St. Luke’s Carbon Campus Medical-Surgical Expansion

available through the VA and St. Luke’s. In addition, its case managers will refer veterans to community organizations that provide housing and employment services.

The program is the brainchild of Brands, who has been interested in serving veterans for many years. One day while hiking with his wife Michele, St Luke’s Network Director of Women’s Imaging, the couple pondered whether St. Luke’s would support such an initiative. So, about a year ago, he reached out to Jodi McCloud-Missmer, Administrator of Behavioral Medicine, and Amie Allanson-Dundon, Network Director of Clinical Therapy Services. They favored his concept and suggested he speak with representatives of Penn Foundation, a nonprofit, community-based behavioral health provider affiliated with St. Luke’s University Health Network. Penn Foundation is known for its quality mental health and substance abuse programs and exceptional treatment outcomes.

Penn Foundation’s Jane Straw, MA, Practice Administrator of Mental Health Rehabilitation Services, and Patricia Nye, Practice Administrator of Peer Support Services, initiated and secured the VA grant for the program.

Before joining St. Luke’s, Brands worked as a correctional officer. Throughout his career, he has learned to work with individuals in stressful conditions and how to de-escalate emotionally charged situations. In addition, he completed training, funded through the grant, to become certified as a veteran peer counselor. Brands and other peer counselors will travel to meet veterans. He also plans to take them “rucking,” a military term for hiking with a backpack.

“These rucks (hikes) will allow them to express some of the difficulties or barriers they’re facing,” he said. “And it’s my job to help them remove or navigate these barriers and issues.” Many veterans struggle with the transition from military to civilian life. Some refer to it as going from “hero to zero” as they grapple with finding their new role.

The peer specialists work closely with the new behavioral health walk-in clinic at St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Carbon Campus. Open every day, the clinic provides assessment and referral services for anyone 14 years or older in need of mental health services. Also, they collaborate with the Carbon County Veterans Affairs Hub of Northeastern PA, located on the first floor of St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Lehighton Campus. The office is dedicated in memory of combat veteran Chad Peyton, a friend of Christine LeClair, director of Veterans Affairs, Carbon County. Peyton died by suicide in 2021.

Individuals who want to speak with a peer specialist or are concerned about a veteran may contact Brands at 272212-1052. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the Carbon County Crisis Line at 570-992-0879.

St. Luke’s Carbon Campus has open 12 new private medical-surgical rooms to meet demand for high quality care. The expansion comes only 15 months after the hospital’s opening.

“We saw the need to continue to invest in our community to provide 24/7 critical care to patients. The services we offer here at our Carbon Campus continue to reduce the need for patients to be transported away from the comfort of their community for

Save the Date to Learn How to Save a Life

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults in the U.S. – but by getting educated about suicide, its risk factors and warning signs, you can help protect the kid(s) in your life.

If you’re an adult who works with or cares for kids and teens, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital encourages you to attend Staying Alive Lehigh Valley – an educational youth suicide prevention and pediatric mental health conference – on Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12. This free twoday event will include presentations from world-renowned adolescent health specialists and will address many issues related to teen life, such as eating disorders, ADHD, school their health care needs,” said John Nespoli, the hospital’s president. avoidance, social media and athlete teens. Panel discussions will include teens, youth suicide survivors and adolescent medicine and pediatric behavioral health specialists.

This expansion on the third floor brings the hospital’s total bed count to 52, which includes 12 existing Intensive Care Unit beds.

“We would like to thank our local community for the continued support and the excellent quality care our physicians, nurses and support staff provide each and every day,” said Nespoli.

Staying Alive Lehigh Valley is being held at SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Lehigh Valley – 300 Gateway Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Virtual attendance is also an option for those who register in advance.