Clinical Connections 4/15/21

Spring 2021 Clinical Updates Page 2 to 3 New on Staff Page 4 Appointments & Recognition Page 5 Provider Personalities Page 6 Engagement Page 7 House Calls Page 8

Friends and Colleagues,

I would like to start by expressing my appreciation for your trust in electing me as your Medical Staff President. I have joked that you all didn’t know what you might be in for, but the reality is I am quite honored to represent you.

I have been on the medical staff here since 2002. I am fortunate to have gotten to know many of you not only professionally, but personally as well. I grew up here in Greensburg. Some of you are my childhood friends, some friends of my parents, some my neighbors. Some of us have children that attend the same school, have been teammates, or we see each other at church.

Regardless of the connection, I have found that having personal connections makes our professional interactions even more valuable. It is much easier to reach out to a friend than a stranger, both when something has gone well, or when something needs to be improved.

That being the case, I would like to spend the next two years with an effort for all of us to take a few extra minutes to get to know each other. If you haven’t met me, please reach out. I’d love to have coffee or just take a couple minutes to be able to put your face to your name.

I hope to communicate to you at least once a quarter, just to keep everyone on the same page. But importantly, to help us remember that we all have lives when we walk out the door each day and night.

This newsletter will hopefully help us to connect. To celebrate each other's milestones, accomplishments and amazing events. Let’s take the time to say happy birthday, congratulations on your new child, grandchild, wedding. Let’s honor professional accomplishments, and those long-time members of our medical staff moving to retirement for their contributions. Let us support each other in times of sorrow.

I have also, with their permission, put together a small section of fun facts called, “Provider Personalities”. I’m hopeful this will give us reasons to reach out and start a conversation. I would welcome suggestions for people and fun facts to include.

I take the responsibility of representing each of you to the Administration, the Board of Trustees and the community very seriously. If you feel I can or need to do something better, please let me know. You can email, call, send a text or reach me through Perfect Serve.

Again, thank you for your trust. I hope to get to know many more of you.

Heather Walker, MD President, Excela Medical Staff

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Clinical Updates Quick Facts

The Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute completed its first TAVR procedure in February. This follows the first WATCHMANTM procedure, done in the fall.

Cardiothoracic surgery continues to outpace many previous years, and perform increasingly complex procedures, allowing patients to stay at Excela for their care.

New cardiothoracic procedures at Excela Health include: • Convergent Procedure (Collaborative staged surgical/EP ablation Afib surgery) • Minimally invasive VATS left atrial appendage occlusion • Minimally invasive right thoracotomy mitral valve repair

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Now Performed at Excela Westmoreland Hospital

Excela Health now offers minimally invasive aortic heart valve replacement as part of a widening array of procedures available to the residents of Westmoreland County within the Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute at Excela Westmoreland Hospital. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is being performed on patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis (narrowing or restriction of blood flow) at low, intermediate or high risk for standard valve replacement surgery. A TAVR can typically take less than an hour to complete, and patients can expect to spend less time in the hospital after TAVR compared to traditional surgical valve replacement.

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Managing Sleep Apnea During COVID-19

The management of sleep apnea has been a challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to concerns of increased risk of transmission during a sleep study and aerosol generating procedures. As the case rate of COVID-19 rises, many sleep studies have been postponed or cancelled. However, recent data suggest that Obstructive Sleep Apnea may be an independent risk factor for worse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 infection (Sleep Medicine Reviews, Feb 2021), highlighting the importance of addressing sleep apnea in high-risk patient populations.

Read more here

New Hybrid Operating Room Now in Operation

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on January 5 to celebrate the opening of the Hybrid Operating Room at Excela Westmoreland Hospital. A hybrid operating room includes imaging technology to aide in surgical procedures. Helping to cut the ribbon were (left to right) Dr. James Adisey, Medical Director of the Excela Health Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute; Beth Dell, RN, Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Excela Health Cardiac Cath Lab; Dr. Elizabeth Detschelt, Director of Excela Health Vascular Services; and Dr. Sandeep Arora, Medical Director of Excela Health Electrophysiology. The first procedures in the room were vascular. Others in attendance: Jeffrey A. Tiesi, Chief Operating Officer; Denise Addis, Vice President, Cardiovascular Service Line; Brian Berry, Chief CRNA.

Clinical Updates Westmoreland Hospital Outpaitent Pharmacy Meds to Beds Program

“The Meds to Beds Program at Westmoreland Hospital has been a tremendous help for our post-op heart surgical patients. With bedside delivery, the patients leave with their medications in hand.”

Janeen Stepinsky, RN, PA-C, MPAS, FAPACVS, Cardiothoracic Surgery Excela Westmoreland Outpatient Pharmacy can fill patients’ prescriptions and deliver them to the bedside before they leave. Pharmacy staff will review medication with them to assure proper use and answer any questions. For more information call 724-832-4255.

Breast Health and the COVID-19 Vaccine

The Society of Breast Imaging has published considerations for patients and providers regarding scheduling of screening mammography. It has been found that the COVID-19 vaccination may cause reactive axillary adenopathy or enlarged lymph nodes.

When possible, and does not delay care, it is recommended that patients schedule annual screening mammography prior to the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination or four to six weeks following the second dose.

Docs On the Mic Dr. Michael Szwerc Interviewed on ‘In Touch with Eric O’Brien’

Michael Szwerc, MD, FACS, Excela Health Thoracic Surgery, talks with show host Barry Banker about the Excela Health Advanced Lung Center and the services available to the community. The radio interview aired on Broadcast Communications, Inc channels.

Listen to the interview here

Dr. James Masterson Speaks on Persistent Post Concussive Symptoms, Signs, and Treatment

Dr. James Masterson, Director of Sports Medicine and the Concussion Center recently was a guest on the Faces of TBI podcast with Amy Zellmer. In the podcast he discusses what the Concussion Center offers and post concussive symptoms, signs, and treatments available. During the podcast they also discuss the importance of raising awareness of persistent post concussive symptoms, and how Excela Health is reaching this population.

Listen to the interview here

Learn more

COVID-19 Statistics Update

As of 3/30 there have been 85 COVID-related hospitalizations at Excela Health thus far in the month of March. Sadly, 18 individuals have died from complications related to COVID in the month of March.

As of 3/29 Excela Health has administered or scheduled 36,321 COVID vaccinations for 33,849 unique individuals to date and there are an additional 5,199 individuals in our vaccine registry.

As of 3/30 There have been 21,542 Drive-Through tests and 3,666 Face-to-Face evaluations at the Excela Health COVID Testing and Evaluation Center.

Dr. Nevin Baker and Dr. Vinod Kudagi Discuss New Procedure at Excela Health

Drs. Nevin Baker and Vinod Kudagi, interventional cardiologists from the Excela Health Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute, discuss Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) during the In Touch podcast with Eric O’Brien.

Listen to the interview here

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New on Staff Shoaib Ali, MD

Mitsugu Ogawa, MD

Greensburg

Greensburg

724-836-8303

724-261-5556

Pradeep Dhakarwal, MD

Robert Pearce, MD

Greensburg

Greensburg

724-836-8303

724-689-1353

BenFauzi El-Attrache, DO

Ankur Puri, MD

Greensburg | Mount Pleasant

Greensburg

724-547-8020

724-836-8303

Megan Klamerus, DO

Neha Puri, MD

Latrobe | Scottdale | North Huntingdon

Greensburg | Mount Pleasant | Latrobe

724-539-8581

724-850-6957

E. John Lee, MD

Bassel Sayegh, MD

Greensburg

Greensburg | Mount Pleasant | North Huntingdon

724-837-1894

724-689-1355

Maja Mandic Popov, MD

Parminder K. Sharma, MD

Greensburg

Latrobe | Delmont | Blairsville

Nephrology

Nephrology

General Surgery

OB/GYN

Pulmonary and Critical Care

Hospitalist

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Cardiology

Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep

Hospitalist

Cardiology-Electroophysiology

Cardiology

724-539-6320

Katie McHolme, MD Emergency Medicine

Greensburg | Mount Pleasant | Latrobe 724-832-4355

*The video icon is clickable and will display a physician video.

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Appointments & Recognition Family Additions Maternity Center Once Again Ranked Among Nation’s Best

The Family Additions Maternity Center at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital remains ranked among the nation’s best, and the only one in southwestern Pennsylvania featured in the Best Maternity Hospitals 2021 edition of Newsweek, which publishes the honor roll annually.

Excela Health is one of 217 hospitals across 36 states on this list which is compiled by the news magazine in partnership with The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization that reports on the safety and quality performance of U.S. healthcare facilities. To be considered for the list, hospitals had to demonstrate adherence to a variety of standards for excellence in maternity care including low rates of C-section, episiotomy and early elective deliveries and follow important protocols to protect mothers and babies.

“We are honored and pleased to receive this notable accolade for a second consecutive year,” said John Sphon, Chief Executive Officer of Excela Health. “It is yet another tangible recognition of our mission to improve the health and well-being of every life we touch.”

Dr. Heather Walker Named Distinguished Centurion for Achievement by Greensburg Central Catholic

Congratulations to Dr. Heather Walker for being named the Distinguished Centurion for Achievement by Greensburg Central Catholic (GCC)! The Distinguished Centurion Award honors individuals that have made significant contributions to their community, workplace or GCC and provide a positive model for GCC students today. The awards serve to bring honor to the school community and advance the mission of the school. Dr. Walker serves as assistant director of the emergency department at Excela Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg.

In addition, she is the Excela Health and Mutual Aid Ambulance Medical Director and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Read more here

Read more here

Appointments

• Dr. Joe Casario was named the Chairperson of the Department of Anesthesiology.

• Dr. John Lee now chairs the COVID-19 Clinical Committee

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Provider Personalities Which physician has a pet raccoon and a gentleman’s farm?

Dr. Mark Persin, Emergency Medicine The raccoon loves to swim in their pool and have fun with Mark’s family. Also he raises cattle and horses on his farm.

Guess the physician who recently won a national baking and cake decorating contest?

Dr. Randi Turkewitz, OB/GYN She Baked and decorated a themed cake along with creating an accompanying video entry. Randi won a year supply of baking chocolate for her amazing pirate themed creation!

Do you know a physician who bicycles nearly 2,000 miles per year and does oil painting?

Dr. Geoff Joseph, General Surgery Next time you see Geoff, ask for his favorite bike routes or for him to show his most recent masterpiece!

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This physician served as President of the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association and member of the University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees...

Dr. Jack Smith, Orthopedics Next time you see Jack, ask him to share some of his favorite Pitt memories.

In college, who was chairman of THON at Penn State University?

Dr. Jim Adisey, Cardiology THON is a dance marathon that has become the largest student run philanthropy in the world, raising money for the Four Diamonds Fund yearly.

Engagement Recent/Upcoming Birthdays January Cathleen A. Adams, DO Yoshio Arai, MD Christina S. Armanious, DO Nikhil R. Asher, MD Matthew C. Banks, MD Jarrett J. Bender, DO Brian F. Boyle, MD Jennifer T. Bradford, DO Charles J. Choi, MD Matthew Cole, DO Courtney L. Floyd, MD Yaw B. Fordjour, DO David Edward Gray, DO Kevin J. Grosso, DO H. King Hartman Jr., MD Martha Ellen Haykin, MD Becky J. Hwang, DO Ahmed Jahangeer, MD Walid A. Kassir, MD Mark R. Klingensmith, MD Petros Kopterides, MD Mary Elizabeth Kovacik Eicher, MD Bernard Lam, MD, DDS James J. Longhi, DO, FACS Donna M. Lucas, MD Maja Mandic Popov, MD Beth Ann Maxwell, MD, FACOG Linas Mockus, MD Sharmilarani H. Nanda, MD Adnan K. Nassur, MD Chuanxing Qu, MD Gutti Parvathi Rao, MD Mamoon A. Rasheed, MD David Stewart Richards, MD Stephanie Marie Rubino, MD Elina Salem, MD Bassel Sayegh, MD Ritesh Senapati, MD Ravi Ramalingam Shankar, MD Lauren E. Trimeloni, MD Randi Brooke Turkewitz, MD, FACOG Stephen John Wynert, MD Rana Ziadeh, MD

February Arcangela L. Balest, MD Casey David Belski, DO David Steele Buck, MD Susan A. Caslow, MD Kristen G. Chadha, MD Elviira Craig, DO Matthew A. D'Onofrio, MD Thomas R. DeGregory, DO Jennifer A. Douglas, MD Kerra M. Doyle, DO Chris N. Gu, MD Tiffany Rose Higgins, DO Donald Joseph Jakubek, MD Manjusha Kad, MD Amy Haas Kreutel, MD Rahul J. Kumar, MD Marlo H. Marcheleovich, DO Alan Lee McGaughran, MD Daniel Lee Meikle, MD Ronald Alan Monack, DO Joseph S. Moss, MD Gregory W. Olenic, MD Kara A. Ostrosky, DO Kyung Won Park, MD Nikunjkumar M. Rabadiya, MD, FACOG James R. Sample Jr., DO Michael William Semelka, DO David O. Steffensen, MD Matthew G. Sulecki, MD Michael Gary Weinberg, MD Mark S. Williams, DO

In Sympathy

Shirley Matthews Mother of Dr. Ted Matthews, General Surgery Dr. Ali Aboosi Pediatrics Norma Jenkins Mother of Dr. Bill Jenkins, Emergency Medicine Dr. Joseph Gerger Father of Dr. Rob Gerger, Family Medicine

March Sarfraz Ahmad, MD Srinivas Annamraju, MD David Pierre Anto, MD Murat Bankaci, MD Mark E. Beicke, DDS Kathryn F. Bender, DO Joseph Richard Casario, DO Molly Martha Castille, MD Pierre-Alain L. Dauby, MD Allen Andrew Dzambo, DPM Robert M. Fetchero, DO Sharon L. Goldstein, MD,FACS Fred George Hamaty, MD Gregory T. Hebrank, MD Lisa A. Hildenbrand, MD, FACOG Jodi Lea Jackson, MD Bchara Fouad Janadri, MD Francis R. Johns, MD Edward Patrick Johnson, MD Arshad Ali Khan, MD Douglas Klions, MD Brian R. Lace, MD Lea Ann Lope, DO Peter C. McCann, MD Laura Virginia Mejia, MD Nawaf I. Nseir, MD Robert A. Pearce, MD Jerome A. Peters, MD Christopher Thomas Rihn, MD Daniel R. Ripepi, MD Patrick Domenic Roberto, DPM Michael J. Rutigliano, MD Fred R. Schultz, MD Joseph J. Secosky, MD Willis Shook, MD Dwayne Thomas Shuhart, MD Michael F. Szwerc, MD, FACS Sarah Dunn Treter, MD, FACS Heather Lynn Walker, MD Justin R. Wallace, MD David R. Weber, MD Randolph B. Wood, MD Mark A. Zelkovic, MD, FACS

Bennie Florendo Husband of Dr. Christine Florendo, Pediatrics.

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House Calls Photography Capturing the Essence of Excela Health

HEART, LUNG & VASCULAR INSTITUTE

Share Your Story

Have something that you would like to share for future editions?

Email information to insight@excelahealth.org

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