorists, designed to teach techniques (including “gentle-handling”) that prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets as they are undergoing examinations or treatment.

Dr. M.J. Hamilton, the owner of Private Veterinary Specialties L.L.C and some of his patients.

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About half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer. Dogs and cats can develop many of the same cancers that are seen in humans, but some types are much more common than others.

Lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) is frequently seen in both dogs and cats, as is melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. There is a high incidence of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in dogs, and fibrosarcoma (a tumor that develops from connective tissue) is common in cats.

The warning signs of cancer in dogs and cats are similar to those in people; for example, a lump or bump, a wound that won’t heal, swelling, enlarged

stopping the ability of the cells to grow and divide, while immunotherapy harnesses the immune system as a way to fight cancer. Less common is the use of targeted therapy, a newer treatment approach that focuses on specific molecules and cell mechanisms thought to be important for cancer cell survival and growth.

Advancements in treating cancer in pets are occurring. “There are new drugs for lymphoma and bone tumors that have improved survival,” Dr. Hamilton says.

Dr. Hamilton speaks enthusiastically about the “One Health” concept, exemplified by the collaboration of mul-

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He does counsel owners on whether

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their pet’s type of cancer is likely to respond

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to radiation and will facilitate appointments

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at a local radiation facility and provide long-term support and monitoring of the pet’s health. lymph nodes, or abnormal bleeding. Pet owners should contact their vetetinarian as soon as any of these signs appear, or if their pet simply doesn’t feel well or doesn’t seem “quite right.”

Dr. Hamilton is a medical veterinary oncologist, which means he does not perform surgery or administer radiation therapy. He does counsel owners on whether their pet’s type of cancer is likely to respond to radiation and will facilitate appointments at a local radiation facility and provide long-term support and monitoring of the pet’s health.

Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are the primary types of treatments that Dr. Hamilton provides in his practice.

These drugs function a similar way in pets as they do in people.

Chemotherapy kills cancer cells by 104

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tiple researchorganizations. In light of the fact that humans and dogs develop similar cancers, those organizations are funding research in “comparative oncology”—a field that integrates the cancers seen in dogs into studies of human cancers.

“We love what we do,” Dr. Hamilton says. “It is both humbling and gratifying to be able to help pets and their owners at such a challenging and emotional time.”

For more information about Private Veterinary Specialties visit their website at www. pvspetcancer.com.

MARIA CANFIELD

IS A LOCAL FREELANCE

WRITER AND THE CO-FOUNDER OF

WORDS YOUR STORY,

YOUR

A MEMOIR AND PET-

TRIBUTE CREATION SERVICE.

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