July 2020 Issue - Northern Connection Magazine

July 2020

CONNECTING YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR 21 YEARS

Also...

Physicians and Specialists Guide | Summer Home Guide Famous Physicians Trivia | U.S. Army 245th Birthday

www.northernconnectionmag.com | JULY 2020

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

July

Features 8 Facts From the Farm Ron Eichner 10 Eichner’s Whole Farm and Greenhouses

Health & Wellness 12

12 Cover Story: Genesis Medical Associates – A Tradition of Quality Healthcare Mark Kissinger 14 Genesis Medical Physicians 16 Physicians & Specialists Guide 18 Want to Get Healthy, But Don’t Know How to Begin? Belinda Burchick

Kids & Education 25

26 School Movers & Shakers 27 Goodbye and Thank You to Two Outstanding Academies Paula Green 28 Online Learning Done the Right Way: CCA Prepares Your Child for Success

Summer Home Guide 29 Summer Home Guide

Advertorials 7

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Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers Have Hope Dr. Shawn Richey

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many events usually featured in our Happenings and Senior Happenings have been cancelled. Therefore, we have not published those sections in the July issue. We will update our website when we learn of activities resuming. Also, it would be advisable to check with any business or organization hosting an event to make sure that it is still scheduled before venturing out.

In Every Issue...

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From the Publisher

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Movers & Shakers

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Mover & Shaker of the Month: Dr. Karen Bucher Newest Addition to Genesis Medical Associates

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Marion Piotrowski

22 Trivia Connection: Examining Famous Physicians Trivia Paula Green 24 From the Editor: Feeding the Beast Janice Lane Palko

25 Support Our Troops: United States Army’s 245th Birthday Paula Green

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

Welcome to the July Issue of Northern Connection Magazine!

NORTHERN CONNECTION P.O. Box 722, Wexford, PA 15090-0722

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he summer is upon us, and I hope we will be able to get out and enjoy some summer activities. Of course, it will not be the same as it has been in the past, but maybe the warmer weather will bring some needed sunshine into our lives.

This month we feature the annual Doctors & Health Care Professionals Guide. The cover and cover story highlight Genesis Medical Associates.

They have been a Tradition of Quality Healthcare in the community for over 25 years. We are fortunate to live in an area that offers us so many state-of-the-art medical facilities, and numerous physicians and specialists. Thank you to all the physicians, specialists, practices, and facilities that have made this annual feature possible.

This month’s Trivia Connection ties in with the Annual Doctors & Health Care Professionals’ theme with an interesting look at Famous Physicians. See how many medical professionals you recall.

“Freedom is one of the In July, we celebrate America’s deepest and noblest Independence on July 4. In keeping with aspirations of the the usual patriotic theme, this month’s Support Our Troops pays tribute to the human spirit.”

245th Birthday of the United States Army.

Ronald Reagan In these turbulent times, it is more important than ever before to thank all the men and women who have served this country and protected our freedom. We live in this great country because of their sacrifices.

Enjoy reading this month’s special features and our regular monthly columns.

Thank you for your support, and together, we continue to make our community an outstanding place to live and work! n

Phone: 724-940-2444 Fax: 724-940-2447 Email: ncmagazine@northernconnectionmag.com www.northernconnectionmag.com

President & Publisher

Marion Swanson Piotrowski Executive Editor

Janice Lane Palko Laura Arnold laura@northernconnectionmag.com

Managing Editor/ Public Relations Coordinator

Paula M. Green Marketing & Account Executive and Office Coordinator

Laura Lyn Arnold Marketing & Account Executive

Mary L. Simpson Mary Simpson marysimpson@northernconnectionmag.com

Design & Production

Kostilnik & Assoc., Inc. Web Master

Swanson Publishing Company Core Writers

Janice Lane Palko ncmagazine@northernconnectionmag.com

Joella Baker Belinda Burchick Ron Eichner Paula M. Green Janice Lane Palko Marianne Reid Anderson Kelly Smith Distribution

Linda Watkins Lori Palmer Paula Green ncmagazine@northernconnectionmag.com

Keep in touch with Northern Connection on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest

Northern Connection is published twelve times a year by Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. (P.O. Box 722, Wexford, PA 15090-0722, 724-940-2444) and is distributed free of charge to the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Subscription can be purchased from the publisher at $25 for one year.

The mission of the Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. is to connect the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh by publishing the area’s finest community publication, Northern Connection. The publication is dedicated to the people, communities, educational, religious, travel, and recreational needs of the area.

The contents of Northern Connection magazine may not be reproduced or copied in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Northern Connection magazine reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertisements that do not meet the standards of this publication.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Movers & Shakers UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh has been recognized again as one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country, earning the ninth position on the 202021 U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals. UPMC Children’s is ranked for excellence in all specialty areas and is among the top ten in four specialties: cardiology and heart surgery (No. 2); diabetes and endocrinology (No. 7); gastroenterology and gastroenterology surgery (No. 9); and pulmonology (No. 10).

A multidisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers led by UPMC Sports Medicine has developed guidelines to assist coaches, athletic trainers and organizers with creating a safe environment for youth athletes, fans and staff as they consider a return to play. The UPMC Youth Sports Playbook contains recommendations for establishing a minimal set of standards in several categories for resuming athletic programs, including pre-participation physicals, social distancing, equipment sanitization, personal protective equipment, acclimation phases, practice and competition tactics, and illness protocols.

McAuley Ministries, Pittsburgh Mercy’s grant-making foundation, announced the 2020 Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award recipient - Christopher R. Roach, Jr., an Uptown resident. The Good Neighbor Award was created to honor the legacy of Sister Susan Welsh, RSM, retired president and CEO of Pittsburgh Mercy, and current board chairperson and founding board member of McAuley Ministries Foundation.

Mover & Shaker of the Month

Dr. Karen Bucher Newest Addition at Genesis Medical Associates Dr. Karen G. Bucher has joined the professional staff at Genesis Medical Associates’ Northern Area Family Medicine Practice in McCandless Township.

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reviously a Major in the United States Air Force, Dr. Bucher most recently served as Medical Director for the USAF 19 Medical Group Family Health Clinic at the Little Rock Air Force Base.

A Whitehall native and alumnus of the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, she is a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and Family Medicine Residency Program at the USAF Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. She resides with her family in Mars.

Dr. Bucher is a member of the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Board of Family Medicine.

With 12 offices stretching north from the city of Pittsburgh to Cranberry Township in Butler County, Genesis Medical Associates, Inc., is the largest still independent primary care physicians group serving the Greater North Hills. n 6

JULY 2020 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

ADVERTORIAL

Cindy P. As heard on KDKA

Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers Have

HOPE Don’t GIVE UP!

Get Your “ING” Back!

Peripheral Neuropathy occurs when nerves are damaged or destroyed and can’t send messages to the muscles, skin and other parts of the body. Peripheral nerves go from the brain and spinal cord to the arms, hands, legs and feet. When damage to the nerves takes place, numbness and pain in these areas may occur. A specialized treatment protocol utilizing brand new technologies is available at the Neuropathy Treatment Centers of PGH. It includes the combination of very specific, non invasive, FDA approved and painless treatments that are designed to heal rather than just deal with the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Ray B. balancING again

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Dr. Shawn’s SUPERVISED, MONITORED and IN OFFICE program has a 90 percent satisfaction rate. With the experience of seeing over 5000 patients, he is able to tailor a specific and successful treatment plan for each individual to provide maximum results.

Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms can include: • Sharp Pains or Cramps in the Feet or Legs • Burning Pain in the Legs, Feet or Hands Take • Extreme Sensitivity to Touch PREQU our ALIFY ING • Loss of Balance or Coordination www.M SURVEY at aryDa ncedIn • Feelings of Walking on Pins and Needles .com • Weakness in the Arms and Legs • Numbness and Tingling or Pain in the Toes, Feet, Hands, Arms and Fingers • Dependency on Medications If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait till they get worse. Call today to schedule your FREE consultation.

The most rewarding change is I no longer suffer from electrical shocks in my feet especially prior to and during sleep.

The anxiety caused by the anticipation of electrical shocks were horrible. Also, my numbness is gone and they are no longer freezing. I am walking, shopping, sleeping and walking bare foot again. My improvements are amazing, close to a miracle is all I can say. Fourteen years of suffering, fear of walking even in my own home, the dread of going to bed, tired of disappointing friends and family… ALL GONE!! All in the past!! A new me in 2020!!

I’m already a walking advertisement. I have never been to any Doctor’s office where I felt more welcomed. It was more like family than a patient, welcomed with open arms. Everything is all up front and honest.

Everything was explained and all questions were answered. I also made lifelong friends at the office that I’m going to miss seeing on a regular basis.

Neuropathy Treatment Centers of PGH Three Locations: Sewickley 2591 Wexford-Bayne Rd, Suite 207

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Call for your FREE in office or phone consultation to begin your path to recovery. Call Dr. Shawn Richey at 724-940-9000 to schedule your time.

1385 Washington Rd., Suite 100

Visit us on Facebook under Neuropathy Treatment Centers of PGH and join our private support group

MaryDancedIn.com (724) 940-9000

1901 Ligonier Street

Washington, Pa

N C F E AT U R E

Facts from the Farm

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By Ron Eichner

i Folks! With the rising temperatures and increasing of gatherings, I would like to discuss the topic of food safety.

For decades at our family farm market, we pre-pack most of our vegetables we grow and sell along with our bi-color corn in half-and dozen-bag sizes. If the produce is displayed open, there can be cross-contamination by picking and choosing. Our meat case temperature is dropped to stiffen the meats so that our customers have additional safety once the products leave our farm market. One may wonder why we package our vegetables a certain way. The answer is that our procedure is one that is performed at farms across America, adhering to food safety regulations.

There have always been regulations for agriculture regarding food safety, and in recent years beginning with the Obama Administration, new regulations were added making it even more challenging for farmers to meet across the nation.

As food safety does not stop at the farm, food safety should be a farm-to-table dynamic. Together, the farm and consumer are like fields to the dinner plate. Since food safety is incredibly important, I feel that it is helpful for consumers to engage in food safety awareness as well. Two very important tips I can share with you is that when temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, consumers should have coolers and ice packs if

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they are purchasing perishable products. According to the USDA website, “Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes.”

This temperature range is known as the “Danger Zone.” A thermometer to periodically check the temperature of their refrigerators for proper safe storage is also crucial to knowing that your foods are being stored at the correct temperatures.

When it comes to specific food and beverages, I personally feel that sometimes the safety of milk is overlooked. This is due to the fact that milk is commonly on the table three meals per day.

It could be the first item out of the fridge, and the last item to be returned to the refrigerator.

It’s one of my goals to address this matter and create awareness regarding food safety. If you are interested in additional facts regarding food safety, go to usda.gov and search the topic of food safety.

You are welcome to stop by our Whole Farm and Greenhouses and experience Farm Fresh and further discuss the important topic at 285 Richard Road in Wexford and get the “rest of the story.” n

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Eichner’s Whole Farm & Greenhouses

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ince 1897, Eichner’s Whole Farm & Greenhouses has met all its seasonal farming challenges with family members working full-time on our farm. The farm challenges over the years are full of interesting events and lessons learned for each generation on the farm.

Our family farm has never strayed from how we nurture our crops and fields.

It’s all about FUN “Farming und Nutrition.” Our chickens and turkeys are raised on all-natural, vegetable-based feed programs that are packed with natural vitamins, minerals, trace elements and pre- and probiotics. Then by God’s design, livestock and poultry leave 35% of those nutritional values in their manure. When we incorporate the poultry manure into our fields, our crops have increased nutritional values. The reason minerals are so important for humans and livestock is that without the muchneeded minerals, you can’t simulate the vitamins that are consumed and needed to support health and wellness.

Society is now looking for nutritional crops, but keep in mind, they have to be grown nutritionally smart by the farmers. Our farm customers are getting extra valueadded nutrition with how we grow our seasonal crops, AKA U.S. Senate Document #264.

If you want to support and have our laying hens employed daily, come by to purchase and enjoy the high-energy eggs our hens produce. We are still busy planting our fields and still have a nice selection of flowers, vegetable and herb plants available.

If you get a chance, stop into our farm market and greenhouse. We are open seven days a week. Amish doughnuts are available every Saturday. Bring a friend and be a friend. Our family farm supports our community, and we welcome your community support. n

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COVER STORY

“A Tradition of Quality Healthcare”

By Mark Kissinger

This is the motto of the largest independent medical group in the north hills of Pittsburgh and has been its absolute fundamental mission for 25 years. As their Executive Director, I am proud and honored to have a part of this organization since joining in June 1995.

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enesis Medical Associates began operations on October 1, 1995. 2020 celebrates its 25th anniversary. Just as 2020 is a year that many of us will remember due to the pandemic, 1995 was likewise a historic year. Some of you may remember that: • Michael Jordan came out of retirement to win three more basketball championship titles • Windows 95 was released by Microsoft • Ebay started the online auction and shopping website • DVD, optical disc storage media format, was announced • Dow Jones closed above 5,000 for the first time • Domestic terrorist Timothy McVeigh bombed the Federal Building in Oklahoma City The 1990s were also a time of significant change for primary care physician practices. Physician practices were purchased by hospitals

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and insurance companies. Many physicians became employees after previously owning their practices for many years.

Pittsburgh hospital systems began to consolidate while others went bankrupt. Insurance companies dictated provider payment and policy benefit structure.

Threatened by these takeovers and the uncertainties of the upcoming healthcare reform, the founders of Genesis envisioned a large, physician-owned medical practice where physicians would come together to make agile decisions that were in the best healthcare interest of the patient. Their reasons were simple. The Genesis physicians wanted to provide medical care and treatment based on what was right for the patient and not necessarily on what was determined by a nonphysician led company. Theses visionary physicians were Dr. Lou Heyl, Dr. Don Shoenthal, Dr. Steve Baker, Dr. Lee Dobler, Dr. Rob Potter, Jr., Dr. Warren Smith, Dr. Chuck Cole, Dr. Gene Lechmanick and Dr. Bill Bentz. Many thanks to Dr. Warren Smith for suggesting “Genesis” as the practice name.

All of us spent many hours together in the months leading up to October 1 creating a merged and unified independent physician organization out of separate practices.

Even though Genesis was formally incorporated in 1995, the community origins of some of these practices began in the 1940s and 1950s as in the case of the fathers of Dr. Louis Heyl, Dr. Rob Potter, Jr. and Dr. Lee Dobler. In fact, Dr. Rob Potter, Jr. and Dr. Lee Dobler worked together in the same group as did their fathers before them. These long-standing ties that

bind our physicians to the community have been made considerably stronger by all the physicians that have joined the group since 1995. As such, Genesis remains true to its founding beliefs. Provide a secure and trusting place where our patients can be treated with their engagement and with the highest level of quality regardless of their insurance company.

Over the decades, our physician group practice has established and funded the Genesis Laboratory for blood tests and the Genesis Cardiac Testing Center for Stress Testing and Ultrasound. We have added behavioral health, pain management, chiropractic and gynecology specialties. We have employed care coordinators and quality advocates to assist patients and their providers in closing medical care gaps necessary to manage their chronic care conditions. We have invested in computer and data platforms for medical records and tracking of patient chronic care conditions. Our physicians have cared for our patients in their home, at their personal care home, in the hospitals and in skilled nursing facilities. They have held leadership positions in hospitals and state organizations as well as medical directorships in nursing homes. Genesis has maintained participation in every major insurance company while also contracting with Medicare as an Accountable Care Organization. Very importantly and most recently, Genesis established a Telehealth platform to continue communicating and caring for our patients, at the very beginning of the pandemic, allowing patients to remain safe in their residence.

Is Genesis successful? There are many ways to answer that, but one sure way in today’s world are patient surveys and reviews. A google search of our practices will quickly point out the positive impact we have had on patient’s health and wellbeing.

Having said that, I need to list a few other tangible reasons for continuing to flourish in an ever changing and very competitive healthcare environment. First, you need amazing, energetic, passionate and professional employees. They are our single greatest resource. As we know, but many times take for granted, healthcare workers are always first responders to the health and wellbeing needs of patients. They are problem solvers and team players. They are flexible, humble and empathetic. Even during the incredible uncertainty of pandemic, they approached each new day with the same level of conscientious objectivity as they did prior to Covid-19.

Every single employee role in this organization is necessary for the care of our patients. I sincerely appreciate them and their hard work.

The next success indicator is the extent to which Genesis maintains a patient-centered culture within the organization. This requires access to care, continuity of care, involvement of family and caregivers, emotional support, physical comfort and respect for patients’ values and preferences. Genesis and its employees believe in this culture and work hard to maintain its principle. We maintain early and late appointment schedules in addition to having physicians available 24 hours a day. Genesis offers sameday visits as well as responsive communication through the Genesis same day schedule mobile app. Appointments can be requested through the secure patient portal which also provides access to medication refill requests

and other medical record documents. And now, with the introduction of the synchronous video platform, Genesis can provide Telehealth and Telemedicine visits by appointment on a daily basis.

There are many additional reasons that I could list, but the last one that I have consistently experienced with this group of physicians is their remarkable entrepreneurial spirit. In a 2019 study by the American Medical Associate (AMA), and for the first time in the United States, employed physicians outnumbered selfemployed physicians beginning in 2018. Self-employed physicians were only 45.9% of all patient care physicians. This disturbing trend is one that stifles the concept of physician innovation, especially within primary care medicine. Without the ability, attitude and approach to thinking creatively, to adapting to change and to taking business risks, physician practices are unable to provide the ongoing critical questioning and continuous improvement that provides increases in treatment and quality. The capacity for taking direct responsibility for ownership affords the prospects of making groundbreaking and visionary decisions.

That is why I have been happy and privileged to be associated with the staff and physicians of Genesis Medical Associates for 25 years. Happy Silver Anniversary Genesis! I am confident that this group practice and their tradition of quality healthcare will continue to deliver physician led innovation in the care and treatment of patients throughout the next 25 years and beyond. n

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COVER STORY

Genesis Medical Physicians Jeffrey Bentz, DC is a national board certified chiropractor with an additional license in adjunctive procedures. In the past twelve years he has successfully treated patients with complex musculoskeletal conditions where multi-doctoral co-management is the standard of patient care. He has spent time in the operating room with neurosurgeons furthering his education of corrective treatment for complex spinal conditions.

Dr. Bentz offers three chiropractic techniques with focus on spinal disc herniation and rehabilitation of muscular imbalances. He has been published in Dynamic Chiropractic Journal and Chiropractic Economics. Dr. Bentz is married to his beautiful wife, Janeen, and has two children, Ellie and Austin.

Karen Bucher, DO is new to Genesis Medical Associates. Dr. Bucher grew up in Pittsburgh and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Allegheny College.

She attended medical school at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV and completed her Family Medicine Residency training with the U.S. Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. She is board certified in Family Medicine and has a special interest in women’s health, but is also passionate about treating the whole family and patients of all ages. Dr. Bucher worked as a staff physician and medical director of the 19th Medical Group, Family Health Clinic on Little Rock Air Force Base, AR and served active duty in the U.S. Air Force for 7 years. She is excited to be welcomed into Northern Area Family Medicine. Dr. Bucher is on the medical staff at UPMC Passavant and Kane-Ross Nursing Home. She prides herself on individualized, high quality and evidence-based patient care, as well as authentic collaboration with each patient regarding their medical care. Dr. Bucher resides with her husband, Jonathan and young son in Mars, PA. Matthew G. Cook, DC is a Pittsburgh native and a graduate of North Hills High School, Duquesne University and Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Corissa, and his two boys, Dominick and Nicholas. In addition to treating patients in his office he is active in outdoor activities, coaching and playing soc­cer. Dr. Cook has been a practicing chiropractor and a part of Genesis Medical Associates since 2007 and treats athletes and patients of all ages. His services in his office include chiropractic manipulations, rehabilita­tion, extremity adjustments, medical massage therapy, decompression therapies and physiotherapies. He is proud to be serving the community and city he was born and raised in and strives for excellence through superior patient treatment, education and working collabora­tively with medical, neuro and orthopedic physicians. He believes that a multi-disciplinary team approach assures the highest quality of care and outcomes for patients.

Ashim K. Dayalan, MD attended Bangalore University Medical College as well as St. Joseph’s College and graduated in 1988. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine and is currently a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the

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Allegheny County Medical Society. Dr. Dayalan is also certified by the American Academy of Addiction Society to treat patients in the throes of the opiate epidemic and drug addiction. Dr. Dayalan currently serves as a preceptor for both the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy and the Duquesne University School of Nursing, Graduate Program. He has also attained recognition in diabetic care and office systems under the “Bridges to Excellence” program. Services provided within his practice include primary care, wellness, chronic disease management, behavioral health, addiction treatment, osteoporosis management and joint injections.

Dr. Dayalan is the proud father of his son Raj, and in his free time enjoys playing squash, cooking, and sports cars.

Dr. Jack Heck was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He attended St. George University, graduating in 1981. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at McKeesport Hospital. Dr. Heck is board certified in Internal Medicine and currently a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine, The Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Allegheny County Medical Society. He also is a senior Aviation Medical Examiner with the FAA. Dr. Heck has been with Genesis Medical Associates in Troy Hill for ten years. He is a retired colonel of the United States Air Force and is a physician who provides the highest quality of care, not only physically, but emotionally, while meeting the needs of his patients.

Barbara Fardo, DO is a doctor of osteopathic medicine who specializes in Family Medicine at Genesis Medical Associates in Cranberry Township, PA. Dr. Fardo is board certified by the American Academy of Family Medicine. Selected the Community Choice Award Winner – Best Physician Cranberry Eagle for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018.

Kurt Heil, MD is a Pittsburgh native. He attended high school at North Allegheny where he was part of the Western Pennsylvania championship wrestling team. Outside of school, he was an Eagle Scout and active leader in the Boy Scouts of America. This helped forge his love of the outdoors. He attended the University of Notre Dame, went on to Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and completed medical training at the Fairfax Family Practice residency program of Northern Virginia. He is proud to be part of Northern Area Family Medicine, a division of Genesis Medical Associates for over 20 years. He enjoys practicing family medicine for the great joy it brings him to care for multiple generations, seeing them through good times and bad. Medicine has gone through many tremendous changes lately, but the shift has favored primary care, allowing him to focus on preventive medicine and promote quality healthcare. Dr. Heil is on staff at UPMC Passavant and Allegheny General Hospitals, and Kane-Ross Regional Nursing Home. Finally, he is dedicated to his family, raising three talented ice hockey players.

Eric S. Griffin, DO, MPH was educated at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey) and completed his residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital. He is board certified in family medicine and has been a physician with Genesis Medical Associates since 2014. Before his doctorate, he served as a public health volunteer for the United States Peace Corps and earned his Masters of Public Health degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Griffin realized medicine was his calling during his Peace Corps service when he created health programs for preventative care and traffic injury prevention in Kiribati. His experiences during this formative period started him down the path to his medical career. Dr. Griffin is married with two children. When not working, he spends time with his family and enjoys hiking, swimming, and gardening as well as attending the theater, a museum or sporting event. When asked what keeps him motivated in his career he stated, “I am passionate about preventive health, immunizations and putting into practice the concept of Value and Quality Based Healthcare.”

Daniel K. Grob, MD was educated at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital. He has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates for 20 years. He serves as Medical Director at Concordia at Rebecca Residence in Allison Park. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine and a Certified Medical Director in Long Term Care. Dr. Grob is married to Carla and they have three children and they keep him busy but he does find time to hunt and fish, often with one or other of his children joining in the fun. He sought opportunities in high school and college to learn more about medicine and at each step his passion for medicine was confirmed and grew. It was the director at St. Margaret’s Family Practice residency, Dr. J. Ferrante, which showed him the rewards of a long term relationship caring for entire families across generations.

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Louis Heyl, MD joined his father Dr. Frank Heyl in family practice in 1982. Dr. Heyl is President of Family Medicine at UPMC Passavant and Past President of Genesis Medical Associates, Inc. In addition to Heyl Family Practice, he is also a member of the Allegheny County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the Pennsylvania Medical Society. In his free time, Dr. Heyl enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary, their two sons and two grandchildren. He also enjoys traveling, golfing and fly fishing.

Scott Heyl MD is a third-generation Family Practice Physician who joined Heyl Family Practice of Genesis Medical Associates, Inc. in July 2016. Dr. Scott Heyl completed his Family Practice Residency at the UPMC St. Margaret Hospital where he was Chief Resident. In 2019, Dr Heyl was recognized by the Pennsylvania Medical Society as one of the Top Physicians Under 40 in the state. As a Board-certified Family Practice Physician, he combines his passion for quality patient care with his focus on furthering effective patient care management. Dr. Scott Heyl and his wife, Dr. Rachell Atrasz are the pound parents of their son.

Alka Kaushik, MD has been actively practicing medicine since 1979. In 1981 she came to the United States and completed an Internal Medicine residency at Lincoln Hospital, N.Y. She then completed a radiology residency at BronxLebanon Medical Center followed by an Anesthesiology residency at Methodist Hospital in N.Y. Upon relocating to Pittsburgh, she decided to specialize in Pain Management, completing a fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital in 1993. Dr. Kaushik provides full service pain management, from medication management up to and including interventional pain procedures. She holds certification from the American Board of Anesthesiology and has been a diplomate recognized by the American Academy of Pain Management. She is also a certified in acupuncture and has been certified in addiction management by the American Board of Addiction Psychiatry.

Joseph Kimmell DO is a Family Medicine physician and is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. Dr. Kimmell has been with Genesis Medical Associates since 2007 and currently serves on its board of directors. Dr. Kimmell was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and is married with two children. Osteopathic medicine provides all the benefits of modern medicine including prescription drugs, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose disease and evaluate injury. It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention. DOs are trained to look at the whole person from their first days of medical school, which means they see each person as more than just a collection of organ systems and body parts that may become injured or diseased. This holistic approach to patient care means that osteopathic doctors integrate the patient into the health care process as a partner.

Dr. Christopher G. Koman is a family physician and has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates since 1998. Dr. Koman graduated from Washington and Jefferson College with a B.A. in Biology. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and competed his residency in family medicine at UPMC-Shadyside and is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a certified medical director in long term care by the American Medical Directors Association. He is medical director of Vincentian Home and Vincentian Personal Care and holds clinical privileges at AHN-Allegheny General Hospital and UPMC-Passavant. Dr. Koman has professional interests in family medicine, geriatrics, and healthcare quality. His practice is recognized as a Level III Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Dr. Koman is married with four children and is active in his parish. He enjoys outdoor activities and is also a private pilot with a complex aircraft endorsement.

Matthew Macken, M.D. joined the Heyl Family Practice and Genesis Medical Associates, Inc. in July 2017 after completing his Family Residency at the UPMC St. Margaret Hospital. He is a member of the Allegheny County Medical

Society, the Western Pennsylvania Geriatric Society, the American Society of Family Physicians and the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians. He currently serves as medical director of Reformed Presbyterian Home. Dr. Macken and wife reside with their family in Wexford.

Robert H. Potter, Jr. MD, has been taking care of patients and families for over 30 years. He joined his father’s medical practice after completing his training at the UPMC St. Margaret’s Family Medicine residency program.

Dr. Potter graduated from Allegheny College and the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. Dr. Potter, a founding physician of Genesis Medical, is also trained in geriatric medicine, certified as a medical director in long term care, and serves as medical director for the Healthcare at Home Hospice and the Kane Nursing Facility.

Dr. Potter provides consulting services for the Pirates and is the school physician for the North Allegheny and North Hills school districts. Dr. Potter was awarded the prestigious 2015 Allegheny County Medical Society Nathaniel Bedford Primary Care Award.

Tad D. Scheri, MD was educated at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry at the University of Virginia. He completed his residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital. He has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates for 17 years and now serves as President. He serves as medical director at UPMC Cranberry Place and is a Certified Medical Director in Long Term Care. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Scheri is married to Dedee and they have two children. He enjoys hiking, camping, traveling and cooking.

Dr. Karen L. Schogel is a board-certified internist and has been elected to Fellowship of the American College of Physicians. She greatly enjoys caring for multiple generations. She is currently serving GMA as Chief Medical Information Officer. She also serves the UPMC Passavant Medical Staff as President Of the Medical Staff. Dr Schogel and her husband volunteer for Choices Pregnancy Care Center. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Grace Community Church. In her spare time, Dr Schogel enjoys gardening, training her English Mastiffs as well as enjoying time with her adult children.

Donald Shoenthal, MD joined Dr. Louis Heyl to practice Family Medicine in 1990. He is Board-certified through the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Shoenthal is also a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the Allegheny County Medical Society. He is a board-certified director and currently serves as the medical director of Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community in Cranberry. Dr. Shoenthal and his wife have a daughter and they enjoy spending time together traveling and skiing.

Prashan Thiagarajah, MD is a Boardcertified physician in internal medicine. Dr. Thiagarajah joined Genesis Medical in 2019 after working within the Allegheny Hospital Network for 10 years. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Yale, followed by graduate studies at Columbia

University, he received his medical degree from the Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Thiagarajah has a strong background in patient education, preventative medicine and continuity of care. He is a strong proponent of patients being engaged with their healthcare. Outside of medicine, Prashan enjoys walking his two dogs, being outdoors, playing squash, home improvement projects and spending time with family and friends..

Nicole Waltrip, MD was educated at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD after graduating as valedictorian at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. She then completed her residency at Magee-Womens Hospital in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Waltrip is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been practicing gynecology in the Pittsburgh region for the last 19 years. She has a true passion for providing quality patient care and actively involving patients in decision making. Dr. Waltrip is married to Robert Waltrip, MD who practices orthopedic surgery and they have three children in the Pine-Richland school district. In her spare time she enjoys cycling, water skiing, and activities with her family and church.

Mark Woodburn, MD’s desire to enter medicine was solidified when his mother passed away of breast cancer at the young age of 43, when he was only nine years old. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, he graduated from North Allegheny High School. The first one to go to college in his family, he received a full scholarship to attend Denison University in Ohio, then went on to attend Drexel University College of Medicine. He returned to Pittsburgh and completed residency in family medicine at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital. Board certified in family medicine, he enjoys all the many facets of medicine, including caring for patients of all ages, sports medicine and injections, and has a special interest in dermatology. He currently lives at home in Wexford with his amazing wife Kiley (whom he feels has a harder job than him as a stay-at-home mom) and his three daughters Izzy (8), Evvy (5) and Greta (2). Mark currently serves as medical director at Manor Care North Hills. He carries his motto “treat every patient in front of you as how you would want your own family treated” wherever he goes.

William Zillweger, MD, a native of Pittsburgh, specializes in Internal Medicine.

He has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates since 2000 and maintains his office on the McCandless campus of UPMC Passavant.

He is board-certified as a Diplomate in Internal Medicine by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons and has been appointed to Fellow status by the American College of Physicians.

His clinical focus includes comprehensive primary-ambulatory care, gerontology, hypertensive diseases and addiction-recovery medicine. He serves as medical director of the Genesis Medical Laboratory and has recently been named the Medical Director of the St. Barnabas Health System. Dr. Z and staff are dedicated to providing quality, personalized healthcare. Communication, understanding and trust are the basis of his professional relationships. He continues to welcome new patients to the practice.

The convenience of participating in Telehealth virtual office visits with Dr. Z and Mary Kate Wray, his physician assistant, is now available.

www.genesismedical.org www.northernconnectionmag.com | JULY 2020

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H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

Physicians & Specialists Guide R. Patrick Francis, AuD

Brad Levinson, M.D.

Certified Audiologist Francis Audiology Associates http://www.francisaudiology.com/

Board Certified Colon and Rectal Surgeon (724) 741-6020

Dr. Francis and his staff take pride in getting to know you in a caring and professional manner. Additionally, we offer you the latest in diagnostics and rehabilitative audiology so that we can provide you the level of care appropriate for your individual needs. In providing the hearing healthcare products that protect and rehabilitate your hearing, we enable you to enjoy better hearing to your fullest potential. Dr. Francis has been serving the Pittsburgh area for over 25 years and is located in Wexford. Please visit us at francisaudiology.com or speak with us at 724-933-3440.

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I am a Board-Certified Colon and Rectal surgeon. Although trained in New York City in general surgery and at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit in my specialty, I have been practicing only in Pittsburgh and western PA for the last 30 years. Over the years, the experience of contributing to new innovations has and continues to be extremely fulfilling. Some of the procedures I perform can be life-saving, such as a colonoscopy, which is a quick and painless way of preventing colon cancer. Some of the rectal procedures I perform are best done by specialists, like myself, in order to offer patients their best results and full rectal control after surgery. Ultimately, as in all of medicine, my personal interaction with so many patients I have helped is what makes my work a lasting inspiration.

Dr. Shawn Richey Is there a more discouraging phrase than, “Nothing can be done for you?” Many of Dr. Shawn Richey’s patients have heard those exact words before when seeking relief from their peripheral neuropathy. Now Dr. Shawn and Neuropathy Treatment Centers of Pittsburgh offers a specialized treatment that provides hope to not just manage symptoms, but to heal them as well. “Until I started seeing patients with peripheral neuropathy, I didn’t realize what a devastating, life-stealing condition it is,” said Dr. Shawn. Approximately 30 million Americans suffer from it and experience symptoms of painful cramping, burning and tingling, difficulty walking, numbness and even interruption of sleep.

The specialized treatment protocol at the Neuropathy Treatment Centers of Pittsburgh consists of multiple treatment elements including Infrared Therapy, Photomodulation and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Therapy. Since 2013, Dr. Shawn’s program has had a 90% satisfaction rate, and in addition to the Wexford location, he has recently opened two more locations: Latrobe and Washington.

“We are now able to help many more people. Some were unable to travel to Wexford,” said Dr. Shawn. In two and a half weeks since opening the Washington location, Dr. Shawn has treated 30 patients, keeping him quite busy. “When you’re helping people get their lives back, it doesn’t seem like work,” said Dr. Shawn.

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H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

Want to Get Healthy, But Don’t Know How to Begin?

Follow the 4 LIFE essentials in 3 easy steps

By Belinda Burchick Everywhere we turn, we hear that someone is on a weight loss program or diet, but daunting statistics like “70% of Americans are considered overweight, with 40% being obese” still loom over us. We continue to hear that obesity can lead to many diseases, such as, diabetes and heart disease. The estimated annual health care costs in our country are $3 trillion, with $190 billion specific to obesityrelated illnesses. An individual’s medical expenditures due to obesity can be more than $3,000 per year..

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ost of us know by now the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. Scientists found a gene unique to humans that indicates we are designed to move.

Imagine that! Today, we are more knowledgeable about how to practice a healthier lifestyle. The challenge is how we use this knowledge and take action. Frankly, we just want to feel better and be healthy, even if we have little or no weight to lose.

Conquering a weight or health program can be overwhelming and bewildering. We can get bombarded with possibilities, doubts,

guilt and fears, which can make us feel stymied, preventing any progress. Follow the easy 1-2-3 guidelines below and be on your way to a healthier you!

• Break it down into 4 essential segments: Learn health facts, Improve eating habits, Feel the motion, Enjoy life & living (L.I.F.E.) • Under each segment, make a short list of small manageable steps • Implement one step in each segment at least once a week

Sample manageable steps below, divided into the 4 L.I.F.E. essentials:

L I

F E

Learn the Facts • • • • • •

Search the internet Go to a bookstore or library Watch TV health channels or shows Share ideas with friends and family Understand food labels Get info from US Dept of Health & Human Services

Improve Eating Habits • • • • • • •

Snacks should fit in your hand Meal should fit in both hands Eat every 2-3 hours Do not eat at least 2 hours prior to bedtime Increase fiber in your diet Add raw vegetables to help digestion Eat before you get too hungry

Feel the Motion • • • • • • • •

Take stairs instead of escalator Park farther from destination Do stretches in front of TV or at your desk Play with your kids 30 minutes a day Slow walk after dinner meal Choose 1 activity that fits your lifestyle Swim with your kids Take your dog for longer walks

Enjoy Life and Living • • • • • • • • •

Believe in yourself Live in the present Tend to the living, not to the task Establish regular sleep and wake up times Do absolutely nothing and empty your mind Enjoy a long bath Do breathing exercises Take mini-vacations Don’t forget to laugh

This is just the start of a list. It is your turn to add to the list.

You can take it one step further: Get a notebook or personal journal, divide into 4 sections and enter the 4 L.I.F.E. Essentials in each section, record the manageable steps under each segment, and journal your progress.

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Belinda Burchick, RPh, BPharm, has focused her career on geriatric pharmacy and automated dispensing systems to promote patient safety and improve health outcomes. For the last 10 years, she has served as Chief Pharmacy Officer (CPO) for a long-term care pharmacy, servicing the geriatric population in nursing homes, assisted living, independent living, and the senior day programs, such as, Pennsylvania’s LIFE programs and the PACE programs in multiple states. Belinda oversees the pharmacy operations in three pharmacies, located in Denver, Philadelphia and headquarters in Pittsburgh.

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TRIVIA CONNECTION

Examining Famous

Physicians

By Paula Green

1. This doctor was a physician and a Christian missionary from Scotland who explored the interior of the African continent in the mid-19th century.

2. Name the pediatrician who wrote the book Baby and Child Care in 1946.

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3. On Sept. 5, 2017, this board-certified anesthesiologist became the 20th Surgeon General of the United States.

4. He was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis.

5. American physician (who gained attention through his assistance in suicides.

6. Name the comedian who starred in the lead role of the 1998 film Patch Adams.

7. He is a retired neurosurgeon who ran for President in 2016.

8. This doctor is the director of the NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases). He was prominently seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

9. In 1967, South African surgeon Christiaan N. Barnard performed the world’s first type of what transplant?

10. Canadian orthopedic surgeon Dr. Frederick Banting discovered this in 1921? He won a Nobel Prize for his work.

11. Pittsburgh native and politician Ron Paul is also a physician. What type of medicine did he practice?

12. Dr. Mae C. Jemison worked as a general practitioner and a medical officer for the Peace Corps before becoming the first African American woman what in 1992?

13. In 2008, this TV show debuted. It features real-life physicians Travis Stork, Andrew Ordon, Nita Landry, Sonia Batra and Judy Ho. 14. During the college admission scandal last year, Dr. Phil made an unkind remark about which Pennsylvania university?

15. In 2003, this cardiothoracic surgeon became a regular guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show. In 2009, his own daily television program was launched.

Sources: http://.www.britannica.com/biography/Hippocrates, https://www.thefamouspeople.com/american-physicians.php. www.funtrivia.com, https://www.acponline.org/about-acp/about-internal-medicine/sir-william-oslerand-internal-medicine, https://www.biography.com/scientist/jonas-salk, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Patch_Adams, https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_35.html, https://www.factretriever.com/doctor-facts, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-Jenner, drscholls.com, https://biography.yourdictionary.com/christiaann-barnard Answers: 1. Dr. David Livingstone 2. Dr. Benjamin Spock 3. Dr. Jerome Adams 4.

Dr. Sigmund Freud 5. Dr. Jack Kevorkian 6. Robin Williams 7. Dr. Ben Carson 8. Dr. Anthony Fauci 9. heart 10. insulin 11. obstetrics/gynecology 12. astronaut 13. The Doctors 14. Slippery Rock 15. Dr. Mehmet Oz

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n our May Trivia, we highlighted Notable Nurses, this month; it’s the doctor’s turn. We are going to examine some famous physicians. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates was a physician from the Classical period.

He is traditionally regarded as the father of medicine. The Hippocratic Oath is an oath of ethics historically taken by physicians.

Dr. William Osler (1849 to 1918) helped create the foundation of the discipline of internal medicine. He was instrumental in developing the system of clinical medical education that continues to be used today.

Dr. Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) was a French chemist and microbiologist whose work changed medicine. He proved that germs cause disease; he developed vaccines for anthrax and rabies, and he created pasteurization.

Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in America to receive a medical degree. She opened her medical college for women. In 1952, Dr. Virginia Apgar designed and introduced the first standardized method for evaluating a newborn’s transition to life outside the womb.

Dr. Edward Jenner was an English surgeon and discoverer of the vaccination for smallpox. Dr. Jonas Salk was an American physician and medical researcher. In 1947, he became head of the Virus Research Lab at the University of Pittsburgh. At Pittsburgh, he began research on polio.

On April 12, 1955, the vaccine for polio was released for use in the United States.

Dr. Scholl was an actual podiatrist. In 1904, while still in school, he invented and patented his first arch support. There is a doctor who likes to clown around; Dr. Hunter Doherty “Patch” Adams is an American physician, comedian, social activist, clown, and author. Each year he organizes volunteers from around the world to travel to various countries where they dress as clowns to bring humor to patients and other people.

A few other famous physicians include former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, Dr. Joseph Lister, Dr. Charles Drew, Dr. Robert Koch and Dr. James Parkinson. There have been some psychologists/therapists that have had a radio and/or television show; they include Dr. Joyce Brothers, Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Dr. Phil McGraw. Since we’ve probed famous physicians, we must now explore this medical query. Get set to unmask your answers because it’s time to get a little trivial...

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FROM THE EDITOR

From the Editor

Feeding The Beast

By Janice Lane Palko

W

hen I turned eight, my mother let me have a small birthday party with two other neighborhood girls. It was probably a scaled back affair because the next month, I would be making my First Holy Communion, and a big shebang was planned.

To protect the innocent, I’ll name the two other girls at the party Karen and Debbie. Karen lived closer, and we played together a lot, but as is often the case, when Debbie, who I went to school with, came up the street and joined in, there would be tension as Debbie would try to monopolize Karen. It was the classic case of “three’s a crowd.” Most of the time whenever Debbie commandeered Karen and turned her against me, I’d come home crying.

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I can’t tell you much about my party, what kind of cake we ate, what paper hats with rubber band chin straps we wore, or what presents I received, but more than 50 years later, I can remember in great detail an incident from the party.

Normally, I’m a very even-tempered person, but as the three of us were playing outside after eating cake and ice cream, Debbie lapsed into “mean girl mode” and began to gang up on me and try to turn the head of Karen.

I was doing a slow burn until as we were playing a game in our front yard and using an old stump as base. Debbie suddenly shoved me off the stump, and I remember thinking as I lay on the ground, What? This is my birthday! This is my day! I jumped back up on the stump, looked her in the eye, and hauled off and punched her in the face.

Shocked, Debbie stared at me, and as I stood on the stump towering over her like some little Mussolini, I pointed at her and shouted, “You, go home! Now! This is my party, and I don’t want you here!” And she did.

I admit as I was winding up to punch her, I had this great feeling of relief as I was giving in to this beast inside me demanding vengeance for her treating me so shabbily

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on my big day. When my fist connected with her freckled face, it was a very satisfying, consuming feeling.

Until it wasn’t any longer.

Though Debbie had it coming to her, that feeling of giving in to a misplaced, unbridled passion is still palpable and left a big impression on me as I knew it was wrong.

As a little girl soon to make her Communion, I had been schooled that my reaction was wrong, and later, I’ve come to know that giving in to that base emotion of anger is dangerous.

With all that’s been happening in the world with injustice, racism and riots, maybe you’re feeling that ravenous beast of anger and vengeance within you rearing too, demanding to be fed with acts of meanness and violence, but I caution you. Don’t feed the beast.

Why? Because the beast is never satisfied. The beast, once unleashed, is difficult to rein in.

The beast isn’t interested in justice, righting wrongs or giving peace a chance.

The beast only wants to create discord and destruction. Once unleashed, the beast will not stop until it devours you too. n

SSUUPPPPOORRTT OOUURR TTRROOOOPPSS

The United States Army’s 245th Birthday

By Paula Green

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uly 4, 1776, is commonly known as America’s Independence Day. It was the day our great nation; the United States, was born. One full year before the historic signing of the Declaration of Independence, another significant event occurred – the forming of the First Continental Army on June 14, 1775. On that notable date, soldiers were recruited and specially trained to combat the British “Redcoats” in the Revolutionary War. The actual result was the creation of a standing colonial army led by its new commander-in-chief, George Washington.

The Army’s official June 14 birthday coincides with another patriotic tribute - Flag Day. This special birthday is not an official state or federal holiday. The Army Department of Defense celebrates in its unique way.

The USO, AmVets, The American Legion, VFW, and other military service organizations observe it on a statewide level each year. Additionally, a wreath is always laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia, in commemoration.

Another annual celebration is the Army Birthday Ball. The formal, black-tie event features military members in full-service dress, also known as “military blues.” This year’s festivities were to be held on Saturday, June 13, but the 245th birthday celebration was canceled due to the pandemic.

The United States Army is the oldest and most senior branch of our military. It operates with close to half a million active-duty members. Sixteen former U.S. presidents served in the Army. Until 1947, the Air Force was the Army Air Corps. The National Security Act of 1947 turned it into its own separate branch of the Armed Forces.

When the Army wasn’t fighting in wars, they were out mapping the country. In fact, army officers made up the Lewis & Clark Expedition that helped map out the American West’s uncharted territory. The 45th Infantry used a swastika as their sleeve insignia to honor their numerous Native American members, for whom it was a symbol of good luck. The symbol was adopted by the Nazis; the Infantry abandoned it and settled on using the thunderbird as their insignia.

Another interesting Army fact pertains to sunglasses. The Army is responsible for Ray-Bans. U.S. army Air Corps Lieutenant General John MacCready asked Bausch & Lomb to makes glasses for his pilots that would block rays of the sun and reduce their nausea and headaches, and thus the company Ray-Ban was formed.

Northern Connection magazine salutes all Army servicemen and women, and we thank you for your service! n Sources: newsroom.afba.com/articles-u-s-army-celebrate-245th-birthday, militarybenefits.info/army-birthday, militarybenefits.info/army-birthday, bestlifeonline.com/crazyarmy-facts

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K I D S & E D U C AT I O N

School Movers & Shakers St. Joseph Saint Joseph High School announced that senior Ethan Schroeder ‘20 was Ethan awarded the Duquesne Schroeder University Chancellor’s Scholarship. Freshman Kathryn Huth ‘23 received a Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Kathryn Fair award. Gannon Huth University awarded Kathryn the Pittsburgh Science Fair Foundation Scholarship.

Shady Side Academy Shady Side Academy senior Maya Groff of Point Breeze is the first SSA student to win the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship, a fouryear, fully funded educational experi-

ence for students of the highest caliber at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Isabella Liberto, Zoey Zoschg, Sydney Kennedy and Siddharth Yende.

A team of eight students in Shady Side Academy Senior School’s WSSATV Film Club won a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) 2020 Mid-Atlantic High School Production Award. Winners were: George Grune, Annabel Everett, Eve Mango, Nina Singh, Tony Zhang, Arusha Nirvan, Mason Tomlin, and Andy Marous.

Five Fox Chapel Area High School students were inducted into the National Business Honor Society. They are: Michael Prato, Erin Doherty, Isabella Liberto, Zoey Zoschg, and Matthew Zytnick.

Fox Chapel Ten Fox Chapel Area High School students placed at the 2020 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Virtual State Leadership Conference.

The honorees were: Paris Wohlgemuth, Jackson Boychuk, Gunnar Loeffler, Michael Prato, Aaron Santilli, David Kronman,

Two recent Fox Chapel Area High School 2020 graduates placed in a virtual forensic tournament. J. Oliver Choo and Sina Shaikh advanced to the quarterfinal round in Public Forum Debate and finished in the top eight teams at the Beyond Resolved National Classic. Additionally, J. Oliver was ranked 21st for individual speaker awards.

Blessed Francis Seelos Blessed Francis Seelos Academy was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education Job Training Grant Program.

Mars Area Mars Area Board of School Directors announced that Dr. Mark Gross is their new superintendent of Schools.

Seneca Valey Seneca Valley 2020 Graduates Claira Matthews and Madison Geis were recognized by the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT). Both girls were selected as 2020 National Certificate of Distinction recipients of the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced that Seneca Valley’s 2020 graduate Sean Scott Sean Scott has been offered a National Merit Miami University of Ohio Scholarship.

Seneca Valley students in Diane Koegler’s Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science A class took first place in a Virtual Computer Programming Competition hosted by Westminster College on May 23. The team including David Choi, Vincent Horvath, Sam McCune and Drew Vlasnik, completed five out of the six proposed problems.

La Roche University Dr. Mark Gross

Mars Area Middle School eighthgraders Nicholas Meghan Nicholas Ferrari Smith Ferrari and Meghan Smith were selected to receive The American Legion Award.

Julia Felton, an English studies professional writing and journalism student at La Roche University, is the recipient of the Jim Borden Memorial Scholarship awarded by the TribuneReview.

La Roche University was championed a College of Distinction for the ninth consecutive year. The designation recognizes La Roche for exhibiting excellence in the classroom and for incorporating high-impact practices in every student’s undergraduate education.

BC3 Ashley Edwards

Elizabeth Long

Lauren Miko

Three Mars Area High School students were selected to receive Society of Women Engineers — Pittsburgh Section Certificates of Merit. They are: Ashley Edwards, Elizabeth Long, and Lauren Miko.

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Butler County Community College (BC3) announced that Isabella Donaldson Isabella of Sarver has been Donaldson awarded a Nebraska insurance company’s top national scholarship of $25,000. Isabella has chosen to attend BC3 to pursue her (Continued on page 28)

Goodbye and Thank You to Two Outstanding Academies

By Paula Green

Goodbye is the hardest thing to say to someone who means the world to you, especially when goodbye isn’t what you want.� - unknown

O

n February 25, shockwaves were sent through the North Hills region when it was announced that Vincentian Academy (VA) would close its doors at the end of the school year. It seemed surreal since Vincentian has been a staple in McCandless Township for the past 88 years. Its roots date back to 1932 when the Vincentian Sisters of Charity founded the school. When it opened its doors, Vincentian was a school for women aspiring to religious life.

Seven years later, the first lay student enrolled in 1939. Vincentian continued to flourish, and in 1973, it became co-ed. Another change occurred in 1995 when VA entered into a partnership with Duquesne University and introduced the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

In 2008, the Vincentian Sisters of Charity merged into the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, making Vincentian Academy a member of the SCN family. Over 4,000 alumni have graduated from Vincentian Academy. In our January Education issue, Vincentian graced our cover, and we proudly featured several outstanding alumni.

Three months after the Vincentian closure announcement, our region was dealt another blow. On May 29, it was announced that Quigley Academy in Baden would also shutter its doors. Quigley was the only Catholic high school in Beaver County. The school opened its doors in September 1967, and it provided 53 years of quality education. It was named after Monsignor Thomas J. Quigley. Over the years, Quigley was consistently named as a Catholic High School of Excellence. This honor of distinction is earned by less than 5% of all Catholic high schools.

Both of these outstanding academies have supported Northern Connection magazine over the years, and we thank them for their friendship. We wish the former students, staff, and faculty members of Vincentian and Quigley the best of luck in their future endeavors. n

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ADVERTORIAL

dream of educating children. She recently graduated from Calvary Academy, where she carried a straight-A average in her senior year, assisted widows with yardwork and volunteered at first-responder fundraisers.

Concordia Lutheran Ministries presented a $1 million gift to the Butler County Community College Education Foundation. It will help to fund the proposed Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building on BC3’s main campus.

Online Learning Done the Right Way: CCA Prepares Your Child for Success

T

he online learning experts at Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) - Pennsylvania’s largest K through 12 public cyber charter school - have spent nearly two decades offering students across the state a customized, flexible learning experience coupled with a stateof-the-art career- and college-readiness focus.

We know a one-size-fits-all education doesn’t work for every student and learning style. We also know there’s a quality way to offer online learning, which cannot be replicated simply by moving a brick-and-mortar curriculum to the internet.

Our personalized education—available at no cost to families—allows us to work with students and families to ensure their experience suits their learning style, interests and family lifestyle.

CCA provides the free use of a laptop and an internet subsidy so students can learn on their own schedule from wherever they are. That allows students to explore their passions, such as sports, the arts, an internship or helping a family member.

CCA students have the option to attend virtual classroom sessions in real-time or whenever it is most convenient for them. They learn through assignments, projects, hands-on experiences, educational field trips and a robust offering of school clubs.

Because we combine our custom approach with our CCAWorks initiative, Career Pathways program and college preparation services, our graduates are prepared to succeed in whatever path they choose.

Our CCAWorks initiative is a schoolwide commitment to providing all students with 21stcentury skills, enabling them to discover their future careers and helping them succeed in their careers and life.

As part of that initiative, this year we plan to open the TechWorks at CCA facility in Pittsburgh to provide hands-on learning in everything from information technology, computer programming and drones to STEM and robotics.

It will complement AgWorks at CCA, the country’s largest public educational aquaponics facility, located at our Capital Campus in Har-

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Enrichment Center of Western Pa risburg. In addition to working in a controlled environment agriculture center, students gain training and knowledge in career fields from hydroponics, plumbing and supply chain management to business, STEM, and art and design.

They also can pursue college-level research through the facility’s research and development lab, tissue culture lab and genetics lab.

In the future, we plan to open a MedWorks at CCA facility in southeastern Pennsylvania to expose our students to medical and health care careers.

We also operate a mobile aquaponics lab and two fully equipped mobile classrooms that travel the state to offer activities from astronomy observation and art exhibits to water and soil testing and book fairs.

Our K through 12 Career Pathways program helps students discover and explore careers within a field of interest. In elementary and middle school, students learn success skills and early career exploration; by high school, students choose from five pathways to gain knowledge, experience and skills for a career or continuing education.

CCA also offers a variety of Advanced Placement courses and a College in the High School program. Our full-time, certified counselors help students navigate college searches, scholarships and financial aid applications.

On top of that, we offer more than two dozen clubs in which students pursue their academic and career interests and more than 500 field trips a year to supplement our students’ academic pursuits.

CCA knows the right way to provide an online education. Students not only have the freedom to pursue their interests and meet friends from across the state, but they’ll graduate prepared with career- and college-ready skills.

We can be the perfect partner for an education customized for your child on your terms.

You can enroll at any time of the year. Enroll today or learn more by visiting ccaeducate.me or calling toll-free 844-590-2864. Remember, CCA is available at no cost to families. n

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The Kushkushkee Trail Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution honored Ruth Butler for her 16 years of dedication to the American History and Christopher Columbus Essay contests. Her students at the Enrichment Center of Western PA have gone on to win at the state level seven times, and two of her students have also won at the Eastern Regional level. In addition to the Women in American History Award, two books were donated to Northland Library in her honor.

Saint Joseph High School (Natrona Heights)

Principal: Beverly K. Kaniecki (724) 224-5552 www.SaintJosephHS.com

2020 Summer Home Guide Home. The word alone has always raised feelings of it being your “happy place” or “castle” or your sanctuary, the place where you can relax and simply be yourself. Whether you are thinking of building a home, purchasing a new one, maintaining or upgrading your present home or looking to preserve your investment in it, the advertisers in our 2020 Summer Home Guide can assist you in making your home that special place where your life unfolds.

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