WINTER 2017
Health LINES Penn Highlands Healthcare
Working together for a healthy community.
Cardiac MRI A Cardiologist Tool
VATS Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery
Q&A General Surgery
Heart Health Online Risk Quiz
Great Reasons to Find a Primary Care Physician
WINTER 2017 | PENN HIGHLANDS HEALTHCARE
CEO Perspective
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In Case of Emergency
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Do You really Need A PCP?
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VATS - Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Cardiac MRI
But it’s a good time to take stock in your health and to make plans for a great year.
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Ask The Expert - General Surgery New Faces
How do you feel? What could you be doing better? Are you eating right? Are you exercising at all? Is stress getting the best of you?
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ShortScripts
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Advice From A Doctor
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HealthLines is a publication of Penn Highlands Healthcare which includes the hospitals of Penn Highlands Brookville, Penn Highlands Clearfield, Penn Highlands DuBois and Penn Highlands Elk. It is produced quarterly by the system’s Marketing Team and is always available our website at www.phhealthcare.org/magazine.
Winter is here; it’s gray and cold. The holidays are over. It can feel like a dulltime of year.
Don’t miss an issue! Subscribe now online!
If you wish to subscribe to HealthLines electronically, sign up at www. phhealthcare.org/getmagazine. Printed copies may be found in the waiting rooms of Penn Highlands Healthcare facilities throughout the eight-county region and at several local businesses. You may pick one up at anytime, if you prefer. For more information, please contact the Marketing Team at HealthLines@ phhealthcare.org or call on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Penn Highlands Healthcare HealthLines Team Mary Jo Yebernetsky, Writer/Editor, 814-375-3495 Mary Jo Herzing, Graphic Design Specialist, 814-375-6539 Amy Duke, Marketing/PR Director, 814-768-2827 Brian Musser, Community/Physician Outreach Specialist, 814-375-6508 The information in this magazine does not take the place of health advice given to you by your healthcare provider. Always call 911 for any emergency.
Next time you’re online Be sure to visit www.phhealthcare.org also check us out on
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In this issue, we tell you about some very serious procedures for some very serious illnesses. It’s always good to know about them and what we offer close to home. Having these procedures in our region is a blessing for many who cannot travel or don’t wish to travel. We all want the comfort of home. However, it is our wish that you can avoid them later by taking better care of yourself today. To do that, we urge you to make your annual wellness visit to your primary care physician. If you don’t have one, we can help you find one with one phone call: 814-375-6644 or you can visit www.phhealthcare.org. On the pages to come, you will read how important it is to have someone know your health history and work with you for better health. Primary care physicians can help you catch small health issues before they turn into real problems. We want you to be at your optimum health always. The silent winter days will come to an end with lots to do in north/west central Pennsylvania. As the writer Shelley once said, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Sincerely,
Steve Fontaine, CEO Penn Highlands Healthcare
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Cell phones have ICE or “in case of emergency” buttons to program important phone numbers for staff to call on a patient’s behalf. And here is a surprising fact to many: “The patient can expect to pay the copay after the encounter,” Amy said. “Of course, if they are unable to do so, they will be billed.” What if a patient is transferred to another emergency department in another hospital? “There is a second copay if the patient is not admitted to the second hospital,” Amy added. It sounds confusing, but each hospital’s emergency department is separate from the other one when it comes to billing – even within the same system. Each is required by the state to bill separately. And if transportation is provided by an ambulance, there can be a fee for that, too. “We encourage everyone to talk to their local ambulance companies today about membership, which may lead to discounted bills,” Amy said. “It can’t hurt to ask before you really need to know.”
A visit to an emergency department is rarely planned. There is usually little time to get things together, including thoughts and who to contact. Here are a few tips from Amy Powell, RN, director of the Penn Highlands Brookville Emergency Department. “Always bring your insurance cards, your personal identification and a list of your current medications,” Amy said.
“We will also ask you for your address, phone number and your primary care physician’s name. Sometimes, we ask for your Social Security number, too.” The other important information to know is the phone number of who should be called. “Is there a next of kin or a friend that should know you came to the ED?” she said. “If you don’t know their phone numbers by heart, or if you are sick and can’t think, have them on a note in your wallet or programmed in your cell phone.”
All four of our hospitals have modern emergency departments ready to take care of your emergencies any time of the day or night, 365 days a year. Our highly-trained physicians and nurses provide quality care in a timely manner. For more information visit us at phhealthcare.org/ED.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Need a doctor? — Visit us at www.phhealthcare.org/findadoc
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Just like adults, it’s very important for children to have a pediatrician, according to Dr. Mary Claire Ocampo, a pediatrician at the Moshannon Valley Community Medical Building.
DO YOU REALLY NEED A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN?
“Healthy children means not just physically healthy, but kids with smart minds and brave hearts so when they become adults, they will be courageous enough to face the real world. We, as pediatricians, are advocates for the wellbeing of all children, and we want to make sure they live in an environment that is safe and that they are surrounded with people that can really guide them. Pediatricians see patients from birth to 21 years of age, but we can start communicating with parents in anticipation for the birth of a child and address whatever concerns anticipating parents might have,” Dr. Ocampo explained.
You feel good. You take care of your health, for the most part. Yet, you don’t have a regular doctor. So the question is, if you’re not sick or have a chronic medical condition, do you really need a primary care physician? The answer, in short, is yes. “People need to make their health a priority, and one of the first steps in doing that is to have a primary care doctor. Your doctor knows you, will know your health and will recommend health screenings that can show a condition or a disease even if you are not currently showing symptoms,” stated Dr. Salam Azim, an internal medicine physician at the Moshannon Valley Community Medical Building in Philipsburg. Dr. George Saborio, an internal medicine and sports medicine physician also practicing at the Moshannon Valley facility, agreed and added, “In most cases, the earlier a problem is detected, the more effective treatment will be. In addition, your family doctor can make a referral to a specialist if needed.” Further, research shows that people who have a family doctor live longer, healthier lives. According to The International Journal of Health Services, those who have a relationship with a family doctor are more likely to get preventive care and avoid trips to the emergency room. People also are more likely to have better health, because possible health problems are detected much earlier.
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Mary Claire Ocampo, MD
As for how often children should see a pediatrician, Dr. Ocampo said, in general, younger children are seen more frequently: infants every 2-3 months, toddler years every 6 months, then yearly for their regular checkups just to make sure they are growing well.
During these visits, your pediatrician will perform developmental, autism, hearing/ vision, anemia and lead screenings. The child’s height and weight will be measured so underweight or overweight children can receive proper management. In between regular check-ups, doctors see children if parents have concerns and if they are sick. When selecting a doctor, do some research. Make sure the provider has the expertise to meet your health needs, that his or her office accepts your health insurance and ask for recommendations from family and friends. It’s also helpful to ask to meet the provider in person beforehand, if possible, to make sure he or she will be a good fit.
For more information about primary care in the Penn Highlands Healthcare system, go to phhealthcare.org/findadoc.
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QCare
Urgent Care Centers Evenings and weekends are ripe with the possibility of illness and injury. There is the child who comes home from a sleepover with a sore throat and fever. There are the weekend warriors who hammer their thumbs instead of nails. And then, there is the neighbor’s new dog that hasn’t learned to keep his teeth to himself.
To find a PCP, call 814-375-6644 or visit www.phhealthcare.org/findadoc today!
5 Great Reasons to Find a Primary Care Physician 1. Faster appointments and same day visits for established patients 2. Free annual wellness visits through most insurance 3. Consolidate your health information before you get sick 4. You’re more likely to get preventive care and avoid the emergency room* 5. You’re more likely to have better health and earlier disease detection* Primary care physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners care for patients of all ages and become trusted partners in your health throughout the years. The providers at Penn Highlands Healthcare can help you stay healthy, care for you when you’re sick and refer you to specialists, as needed.
Strep throat, minor injuries, animal bites…these are just some of the things that we treat at QCare facilities. It’s open evenings and weekends, when your doctor is not. The best part: no appointment is ever needed. There are seven QCare Urgent Care Centers: QCare Cameron County QCare DuBois QCare Moshannon Valley QCare Punxsutawney QCare Ridgway QCare St. Marys The Clinic at Walmart Patients at QCare are seen by a certified physician assistant or nurse practitioner, and insurance covers the visit the same way it would any regular doctor’s appointment. Please bring your insurance card and your co-payment with you.
Our QCare facilities will also see patients for sports or work physicals, driver’s To find a license physicals, tetanus QCare Urgent Care shots and suture Center location closest removal. Our facilities to you visit us at are also equipped with laboratory and x-ray www.phhealthcare services, should these .org/qcare be needed to diagnose the problem.
* The International Journal of Health Services, Volume 37, Number 1, Pages 111–126, 2007
Need a doctor? — Visit us at www.phhealthcare.org/findadoc
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VATS
VIDEO-ASSISTED
THORACIC SURGERY “Video-assisted thoracic surgery,” or VATS, is a minimally invasive lungsurgery that spares lungfunction and avoids the trauma of the usual thoracic, or chest, surgery. And VATS is now available at Penn Highlands Healthcare. VATS uses a small, one-inch incision between the ribs to introduce a high-resolution video camera and small hand-instruments into a patient’s chest to remove lung tumors and other disease lesions in the lung.
Today, Dr. Rodney Landreneau, an internationally recognized innovator and leader in the VATS approach to lung cancer, leads the thoracic surgical program within The Lung Center of Penn Highlands DuBois directed by Dr. Sandeep Bansal, interventional pulmonologist. Dr. Landreneau had led the VATS lung-surgery effort in Pittsburgh for the last 20 years. Dr. Landreneau explains that this approach to lung surgery is similar to laparoscopy used today for abdominal surgery, such as gallbladder removal or a hysterectomy. “The VATS approach avoids the trauma of usual thoracic surgery where large incisions are used to cut through the muscles of the chest wall and spread the ribs to perform the removal of the lung cancer,” Dr. Landreneau said. One of his patients is Michael Brosnan who came to Treasure Lake, DuBois from Philadelphia when he retired. During a visit with his new primary care physician, Dr. Karrie Kiskaddon, she suggested a low-dose CT scan that is used for screening patients for early stage lung-cancer. Many people who have smoked qualify for free or reduced rates for this test. Michael was not only a long-time smoker, he worked with chemicals and metals throughout his career which could also lead to cancer. “Discussing my history of various exposures and the simplicity of the test, it seemed to be a good idea. We had moved to DuBois to be close to our grandchildren hopefully for a long time. Of course, the hope was that the result would be negative,” he said.
Until now, this VATS approach to lung cancer required referral to hospitals in Pittsburgh or Cleveland.
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The simple test led to a visit with Dr. Bansal and another type of test confirmed the presence of a small growth requiring a biopsy to identify the nature of the tumor. “While it was confirmed to be cancerous, it was also noted as quite small and early stage - a rare discovery with lung cancer as most
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Penn Highlands Healthcare offers lung cancer screenings via low-dose radiation CT scans at all Penn Highlands Healthcare hospitals. It is noninvasive and involves no prep or fasting beforehand. There is no IV or dye used. Penn Highland Healthcare offers a self-pay option to those whose insurance companies will not pay for this screening and who are ages 55-80 years old and have smoked for 30 pack years. The cost is $99. For many patients, the test is covered by insurance for those who have ever smoked and meet the criteria. The Lung Center offers highly trained nurse navigators to guide patients through the process. When referrals are made for lung cancer screening, either by physicians or patients themselves, they will be contacted to determine if the necessary criteria is met for screening. Patients will also be offered additional education and guidance.
To make an appointment for a low dose CT scan for lung cancer screening, please speak with your primary care physician or call The Lung Center at 814-375-3770 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Monday through Friday.
to remove his lung cancer, Dr. Landreneau said. Such a specialized treatment, it fits a specific need for our communities and the work The Lung Center and Hahne Regional Cancer Center are doing already, Dr. Landreneau said. “Many old friends assumed that I would return to the city for further treatments, but I was thoroughly impressed with the doctors, staff and facilities available in DuBois and decided to pursue treatment here,” Michael said. “The surgery was performed, removing the upper lobe of the right Lung. Testing numerous lymph nodes indicated no apparent spread of any Cancer cells.” Michael Brosnan at home with his new puppy, Gertie.
cases do not reveal themselves until later stages. Dr. Landreneau confirmed that the surgical option (VATS) was still quite viable in my case, and considerably less invasive than earlier procedures.” Michael was a candidate for VATS
Afterwards, Michael continued his care at Hahne with Dr. Carmine Marchioli, Oncology Hematology Associates of Northern Pennsylvania, PC and due to the nature of this cancer, a series of chemotherapy sessions insured destruction of any aggressive cells. Though tiring, today, he and his wife, Candy, are busy with their new rescue puppy, Gertie.
William Wisniewski and family playing cards at home.
ESOPHAGEAL CANCER When William Wisniewski of Treasure Lake, DuBois, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, he met with Dr. Rodney Landreneau, board-certified thoracic surgeon at The Lung Center of Penn Highlands DuBois Dr. Landreneau explained that a minimally invasive surgical would be used. A few one inch incisions into the abdomen and the chest would be used to remove the esophageal cancer and to reconnect the upper esophagus and stomach. Dr. Landreneau suggested a minimallyinvasive, videoscopic-assisted surgical approach to removal of the tumor. This surgical approach is similar to the minimally-invasive one-inch incisional approach to gall bladder and female pelvic surgery done today. Dr. Landreneau was the first in the western hemisphere to perform this minimallyinvasive surgical approach to esophageal cancer more than 20 years ago. He also has one of the largest experiences with this minimally-invasive surgical management of esophageal cancer in the country. Prior to Landreneau joining Penn Highlands a year ago, he was a senior leader of the esophageal and lung cancer teams of both UPMC and the Allegheny Health network of Pittsburgh for over the last three decades.
Sandeep Bansal, MD, FCCP, FACP
Read more about this procedure and esophageal cancer at www.phhealthcare. org./William.
Rodney J. Landreneau, MD
Need a doctor? — Visit us at www.phhealthcare.org/findadoc
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Cardiac MRI Seeing inside the heart is an amazing way to diagnose or pinpoint a problem.
Through Cardiac MRI at Penn Highlands Healthcare, heart doctors can do just that. One of the few Cardiac MRI, or magnetic resonance image, programs in the region – Pittsburgh and Cleveland are the next closest – this testing can save patients from traveling miles for an innovative way to see the heart. (And we sadly know that some patients may not go at all if it means traveling.) “Cardiac MRI is another tool to assist a cardiologist and/or cardiac surgeon in making treatment decisions for individual patients,” said Dr. Steven Sprankle, cardiologist with DuBois Regional Cardiology Associates, a part of The Heart Center at Penn Highlands DuBois with offices throughout the region. Dr. Sprankle is the cardiologist who oversees Cardiac MRI located in the Imaging Department of Penn Highlands DuBois. What is it? Cardiac MRI uses an MRI system to look at the heart. Unlike x-rays which use ionizing radiation, MRI systems use powerful magnets and radio waves to get pictures of inside the body. “With Cardiac MRI, we see the tissue of the heart and its function in real time,” Jason Vokes, supervisor of MRI at Penn Highlands DuBois, said. The images obtained from a cardiac MRI are used to see how the heart is functioning, if the tissue is damaged after a heart attack, if there are conditions affecting the heart’s valves, visualize masses or blot clots inside the heart.
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“Cardiac MRI is a study that is often ordered as an adjunct test. For example, if an abnormality is seen on an ultrasound of the heart, additional imaging with Cardiac MRI can clarify what the abnormality is. Another example would be an individual who had a heart attack. The Cardiac MRI would allow the cardiologists to determine the extent of the heart damage caused by the heart attack. Of course, there are other uses for cardiac MRI, but these are some of the most common reasons to obtain a cardiac MRI”, Dr. Sprankle said. Since October 2014 when the testing started, more than 400 studies have been done with approximately 200 being done in one year alone. Generally, Cardiac MRIs are ordered by a cardiologist, but any healthcare provider can order one. Oncologists, cancer doctors, may have concerns with heart function as some medication used in treating cancer affect heart function. Dr. Sprankle began reading Cardiac MRIs upon the request of Penn Highlands Healthcare. With The Heart Center’s ties to Columbia University and Columbia HeartSource, Dr. Sprankle was sent to Manhattan, New York City, for training. Then, PH DuBois bought the appropriate software to upgrade its MRI machine to obtain the right images for study. All MRI technologists working at PH DuBois also received advanced training. “The techs have been extremely good,” Dr. Sprankle added. “Typically, you don’t have a whole department well-trained in Cardiac MRI. We do.” And soon, the same machine and software will be used for certain patients’ stress tests.
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For those who are claustrophobic, don’t worry. The openbore MRI features the shortest tunnel available, at 125 cm, allowing for exams to be completed with the patient’s head close to the outside of the tunnel. Each study takes about 45-60 minutes, Jason said. Though many people are concerned about being able to lay flat on their back and still that long, they generally can. Patients are given headphones and get to choose the type of music they listen to while the test is being done. There are also times that patients are asked to hold their breath. MRI is quite safe for patients. However, certain patients may not be able to have an MRI because of the magnets. These include people with non-MRI compatible implanted medical devices such as aneurysm clips in the brain, heart pacemakers and inner ear implants. Also, people with pieces of metal close to or in an important organ, such as the eye, may not be scanned. For more information about Cardiac MRI, call the MRI Department, PH DuBois at 814375-3595 or DuBois Regional Cardiology Associates at 814-3753722.
Bryan Jacobson, RTR MR MRI Ph DuBois
Win a Blood Pressure Monitor There are many risks for heart disease. Some are inherited, and some are controlled by us. Take the online quiz at www. phhealthcare.org/heartquiz, and see what you know about risks for heart disease. Why do it? Because after you take the quiz, two great things will happen. 1. You will be entered into a free drawing for a new blood pressure monitor from the Penn Highlands Community Pharmacy. 2. You will get an e-mail confirming your entry and listing all the right answers. Know what it means to be at risk, and maybe save your own life by making changes where you can. Why a blood pressure monitor? When blood pressure stays elevated over time, beyond 140/90, it is a risk for other health problems. A normal blood pressure reading should be equal to or less than 120/80 mm Hg for any adult age 20 or older.
“Cardiac MRI is another tool to assist a cardiologist and/or cardiac surgeon in making treatment decisions for individual patients,” said Dr. Steven Sprankle, Cardiologist
Check your blood pressure often – and if it is high – get help by seeing your primary care physician.
Need a doctor? — Visit us at www.phhealthcare.org/findadoc
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ASK THE EXPERT - General Surgery
Today, general surgery is on the cutting edge as it continuously changes with technology. What once created large incisions is now replaced with minimally invasive techniques. Pain and recovery times are reduced, and outcomes are better. But surgeries are always to be taken seriously – even if it sounds simpler than it did 20 years ago. Our general surgeons at Penn Highlands Healthcare are answering a few questions that may help you or a loved one understand it better.
WHY DO I WEAR THE STOCKINGS ON MY LEGS? The compression stockings for the lower extremities are recommended for tired and achy legs, varicose veins, swelling, deep vein thrombosis and post-surgical procedures. They are also recommended for traveling long distances. The stockings essentially keep the veins compressed and prevent venous stasis, or slow blood flow, which could contribute to multiple complications like deep vein thrombosis (clots) and hyperpigmentation (inflammation) of the skin and ultimate breakdown of the skin, resulting in ulcers. Narayana Subramany, MD General Surgery Penn Highlands Elk 814-772-2485
Surgery places people at risk for developing blood clots that can form in the legs call deep vein thrombosis or DVT. Additional complications may occur if the clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, causing a pulmonary emboli or PE. Prevention of DVT and PE is key. It involves early and frequent ambulation, wearing compression stockings after surgery if ordered, taking blood thinners when prescribed and most importantly, recognizing the signs and symptoms as often they are silent and go undetected. Symptoms of DVT include: • Recent swelling of a limb • Unexplained leg pain or tenderness • Skin that is warm to the touch • Skin redness If you have any of these symptoms, call your healthcare provider immediately. Symptoms of PE can include: • Recent or sudden shortness of breath • Chest pain • Coughing up blood • Sudden collapse If you have any of these symptoms, it is an emergency and you should seek medical help immediately.
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WHAT DO I DO IF I AM ON BLOOD THINNERS? We will discuss the procedure and need for procedure versus need to come off blood thinners for the procedure. If we decide that the procedure is necessary, we will then talk with your primary care physician or cardiologist to ensure safety for the patient to stop blood thinners, and determine how long to be off prior to and after the procedure. Kelley Smith, MD General Surgery Penn Highlands DuBois 814-375-4000
HOW DO YOU PREVENT INFECTION? Antibiotics are given prior to surgery where there is a high risk of infection or the development of a post-operative complication. The goal with prophylaxis (a course of medicine to prevent illness) is to reduce the amount of bacteria at the surgical site during the procedure. Antibiotics are administered within an hour of the surgical incision to ensure that adequate levels of the antibiotic are present in the tissues. In cases where there is need, antibiotics can continue after surgery but normally no longer than 24 hours. Melissa Hilliard, PA-C General Surgery Penn Highlands DuBois 814-375-4000
WHY DO WE GO TO A PRE-SURGERY CLINIC APPOINTMENT? We go to pre-surgery clinic to evaluate our health conditions and identify whether or not any of them pose an increased risk for us to undergo certain procedures. Evaluation at pre-surgical clinic determines the need for more than routine lab tests or even a more detailed pre-operative clearance prior to surgery. Your medications will also be reviewed by the team of anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists who will be responsible for giving you additional medications during your procedure. They will identify any of your medications that may interfere with medications they will administer to you during the procedure. There may be a need to hold certain medications or adjust your usual dosing to decrease the chances of unwanted interactions. WHAT IS INVOLVED IN PREOPERATIVE CLEARANCE? Preoperative clearance involves different things depending on each individual’s health history and physical exam. If you have health conditions that place you at increased risk for a particular procedure, a visit to a physician who specializes in those conditions may be needed for a more in-depth evaluation. From that evaluation, it can be determined whether or not modifications to your current treatment regimen are necessary to decrease those risks, or if those risks simply outweigh the benefits of undergoing the procedure. Kennita Burns-Johnson, DO General Surgery Penn Highlands Clearfield 814-205-1900
HOW DOES SMOKING INTERFERE WITH SURGERY? Smoking increases significantly a patient’s risk of serious cardiac and respiratory complications. Likewise, smoking is associated with an increased risk of poor and/or delayed healing of soft tissues and bones and an increased incidence of surgical site infections. Cessation of smoking eight weeks or more prior to surgery is ideal. Robert Steward, Jr., MD General Surgery Penn Highlands Clearfield 814-342-9186
WILL I NEED SOMEONE TO STAY WITH ME AT HOME FOLLOWING SURGERY? HOW WILL I KNOW? YES! During your pre-op evaluation, we will give these instructions to you before you leave. You will need to have someone home with you for at least 24-48 hours since you have been under anesthesia. Why? In case you develop side effects or complications from having the procedure. A handout will be given at the time of your discharge to explain all of this. Daniel Perri, DO General Surgery Penn Highlands Brookville 814-849-3707
Need a doctor? — Visit us at www.phhealthcare.org/findadoc
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AT PENN HIGHLANDS We’re proud to introduce the newest members of our healthcare team. They look forward to being there for your healthcare needs.
Meslissa Allio, CRNP
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner Penn Highlands Women’s Care 145 Hospital Avenue, Suite 315 DuBois, PA 814-371-6172
Pain Medicine Specialist Penn Highlands Interventional Spine Center Medical Arts Building 145 Hospital Avenue, Suite 212 DuBois, PA 814-375-4045
Dawn Jeannerat, CRNP
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner The Lung Center 100 Hospital Avenue DuBois, PA 814-371-3770
Edward Lubarsky, PA-C Alexandra Brock, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant Penn Highlands Family Medicine 177 Washington Street St. Marys, PA 814-781-7531
Kourish Ghalili, MD, FACS
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon Penn Highlands Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery 145 Hospital Avenue, Suite 300 DuBois, PA 814-375-2040
You can download a copy of our physician directory by visiting us at www.phhealthcare.org/ findadoc
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Maureen Ginsburg, DO
Certified Physician Assistant QCare DuBois 861 South Main Street DuBois, PA
Certified Physician Assistant Penn Highlands Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery 145 Hospital Avenue, Suite 300 DuBois, PA 814-375-2040
Catherine Holsopple, PA-C
Jenny Mays, PA-C
Dulcie Hanzely, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant QCare St. Marys Medical Office Building 761 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 110 St. Marys, PA
Certified Physician Assistant Penn Highlands Women’s Care Moshannon Valley Community Medical Building 271 Railroad Street Philipsburg, PA 814-342-4527
Angelica Huilker, PA-C Certified Physician Assistant Penn Highlands Center for Children’s Care 1033 Turnpike Avenue Clearfield, PA 814-768-7618
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Kristi McClellan, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant Penn Highlands Gastroenterology 621 South Main Street DuBois, PA 814-371-0600
Find A Doctor Kapil Pruthi, DO
Family Practitioner Penn Highlands Family Practice St. Marys Community Medical Building 1100 Million Dollar Hwy., Suite 1 St. Marys,PA 814-781-6758
Jolene Stell. PA-C Certified Physician Assistant Penn Highlands Orthopedics Moshannon Valley Community Medical Building 271 Railroad Street Philipsburg, PA 814-342-2740
Are you looking for a healthcare provider? Do you want to know a little more about who your next appointment is with? Penn Highlands Healthcare wants you to know all of your healthcare providers and who is available to help you with your healthcare needs. On our website, www.phhealthcare.org/findadoc, you can find a provider by name, by location, by specialty or by hospital. You can even search by gender.
Stacy Rematt, CRNP
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner Hospitalist Penn Highlands DuBois 100 Hospital Avenue DuBois, PA 814-371-2200
Nicole Villella, CRNP Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner QCare St. Marys Medical Office Building 761 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 110 St. Marys, PA
Also, a complete listing of all our providers is available by downloading our Physician Directory. You can download the entire handbook, a specific search or a single page.
Speakers Bureau As the community’s resource for health information, Penn Highlands Healthcare is always pleased to provide speakers free of charge for your community organization or event.
Donald Root, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant Penn Highlands Family Medicine Allegheny Health Center 22 Industrial Park Road Brookville, PA 814-849-0990
Lori Schaffer, CRNP
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner Penn Highlands Family Medicine 635 Maple Avenue DuBois, PA 814-375-0600
To make this easier, we now have an online form to make a speaker request at www.phhealthcare.org/ speakersbureau. We ask that you please make speaker requests at least four weeks in advance of the date requested. Penn Highlands Healthcare will attempt to fulfill all requests, but we cannot guarantee an expert on every subject. We try our best to fill each request. The person who fills out the form will be contacted by a member of the Marketing Team on the status of the request. Topics are limited to the services that Penn Highlands Healthcare provides. Some of our most popular topics include diet and nutrition, heart health, cancer awareness, and exercise and healthy bones. We have many physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified specialists and technicians who would enjoy educating your group.
Need a doctor? — Visit us at www.phhealthcare.org/findadoc
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ShortScripts
Join the Cardiac Support Group that is sponsored by The Heart Center of Penn Highlands DuBois for those who have been diagnosed with heart disease or are the family member or caregiver of someone with heart disease. Meetings will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month in the Fugate Room located on the second floor at Penn Highlands DuBois.
The Penn Highlands Healthcare/ DuBois Mall Walker program is free to join. Walk laps around the DuBois Mall, keep track per quarter and receive a small prize each time you complete the number of laps indicated. At the end of four quarters, walkers receive a PHH/DuBois Mall Walker t-shirt. Walking inside the mall is a safe way to walk with temperature control and flat surfaces. It’s an easy way to stay in shape. The mall opens at 6:00 AM for walkers and closes at 9:00 PM. To join, go to the DuBois Mall office to register or call 814-375-3495 for a form.
Any patient who has heart problems or has undergone intervention for heart health such as bypass surgery or catheterization or their family members may attend. There will be guest speakers from Penn Highlands Healthcare who will provide a brief presentation to stimulate discussion and conversation among the group. Attendees can also share concerns and challenges they are facing in making lifestyle changes to care for themselves after a diagnosis of heart disease has been made. For more information, call 814-3757706.
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Volunteer with Penn Highlands Healthcare If you have strong desire to help others and make a difference, then donate your time and talents by volunteering at a Penn Highlands Healthcare facility. Our volunteers truly make an impact on the quality of care we provide for the region. Volunteering is for all ages: • Adults • College students • Youth ages 16-18 Steps to becoming a volunteer: 1. Interview 2. Application Process 3. Orientation 4. Training You can apply online at www.phhealthcare.org/ volunteers or for more information, contact: Penn Highlands Brookville 814-849-1474 Penn Highlands Clearfield 814-768-2491 Penn Highlands DuBois 814-375-2316 Penn Highlands Elk 814-788-8520
Send an eCard - Penn Highlands Healthcare invites you to send some cheer to brighten the spirit of a loved one who is in the hospital! A free service, you can send an eCard to patients in any of our hospitals. www.phhealthcare.org/eCard
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Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Notice of Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Penn Highlands Healthcare (PHH) complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. PHH does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
Penn Highlands Healthcare is committed to not only serving those who need immediate medical attention, but providing education and wellness events that help to build healthier communities over time. Get involved in your health and the healthcare of your community. Events are held throughout the year on each of our hospital campuses and across the region to promote, inform and celebrate health and wellness. See what’s going on at Penn Highlands Healthcare this month!
Next time you’re online, be sure to visit www.phhealthcare.org
If you need these services, contact Jill Zimmerman, Civil Rights Coordinator. If you believe that PHH has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with Jill Zimmerman, Civil Rights Coordinator, 100 Hospital Avenue, DuBois, Pennsylvania 15801; telephone number (814) 375-6178; FAX number (814) 372-2574; e-mail: jazimmerman@phhealthcare.org.
Visit us at www.phhealth care.org/events
Penn Highlands Healthcare offers a variety of Support Groups to help people deal with illness, loss, or stressful life changes. The groups, which are presented by members of the Penn Highlands Healthcare team, are designed to answer your personal questions. • Breast Cancer Support Group • Cardiac Support Gourp • Diabetes Support Group • Compassionate Friends • Healing After Loss • HUGS for Kids and Teens • Ostomy Support Group • Parkinson’s Support Group • Prostate Support Group • Smoking Cessation Support Group • Stroke Support Group • Mom-To-Mom Breastfeeding Connection Visit us at www.phhealthcare.org/ supportgroups
PHH: • Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as: qualified sign language interpreters; written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats); • Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as: qualified interpreters; and Information written in other languages
Community CPR Classes Heartsaver AED and First Aid Training are held regularly throughout the year at Penn Highlands Brookville. Cost is $25 and classes usually run from 5-8 p.m. in the PH Brookville Education Conference Center next to the hospital. Call 814-849-1870 to register. Penn Highlands Healthcare makes it easy to pay your bill with online bill pay. Log onto www.phhealthcare. org/payyourbill. You will need your access code which is located on your statement. The rest of the information is simple – the patient’s name, birth date, address along with payment information from a credit card.
You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax or e-mail. If you need help filing a grievance, Jill Zimmerman, Civil Rights Coordinator is available to help you. You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/ portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or by phone at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 509F, HHH Building, Washington, D.C. 20201, 1-800-8681019; 1-800-537-7697 [TDD]. Complaint forms are available at: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/ index.html. Required Taglines under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act Spanish: ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-814- 375-6178 Chinese: 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免 費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-814- 375-6178 Vietnamese: CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-814-375-6178 Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы говорите на русском языке, то вам доступны бесплатные услуги перевода. Звоните 1-814-375-6178 Deitsch (Pennsylvania German / Dutch)]: Wann du schwetzscht, kannscht du mitaus Koschte ebber gricke, ass dihr helft mit die englisch Schprooch. Ruf selli Nummer uff: Call 1-814-375-6178
Need a doctor? — Visit us at www.phhealthcare.org/findadoc
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Advice From A DOCTOR
Heart Health Tips
QUIT SMOKING - Chew greens not tobacco
Watch what you eat... if it grows on trees it is good for you… FRUITS AND VEGGIES
Couches are to sit on, not to grow roots… GET UP AND MOVE
If you think you are heavy you are... check your BMI (Body Mass Index)
An apple a day keeps the doctor away but check in with him or her regularly
Drinking is for fun, NOT a way of life… DRINK LESS alcohol
Letting people stress you only effects you… STRESS LESS
Cut back on saturated fats 1% MILK is better
Join us February 25, 2017 10:00 AM - 12 Noon
Heart Healthy Education at the DuBois Mall DuBois, PA
Raj R. Kaushik, MD, FACS, FACC Penn Highlands Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery 814-375-2040
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