Doylestown Health Special Edition - Spring/Summer 2024

Did You Know?

Doylestown Hospital is ONE OF THREE acute care hospitals in the greater Philadelphia area to be recommended by 97% of patients

Doylestown Hospital is one of three acute care hospitals in the greater Philadelphia area—along with Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Chester County Hospital— recommended by 97% of patients according to a Philadelphia Inquirer analysis of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ most recent update of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems — a survey of patients’ experience in more than 4,000 hospitals across the nation from April 2022 and through March 2023.

Welcome to In Focus

Dear Friends,

Welcome to IN FOCUS, a joint publication of Doylestown Health and The Bucks County Herald. This week we celebrate National Hospital Week—a fitting time to focus on Doylestown Hospital’s central role in providing expert, compassionate care to patients in Bucks County and beyond.

For the sixth year in a row, Doylestown Hospital is ranked first among Bucks County hospitals, 8th in Pennsylvania, and 126th in the United States in Newsweek’s 2024 World’s Best Hospitals annual listing. This recognition reflects the incredible teamwork of physicians, nurses, Associates, and volunteers who are a part of our wonderful community.

We are grateful to friends who have generously agreed to share their personal patient experiences in this issue. You’ll meet Joan Klein and Norma McPeak, for whom early diagnoses by their Doylestown Health physicians led to a return to travel and celebrations with their extended families. Local wrestling coach Darryl Kepler and Bucks County 2019 Poet Laureate Mary Jo LoBello Jerome both recount the extraordinary ways that the teams at Doylestown Hospital intervened and helped them heal after significant strokes.

Because of our strong partnerships and reputation as a center of excellence for heart and vascular care, Ken Kind is now a graduate of the Cardiac Rehabilitation program with a new outlook on healthy living. Finally, through a conversation with Lee Ann Pompei, LPN, we learn more about the team of experts and family of care behind the Doylestown Women’s Health Center and VIA Maternity Center.

The future vision of Doylestown Health includes expanding access to new clinical programs and enhanced services. Our journey towards becoming a part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System will benefit even more patients and families in our community and across our region. You can learn more about Doylestown Health’s potential partnership with Penn Medicine by visiting DoylestownHealth.org/OurFuture.

We hope you enjoy reading more about what makes Doylestown Hospital and patient care in our community so special.

In good health,

Jim Brexler

Joseph Wingert President and CEO Publisher Doylestown Health

Bucks County

Herald

When Moments Matter

t was a normal Thursday afternoon in January of 2020, and Darryl Kepler was coaching wrestling practice at Central Bucks High School West (CB West). “That’s

why I knew he couldn’t be the one knocking on the door,” said Marianne Kepler.

A fellow coach and friend had come to their home to personally deliver some shocking news. “He told me that Darryl had a stroke on the mat at practice and they’re taking him to Doylestown Hospital Emergency Department,” Marianne said. “I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing. We were planning to go out to dinner with friends that night and then, in a second, everything changed. I prayed and then texted everyone I knew asking them to please pray for Darryl’s well-being.” Darryl, a Bucks County native,

had been a wrestling coach in the community for decades. He was in good shape, “for a guy my age,” he said, “with no risk factors for a stroke.” When Darryl couldn’t get up from the mat at practice, “Something was really wrong,” he said. “I couldn’t speak or move.” Fortunately, fellow coaches knew the signs of stroke and acted quickly, calling 9-1-1.

It was a great relief to Marianne that Doylestown Hospital was located in such close proximity to CB West, “because every

moment between the stroke and treatment counts,” she said. Doylestown Health was designated as a Stroke Resource Center by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, and is also a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center. “As scary as this was, I knew he was in good hands,” said Marianne. “Our friend told me that they asked Darryl to say his name. When he couldn’t, they knew to tell the emergency dispatchers that it was a stroke, and they activated the protocol which alerted

the hospital staff that a stroke victim was on the way. Darryl was getting treatment within 20 minutes of the onset and minutes of his arrival. It was incredible.”

In many cases, administering blood clot-busting medications is extremely effective, but “Dr. Guidera told us that in Darryl’s case they weren’t working as well as they should, and that the best option was to remove the clot surgically,” said Marianne. Intraarterial thrombectomy (IAT) is a treatment for acute stroke performed at Doylestown Hospital by board-certified interventional cardiologists like Steven Guidera, MD.

Between the visits from his family, friends, members of the wrestling team, and coaching colleagues, Darryl found the energy to make good progress. “I managed to pass all of the tests they gave me like swallowing and regulating my breathing,” said Darryl. Less than four days later, “I was discharged from the hospital and that Wednesday I went to watch a wrestling match,” he said. “Although this time I was a spectator.”

According to Dr. Guidera, “Darryl’s stroke was due to a large vessel occlusion. These are uniformly devastating strokes which can result in profound neurologic injury and subsequent disability. Unfortunately, for large vessel occlusion strokes, clot-busting medications are effective in only 10-15% of patients. The best hope for neurologic recovery depends on physical removal of the obstructing clot from the clogged brain artery.”

“Dr. Guidera gave us all the confidence in the world, but it was still the longest night of my life,” said Marianne. Fortunately, the procedure went incredibly well. “The next morning, Darryl knew me right away and I was so relieved!” she said.

“The nurses took great care of me,” said Darryl. “The second night after the procedure I remember I woke up and was bored, and they helped me learn to talk again in about five minutes in the middle of the night!”

Dr. Guidera shares that along with the clinical team, “we take great satisfaction in being able to help our patients and families to get back to the lives they want to lead. We were very thankful for the remarkably good outcome that Darryl experienced. It is always a privilege to help someone who has given so much to this community,” he said.

Four years later, Marianne and Darryl continue to embrace every day doing the things that they love–spending time with their family and beloved grandchildren and even traveling abroad. Reflecting on what transpired, “I am so grateful that the coaches knew the signs of stroke,” said Marianne. “By acting so swiftly, they helped save Darryl’s life. Know the signs of stroke. If you or someone you know are showing symptoms, don’t delay getting help,” she said.

To learn more about Doylestown Health’s designation as a Primary Stroke Center, visit: DoylestownHealth.org/Stroke

RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF A STROKE

Back on the Dance Floor

hanks to her team of physicians led by Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon Anthony Tran, MD, MS, Norma McPeak is back to filling up her dance card at family weddings and special occasions.

At 85 years old, Bucks County resident Norma McPeak has a very full calendar. With five children, 18 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, many of whom live close by, there are always exciting family events and milestones to attend. In addition to enjoying a busy family life, “I’m pretty active for my age,” said Norma. “I live in a wonderful retirement community and have a lot of fun playing Rummikub and Bunko with friends,” she said.

Last year, as Norma and her family eagerly anticipated celebrating three family weddings, “I just wasn’t feeling well,” she said. Norma wondered if her fatigue could be attributed to her atrial fibrillation (AFib). “In the morning, I would get up and was so exhausted—more than ever before.”

“When I went to see my cardiologist at Doylestown Health, Francis Grzywacz, MD, he immediately referred me to his colleague, Dr. Anthony Tran for surgery.” Norma’s heart condition had progressed, and she was diagnosed with chronic congestive heart failure from her failing heart valves. This diagnosis might seem overwhelming for many patients; however, “I just wanted

to know if I could dance at the wedding!” Norma said.

She approached her surgery with a positive attitude. “The cardiac care at Doylestown Health is phenomenal. Everyone is so kind!”

Being close to home also allowed visits from her extended family during her preoperative inpatient stay. “I tell all my patients that surgery is an insult to the body, no matter how it’s done,” said Dr. Tran. “Admitting Norma preoperatively gave our team the ability to optimize her in order to take that insult. We were able to drain excess fluid from her heart failure, optimize her breathing, and get her heart ready to take the stress of surgery.”

For high-risk patients like Norma, Doylestown Health’s Woodall Center for Heart and Vascular Care provides highly advanced care using innovative technology. Experts deliver routine and specialized cardiovascular treatment and prevention services with a personalized approach. Cardiologists are at the center of the Heart and Vascular’s multidisciplinary team of specialists, which also includes cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, radiologists, and vascular surgeons. Dr. Tran is a board-certified surgeon trained in all aspects of adult cardiothoracic surgery, including structural heart, valve repair, and valve-sparing procedures.

Continued on page 8

Patient education and family support are also critically important to good outcomes. “For patients, having to undergo surgery is a daunting task,” said Dr. Tran. “I strive to explain the pathology and goals of the surgery clearly, and when I arrived at Doylestown Health, I added whiteboards in each examination room. I find that drawing really aids in patient understanding” Norma recalled, “Dr. Tran put me at ease, and he walked me and my family through what would take place. He listened and was so kind.”

The seamless integration of Doylestown Health’s cardiovascular program is paramount to patient success. According to Dr. Tran, “Cases like Norma’s require a direct line of communication between the cardiologist, interventional cardiologist, and the surgeon. We discussed alternatives given the risk of her age, reviewed her imaging together, and ultimately came up with a plan. At Doylestown Hospital, we pride ourselves on the quality of patient care. A key aspect in delivering that care is clear and open communication among disciplines.”

During the open-heart surgery, both of Norma’s leaky heart valves were successfully repaired. She “underwent a mitral and tricuspid valve repair, and in order to reduce her atrial fibrillation burden and stroke risk, a full ablation (MAZE) procedure was performed along

with exclusion of her left atrial appendage,” said Dr. Tran. “Many of the strokes that occur come from the left atrial appendage in patients with this arrhythmia.”

As she began the recovery process, Norma appreciated the personal attention she received and praises her care team wholeheartedly. “The entire experience was amazing. The nurses were kind and attentive, and the transitional care nurse who came to my home for a follow-up visit was incredibly smart and genuine. In fact, the communication with all the staff was amazing.”

Continuing her recovery in the Doylestown

Health Cardiac

Rehabilitation program, Norma greatly benefited from the personalized nutrition, physical exercise, and camaraderie with other patients. “I gained strength and mobility; it was a tremendous program,” she said.

Dr. Tran isn’t surprised to hear that Norma’s calendar is full again. “I’m very glad she is doing so well,” he said. Between going to new places, keeping up with her Italian language skills, and dancing again at family weddings, “I’m so glad to have my energy again. I have a new lease on life, thanks to Dr. Tran,” said Norma. “There just aren’t enough words to describe how wonderful he is.”

RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK

CHEST DISCOMFORT

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.

SHORTNESS OF BREATH may occur with or without chest discomfort.

DISCOMFORT IN THE UPPER BODY

Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

OTHER SIGNS may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

Call 9 -1-1 if you experience heart attack warning signs.

Calling 9 -1-1 can save a life, as local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are prepared with advanced life-saving support. They can also alert the hospital that a patient is on the way, saving precious time when treating a life-threatening medical issue like a heart attack.

Even if you’re not sure, if you think you might be having a heart attack call 9 -1-1 immediately. Quick treatment can save your life.

Your Healthier Future Begins Here –Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab at Doylestown Hospital

Patients with heart disease who have experienced a cardiac event or surgery are invited to explore a leading, Medicare-approved, Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab program conveniently located on the hospital campus.

Learn cardiovascular health skills including safe, effective exercise, heart-healthy nutrition, and education in a friendly, supportive environment.

For more information, call Cardiac Rehabilitation at 215.345.2390, or visit DoylestownHealth.org/Cardiac-Rehabilitation

QR Code or https://www.DoylestownHealth.org/ events/service-lines/heart-and-vascular/about/ friendsof-the-heart#maintabbed-content-tab

Friends of the Heart Institute builds community awareness, promotes education and provides funding to support the very best heart and vascular care to Doylestown Health’s patients and their loved ones. Learn more at: DoylestownHealthFoundation.org/Friends

NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK May 12-18, 2024

During this national week of celebration, Doylestown Hospital gratefully acknowledges our dedicated physicians, nurses, Associates, volunteers, and supporters who go above and beyond every day for patients and families.

Learn more: DoylestownHealth.org

Connected Care

en Kind is grateful for the connected care network that led him to a lifesaving surgery and cardiac rehab at Doylestown Hospital.

On a July Sunday, Ken Kind and his wife Sharon were looking forward to celebrating two important occasions together with their family—their 40th wedding anniversary and their granddaughter’s third birthday. Unfortunately, Ken found himself suddenly feeling ill. Given that he was already under supervision for heart issues—several years prior he had been diagnosed with AFib and a leaky heart valve—the tightness in his chest and pain down his arms was enough to move them to seek emergency care at Holy Redeemer Hospital which was fortunately just minutes away. After being stabilized, his cardiologist diagnosed a micro heart attack, and recommended an immediate transfer to Doylestown Hospital. “My condition, which had been managed for years, was suddenly going in the wrong direction with a blockage in three arteries as well as the heart valve issue,” said Ken.

At the Doylestown Health Woodall Center for Heart and Vascular Care, Ken faced what “the doctors described as the triple crown of procedures. It was a lot to absorb, but I felt confident things would be fine,” he said. “Dr. Tran was incredibly clear and comforting in describing what was to happen, and I knew the hospital’s reputation for advanced cardiac care.”

Anthony Tran, MD, MS, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, recalled the surgical approach that was needed. “Ken had both a heart attack and a significant aneurysm of his aortic root. The dysfunction of his aortic valve leaflets resulted in a severe leak of blood back into the ventricle. His heart was starting to dilate from the fluid leaking back,” he said. In order to achieve the best possible outcome, Dr. Tran “gave Ken some time to recover from his heart attack and regain strength, and then we addressed his coronary artery disease with coronary artery bypass grafting, and also addressed his root aneurysm and valve by replacing that entire complex, called a root replacement.”

According to Ken, “post-op, things went seamlessly, and I began to feel better. Every person on the cardiac team was truly exceptional, from Dr. Tran to his PAs, to the nurses, and all the hospital support staff. The physical space is very nicely appointed and comfortable for patients. I was super well-cared for.” Once Ken was discharged, it was an opportunity to restore his health in new ways.

One of the first steps post-surgery was outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. “Whenever a patient is in the hospital, even just three or four days, they will lose muscle mass as a result of the stress response to the operation, and from not being as active in the hospital as they

would be in their natural home environment. Rehab is crucial in rebuilding strength and stamina while providing a safe level of monitoring,” said Dr. Tran.

“The combination of monitored exercise and education helps keep people in optimal physical shape and out of the hospital.”

“Cardiac Rehab nurses and exercise physiologists track our patients’ performance and progress, and the combination of monitored exercise and education helps keep people in optimal physical shape and out of the hospital,” said cardiologist Stephen Sloan, MD, Medical Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation. Lowering risk factors for coronary artery disease also include lifestyle changes that are taught at Doylestown Hospital as part of the Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab (ICR) program, a comprehensive, medically supervised exercise and lifestyle change program for people who have heart disease or have experienced a cardiac event or surgery.

– Stephen Sloan, MD, Cardiologist

Ken appreciated the evidencebased approach to the program, “and I lost weight and regained stamina,” he said. “Everyone in the program was very friendly, and Doylestown Hospital Heartto-Heart volunteers were very supportive. Although this is an experience no one really wants to have, I’m very grateful that we have a first-rate hospital like Doylestown in our community.” Now, Ken continues to lead a hearthealthy lifestyle and is glad to “reclaim time with my family,” he said.

Learn more about Doylestown Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program: DoylestownHealth.org/Cardiac-Rehabilitation

Trusted Instincts

oan Klein’s instincts to err on the side of caution led her to seek a consultation with her Doylestown Health physician. Little did she know that would be a lifesaving decision.

The smoke that traveled south from the Canadian wildfires in the summer of 2023 made the outside air difficult to breathe and exacerbated symptoms for asthma sufferers like Joan Klein. With imminent plans to travel cross-country to California to visit her daughter, Joan recalled thinking “I should probably go see my pulmonologist, Dr. Acharya, to make sure it is okay to fly,” she said. “I was being proactive about one thing, and it turns out they found another!”

As Pinak Acharya, MD, performed lung function and diagnostic tests to clear Joan for travel, he discovered something troubling. “When a patient comes in, we do a full review of their records, including previous imaging. We’d monitored Joan and had established a baseline for her. Unfortunately, I found a suspicious nodule on the left lobe of her lung,” said Dr. Acharya. “Some nodules can come and go, but Joan had a strong history of cancer in her family and this nodule had increased in size.”

In 2022, Doylestown Hospital acquired the state-of-the-art Ion Endoluminal System, a minimally invasive robotic-assisted bronchoscopy device to reach smaller, hard-to-reach nodules. This technology allows physicians to locate, biopsy, and mark

lung nodules for surgical resection in one procedure and with greater accuracy. With the Ion technology located at the hospital, “we have improved our diagnostic capabilities, and our patients can have answers more quickly. By decreasing time between tests and diagnosis, we can alleviate stress for our patients and move forward quickly with treatment options,” said Dr. Acharya, who is boardcertified in critical medicine, pulmonary disease and internal medicine.

Joan was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a malignant type of cancer. “It was very fortunate that Joan made the decision to come in when she did,” said Dr. Acharya. “Early detection improves lung cancer survival rates by 20%.”

Instead of traveling to California, Joan was referred to an oncologist at Doylestown Health’s Cancer Institute and began treatment in October of 2023. “My cancer was Stage 1B,” said Joan, “which was promising because we caught it early. It was still very scary.” Fortunately, Joan’s daughter could attend the consultations remotely to support her. With her background as a social worker, Joan was “well aware of how important it is to have a support system,” she said. “It was very important to me to have medical care that is local and known for excellence—all of my

doctors are at Doylestown Health. My late husband was a physician and I have high expectations!”

The multidisciplinary team at Doylestown Health determined the best approach for Joan’s cancer. “We removed the left lobe of her lung to ensure that this cancer would not re-occur,” said Dr. Acharya.

“I spent a week as an inpatient at Doylestown Hospital,” said Joan. “The nurses were highly trained and so attentive. I felt like I was being guided in the best possible way. Everyone had my best interests at heart, and I had a lot of faith and confidence in my team,” she added.

Joan manages her post-operative regimen with medication. “I’m on a regimen of one pill daily and I go for bloodwork once a month at the

hospital,” she said. “While the side effects of the medication can be tricky, it’s certainly better than what could have been.”

Having the all-clear for the next travel opportunity, Joan appreciates spending the winter months in Florida. “I feel great and enjoy water aerobics. My stamina is very good,” she said. “I’m very grateful to Dr. Acharya and everyone at Doylestown Health’s Cancer Institute.”

To learn more about robotic-assisted bronchoscopy at Doylestown Hospital, visit DoylestownHealth.org/Bronchoscopy

DH: What brought you to Doylestown Hospital?

Lee Ann: I was introduced to Doylestown Hospital as part of the LPN program at Upper Bucks Technical School and loved the labor and delivery department. I started here in 1978 and originally worked for OB/GYNs John Gribb, MD, John Choby, MD, and Farah Vikoren MD’s practice. I stayed because I love women’s health and being a part of this team.

DH: What is different or unique about the way you and your colleagues approach patient care?

Lee Ann: Family comes first. I truly love working with the physicians, my colleagues, and our patients. Our team is a family. Over the years we have supported each other during life’s ups and downs. I think that the way we work together helps nurture the family feel throughout our practice and the hospital.

I see how the doctors interact with our patients and how exceptionally caring they are. This has been true for as long as I can remember. My children and grandchildren were delivered at Doylestown Hospital. I encourage my extended family members and friends to come here, too.

DH: What’s the biggest difference between when you started working and today?

Family Comes First

Lee Ann Pompei, LPN, is on a first-name basis with generations of Bucks County families through her storied career and shares why Doylestown Hospital is so important to her.

Lee Ann: The Doylestown Women’s Health Center is completely staffed by female providers, including Jean Fitzgerald, MD, and Carolyn Ianieri, DO. When I started out, most of the obstetricians were male. Back then, an all-female practice was unheard of. I think it’s meaningful to our patients to see this shift which, in some ways, speaks to our tradition of women leaders started by the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA) when they founded Doylestown Hospital in 1923.

DH: What do you want members of the community to know about Doylestown Hospital?

Lee Ann: This is a close community. It’s very special that the babies we delivered years ago are coming here to begin their own families. We are so fortunate to have a hospital of this quality nearby. The personalized approach and family feel is constant. It’s a comfort knowing that Doylestown Hospital is here for us and our families.

Learn more about the Doylestown Health VIA Maternity Center: DoylestownHealth.org/Maternity

Where Families Grow

The Doylestown Health VIA Maternity Center

For more than one-hundred years, the women of the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA) have understood the importance of providing excellent maternity services, close to home. Doylestown Hospital proudly offers a continuum of high-quality and personal care for mothers and babies. The Morel Family Foundation Center for Prenatal Care provides state-of-the-art testing and evaluation services to support the health of mom and baby prior to birth. An experienced maternal-fetal medicine specialist (perinatologist) consults for high-risk pregnancies on-site.

The VIA Maternity Center’s board-certified obstetricians and skilled nurses provide family-centered care and support through the entire birthing process. We currently provide neonatal care with on-site Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) neonatologists in our Level II Intensive Care Nursery. The “Path to Parenthood” educational program offers a series of classes taught by certified nurse educators, focusing on all aspects of pregnancy, newborn care, breastfeeding, and parenting. Support groups and lactation consultations are also offered for new mothers. Grandparents can even learn the latest information on infant safety education and caring for the next generation through educational programs tailored just for them.

Poetry in Motion

severe stroke forced Bucks County Poet Laureate

Mary LoBello Jerome to re-learn the basics of daily life one step at a time. With the supportive care of rehabilitation therapists, Mary Jo returned to her love of writing and reciting award-winning poetry.

A little more than a year ago, a life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage left accomplished local poet and author Mary Jo LoBello Jerome with significant physical and neurological impairments. Now, Mary Jo is once again reading poems in front of an audience and credits her extraordinary recovery to her team of rehabilitation therapists at Doylestown Health.

Mary Jo’s award-winning career as a teacher and author spans decades. In addition to teaching locally, she has also lived and taught in both the Netherlands and Japan. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Scholastic Publications, and various magazines. Mary Jo was also honored as the 2019 Poet Laureate of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

In January of 2023, Mary Jo was in Philadelphia celebrating the launch of her debut poetry collection, Torch the Empty Fields, at a reading.

As the evening went on, “I began to feel hot, nauseated, and incredibly out-of-sorts,” said Mary Jo. “I thought it might be food poisoning.”

As she and her husband, Ralph, made the drive home to New Hope,

“I felt worse and had a terrible headache,” she said. “The pain was so severe we called for an ambulance to Doylestown Hospital.” Mary Jo’s condition was critical, and “thanks to the quick response of the expert doctors at Doylestown Health,” she was immediately stabilized and airlifted for specialized neurological care.

After one week in intensive care and several weeks of inpatient rehabilitation, Mary Jo returned home with significant disabilities.

“What makes me so proud of the work we did at Doylestown Health was that my therapists did not accept ‘good enough’ as my goal.”

– Mary Jo LoBello Jerome Grateful Patient

“The bleed happened on the left side of the brain, which affected my right side,” said Mary Jo. “I couldn’t speak or communicate clearly, and I had to re-learn how to walk,” she recalled. “Outwardly I looked fine, but thoughts were a jumble. I couldn’t keep ideas straight so I couldn’t read, which for me was even more devastating since words are simply my life.”

The next steps in Mary Jo’s treatment plan included speech, occupational, and physical therapy. “It was really important to me that these therapies were offered in the same place,” said Mary Jo. “Everything at that

point was a huge hurdle to overcome—my energy level, my balance, my thinking—and the amount of rehabilitation I needed meant I would be there often. Doylestown Health’s Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation Center was the only place that offered all three therapies in one comprehensive location. It was a boon that I could be there and proximate to doctors who knew me.”

In April of 2023, Mary Jo began intensive three-hour outpatient therapy sessions twice a week at Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation located in the Ambulatory

Center on the Doylestown Hospital campus. Despite the initial difficulties she faced, including weakness from the hospitalization, “Mary Jo was extremely motivated,” said Samantha ‘Sami’ Schreiber, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist. “It’s extremely difficult when people who are used to expressing themselves through words struggle to communicate, and even more frustrating to someone like Mary Jo whose career is focused on creative writing and speaking. She had an incredible support system.”

Continued on page 18

According to Mary Jo, “What makes me so proud of the work we did at Doylestown Health was that my therapists did not accept ‘good enough’ as my goal.” Amy McClain, OTR/L, occupational therapist, and Betsy Keijzer, PT DPT, physical therapist, joined Sami in designing a holistic care plan with Mary Jo’s unique goals in mind. “My colleagues and I work together as a team to treat the whole person,” said Sami. “Our rehab program is exceptional, and our personalized team approach makes a big difference in our patients’ ability to return to normal or their new normal.”

“Betsy, Amy, and Sami kept adding components to my sessions and challenging me,” she said. “In one of my PT sessions, we were doing a complicated series of steps and balancing while I held onto the parallel bars. I couldn’t coordinate the moves and was so frustrated that my right leg wouldn’t cooperate, and I began to cry. Betsy was so kind and helped me step by step, slowly, until I could accomplish the task. Her patience and kindness meant so much,” said Mary Jo.

movements. There were many times she did not know where her foot was, which is common.” Along the way, “we knew we were challenging her,” said Sami. “Mary Jo’s spirit, intelligence, and insightfulness challenged us, too!”

As the day of the reading drew closer, “Sami designed an invitation flyer with an author bio that we worked on together,” said Mary Jo. “She invited colleagues and staff from outpatient rehab to come. By coincidence another patient, a poet whom I had known previously, joined us, too! Sami and the team went so far above and beyond what I would have experienced anywhere else.”

Witnessing Mary Jo return to reading her poetry with poise and confidence “felt like such a proud-mom moment for me,” shared Sami. “Fifteen minutes of public speaking and answering audience questions is a challenge for people at their best. Mary Jo worked so hard, and it paid off,” she said.

Working towards a tangible goal was an important part of Mary Jo’s treatment plan, and Sami decided to approach Mary Jo with a novel idea. “She knew that poetry is important to me, so Sami created a 15-minute poetry reading of my work as a goal,” said Mary Jo. “I was incredibly nervous but excited to try.”

Mary Jo continued to make slow yet steady progress toward the event, “but the reading was truly a multi-faceted challenge for Mary Jo,” said Amy. “It is very hard for brain injury patients to switch tasks and divide their attention; even something simple like entering a phone number is an obstacle.” Seemingly simple considerations, such as walking to the lectern, “were not easy,” said Betsy. “Mary Jo was still trying to re-establish connections between her brain and her foot

Now, Mary Jo’s author website features a new calendar list of reading dates in Bucks County and farther afield. “It’s such a joy to be back doing what I love so much,” said Mary Jo. “I’m 90% restored cognitively and physically, which is an accomplishment I’m very proud of and would not be possible without the support of the team at Doylestown Health—especially Sami, Betsy, and Amy. I am deeply grateful for their expertise and support.”

Learn more about Doylestown Health’s Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation Center: DoylestownHealth.org/Rehabilitation-Therapy

Doylestown Health

Family Medicine Residency Practice

Doylestown Health’s Family Medicine Residency Practice at the Health and Wellness Center in Warrington, PA is accepting new patients. Staffed by our board-certified Family Medicine physicians and medical residents, patients receive the same high-quality, compassionate care they expect from Doylestown Health.

We treat patients of all ages: newborns through end-of-life. At your convenience we offer scheduled appointments, same-day appointments, and walk-ins for sick, routine, and well visits. For appointments, please call 267.864.0020

LOCATION: Health and Wellness Center 847 Easton Road, Route 611

Warrington, PA 18976

HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8 AM to 5 PM Thursday: 1 PM to 5 PM

support superior care close to home

Bucks County is where you live, work, play—and heal. Doylestown Health is vital to this community, delivering exceptional health care for more than a century. Our longstanding commitment to excellence, along with the steadfast support of our generous donors, allows us to bring health, healing, and hope to our community. Join your neighbors today in supporting superior healthcare close to home.

Join us with a gift today that impacts tomorrow: DoylestownHealthFoundation.org/Donate

DoylestownHealthFoundation.org

A team of experts A Family of Care

Minimally invasive surgery at Doylestown Hospital

Doylestown Health's skilled surgeons combine the latest technology with compassionate care to perform a wide range of minimally invasive procedures, including robotic surgery. A minimally invasive procedure means less pain, shorter hospital stays, minimal scarring and a faster recovery.

Our specially-trained surgeons provide minimally invasive procedures in specialty areas, such as:

• Breast

• Cardiac

• Colorectal

• Gynecologic

• General Surgery

• Thoracic

• Urologic

• Vascular

48th Bucks County Designer House & Gardens

SYCAMORE LANE FARM Hilltown, PA

Public tours and special events run through May 26, 2024.

Proceeds benefit Doylestown Health and the mission of the VIA. To purchase tickets and for more information on the interior and exterior designers, artists and artisans, boutique shopping and Café, please visit: BucksCountyDesignerHouse.org

Community Health Classes and Support Groups

From support groups to health and wellness education, Doylestown Health offers an array of convenient in-person and virtual classes and events for all members of our community.

Scan to view our current schedule of classes and events: DoylestownHealth.org/Events