2017 annual healthcare guide - guidetogoodhealth.com · 2017 annual healthcare guide see pages...

FREESPRING 2017

EXERCISE Is Essentialfor EVERYONE

Symptoms Men Should NEVER Ignore

Health News You and Your Family Can Use

2017 Annual Healthcare Guide See pages 31-56

Does Your ChildHave Allergiesor Asthma?

St. Clair Hospital ‘Fit for Two’ Program: Healthier Mothers and Babies

Five Steps To Keep KidsFit and Active This Summer

Caring for an Aging Loved One?Caregiver Connection Can Help

www.guidetogoodhealth.com

http://www.guidetogoodhealth.com

2 GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH www.guidetogoodhealth.com Spring 2017

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Spring 2017 www.guidetogoodhealth.com GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH 3



By Dr. Marylou Buyse

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH, THE EXPRESSION“AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OFCURE” IS GOOD ADVICE TO FOLLOW.

Preventive care, such as screening tests, vaccinations and health advice,is important for older adults, because your risk for health problemsincreases as you age. By preventing problems, or detecting them early

when treatment works best, you can maintain your overall health and well-being.

One simple way to take control of your health is by scheduling an annualwellness visit with your doctor. An annual wellness visit, which is fully cov-ered by Medicare, will enable you to develop a personal prevention and well-ness plan with your doctor based on your unique health factors. During thisvisit, you and your doctor will discuss your current health and risk factorsto determine what you need to do to be as healthy as possible. An annualwellness visit may include routine measurements, such as your height,weight, blood pressure and body mass index. You should also be preparedto review your medical history, medication use and your physical and emo-tional health during the past year.

During your yearly checkup, it’s also important to talk to your doctorabout screenings and vaccines recommended for older adults.

Preventive Services the U.S.Preventive Services Task Force recommends for Older Adults:

Annual flu vaccine. The best way to pre-vent the flu is with a yearly flu shot. The flu vaccineis especially important for people age 65 years andolder because they are at high risk for complicationsfrom the flu.

Pneumococcal vaccines. These vaccines protect you againstpneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections. Your doctor can rec-ommend the appropriate vaccine for you based on your health risk fac-tors.

Colorectal cancer screening. Regular screening, beginning atage 50 and continuing until age 75, is the key to preventing colon cancer.Ask your doctor about the different types of screening tests available.

Diabetes screening. Diabetes is common in older adults,affecting one out of every four adults 60 years of age or older. Your doctormay test you for diabetes if you are overweight or obese, or even if youdon’t have any symptoms.

Osteoporosis screening. The risk of osteoporosis increases asyou get older. Women who are 65 years of age and older should have abone density scan to look for signs of osteoporosis.

In addition to annual wellness visits, screening tests and vaccines, regularvision and dental exams are also important for maintaining your overallhealth. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer routine vision and dental cov-erage, so check with your plan to see if these services arecovered.

Remember, by seeing your doctor regularly and stayingon top of any potential health issues, you can live alonger, healthier life.

Dr. Marylou Buyse is senior medical director ofsenior markets for Highmark Inc.

YOURHEALTHMATTERS

>

by Iris Valanti, Jewish Family & Children’sService of Pittsburgh

At 93, Abigail’s* daughtersthought she should give upher Pittsburgh apartment and

move to assisted living facility nearthem in New York. Her health wasbeginning to fail and they wereworried they would not be there ifthere was an emergency.

But Abigail was adamant that shewanted to maintain her indepen-dence and stay in the communitywhere she had always lived and feltcomfortable. So her daughters saidthey would hire home care on atrial basis. They hired caregiversfrom Caregiver Connection.

Caregiver Connection is a state-licensed home caregiver registry.Caregivers are carefully screened;most have been with the registry

for more than a decade. As a non-profit agency, administrative feesare much lower than private com-panies, and clients negotiate thecaregivers’ fees and pay themdirectly.

Caregiver Connection allowsclients to select their caregivers,and/or change at any time. All care-givers hired by Caregiver Con -nection have had backgroundchecks and their references verified.There is no required set or numberof hours. Caregiver Connectionoffers 24/7 back-up if for any reasonthe scheduled caregiver can’t bethere. And Caregiver Connection isaffiliated with Jewish Family &Children’s Service of Pittsburgh, soadditional services, like case man-agement and home care assessmentby professional social workers arealso available.

Sure enough, at one point

Abigail did have to go to the emer-gency room; she had difficultybreathing. But her caregiverstayed with her through the entirevisit and kept in constant touchwith Abigail’s daughters. Whenshe was discharged, her caregiversaw her safely home.

Abigail and her daughters real-ized that Abigail was in capablesecure hands. In the time since,Abigail says her caregiver hasbecome more like family. Andher daughters trust that theirmother is safe, and she is nolonger alone. They’ve given uptheir plans to uproot her fromher home. And while they wouldgladly have paid for the assistedliving facility in New York, homecare was much less expensive, andtheir mother was much happier!

*Client’s name changedto protect confidentiality.

.

How to Get Help!If you have an aging parent,

or you are a senior who wishes tostay independent in your own

home, consider CaregiverConnection for those times ortasks that are just getting too

hard to manage. Call (412) 904-5995,

or visit the Caregiver Connectionbrand new website:

www.pghcaregivers.org.

is the Key toHealthy Aging

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http://www.pghcaregivers.org


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Our Doc Talk Checklist makes asking the right questions easier.



By Kate Safin

Mason Jar salads are an easymake ahead meal that areperfect for lunch or a light

dinner. You can prepare several sal-ads at once and store them in thefridge in a tightly sealed mason jarfor 5-7 days! The key to keeping sal-ads fresh and not soggy is layeringingredients in the proper order.

First add 1-2 tablespoons of dress-ing to a clean, dry Mason Jar (pint orquart size both work). Next, addvegetables like carrots, cherry toma-toes, celery, and onion. These veg-gies will absorb some of the dressingand create a barrier, keeping every-thing crisp and tasty! Cooked beans,pasta, quinoa, or grains such as bar-ley create the third layer, followedby protein and cheese. Finally, fillyour jar to the top with your favoritechopped greens. Ta-da! You’ve got adelicious, totally customized saladall prepped! When you’re ready toeat your salad, simply empty it fromthe Mason Jar into a bowl.

Here are a few inspirationsto get you started:

Taco Salad: Lime Vinaigrette +tomatoes, avocado, red onion, olives+ cooked black beans + groundturkey or tofu + cheddar cheese +chopped lettuce

Cobb Salad: Blue CheeseDressing + tomatoes, cucumbers,onion, chopped hard-boiled egg,avocado + bacon, turkey, ham +chopped romaine

Greek Zucchini Pasta Salad:Greek Dressing + cherry tomatoes,onion, olives + feta cheese +chopped grilled chicken breast +spiralized zucchini noodles

Thai Salad: Peanut Dressing +shredded carrots, yellow and redbell peppers, green onions, beansprouts + chicken or tofu + shreddedgreen and purple cabbage + sesamesticks

There are endless options when itcomes to Mason Jar salads. Exper -iment with adapting your ownfavorite salads and enjoy a fresh,healthy meal on-the-go!

FRESH. LOCAL. ORGANIC.

FRESH. L

OCAL. ORGANIC.

and

Fresh juices & smoo•

yWednesdaWELLNESS

d health & beauty ite

And so much m•othies

ms.

more!

412.242.3598.Pittsburgh, PA 15208.7516 Meade Street

> Submitted by Kate Safin, Marketing & Member Services Manager, at EastEnd Food Co-op. East End Food Co-op is the last natural foods co-op leftin Pittsburgh from those original, back-to- nature stores. The Co-opoffers all of the products of a full-service grocery store, but with a natur-al and local touch. For more information, visit www.eastendfood.coop.

Mason Jar Salads


For more stories on Healthy Eating, log on to www.guidetogoodhealth.com

http://www.eastendfood.coop




Spring is here! It’s time to get outdoors toenjoy the sunshine, fresh air and blue skiesagain. Although the Pittsburgh region has

enjoyed a rather mild winter, the transition tospring is always welcome. For many people, it’san opportunity to shake off the doldrums andinertia of winter and jump eagerly into sports andfitness activities – a time to dust the cobwebs offthe bike, take the golf clubs out of storage andlace up the hiking boots. It’s time to get outsideand get active!

Not so fast, says Richard J. Mitchell, M.D. Dr.Mitchell is an orthopedic surgeon and sportsmedicine specialist with St. Clair OrthopedicAssociates, and he warns against making exercisea purely seasonal activity. Exercise and activity,says Dr. Mitchell, is essential to health, but itmust become part of one’s routine, all year round.An all-or-nothing approach, he says, is risky.“When people start working out and they neverhave worked out before or they have been seden-tary for a long period, they can get musculoskele-tal injuries,” he explains. “It’s best to start slowlyand be consistent. The most important point isthat everyone, at any age, needs to exercise andbe active. Inactivity is a major risk factor formany chronic and debilitating illnesses. It’s asdeadly as smoking. Physical activity is criticallyimportant to health and longevity and itimproves quality of life. The benefits are tremen-dous, and are both immediate and long term.”

According to The President’s Council onFitness, Sports and Nutrition, only one in threeAmerican adults receives the recommendedamount of physical activity every week. This isdue in part to our reliance on cars as well as ourincreasing use of technology. In the last 20years, obesity rates have skyrocketed in theU.S.; one-third of American adults are now clas-sified as obese.

Getting activity into your life is safer and eas-ier than many people think, says Dr. Mitchell.He encourages his patients to include the fourbasic types of exercise: cardio; strength training;flexibility; and neuromuscular exercise. “The

prescription for exercise should include fre-quency, intensity, time and type of exercise, alsoknown as FITT.

“For cardio, or aerobic exercise, which buildsendurance, the ideal is 30 minutes, three to fivetimes a week; this can be walking, water aero-bics, biking or swimming. Strength training isresistance or weight training; it means exercis-ing every major muscle group several days aweek with weights. You want to buildendurance and then strength; the recommenda-tion is 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions each, with thegoal of increasing the reps before you increasethe weight.

“Flexibility is stretching – it allows you toincrease your range of motion and do moreactivities. Neuromuscular exercise, such as yogaor Tai Chi, improves balance, agility and coordi-nation to prevent falls and maintain balance.”

Dr. Mitchell practices what he preaches. Heenjoys outdoor activities with his wife and twoyoung children and especially loves to go toOhiopyle for hiking, whitewater kayaking andbiking.

He is a native of San Francisco and attendedmedical school at Tulane University; he complet-ed residencies in general surgery at the Universityof California at San Francisco and in orthopedicsurgery at George Washington University; he alsocompleted a fellowship in sports medicine atWashington University, which is known for itsoutstanding program in that specialty. With hisfour partners in St. Clair Orthopedic Associates,he treats people with problems in the knee,shoulder and other joints. “Orthopedic surgeryprocedures may seem routine but each one is alittle different,” he says; “it’s always challenging. Ilike helping people, getting them back on theirfeet and active again.”

Dr. Mitchell encourages his patients to makethe effort to remain physically active as part of ahealthful lifestyle. “Inactivity is dangerous. Itcauses 250,000 deaths per year independent ofsmoking, obesity and high blood pressure and itdoubles the risk of coronary artery disease.Exercise is important for everyone.”

“When people start working outand they never have worked out

before or they have been sedentaryfor a long period, they can get

musculoskeletal injuries.It’s best to start slowly

and be consistent.”

Richard J. Mitchell, M.D., orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist,

St. Clair Orthopedic Associates

EXERCISE is Essential for Everyone, All Year Long

• Exercise delays mortality from all causes• Exercise improves cardiovascular

health and lowers blood pressure• Exercise reduces the risk of certain

cancers• Exercise reduces the risk of developing Type II diabetes

• Exercise helps prevent osteoporosis• Exercise reduces obesity by burning

calories;• Exercise improves mental health,

reducing anxiety and depression• Exercise improves the quality of sleep

BENEFITS

> To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mitchell at St. Clair Orthopedic Associates, call (412) 942-7262 at their Mt. Lebanon or Peters Twp location. St. Clair Orthopedic Associates provides a full range of orthopedic services, including sports medicine, total joint replacement, hand and upper extremity surgery, and foot and ankle surgery.


By Nancy Kennedy

Women are three timesmore likely than men todevelop carpal tunnel

syndrome, a nerve compression con-dition that causes numbness andpain in the hands.

A common assumption is thatcarpal tunnel syndrome is occupa-tion-related, and that it is specificallycaused by typing. But according toone regional expert on the condi-tion, writers and typists are not atgreater risk, and in fact, the actualcause of carpal tunnel syndromeremains a mystery.

“We’re not sure why carpal tunnelsyndrome occurs; we know thatthere are certain factors that con-tribute to the development of it,such as obesity, diabetes andhypothyroidism, but it looks like ithas more to do with genetics thananything else,” says PatrickMcCulloch, M.D., a board-certifiedorthopaedic surgeon who specializesin treatment of the hand and upperextremity with Advanced Ortho -paedics and Rehabilitation. “Onerecent study showed that typingmay actually be protective and mayprevent the development of carpaltunnel syndrome. The only type ofwork that directly causes it is therepetitive use of heavy vibratingequipment, like a jackhammer.”

The condition is characterized byvarious degrees of numbness andpain in the thumb, index finger,

middle finger and part of the ringfinger. The pain is likely to worsen atnight. The hallmark sign, saysMcCulloch, is numbness. Peoplewho have hand pain without numb-ness most likely do not have carpaltunnel syndrome.

Medical treatment of carpal tun-nel syndrome may include wearingsplints at night, to keep the wristfrom flexing. “We tend to sleep withour wrists flexed, and this reducesthe space in the wrist that the medi-an nerve passes through. Com -pression of the nerve causes thenumbness and pain.” Steroid injec-tions can help relieve symptomswhen pain is mild and has been pre-sent for less than a year. Ignoringcarpal tunnel syndrome is not agood idea; it rarely gets better on itsown, and will probably get worse. Itcan progress to the point that thenerve signals can’t get through to themuscle at the base of the thumb,leading that muscle to atrophy. Oncethe muscle function is lost, it maynot recover.”

Diagnosis of carpal tunnel syn-drome is based on history, examina-tion and sometimes, diagnosticstudies, including nerve conductiontests and electromyography. Surgeryfor carpal tunnel syndrome is anoutpatient procedure and can beperformed with a local anesthetic, sothat sedation is avoided. “Thepatient has options,” explainsMcCulloch. “In my practice, morepeople are having it done with a

local. There are advantages to hav-ing it done this way: you can driveyourself to and from the hospital.You can shower and possibly evenreturn to light duty work the nextday. You don’t need to have the pre-op bloodwork, chest x-ray and EKG.If you prefer to have it done with IVsedation, it’s still an outpatient pro-cedure, but you will need to fastbefore surgery and have all the pre-ops done. You’ll need a driver andsomeone to stay with you on thefirst post-op night. For me, as a sur-geon, it makes no difference; theprocedure is the same.”

Carpal tunnel surgery has a 90%success rate. Post-operatively, thepatient will have a one-inch incisionwith the stitches underneath theskin. There may be tenderness in thepalm of the hand for up to sixmonths, McCulloch says, and some-times there is a minor loss of handstrength, but not enough to make afunctional difference or affect dailyliving.

Carpal tunnel is a common com-plication of the third trimester ofpregnancy, affecting as many as 40%of women according to some stud-ies. A local steroid injection is safe inthese cases and almost always effec-tive for pain relief. Women whodevelop carpal tunnel syndromeduring pregnancy are at higher riskof developing it again later.

McCulloch enjoys being able tohelp patients in many different ways.“I’m happy with my work. I like the

diversity of it and being able to helppatients so quickly and effectively.As a surgeon, I like the complexityof hand surgery - working with thebones, tendons, nerves and mus-cles.”

McCulloch is board certified inorthopaedic surgery with a subspe-cialty certification in surgery of thehands, and is a fellow of theAmerican Academy of OrthpaedicSurgeons. McCulloch performssurgery at Advanced SurgicalHospital, St. Clair Hospital andUPMC South Surgery Center.

To make an appointment, call(724) 225-8657 or visitwww.advance-dorthopaedics.net.

Dr. Patrick McCulloch Offers Surgical Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

>

“The hallmark sign isnumbness. People whohave hand pain without

numbness most likely donot have carpaltunnel syndrome. ”

-Patrick McCulloch, M.D.

By Melissa Mattucci Lindberg, M.S.

Exercise programs come in all forms and fashions, sofinding the best fit for you should be easy, right?The short answer is, YES! The key is knowing

what works for you. Just ask yourself a few simple ques-tions, and you will be on your way.

What do I enjoy doing?Individuals who participate in physical activities that

they enjoy are much more likely to stick with an exerciseroutine. Keep an open mind in trying new versions oftraditional exercise. For example, if a step aerobics classis not a good fit, do not write off group exercise alltogether. Instead, try something like kickboxing or bootcamp. The same goes for running. If running on pave-ment causes discomfort, switch to trail running, or evendeep-water running.

When can I make time?Finding time in a hectic schedule is rough, so do not fool yourself into

thinking you will just happen to come across a few extra minutes in yourday to exercise. Schedule your workouts just like meetings, doctor appoint-ments, or lunch with friends. Taking the time to take care of yourself ismore important than any unwashed laundry or unanswered emails.

Where can I go?There are literally hundreds of gym options

out there. From specialty studios to largecommercial gyms and recreation centers,there is something for everyone. When shop-ping for a facility be mindful of their opera-tion hours, fees, and proximity to your workand/or home, all factors that will influenceaccessibility. If all else fails, a quick YouTubesearch will easily turn up a few streamingoptions that can be done in the comfort ofyour own home.

Bottom line, there are a lot of excuses toskip out on exercise, but with a little self-reflection, you will surely find something thatnot only works foryour life, but is alsoenjoyable.

The Exercise Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together

> The Community & Recreation Center locatedat 1551 Mayview Road is open to both UpperSt. Clair and surrounding community residents.For more information, visit our website atwww.twpusc.org/crc/crc-home or call (412) 221-1099.


http://www.advance-dorthopaedics.net



http://www.twpusc.org/crc/crc-home



By Amy Cline

Oncology patients have uniquehealth needs throughouttreatment and survivorship,

but most people don’t realize thatphysical rehabilitation can be animportant way to find relief fromside effects during their cancer jour-ney. Therapists at UPMC Centers forRehab Services offer specializedrehabilitation programs to help can-cer patients increase strength andbuild endurance.

While oncologists manage yourcancer treatment, rehabilitation ther-apists can monitor and manageproblems that may be incurred suchas:

• Balance disturbances • Bone health concerns • Difficulties with activities

of daily living• Fatigue • Incontinence • Joint pain• Memory problems• Numbness in hands or feet • Pain • Swallowing difficulties • Swelling• Walking difficulties“In order to help reduce pain and

fatigue, your physical therapist willwork with you to develop an individ-ualized exercise program to meetyour specific needs,” says Hallie

Zeleznik, DPT, assistant director ofoutpatient neurorehabilitation,UPMC Centers for Rehab Services.“These exercises will help youreturn to a more active lifestyle.”

An occupational therapy evalua-tion can identify your individualproblem areas in strength, coordina-tion, and endurance currently hin-dering your ability to manage activ-ities of daily living.

Following cancer treatment, youmay experience memory lapses, dif-ficulty concentrating, a sense of dis-organization, slower thought pro-cessing, or trouble recalling com-mon words. UPMC Centers forRehab Services also has speech-lan-guage pathologists that can helpwith cognition, speech, and swal-lowing.

“By undergoing an evaluationprocess, we will be able to pinpointproblem areas and determine whichtypes of therapy you’ll need,” saysHallie. “Reducing your pain andhelping you get back to typicalactivities of daily living, whileensuring your nutritional andhydration needs are met, are of theutmost importance to us.”

Oncology RehabilitationServices at UPMC Centers

for Rehab Services

> For more information aboutoncology rehabilitation ser-vices, visit UPMC.com/4CRSor call 1-888-723-4CRS(4277).

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St. Clair Hospital Receives an ‘A’ for Patient Safetyin Spring 2017 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization committed to drivingquality, safety, and transparency in the U.S. health care system, recentlyreleased new Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, which assign A, B, C, D andF letter grades to hospitals nationwide. St. Clair Hospital was one of 823hospitals to receive an “A” for its commitment to reducing errors, infec-tions, and accidents that can harm patients. This marks the ninth consec-utive “A” grade for St. Clair Hospital.

Developed under the guidance of an expert panel, the Leapfrog HospitalSafety Grade uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data toassign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice peryear. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fullytransparent and free to the public.



By Daniel Casciato

When it comes to men's health, there areseveral symptoms men simply cannotignore. Those symptoms are largely relat-ed to bowel, urinary, and genital issues,according to Matthew D. Diiulio, D.O. ofWashington Health System Primary Care-Lakeside in McMurray, PA.

“With the bowels, you're looking for things likeblood in the stool,” says Dr. Diiulio. “Blood in stoolcan be bright red, or blood can also make the stoolsblack or tarry, which may even stick to the commodewhen trying to flush. A change in stool calibershouldn't be ignored, such as a new onset of pencilthin stools.”

With urinary symptoms, all men should be on thelookout for change in urine frequency (going moreoften), urgency (needing to hurry to the bathroom),change in urine stream (noticing a 'sputtering' or weakstream), or blood in the urine.

With genital symptoms, men should never ignore new onset erectile dif-ficulties, changes in the appearance of the penis, testes or scrotum such asswelling, lumps, bumps, or lesions, or blood or discharge from the penis.

Know what symptoms to look forWhile all causes of symptoms relating to men's health are too numerous

to completely list here, knowing what to watch for, knowing your body soyou recognize abnormality, and bringing it to your doctor's attention is key,notes Dr. Diiulio.

“In general, bright red blood in the stool can be commonly caused by

internal painless bleeding hemorrhoids or oftenpainful external hemorrhoids,” he explains. “Bothbright and dark blood in the stool or changes instool caliber can be a sign of colon cancer, whichis why these symptoms can't be ignored.Remember that colon cancer is often only symp-tomatic late in the disease process, which is whyscreening (looking for disease in healthy patients50 years and older) is so important.”

Urinary changes in men can be a sign of bacte-rial infection in the bladder, kidneys, or even theprostate. If a urinary tract infection is diagnosed inmen, often further work-up is needed as it can bea harbinger of more insidious pathology.

“Change in urinary stream or blood in the urinecan also be a sign of prostate disease, be it benignenlargement or prostate cancer,” says Dr. Diiulio.“In fact, these symptoms could be signs of can-cers anywhere along the urinary tract.”

According to Dr. Diiulio, some of the genitalsymptoms mentioned can be early signs of sexu-ally transmitted infections such as gonorrhea,chlamydia, or syphilis, particularly penile dis-

charge or lesions. Note these can be asymptotic in men: one of the many rea-sons why healthy check-ups are so important.

“Testicular or scrotal swelling and enlargement can be a a sign of abnor-malities in the vessels that feed the testicles, or even even testicular cancerwhich is more prevalent in men 14 to 40 years of age,” he says. “Remember,because of the prostate's close anatomical relationship to the penis, erectiledysfunction, and blood or discharge from the penis can all be signs ofprostate disease as well.”

What to do if you experience any

symptomsIf you notice any of the above-men-

tioned symptoms, call your doctor. “Sometimes, a simple discussion is

enough to get down to the root cause ofsymptoms, but the only way to be sure isto make your doctor aware of these symp-toms,” says Dr. Diiulio.

Hopefully, however, you’re getting regu-lar check-ups and even performing regularself exams.

“Ben Franklin has famously said, ‘Anounce of prevention is worth a pound ofcure,’” says Dr. Diiulio. “Regular selfexams are integral in getting to know yourbody so that you recognize changes.”

Regular check-ups are a critical part of ahealthy lifestyle, helping in preventingmen's health issues or catching them earlyon. Check-ups are also the time to ensureyou're doing everything you can to reduceyour risks for heart disease, diabetes, andcancer.

“It's very common to be a bit reluctant or even embarrassed to bring upmen's health topics in an office visit,” says Dr. Diiulio. “Remember, your docis here to help. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, and it's nothingthey haven't heard before. Making notes of your symptoms is a fine way toensure you don't leave any major symptoms out of the discussion.”

One question Dr. Diiulio often gets asked about is about vitamin supple-ments. For young healthy men, you're probably getting all the routine vita-mins that you need in an average diet, as many of our foods are fortified.

“Fiber is the exception,” he says. “The average American eats around 15grams of fiber, when we should be eating closer to 40 grams! Fiber is inte-gral in helping lowering cholesterol, reducing risk of diabetes, and is a keyto colon health. Of course, we all have different needs so specific recom-mendations should be discussed with your doctor.”

For more information, visit whslakeside.org or call (724) 969-1001.

Symptoms Men Should Never Ignore

“Both bright and darkblood in the stool or

changes in stool calibercan be a sign of coloncancer, which is whythese symptoms can't

be ignored.

-Dr. Matthew D. Diiulio,Washington Health System

Primary Care-Lakeside

>

“It's very common to be a bit reluc-tant or even embarrassed to bring upmen's health topics in an office visit.Remember, your doc is here to help.”



Alan D. Bramowitz, M.D. • Michael S. Nathanson, M.D. Gennady Geskin, M.D. • Shishir Mathur, M.D.

Treating Aortic Stenosisby Kevin Brown

Our “Advances in Medicine” feature looks at someof the latest advances in heart care in westernPennsylvania. We spoke with doctors at AlleghenyHealth Network (AHN) and UPMC to find out whatis being done locally to help those with serious heartconditions.

For patients with severe aortic stenosis, a proce-dure called Transcatheter Aortic ValveReplacement (TAVR) is an important alterna-

tive to open heart surgery. Aortic stenosis is a stiff-ening and narrowing of the aortic valve whichmakes the heart work harder to pump bloodthrough the damaged valve. If untreated, it can leadto progressive deterioration of heart function andeventually lead to death.

During a TAVR procedure, cardiac surgeons andinterventional cardiologists work together toimplant a special valve folded onto a catheterthrough a blood vessel in the left leg or the shoulder.This avoids opening a patient’s chest or placing thepatient on the heart-lung bypass machine and allowsfor quicker recovery. Patients can be up and aroundwithin a day. Prior to the TAVR procedure, a patient’sonly option was open-heart surgery, which for manyelderly patients could be too risky.

Doctors at both Allegheny General Hospital(AGH) and UPMC perform the TAVR procedure with Transcatheter HeartValves (THV), including a new generation THV called the Sapien 3.

“TAVR really revolutionizes the way we’re treating heart valve disease for anumber of patients,” said Stephen Bailey, M.D., director of Cardiac Surgery atAGH. “This new transcatheter valve (Sapien 3) provides a wonderful alterna-tive for patients whose medical comorbidities put them at high risk for openheart surgery.”

According to Joon Sup Lee, M.D., co-director of the UPMC Heart andVascular Institute, and chief, Division of Cardiology at the University ofPittsburgh School of Medicine, “(The availability of the TAVR procedure) hasincreased the options and made the treatment overall safer for patients withaortic stenosis. For some with a high risk for surgery, TAVR allows a safermethod of treatment.”

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved TAVRas an alternative treatment option for intermediate-risk patients. AGH is nowpart of a national trial to see if TAVR is as effective as surgery for low-riskpatients as well.

Stephen Bailey, M.D.,director of Cardiac

Surgery at AGH

Joon Sup Lee, M.D.,co-director of theUPMC Heart andVascular Institute

Heart Health

PART TWO OF A SERIES

For more information about these advanced medical technologies, visit www.ahn.org and www.upmc.com.

Part 3: Helping Those with AFib (Coming this Summer!)

>

159 Waterdam Road, Suite 120McMurray, PA 15317

Tel: 724-942-1511 • Fax: 724-942-1513

Specializing In Treatment For The

Incontinent Patients____________________NovaCare Rehabilitation offers a wide variety of programs and services.____________________

Judith Post, MPT, COMTPhysical Therapist • Center Manager

http://www.ahn.org

http://www.upmc.com



by Kevin Brown

IF YOU’VE EVER HAD TOWAIT DAYS FOR THERESULTS OF A LAB TEST,PARTICULARLY WHENYOU DON’T FEEL WELL,YOU KNOW HOW FRUS-TRATING IT CAN BE TOGET THE MEDICAL HELPYOU NEED. AND IT’SEQUALLY FRUSTRATINGFOR MEDICALPROVIDERS.

Ohio Valley Hospital has takensteps to reduce or eliminatewaiting times for lab test

results by offering the new CepheidGeneXpert System, an advanced lab-oratory technology. Recently in -stalled, the technology uses the rela-tively new field of molecular diag-nostics to quickly and efficientlydeliver test results.

According to Manju Nath, M.D.,clinical pathologist at Ohio Valley

Hospital, the Cepheid GeneXpertSystem is a cartridge-based nucleicacid amplification test, which is anautomated diagnostic test that canidentify many microorganisms andalso find resistance to antibiotics.

“This is a simple-to-use and rapidtesting for microorganism and,being a closed system, it has no crosscontamination from other speci-

mens,” he said.Mark Woods, M.T., A.S.C.P., Ohio

Valley Hospital director of laborato-ry services, said, “The addition ofthe Cepheid GeneXpert System inour laboratory will enable moleculardiagnostic testing of any patient,thereby delivering a better way forthe medical providers of Ohio ValleyHospital to identify and treat dis-eases early.”

Prior to the availability of theCepheid GeneXpert System, certaintests needed by Emergency Depart -ment patients were sent outside thehospital for processing, with a turn-around time of between three andten days. With the new technology,tests are performed in-house andresults can be available within min-utes for some tests. Patients can betreated right away rather than dayslater.

A further advantage of the newtechnology is the ability to add newtests such as the rapid Flu test withresults expected within 30 minutes.Overall, Cepheid offers 22 tests thatare approved by the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA).

Molecular diagnostics is a rela-tively new field in medical laborato-ry science, and came about duringthe late 20th century as DNAsequencing and genomic testingwere being developed. The technol-ogy combines molecular biology

with diagnostic testing in order todetect specific sequences in apatient’s DNA which may or maynot be associated with disease.

According to Mr. Woods, the dif-ference that makes this technologyso much faster than conventionallaboratory testing is its ability to per-form testing in a molecular settingversus the traditional lengthygrowth of culture or less sensitive(false negative results) rapid chro-matographic immunoassay and/orfluorescence-based lateral flow andmembrane-based immunoassays.

“This has revolutionized the waywe do lab testing for certain dis-eases,” Mr. Woods said. “Patients atOhio Valley Hospital now haveaccess to a sophisticated technologythat will not only improve turn-around times for tests, but willincrease opportunities to enhancepatient care, survival and quality oflife.”

Dr. Nath said, “This system hashelped us to bring the expertise ofsophisticated microbiology tests intoa community based hospital.Currently, we are using this test fordetection of Chlamydia, Neisseria,C-difficle, Factor II, Factor V Leidenand are in the process of bringing flutesting into our laboratory. The testhas a high sensitivity (89%) detect-ing microorganisms and also a speci-ficity (99%) of confirming the typeof organism. It also has the capabil-ity of bringing multiple othermicroorganism testing into our lab-oratory.”

“This has helped our ER physi-cians, as well as primary care andinfectious disease personnel, withrapid and highly accurate results ofdetecting infectious organisms,thereby the patients are getting theproper antibiotic therapy on thesame day,” Dr. Nath noted.

The new technology is availablenot only to patients at the hospital,but also is available to patients inphysician offices which can sendpatient test samples to the hospitalfor processing.

For more information aboutlaboratory testing locationsand hours, visit www.ohiovalleyhospital.org.

Ohio Valley Hospital Offers New, Advanced Lab TestingREDUCES TURN-AROUND TIME FOR TEST RESULTS

Ohio Valley Hospital celebrates the ribbon-cutting for the Cepheid Gene-Xpert System, a technology that uses the relatively new field of

molecular diagnostics to quickly and efficiently deliver test results. This newtechnology is available to patients at both the hospital and physician offices.

>

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By Marcia Hale

IF YOU HAVE THEM OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES, THE WORDS ‘SORE,’ ‘PAINFUL’ AND ‘UGLY’ SOUNDVERY FAMILIAR. PHRASES LIKE, “I CAN’T FIND ANY COMFORTABLE SHOES,” OR “I CAN NO LONGER WEARATTRACTIVE SHOES,” OR EVEN, “ALL OF MY SHOES HAVE AN UGLY, WORN- OUT BUMP” DESCRIBE YOURFOOT FASHION.

If you’re rubbing your foot as wespeak, you’ve probably consid-ered doing something about it,

but for some reason have not. I canassure you, now is the time to dosomething!

I was a former bunion procrasti-nator and can promise that the issuedoesn’t just go away. Instead, it getsworse. I used every excuse in thebook including, “I can’t take time offwork,” and “I have kids to runaround after,” and “I’m afraid ofsurgery,” and “My bunions don’tlook that bad.” Even “They don’thurt that much!” If I’d come insooner, there would have been a lotof other options available to treat theissue before it progressed to thepoint of needing surgery.

Finally, I agreed to have surgery.“Wow!

What a relief!” It looks fantastic.Now, my new shoes won’t need to betwo sizes too big to be comfortablebecause of the ugly bump. When Ireach down to rub my foot, I’m notsaying “Ouch!” to myself. I have tolook twice because the area issmooth and pain-free! Then I lookat my other foot and say … “You’renext!”

If you have any questionsabout bunions, as well as var-ious other lumps and bumpsand cysts and tumors, call

Beaver Valley Foot Clinic at (724) 375-1577. They are located inthe CranMar Plaza on Rt.19 inCranberry Township and at four otherlocations in Beaver, Butler andAllegheny Counties. For more informa-tion, visit www.BVFootClinic.com.

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Special Edition.For information regarding

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http://www.BVFootClinic.com




By Kevin Brown

If you experience dizziness and balance prob-lems, you are not alone. More than four out often Americans will, sometime in their lives,

experience an episode of dizziness significantenough to send them to a doctor, according to theNational Institute on Deafness and OtherCommunications Disorders (NIDCD).

Allegheny General Hospital recently opened anexpanded Hearing and Balance Center on thefourth floor of the hospital’s East Wing. Led byPittsburgh Ear Associates physicians Douglas A.Chen, MD, FACS, and Todd Hillman, MD, the new center offers advanceddiagnosis and treatment of dizziness and balance disorders, along with hear-ing loss.

The Hearing and Balance Center brings together a multi-disciplinary teamto recognize the growing number of people suffering from these disorders.The team includes practitioners in otology, audiology, neurology, physicaltherapy, head and neck surgery, internal medicine, neurosurgery, neuroradi-ology and psychology.

Dr. Chen specializes in otolaryngology and is board-certified by theAmerican Board of Otolaryngology in Neurotology. He is also a fellow of boththe American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and theAmerican College of Surgeons.

Dr. Hillman also specializes in otolaryngology and is board-certified by theAmerican Board of Otolaryngology in Otology and Neurotology.

“Dizziness and balance disorders are very common,” said Dr. Chen. “Withthese newer technologies in diagnostic testing, we have the ability to com-prehensively assess a greater number of patients in order to pinpoint what iscontributing to their symptoms, and then create individualized treatmentplans to help resolve the problem and improve their quality of life.”

One of those new technologies is a rotational chair diagnostic procedurethat evaluates both the brain balance center and the inner ear. The advanced

technology incorporates subjective visual vertical(SVV) and off-axis assessments that allow formore comprehensive evaluation of the inner earthan what is available with conventional tech-niques.

For patients who might become nauseated orfeel claustrophobic during rotational chair testing,a combination of the active head rotation (AHR)test, otherwise known as the head shake vestibu-lar test, and VHIT (video head impulse test) isused. The VHIT allows for a quick and compre-hensive examination of all semi-circular earcanals, whereas only the horizontal canal could

previously be assessed.The Center also specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss,

eardrum or middle ear bone problems, acoustic tumors, multiple sclerosis,central auditory processing abnormalities, and Ménière’s disease, which is arelatively common, disabling ear disorder characterized by severe attacks ofdizziness, ringing in the ears and hearing loss.

According to the NIDCD, approximately 15 percent of American adults(37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing. Further, nearly25 percent of those aged 65 to 74 and 50 percent of those who are 75 andolder have disabling hearing loss.

The Center offers a variety of hearing aids and makes recommendationsbased on patients’ needs and overall health. They even have a new type of“invisible” hearing aid, the Lyric from Phonak, that is inserted deep insidethe ear and is called the “contact lens for the ear.”

“The bottom line is that you don’t have to live with hearing loss,” said Dr.Hillman. “There’s something than can be done for nearly every patient outthere.”

For more information on the new Hearing and Balance Center atAllegheny General Hospital, visit www.ahn.org, or call 412-DOCTORS.

Expanded Hearing and Balance Center Opens at Allegheny General Hospital

Offers Advanced Care for Hearing and Balance Disorders

Dr. Douglas A. Chen Dr. Todd Hillman

Ask The ExpertsWhat is Thermography?

Thermography is a cutting edge technology that has been available throughout the United States for 30 years.Digitalinfrared thermal imaging, also known as thermography, is a non-invasive test of our bodies’ physiology. In short -thermography studies how our body is functioning. Unlike standard medical imaging tools, thermography doesn’t

look at structure in the body i.e., lumps, breaks, etc. Instead, thermography analyzes temperature and vascular patternsthat provide an early indication of dysfunction and a unique look at how your body is functioning overall. Not onlydoes thermography provide medical analysis outside of other diagnostic tests, but it is a radiation-free, painless, andrequires NO contact with the body.

The detection of dysfunction, diseases, and physical injury is achieved by displaying thermal abnormalities andpatterns present in the body. The visual image that is created from a thermography screening is a thermogram.Thermograms are used to evaluate and monitor thermal abnormalities present in a number of diseases and physicalinjuries. All thermograms are interpreted by medical doctors (M.D.’s) and should be further evaluated by a medicalprofessional who can then plan accordingly and lay out a program to further diagnose and monitor your health.

Thermography is a valuable procedure for alerting your doctor to changes that can indicate early stage dysfunctionor disease.

Thermography screenings can be utilized for any area of the body, but has particular sensitivity to aiding in the detec-tion of subtle physiologic changes that accompany breast pathology, whether it is, fibrocystic disease, an infection, or avascular disease.

For more information, visit Health Enhancing Thermography at their Ft. Couch Bethel Park location, call (855) 254-4328 or visit their website at www.heat-images.com. >

Thermography

is a valuable

procedure for

alerting your doctor

to changes that

can indicate

early stage

dysfunction or

disease.

Health Enhancing Thermography

>

Visit us online at www.guidetogoodhealth.com for our healthcare directory.

http://www.ahn.org

http://www.heat-images.com




By Nancy Kennedy

Obstetricians and expectantmothers have the samegoal: the best possible preg-

nancy outcome for mother andbaby. Every prospective motherhopes for a healthy, problem-freepregnancy, a safe, supported child-bearing experience and a healthyfull term baby. This can be a chal-lenge when the prospective motheris obese, however, and with nation-al rates of obesity continuing toclimb, it is an increasingly commonproblem. “We see a lot of over-weight, pregnant young women,”says Debra Lenart, M.D., chief ofobstetric services at St. ClairHospital.

“We also see many women whoare hoping to become pregnant andare worried about excessive weightgain. Weight management and obe-sity are important issues for obste-tricians and their patients. At St.Clair, we’ve created a lifestyle man-agement program called Fit for Twoto help women who are overweightand pregnant, or overweight andplanning to become pregnant.”

Obesity and pregnancy are ahigh-risk combination, puttingboth mother and baby at increasedrisk for medical complications.Mothers face a higher risk of devel-oping gestational diabetes andhypertension, conditions that cancomplicate pregnancy and evenbecome chronic diseases.

Obese women are more likely tohave longer, more difficult laborsand to need a Cesarean sectiondelivery, which can result in excessblood loss and is associated with ahigher risk of infection. There iseven a greater risk of miscarriage

and stillbirth.Babies born to obese mothers

may be big babies, with a greaterrisk of birth trauma, including frac-tures or dislocations of the shoul-ders. Bigger babies may also haveunstable blood sugars and more dif-ficulty establishing feedings.

Obese mothers require closer andmore frequent monitoring of theirhealth and the health of the fetus.The Fit for Two program empha-sizes good self-care, nutrition, rest,exercise and stress management, allof which go a long way towardshelping the baby grow and developwell, along with regular prenatalcheckups and monitoring of fetalwell-being. The program, which isfree of charge, features more fre-quent non-stress tests and a secondultrasound, as well as earlierscreening for diabetes, because ofthe increased risks. The Fit for Twoprogram includes nutrition coun-seling and healthy recipes from aregistered dietician, health educa-tion with a registered nurse and anindividualized exercise programfrom a fitness instructor.

Ideally, management of obesityand weight loss begins pre-preg-nancy, as part of conception plan-ning, says Dr. Lenart. Getting intoshape and becoming as healthy aspossible before becoming pregnant

gives the woman a head start,enabling her to be at her very bestfrom the first moment of her preg-nancy. Dr. Lenart believes that preg-nancy can be the healthiest time ofa woman’s life and an opportunityto make lasting, healthy lifestylechanges that will serve herthroughout her lifespan. “Preg -nancy is an opportunity to create afoundation for the long term healthof her child, but also for herself,”she says.

Still, talking about obesity withpatients is not a simple matter. “Itcan be complicated, because obesi-ty is a complex condition and it isan uncomfortable topic for somewomen. They may be offended, andmany of them are afraid of gainingmore weight. There is already plen-ty to be scared about: pregnancy isassociated with a lot of anxiety, nor-mally. The stress alone can make awoman gain weight. Obesity and itscomplications are one more thingshe has to worry about. Womenshould not be afraid to talk aboutweight and eating issues with thephysician; we can help.”

Michelle Iddings, 33, of Wash -ing ton PA, is an enthusiastic partic-ipant in Fit for Two. She is havingher first baby and was introducedto the program at 30 weeks. “Dr.Lenart encouraged me to join; she

said the doctors in her group areseeing less weight gain in thewomen who joined the program.They gave me a packet filled withgood information and tips. I’velearned to drink tons of water, eat alot of vegetables and stop drinkingsoda. It’s a focused program thatrequires planning but it’s worth theeffort.”

Michelle says that Dr. Lenartapproached the subject with sensi-tivity and compassion. “Dr. Lenarthandled it well. She has never mademe feel bad about my weight. Shewas so positive – she said, ‘Wethink you can do this.’ And I did doit. My baby is due in two weeks,and I’ve only gained 18 pounds,thanks to Dr. Lenart and Fit forTwo.”

For more information about Fit for Two, call(412) 561-5666.

At St. Clair, we’ve created a lifestyle

management program called Fit for Two

to help women who are overweight and

pregnant, or overweight and

planning to become pregnant.”-Debra Lenart, M.D >

St. Clair Hospital’s ‘Fit for Two’ Program Means Healthier Mothers, Healthier Babies

Good HealthDirectory

Michelle Idding, a participant in Fit for Two, is pictured with her new-

born and husband.



C H I L D R E N ’ S H E A L T H

By Jesse Solomon, Woodlands Director of Programs

Did you feel a little blue this winter? Reducedsunlight takes a toll on many people’s moods.Did you know that it can do more than just

affect your mood? Symptoms of seasonal affective dis-order (SAD) can include fatigue, digestive issues, andcan complicate pre-existing conditions.

Researchers have yet to discover what causes SAD.Doctors are aware that decreased exposure to sunlightcan interfere with serotonin (a chemical that regulatesmood). It is best to make an appointment with yourdoctor if you are experiencing SAD. Additionally, thereare steps that you can take to help manage it. Withspring on the way, now is a great time to instill goodhabits to help ease the annual effects of SAD.

Prioritize time in the sunlight. Sunlight is scarce inthe winter, especially in western Pennsylvania, so youmay need to plan ahead. Designate time to go outdoorsdaily, during daylight hours.

Exercise is a fantastic way to combat SAD. However,SAD very often takes a toll on energy and motivation.So, if an exercise regimen sounds out of reach, think of

an enjoyable activity that gets you moving, such as swim-ming in an indoor pool, dancing, basketball, or yoga.

Many who experience SAD isolate themselves.Schedule time to socialize. Set a standing coffee date witha friend or enroll in a book club or community sportsteam to meet people.

If you experienced SAD this past winter, be preparedthe next time SAD becomes an issue. As the days getlonger and the weather gets warmer, create habits thatwill become second nature and support a healthy lifestyleyear-round.

For those with disabilities, SAD can exacerbate condi-tions of a primary diagnosis.

The Woodlands, a nonprofit organization servingpeople of all ages with disability and chronic illness-es, provides programming to support social andactive lifestyles. Our barrier-free, resort-style facility

provides an array of activities year-round. A variety of camps,weekend retreats, and clubs create many opportunities tosocialize, enjoy the outdoors, and participate in recreationalactivities. To learn more about The Woodlands visitwww.mywoodlands.org or call (724) 935-5470.

>

How to Prevent Effects of SAD

PHOTO CREDIT:Heidi Baldt Matthews

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE POOR HEAD CONTROLWHEN MOVING TO A SITTING POSITION? DO THEYFEEL AS THOUGH THEY SLIP THROUGH YOUR ARMSWHEN YOU PICK THEM UP VS HOLD THEIR SHOUL-DERS FIRMLY?

While there may be many contributing factors, a number ofbehaviors noted above may be something that is termed lowmuscle tone or hypotonia. Hypotonia is a symptom which is

observed and affects the way an individual moves. It is often mistakenfor a diagnosis. It describes the way in which a muscle may not have theamount of tension or resistance to stretch that is seen typically. Oftenthese symptoms may be due to an underlying cause that can be addressedvery effectively with Early Intervention. “We see children with low mus-cle tone usually around 15 months, however it can be as early as 3months when a parent or physician recognizes the lack of tension in achild’s muscle is less than ideal, “ notes Callie Lodico, a teli PhysicalTherapist.

The most notable areas of the body to see the effects of low muscle toneare in the core, arms and legs, but it can also affect a child’s ability to latchon and suck from a bottle or breast. Another potential impact may beexcessive drooling because the child may have difficulty with lip closure.

“Movement is essential and often the core muscle strength is a keyplace to start dependent on the child’s needs, “says Callie. “We mightbegin with the child balancing on a ball with support to practice headcontrol and then move to sitting on the ball to build core abdominalstrength. From there we work to have them manage more weight on theirfeet if flat feet or fallen arches are problem.

While each child is different in the progress that is made and parentsand children will both experience struggles and challenges, recognizingthe small victories is very important since every child’stimeline is different, “reflects Callie. “ Our goal is helpthem achieve their potential and reach that level in theirown individual time.”

Callie Lodico is a physical therapist with The EarlyLearning Institute (teli). Learn more about her andteli by visiting the website at www.telipa.org.

Addressing Low Muscle Tone Concerns

>

http://www.mywoodlands.org

http://www.telipa.org



Warm Weather Tipsfor our Furry Friends

Now that the snow is gone and our pets are outdoors more, it’s important to keep an eye on them – their livescould depend on it.

Lyme disease is a common tick-transmitted disease among the dog population. A Lyme disease infection isspread by Borrelia burgdorferi, which is a spirochete type bacterium. This bacterium is carried by deer ticks, whichare commonly found in Western Pennsylvania. Lyme disease can cause fever, pain, arthritis, and lameness in dogs,but it can also lead to glomerulonephritis, or kidney disease and possibly kidney failure.

Another cause of kidney failure in our pets in Spring and Summer is lilies. Lilies are commonly found in outdoorflowerbeds, flower arrangements, and as potted indoor plants. All parts of the plant are toxic to cats including theleaves, petals and even the pollen that can passively be ingested from the cat’s coat during normal grooming. Therehave even been cases of poisoning from drinking the water left in the vase after plants have been removed.

If you discover a tick on your dog or suspect a lily has been ingested by your cat, contact your regular or emer-gency veterinarian immediately.

Healthy Pets

Nicole Hladio, DVMUniversity Veterinary

Specialists(412) 500-5010

[email protected]

By Nancy Kennedy

Experienced professionals and parents from WesternPennsylvania have graciouslyshared with the Guide to GoodHealth their best advice and wis-dom for parents of special needschildren.

Take advantage offriends and family

“You are not alone in this journey of rais-ing this special needs child. Take advantage of friends andfamily who are willing and able to help. Join Facebookgroups with families who are dealing with similar situations.Don’t lose your identity, find things in your life you enjoydoing and make time for those things.”

Penny Cordera, The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center

Consistency is the KeyConsistency is the key and you are the one who can unlock

the door to your child’s growth and development. You willmeet and work with numerous professionals who will sharetheir expertise with you in order to maximize your child’spotential. You are the most important person in your child’slife! Filter through all of the advice and skills you haveacquired and incorporate that knowledge into your family’sdaily routines and activities so your child is always learning.

-Tracy A. Zeiler, M.Ed., Director of Early Intervention, teli

Celebrate All AchievementsAs a parent of a child with special needs, it is easy to get

caught up in the long list of things he/she may never do inde-pendently. Instead, celebrate the inch-mark accomplish-ments. Children with special needs must work so much hard-er than their "typical" peers or siblings for their achievements.When writing goals, ask that your educational team capturegood baseline information and write goals that are achievablein smaller increments. You and your child's professional teamwill see marked and continual progress. Most importantly,your child will feel a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

Beth Ramella, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children

Fostering independence

and confidenceis critical

Creating a healthy separationbetween parent and child is anessential part of the develop-ment process, especially for kidsand teens with disabilities orchronic illnesses. Of course, it isnatural for caring parents andguardians to assist and advisechildren as they get older.However, fostering indepen-dence and confidence is critical

for healthy social development. Instilling confidence in chil-dren and teens helps them to gain their independence and togrow into independent adults who take on more responsibil-ity, make decisions, solve problems, and form their ownidentities. Here at The Woodlands, we offer a variety ofovernight camps, weekend retreats, and daytime clubs toprovide multiple ways for teens to express themselves, createfriendships with peers, and learn to spread their wings in anaccessible, safe, and fun environment.”

- Jesse Solomon, Director of Programs, The Woodlands

Set boundarieswith your professional team

“When you have services involved in your life, it is impor-tant for both the provider and client to set boundaries duringthe initiation of services. For this to take place, open lines ofcommunication are essential. This is extremely important.Going forward both parties know what to expect from eachother and what is acceptable or not.”

Shacoya Bates, SWAN Permanency Caseworker/Caregiver Family Support Coordinator, Every Child

You Are Not Alone“You are not alone in this journey of raising this special

needs child. Take advantage of friends and family who arewilling and able to help. Join Facebook groups with familieswho are dealing with similar situations. Don’t lose your iden-tity, find things in your life you enjoy doing and make time forthose things.”

Penny Cordera, Educational Coordinator, The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center

Part One of a Two Part Series

Good Advice for Parents of Children with Special NeedsRESOURCES

Achieva /The Arc ofWestmoreland(724) 837 8159www.arcwestmoreland.org

Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center412-441-4884 www.childrenshomepgh.org

DePaul School for Hearing and SpeechDePaulHearingAndSpeech.org

Every Child, Inc412-665-0600www.everychildinc.orgFoster Care • Adoption • FamilySupport Services • In-HomeBehavioral Health Care with AutismEnhancement

New Story877-622-7245 • www.newstory.comLocations in Clearfield, Dubois,Indiana and Monroeville.

The Early LearningInstitute412-922-8322 • www.telipa.orgEarly Intervention Services for children with developmental delays.Outpatient Occupational and SpeechTherapy also available.

The PEAL Center(412) 422-1040 www.pealcenter.org

Western PennsylvaniaSchool for Blind Children1-800-444-1897www.wpsbc.org

WHS Children’s Therapy Centerwhsdocs.org

http://www.arcwestmoreland.org

http://www.childrenshomepgh.org

http://www.everychildinc.org

http://www.newstory.com


http://www.pealcenter.org

http://www.wpsbc.org




By Deborah Gentile, M.D.

Spring allergy season is justaround the corner and now isthe time to prepare if your

child has allergies and/or asthma.Tree pollen season typically occursin March and April and grass seasontypically occurs in May and June.

Approximately 30% of childrenhave allergies and 10% have asthma.Allergy symptoms include stuffy,itchy, runny nose and post nasaldrip. Some children will also haveeye itching, redness, watering andswelling. Children with asthmamay also have wheezing, coughingand shortness of breath. The bestmedications for allergies are dailynasal steroid sprays which shouldbe started 2 weeks before theexpected start of the allergy seasonand continued until the end of theseason. Antihistamines by mouth,nasal spray and/or eye drops canalso be used on as needed basis.

Children with asthma should beclosely monitored during allergyseason and if they are using theirrescue medication more than twice

a week, they should see their healthcare provider to discuss starting orchanging their daily controller med-ication. Many asthma controllermedications are now available inonce a day dosing forms. If allergyand/or asthma symptoms are diffi-cult to control, referral to an aller-gist can help identify the allergytrigger.

Allergy skin testing no longerinvolves scratches on the skin orneedles and is not painful. Oncethe allergists identifies specific aller-gies they can advise you on ways toavoid the allergy as well as offeradditional treatment options. Waysto avoid tree and grass pollen are tokeep house and car windows closedand use air conditioning, avoidhanging clothes outside to dry andtaking a shower every night, includ-ing shampooing hair, to remove anypollen from the body.

If allergy medications are notworking, an allergist can offer aller-gy immunotherapy. Traditionally,immunotherapy has been given inshot form, but there are new formsof medication available for grass

allergy that are given under thetongue once each day starting a fewmonths prior to and continuing tothe end of the pollen season. Thistype of treatment is called sublin-gual immunotherapy and has theadvantage of not requiring weeklyvisits to the doctor’s office to getallergy shots.

Spring allergy season can be quitea difficult time for children who suf-fer with allergies and asthma.

Choosing the treatment that is rightfor you and your children will cre-ate a happier and healthier childand, by extension, a happier family.

For more information or tomake an appointment atPediatric Alliance Divisionof Allergy, Asthma, and

Immunology, call (412) 348-6262or visit their website atwww.pediatricalliance.com

Does Your Child Have Allergies or Asthma?

C H I L D R E N ’ S H E A L T H

>

Dr. Deborah Gentile recently joined Dr.Sergei Belenky in the Division of Allergy,Asthma and Immunology of the PediatricAlliance. She completed a pediatric residen-cy and an allergy/asthma fellowship atChildren’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She is anationally recognized expert in pediatricallergy and asthma and has extensiveresearch experience in sublingual immuno -therapy and pediatric asthma. In her cur-rent practice, she provides care to both chil-

dren and adults for environmental allergies, asthma, food allergies,drug allergies, bee sting allergies, hives and eczema and immuneproblems.

Your Home for Quality Pediatric Care

North: South: Specialty Divisions: Arcadia Division: 412-366-7337 Chartiers Division: 412-221-0160 Division of Pediatric Endocrinology:Fox Chapel Division: 412-767-0707 McMurray Office: 724-941-2747 412-371-3000North Hills Division: 412-364-5834 Greentree Division: 412-922-5250Cranberry Office: 724-776-4344 St. Clair Division: 412-221-2121 Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Northland Division: 412-366-5550 Jefferson Division: 412-460-8111 Immunology: 412-348-6868

Cranberry Office: 724-776-6030 Central: Bloomfield Division: 412-578-4003Seven Fields Office: 724-772-0777 Allegheny Division: 412-930-0908

Wexford Health+Wellness Pavilion Office: 878-332-4920

Pediatric Alliance, P.C.Providing Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine

We Care About Your

Kids!

Pediatric Alliance is proud to be the largest physician owned pediatric practice in our area. We offer quality, personalized, patient-centered care at 17 different locations. Pediatric Alliance strives to provide innovative services to our community and takes a progressive approach to meet the needs of busy families.

Visit our website for accurate health information and more about our practice: www.pediatricalliance.com • Follow Us on Twitter • Follow Us on Facebook

http://www.pediatricalliance.com

http://www.pediatricalliance.com



SIGN UP TODAY!CAMP ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

Swimming | Dancing | Traditional Sports | Crafts Unique Sports | Reading | Nature Hikes & Activities DAILY

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JARED ENGLERT | 724.225.WELL | [email protected]

SUMMER CAMP

It’s the first day of summer break and 2 hours into the day you hear fromyour child “I’m bored”. Your initial reaction is to scream “Are you seri-ous?” Instead try taking a different approach by planning fun and active

activities throughout the summer! Keeping your kids fit and active this sum-mer is going to be easy with these 5 simple steps.

1. LIMIT TV AND ELECTRONIC TIME:You don’t have to turn off the TV and electronics completely, but time lim-

its help parents and children. The American Academy of Pedia trics recom-mends that kids older than 2 limit their screen time to no more than 2 hoursa day. Work together with your child to let them help decide which twohours of the day they would like to watch TV or play on their electronics. Ifthey help make the rule then they should be more likely to follow the rule.

2. KEEP THEIR MIND FIT AND ACTIVE TOOBefore school is out ask teachers for summer packets that can help chil-

dren practice what they learned throughout the year. Scavenger hunts withtricky clues help older kids use their brain power and games such asHopscotch, Four Square and Hide-and-Go-Seek are fun toddler games thatpromote counting. Also, make reading a daily habit. There are many summerreading programs that kids can earn a prize for consistent reading. Childrenlearn when their brain is active even if they are reading fun and easy books.

3. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOXUsing household items in different ways promotes creativity and move-

ment. Use boxes to build forts outside or a broom for limbo. Use pots andpans for a quick parade or use clean spray bottles as a simple water gun.Have them be creative which will help get their minds engaged.

4. MAKE EATING AND HYDRATING FUNPlan an outside picnic with healthy finger foods that include ants on a log

or a favorite called…“The Melted Snowman”. In a plastic bag put twopealed hard boiled eggs, a long carrot stick and a few pretzel sticks andraisins. Have kids put together their own melted snowman!

Any time kids are outside make sure they are drinking plenty of waterbefore, during and after physical activity to avoid dehydration. For low-calo-rie flavor, add slices of your favorite fruits such as melon, oranges, berries oreven cucumber or mint to a pitcher of water and refrigerate for two hours.

5. LET KIDS PLAY WITH OTHER KIDSSocializing with peers is important in the process of personality formation.

Kids miss their friends in the summer and this is the exact moment whenyou’ll hear the dreaded phrase “I’m bored”. Try to schedule summer camps,play dates and social activities so kids can keep growing, learning and build-ing lifelong friendships.

* According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children need 60 min-utes of physical activity each day, including aerobic and muscle strengthening activities,

5 Steps to Keep Kids Fit and Active This Summer

> For more information about Kids Camp and other Kids Programscontact Jared Englert, Youth Activities Supervisor, (724) 250-5202 or [email protected]





By Caitlin Bartley, MS, CertifiedTherapeutic Recreation Specialist

and Sr. Janice Blados, MA,Chaplain

One significant need of theelderly is to find meaningand purpose in life. In today’s

society, individuals are valued forwhat they do. If an elderly individualbegin to decline, daily life and senseof purpose change dramatically. Thequestions of “Who am I?” and “Towhom do I matter?” become a con-stant struggle. For the elderly espe-cially, this struggle often turns tothoughts of “I’m good for nothing.”Fostering and developing a positiveattitude is one way to build self-esteem. Life becomes happier andmore worthwhile when self-esteemis established.Quality of life isimproved and self-value increases.

Having identified the need to fos-ter self-esteem among our partici-pants, a self-esteem support groupwas formed at the Adult Day HealthCenter. The project involved twopeer support groups that met twicemonthly over a four-month period.Each group lasted one hour and

contained 7-11 participants.Thegroups reflected various religions,genders, ages, medical diagnoses,education levels, and ethnicities.The groups were facilitated by certi-fied Master-level therapists. Eachparticipant was provided with fold-ers, journals and worksheets. Eachsession included individual work-sheets as well as group exercises.Topics included Being Inspiredtoward Change; Core Emotions; Self-Disclosure; Finding Self-Esteem; andBoosters and Busters. At the com-pletion of the groups, participantswere given the materials to continueto work on self-improvement.

The members of the groups indi-vidually completed a Self-Esteem

Scale at the initial session and uponthe final group meeting. The firstgroup of participants showedincreased scores in all but one indi-vidual. Overall, most had improvedsignificantly.

The second group had equal suc-cess with most members improving.The Adult Day Health Center’sPrimary Care Physician observedthat some participants reportedimprovements both physically (e.g.walking) and mentally (e.g. journal-ing).

Other interdisciplinary teammem bers also saw positive resultsfollowing the group meetings (e.g.decreased anger, improved mood,more engaged in self-care).

As a result of the group, partici-pants began to notice opportunitiesto make a difference in small but sig-nificant ways in their own lives andin the lives of others. They came tounderstand that all life experiencesmatter. There was also recognitionthat the strengths and accomplish-ments of their lives became a sourceof encouragement when sharingwith others who have had similarexperiences.

One participant reflected, “Thegroup brought me together with peo-ple that I normally would not havespoken or associated with at the cen-ter. In sharing, I saw that other peo-ple’s problems were like mine and Isaw that I am not the only one. Ithelped me open up to others. I feltlike I was helping someone.”

When asked what advice would begiven to someone thinking aboutjoining a similar group in the future,one participant stated, “Sit and lis-ten, you can just listen and eventual-ly you get involved and open up.”

What began as a center activitygrew into something much morethan anticipated. At the final sessionin each group, the participantsexpressed eagerness and excitementto continue the group process insome way. This supported the beliefthat growth and potential is alwayspossible no matter age or ability.

Self Esteem and the Elderly: Finding Support with Your Peers

LIFE Pittsburgh is an all-inclusive program thathelps individuals remain

safely in their own home. For more information on LIFEPittsburgh, call (412) 388-8050.

>

Participants began to notice opportunities to make a difference in small but significant ways in their own lives and in the lives of others. They came to understand that all life experiences matter.



Running through sprinklers or just sitting in theshade with a glass of lemonade. Everyone hastheir favorite way of keeping cool during the dog

days of summer. For senior citizens, keeping cool –and hydrated – is more than just a matter of comfort; itcan be a matter of life and death.

Dehydration, or the loss of water and salts from thebody, is one of the most common forms of heat disease,but it can also occur in humid or cold weather, at highaltitudes or during increased physical exertion. It’simportant to know how to recognize dehydrationbefore it becomes a critical health problem.

Unfortunately, the early stages of dehydration do notexhibit symptoms, so you may not recognize that yourbody is in danger. According to Stephanie Faro atManorCare Health Services, seniors are at greater riskbecause thirst sensation, sweat production and theability to concentrate urine decline with age.“Dehydration gives general signals that do not become pronounced until thebody is approaching the danger point,” She said. “Once a person exhibitssymptoms such as thirst, dry mouth or decreased urine output, the person isalready in the moderate stages of dehydration.” If you are mildly dehydrated,simply drinking enough liquid and eating food high in salt will replace fluidsand electrolytes.

Symptoms of early or mild dehydration include a flushed face, thirst,dry, warm skin, dizziness, weakness, headaches, irritability and drymouth. Moderate or severe dehydration symptoms include low bloodpressure, fainting, severe muscle contractions, convulsions, a bloatedstomach, sunken and dry eyes, rapid breathing, a lack of elasticity in theskin and a fast, weak pulse. If someone is exhibiting these symptoms, seek

immediate medical attention.Not all fluid replacement must come from water. Other drinks consist

mostly of water and foods contain water as well. However, thirst is generallya good guide for when you need to replace fluids, and water is generally thebest choice.

ManorCare Health Services is part of the HCR ManorCare family. TheHCR ManorCare health care family comprises centers that are leadingproviders of short-term post-acute services and long-term care. Qualitycare for patients and residents is provided through a network of more

than 500 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities,outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and hospice and home health care agencies.For more information, visit www.medbridgerehab.com

KEEPING YOUR COOL: Tips on Preventing Dehydration

>

To avoid dehydration, the experts offer a few tips:

• Start drinking plenty of water before activity andcontinue drinking throughout activity. Water shouldbe cool, but not ice cold.

• Avoid fruit juices or non-diet soft drinks. Sugar canaggravate dehydration and cause bloating andcramps.

• Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.• Weigh yourself before and after activity. For each

pound lost in weight, you need to drink a pint of waterto replace the water lost through sweating.

Health Advice..... from ManorCare Health Services

http://www.medbridgerehab.com



“JUDY SCHWAB IS IN THE HOUSE.” THOSE WORDSBRING A SMILE TO THE FACES OF THE STAFF ATSENIOR LIFE WASHINGTON. FOR 60-YEAR-OLDJUDY SCHWAB OF ATLASBURG, PA., ANNOUNCINGHER ARRIVAL EACH TIME SHE ENTERS THE SENIORLIFE CENTER IS LIKE TAKING A VICTORY LAP. ANDRIGHTLY SO.

In 2015 Schwab had severe mobility issues, severe diabetes and numer-ous other medical complications. She had already lost one toe and neededwound care and intensive treatment to avoid infection. Transportationwas increasingly difficult to navigate, and it was becoming harder for herto obtain the medical services she needed to treat her condition. She was,by all accounts, trapped in her home with limited access to the commu-nity and medical care. It’s not surprising that she was also depressed.

“I didn’t get heavy until after my husband died,” Schwab says. “I was sodepressed.”

Eventually she says she hardly left the house. “Life was tough,” saysSchwab. “I had been going to wound care for a couple of years and wastold I may lose a leg.”

Schwab’s primary care physician, aware that she could not provide theintense coordinated services that her patient needed, referred her to SeniorLIFE. Senior LIFE is a long-term care Medicare- and Medicaid-funded pro-gram that provides coordinated medical and home care services at no costfor eligible seniors so they can remain living in their home.

“I knew that Judy’s care would take a well-designed and executed careplan,” says Megan Detwiler, Senior LIFE Washington executive director.“If her condition worsened, she would be at significant risk of becomingtotally wheelchair dependent, which could have meant certain nursing homeplacement. She came to us to get well and stay out of a nursing home, so our

medical team worked hard to develop the right care plan to achieve thesegoals.”

For her first two months in the LIFE Program, a Senior LIFE registerednurse and therapist would visit Schwab every day at her home providing crit-ical services that included wound care, dietary services, exercise andhygiene.

Within that time, Schwab lost enough weight and her condition improvedenough so that she could safely board a Senior LIFE bus and come to theLIFE center.

“Once I started coming to the center, I really enjoyed it!” Schwab gushes.“The Senior LIFE staff is like family. No matter what kind of day I am having,when I walk in the door, everyone just brightens me up.”

Schwab continued to work hard, now with the added benefit of the largerSenior LIFE care team working with her. She also enjoyed the meals, activi-ties and socialization at the center and making new friends.

Senior LIFE occupational therapist Gregg Tilger says Schwab has put a lotof time and effort into therapy since joining the program and has improvedher mobility. “Now she can be seen whip and nay-naying and cupid shufflingin the day room with a big smile on her face laughing,” states Tilger.

“I love to dance,” Judy laughs. “I was so shy before coming here. I wouldhave never done that before.”

“Judy is a joy to have here. Her progress has been nothing short of amaz-ing,” says Detwiler, crediting both Schwab and the Senior LIFE care team.“Judy helped teach us what our team is capable of.”

In February, on her two-year anniversary with Senior LIFE, she wrote along letter to the staff. In it she says, “Today is a very happy day for me.It’s been two years since I have been with Senior LIFE… [The entire team]takes good care of us all! This has been the greatest two years of my life.Thank you all! Love ya!”

Senior LIFE has locations in Washington, Greensburg and Unionown.For more information abour Senior LIFE Washington or to come in for apersonal tour, call (724) 222-5433, or visit www.seniolifepa.com.

‘Judy Schwab is in the house.’

>

Judy Schwab (right) enjoys a patriotic celebration with Theresa Donavich at the Senior LIFE Center in Washington.

Senior LIFE

http://www.seniolifepa.com


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Stay abreast of local health events! Subscribe to our FREE monthly enewsletter. Log on to www.guidetogoodhealth.com

By Kevin Brown

In the late 1890’s, Pittsburgh wasa prosperous center of industrywith steel, mining and other

growing industries. Railroads werean essential part of the economy. Dr.Samuel McCune Black, a physicianwith the Pittsburgh and Lake ErieRailroad, needed a place to treat illand injured employees. He foundedMcKees Rocks General Hospital inNorwood, a neighborhood ofMcKees Rocks.

As the hospital grew, Dr. Blacksaw a need for more nurses so heopened a School of Nursing in 1901.The first student, Annabell Mc -Anulty, graduated in 1904, andwould spend her entire nursingcareer at the hospital.

Within a few years, communitydemand for the hospital’s servicesled to the hospital becoming char-tered on December 31, 1906 as thenon-profit Ohio Valley GeneralHospital.

Over the next 24 years, the hospi-tal would continue to grow in serv-ing the people of Pittsburgh’s west-ern suburbs. When the GreatDepression hit the country in 1929,some local hospitals foundered butthe Sisters of the Holy Family ofNazareth took over management ofthe Ohio Valley General Hospital. Itremained a non-sectarian, commu-nity hospital and not only survivedthe depression, it continued tothrive.

By the end of World War II, thehospital had outgrown its originalsite and ground was broken in 1947for a new hospital along nearbyHeckel Road in Kennedy Township.The land had been the 110-acre farmof Dr. Heckel, who passed away in1942. His sisters sold the land to the hospital.

The new hospital opened in the spring of 1949. In 1956, a new buildingwas built at the hospital site for the School of Nursing. A School ofRadiologic Technology opened at the hospital in 1963 to train radiologictechnologists.

In 1968, a three-story edition to the hospital was built along with reno-vation of the School of Nursing. Known as the North Wing, the new hos-pital addition contained new operating rooms along with an expandedEmergency Department and outpatient facilities.

A Medical Office Building opened in 1988 next to the hospital to pro-vide office space for the growing medical staff.

Another floor was added to the hospital in 1994 for a larger intensivecare unit, the adult psychiatric unit, respiratory therapy and cardiac reha-bilitation.

By 2000, the hospital decided to venture into senior living and built apersonal care home, The Residence at Willow Lane, across the road fromhospital. Senior Living at The Willows now encompasses personal care,independent living and Pathways, a newer facility for memory care.

Ohio Valley General Hospital celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006.In recognizing the success of the hospital over those 100 years, then-President and CEO William F. Provenzano, FACHE, said, "The fact that acommunity hospital has thrived in a healthcare climate that favors largesystems is a testament to the excellence and dedication of our medical staff

and all our employees, and tothe loyalty of area residents."

Current President and CEODavid Scott, FACHE, has beenwith the hospital for more than30 years. He was appointed tolead the hospital following Mr.Proven zano’s retirement in 2010and witnessed the transforma-tion of the local healthcare mar-ketplace.

“Our goal is to work in con-junction with all the majorhealth systems in a collaborativeway and I like to think we havedone that. We have UPMCphysicians on staff and theymanage our cardiac rehab pro-gram. We have Allegheny HealthNetwork (AHN) physicians onour medical staff and we are anactive partner with their homecare program,” he said.

Today, Ohio Valley Hospitaloffers a variety of adult inpatientand outpatient services includ-ing an acute rehabilitation unit,geropsychiatric unit, pulmonarycenter, sleep evaluation centerand an eye and cataract surgerycenter, among others.

“On the inpatient side, OhioValley is an adult and geriatrichospital. We put a lot of focus onservices for older patients,” saidMr. Scott. “On the outpatientside, we see a range of patientsfrom pediatrics to geriatrics.Overall, we have developedspecialties such as adult psychi-atry, rehabilitation, wound care,etc., to focus on the needs ofseniors since that is a large partof our market,” he said.

In recent years, the hospitalhas branched out into the com-munity with The Wound Care

Centers® located at Kenmawr Plaza in Kennedy Township and Mt. NeboPlaza in the North Hills as well as the Pain Treatment Center at KenmawrPlaza.

Community support has been key to the success of the Ohio ValleyHospital over the years. When the hospital was developing its senior livingcommunities, it conducted focus groups with local residents to determinehow best to market the service.

“We were surprised and pleased to hear their reaction,” Mr. Scott saidof the focus groups. “Residents felt very strongly about the hospital andfelt very loyal to the hospital. There was a real level of comfort that thesenior living facility was affiliated with the hospital,” he said.

In 2014, the hospital renamed the hospital as part of a new brandingcampaign and dropped the “General” from its name. “The seniors reallyfelt confidence in the name “Ohio Valley” and we decided to keep that partof the name and just shorten it to Ohio Valley Hospital,” he said.

In explaining the success of the hospital, Mr. Scott said, “I think OhioValley Hospital has done an excellent job over the years because we arefocused on the needs of the people who live around us. I don’t know whatwould happen if you didn’t have a facility like Ohio Valley in the commu-nity.”

To learn more about Ohio Valley Hospital, visit www.ohiovalleyhospital.org.

Ohio Valley Hospital Close, Like Family for More Than 100 Years

-Current President and CEO David Scott

>

“I think Ohio Valley Hospital has done an excellent job over the years because

we are focused on the needs of the people who live around us."




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by Nancy Kennedy

Have you dreamed of a career in nursing? Do youhave a desire to help others in a meaningfulway, through a career that offers constant chal-

lenges, opportunities for learning, personal satisfactionand job security? Are you searching for the right placeto begin fulfilling your dream?

Look no further than Western Area Career andTechnology Center (WACTC), where a dynamic andinnovative Practical Nursing Program is changing thelives of its graduates. WACTC’s program offers studentseducational excellence, flexibility and convenience.There are two program tracks to meet individual needsof students: a 12-month, full time track that holdsclasses Monday through Friday during daylight hours;and a 24-month part-time track, which meets in theevenings 2 or 3 nights per week and every otherSaturday. With the part-time option, students can con-tinue working and attend school part-time. Furtherflexibility is provided by WACTC’s two locations: inCanonsburg, and in Charleroi.

With over 30 years of experience in educating prac-tical nurses, WACTC has a sterling track record. Theschool is staffed by expert instructors and featuresstate-of-the-art equipment, including a high-tech simu-lation lab for perfecting clinical skills.

WACTC’s Practical Nursing Program is affordablypriced and financial assistance is available for thosewho qualify. The Program’s next class starts inSeptember.

“There are many advantages to enrolling in our pro-gram,” says Justin Trunzo, Health Sciences Supervisorat WACTC. “We’re the most competitively priced pro-gram in the region, and we’ve been educating nursessince 1984. Graduates of our program earn IVCertification, which enhances their value on thehealthcare job market.”

Western Area Career and Technology Center’s Practical Nursing Program

For more information on our new Careers in Healthcare section in the Summer issue of the WesternPennsylvania Guide to Good Health, call (412) 835-5796 or email [email protected]

CAREERS in HEALTHCARE

OPEN HOUSEMAY 25

WACTC is hosting an OpenHouse on May 25, 2017, from4:00 to 7:00 pm at theCanonsburg location.

Atten dees will have achance to learn more aboutthe program; speak with fac-ulty; tour the classrooms andlabs; and complete enroll-ment forms. Refreshmentswill be served. Those whoattend will receive a valuablebonus: a discount on theadmission fee.

> WACTC is the perfect choice for women and menwho are considering a career in nursing. Learn more by calling (724) 746-0467, or visit www.wactc.net/LPN.

http://www.wactc.net/LPN





Come grow your career and see why patients and top healthcare providers are making the move to

Washington Health System. Our focus on community empowers our 2,000 employees to provide

unwavering commitment to great patient care. We promote a positive work life balance. View our

current opportunities at whs.org/careers

youcentered arounda career with us


AtlasburgDan G. Alexander, M.D. (I)

(724) 947-5535Dan Alexander, MD

AvellaAvella Family Practice, LLC (F)

(724) 587-3472Sean Porbin, MD

BentleyvilleCenterville Clinics, Inc. (F)

(724) 239-2390Sheila Anderson, DOMaria Gauna, MD

BurgettstownCornerstone Care (F)

(724) 947-2255Jihad S. Irani, MDJennifer Mungari, MDJulie Orlosky, DO

Hickory/Burgettstown Family Practice PPCP (F)

(724) 356-2273Michael Falcione, MDBruce Maskarinec, DOBruce Sharpnack, MD

CaliforniaWashington Health SystemFamily Medicine-California (F)

(724) 938-7466Allison Verenna, MD

CanonsburgWashington Health SystemFamily Medicine-Canonsburg (F)

(724) 745-4100Rebecca Byard, MDLisa Goss, MDW. Paul Slomiany, MDMonica Speicher, MD

Rebecca L. Plute, M.D., P.C. (F)(724) 746-7030Rebecca L. Plute, MD

WPHO, a partnership of 250 local primary care and specialist physicians and the Washington Health System, was founded in 1994 to assure access and availability of high quality healthcare within our community for your benefit and convenience. Look for these local physicians and healthcare services in your health plan’s provider network. That way, you can receive the quality care you need at a location close to home.

CarmichaelsCenterville Clinics, Inc. (F) (724) 966-5081 Josefina Paderes, MD

Cecil Washington Health SystemFamily Medicine-Cecil (F) (724) 873-7414 Robert Allison, II, DO Sarah Duncan, MD Lauren O’ Brien, MD Mylaina Sherwood, MD

ClaysvilleClaysville Family Practice (F) (724) 663-7731 Frederick Landenwitsch, MD Elizabeth Oshnock, DO Kristen Romesburg, DO John Six, MD Brian Szklinski, MD Sarah White, DO Jay Ziegler, MD

Eighty-FourKevin G. Boehme, MD/FamilyMedicine (F) (724) 228-2488 Kevin Boehme, MD

FredericktownCenterville Clinics, Inc. (F) (724) 632-6801 Alvaro Changco, MD Yong Cho, MD

GreenboroCornerstone Care (F) (724) 943-3308 Nathan B. Duer, M.D.

HickoryHickory/Burgettstown Family Practice PPCP (F) (724) 356-2273 Michael Falcione, MD Bruce Maskarinec, DO Bruce Sharpnack, MD

McMurrayComplete Family Care (F) (724) 260-0830 Frederick Landenwitsch, MD Elizabeth Oshnock, DO Kristen Romesburg, DO John Six, MD Brian Szklinski, MD Sarah White, DO Jay Ziegler, MD

Lamb Medical (F) (724) 969-5262 Mary Lamb, MD

Washington Health SystemWaterdam Pediatrics (P) (724) 942-6499 Gary Smith, MD

Washington Health SystemPrimary Care-Lakeside (F) (724) 969-1001 Matthew Diiulio, DO Robert Koschik II, MD Katherine M. Tadolini, MD

Waterdam Family Practice (F) (724) 942-4372 Kurt King, MD David Mittell, MD

Mount MorrisCornerstone Care (F) (724) 324-9001 Amber Renee Warren, DO

RepublicCenterville Clinics, Inc. (F) (724) 246-9434 Aaron Lenhart, DO

RogersvilleCornerstone Care (F) (724) 499-5188 Martha Roe Noftzger, MD

WashingtonAHN Washington Internal Medicine (I) (724) 222-9300 Patricia Friedsam, MD Harry Silvis, MD

Centerville Clinics, Inc. (F) (724) 223-1067 Shweta Arora, MD Julie K. DeRosa, MD Daniel Holt, MD Mark Mamros, MD Jennifer Muhly, MD Pankaj Thakur, MD

Cornerstone Care-PediatricAssociates of Washington (P) (724) 228-7400 Edward Foley, MD Mary Maher, DO

Internal Medicine andGeriatrics of Washington (I) (724) 222-4464 Richard Hahn, MD William Kottner, MD James Krebs, MD

PPCP Tylerdale (F) (724) 222-7240 Nicholas Fuerst, MD Joshua Goodrum, DO Sean Kelly, DO

The Health Center for Integrative Medicine (F) (724) 906-4798 Janine Rihmland, MD

Washington Health SystemFamily Medicine-Neighbor Health (F) (724) 223-3100 Anna-Binney McCague, MD (I,P) Jeffrey Minteer, MD T. Grant Phillips, MD Matthew Stantspainter, DO Kimberle Vore, MD

Washington Health SystemFamily Medicine-North Main (F) (724) 225-9970 Sara Casile, DO Dennis Davis, MD Craig Fox, MD Christa Malinak, MD

Washington Health SystemInternal Medicine (I) (724) 229-7570 Henry Folb, MD Richard Hart, MD Thomas Tambouratzis, MD

Washington Health SystemWashington Pediatrics (P) (724) 250-6001 Michael Faust, MD Tera Faust, DO Benjamin W. Kleifgen, MD Tina Lengauer, DO Marisa Quattrone, MD Richelle Sommerfield, MD

WaynesburgCornerstone Care-Central Greene Pediatrics (P) (724) 627-9696 Daniel Alan Church, MD

Darrell Lee Donley, MD (I) (724) 627-3379 Darrell Donley, MD

Jeffrey Smith, DO (F) (724) 852-2050 Jeffrey Smith, DO

Washington Health System Family Medicine - Franklin (F) (724) 627-5780 John P. Martin, DO

Washington Health System Family Medicine - Greene Plaza (F) (724)627-8582 Amy R. Diamond, MD

Washington Health SystemFamily Medicine-Waynesburg (F) (724) 627-8080 Lindsey Beabout, DO Sherry Zimmerman, MD

F - Family Practice I - Internal Medicine P - Pediatrics

Our Primary Care Physicians

WASHINGTON PHYSICIAN

HOSPITAL ORGANIZATION PROVIDER NETWORK

Allergy and ImmunologyKumar R. Patel, MD LLC.

(724) 224-5440Kumar Patel, MD

Allergy & Asthma Care(724) 483-2060Nikhil Davé, MD

AnesthesiologyKeystone AnesthesiaConsultants, Ltd.

(724) 222-7167Lee Bischof, DOJoseph Brula, MDGray Goncz, DOAjoy Katari, MDJames Massucci, MDChristopher Merck, DODavid Odasso, MD

Cardiac ElectrophysiologyRegional Cardiac Arrhythmia, Inc.

(724) 222-0436Maninder Bedi, MDChristopher Kolibash, MDGlen Miske, DO

CardiologyUPMC HVI Washington

(724) 222-1125Christopher Allen, MDBryan Donohue, MDJohn Pensock, MD

Washington Health SystemCardiovascular Care

(724) 225-6500Charles Brown, MDDavid Campsey, MDJohn Costello, MDMichael Pecora, MDJames Richardson, MDBrian Staub, MDJose Venero, MD

Cardiovascular SurgeryUPMC Heart and Vascular Institute - Cardiac Surgeons

(412) 647-2845Chris Cook, MD

ChiropracticChiropractic Care Center

(724) 223-9700Duane Marasco, DC

DermatologyVujevich Dermatology Associates

(724) 228-7006Elizabeth Froelich, MDDiane Inserra, MDChristie Regula, MDJustin Vujevich, MDMarion Vujevich, MD

Emergency MedicineEmCare (724) 223-3085 Richard Aprea, MD Amarjith Mally, MD Pascal Phares, MD Thomas Pirosko, DO

EndocrinologyAllegheny Endocrinology Associates (724) 206-9734 Murray Gordon, MD Hemlata Moturi, MD

GastroenterologySouthwest Gastroenterology Associates (724) 941-3020 Philip Joson, MD Richard Kenney, DO Richard Panicco, DO Mohan Phanse, MD Jennifer Totten, MD

General SurgeryAngott Surgical Associates (724) 222-9500 Brent Angott, DO John Mitchell, MD Wayne Myers, DO

Washington & Waynesburg Inpatient ServicesEmCare Northeast Region (724) 579-1654 Arcadio Agudelo-Hernandez, MD Paramvir S. Bains, DO Habib Bhatti, MD Christian Bolea, MD Andrew K. Etzel, DO Gaurav Gandhi, MD Rabih Hassan, MD Victor Okeh, MD Bhumika Patel, DO Viji Paulson, MD Rebecca Pepper, DO Alycia Ann Petraglia, DO Shashank Ponugoti, MD Natalia Zavodchikov, DO

Infectious DiseasesWashington Health SystemInfectious Disease (724) 206-9149 Atif Saeed, MD

Medical OncologyOncology Hematology Association (724) 223-3816 Patrick Kane, MD Nitin Kapoor, DO Alexis Megaludis, MD Jaime Mullin, DO

NephrologyKidney Care Center (724) 229-8834 Joseph DeJonckheere, MD Jessie Ganjoo, MD Amit Nahata, MD

WHS Nephrology (724) 228-1303 Shirley J. Dopson, DO

Teredesai, McCann and Associates, PC (724) 228-2611 Elias Bahta, MD Ameet Karambelkar, MD James McCann, DO Nirav Patel, MD Matthew Pesacreta, MD Joshua C. Sysak, DO Allen Wolfert, MD Qizhi Xie, MD

Neurological SurgeryAllegheny General Hospital Department of Neurosurgery (724) 228-1414 Michael Oh, MD E. Richard Prostko, MD Nestor Tomycz, MD Donald Whiting, MD

NeurologyAdult Neurology Center, PC (724) 229-6195 Kent Berkey, MD Bruce Cotugno, MD Evgeniy Shchelchkov, MD

Southwestern Pennsylvania Associates in Neurology (724) 228-4011 Rami Ausi, MD Tatyana Barsouk, MD Mark Hospodar, MD Kiran Patil, MD Karen Tobin, MD

Obstetrics/GynecologyWashington Health SystemOB/GYN Care (724) 225-3640 William Mitsos, MD Malay Sheth, MD Kathryn Simons, MD Monica Smith, DO Marianne Wizda, MD

Miguel Marrero, MD (412) 257-4200 Miguel Marrero, MD

Occupational MedicineWashington Health SystemOccupational Medicine (724) 223-3528 Scott Leslie, MD

OphthalmologyCrossroads Eye Care Associates (724) 941-1466 Thomas D’Orazio, MD

Ophthalmology and Retina Associates, LLC (724) 852-3008 Nima J. Tirgan, MD

Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center (724) 228-2982 E. Ronald Salvitti, MD Jennifer Salvitti Davis, MD Sean Pieramici, MD

Washington Eye Center, Inc. (724) 222-3937 Paul Caimano, DO

Oral/Maxillofacial SurgeryWashington Dental Surgery Associates (724) 225-3022 Joseph Nawrocki, MD, DMD

Western PA Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (724) 223-0579 Steven Krakora, MD, DMD

Orthopedic SurgeryAdvanced Orthopaedics& Rehabilitation, LLC (724) 225-8657 Armando Avolio, Jr., MD Gregory Christiansen, MD John Gibbons, MD Jocelyn Idema, DO Patrick McCulloch, MD Vincent Ripepi, DO Michael Scheel, MD Joseph Stracci, DO David Welker, MD Justin Zenner, DO

Anthony C. Canterna, MD, LLC (724) 222-5940 Anthony C. Canterna, MD

UPMC-Orthopaedic Specialists, Inc. (877) 471-0935 Mark Baratz, MD Christopher C. Schmidt, MD

Washington Health SystemOrthopedics and Sports Medicine (724) 206-0610 Mark Lesh, MD Jeffrey Matheny, MD Edward Poon, MD Vikram Sathyendra, MD David Stapor, MD

OtolaryngologyEugene F. Paluso, MD, Ltd. (724) 228-0782 Eugene Paluso, MD

Jeffrey B. Banyas, MD, LLC (724) 942-3502 Jeffrey Banyas, MD

Washington Ear, Nose & Throat, LLC (724) 225-8995 Howard Goldberg, MD Edward Stafford, MD

Pain ManagementKeystone Anesthesia Consultants, LTD (724) 969-0191 Richard Plowey, MD

Three Rivers Pain Management Associates, PLLC (724) 812-5580 Sudhakar B. Mannam, MD

Our Specialist PhysiciansWe have offices conveniently located in the community.

PathologyPathology Associates of Washington (724) 223-3137 Lawrence Lee, MD Nathaniel Sherwood, DO Thomas S. Talamo, MD Songtao Wang, MD

Physical MedicineAnthony N. Ricci, MD, PC (724) 678-0282 Anthony Ricci, MD

Associates in PhysicalMedicine & Rehabilitation (724) 223-9270 Michael Platto, MD Debra J. Panucci, MD, LLC (724)745-3908 Debra Panucci, MD

JW Medical Rehabilitation, LLC (724) 743-5960 Julia W. Wilcox, MD

Washington Health System Physical Medicine and Sports Rehabilitation (724) 229-2700 Patricia A. Bornhorst, DO

Plastic SurgeryAmelia Paré, MD (724) 941-8838 Amelia Paré, MD

PodiatryCanonsburg Podiatry Associates (724) 746-1870 Kathryn Weldy, DPM

Cynthia B. Hatfield, DPM (724) 222-8883 Cynthia Hatfield, DPM

Grossman Podiatry Center (724) 222-5230 Adam Grossman, DPM

Philip S. Pinsker, DPM (724) 225-7410 Philip Pinsker, DPM

Washington Health SystemFoot and Ankle Specialists (724) 222-5635 Nicholas Lowery, DPM James Marks, DPM

PsychiatryPsychiatric Care Systems, PC (724) 941-4070 Oscar Urrea, MD Maria Camila Aponte, MD

Washington Health System Center for Recovery and Wellness - Outpatient Services (724) 627-2756 Richard O. Ajayi, MD

Pulmonary & Critical Care MedicineWashington Health System Pulmonary

(724) 222-2577Mohamad Al-Abed, MDRoger Barrette, MDNadine Dandachi, MDMing-Hui Fan, MDMartin Grissom, MDIhab Hassan, MDMarc David Laufe, MDDavid Lazarus, MDEdward Stanley Piotrowski, MD

Radiation OncologyWashington Health System Radiation Oncology in Partnership with UPMC Cancer Center

(724) 223-3788Michael Dougherty, MD

RadiologyGreater Washington Radiologists, Inc.

(724) 223-3300William M. Almasy, MD Giovanna Aracri, DOKevin Birnie, MDWilliam Castro, MDWilliam Conroy, MDWilliam Downer, MDTazeen Jamal, MDMichelle Kirshen, MDDavid Leukhardt, MDDina Novitskaya, MDWilson Pyle, MDTimothy Zelenak, MD

Radiology - InterventionalInterventional Radiology Specialists, Inc.

(724) 223-3059Carl DiGiorgio, DOJeffrey Hilger, MDPhilip Wildenhain, MD

RheumatologyArthritis and RheumatologyAssociates of SW PA (724) 228-8856 David Seaman, MD

Sleep MedicineSukhdev S. Grover and Associates (724) 627-2766) Amit Goulatia, MD Sukhdev S. Grover, MD

UrologyTricounty Urology Associates (724) 222-8871 Damon Hoffmann, DO Mukul Balaji Patil, MD Sunil S. Savarirayan, MD Jason Smith, DO

Timothy P. Weyrich, MD (724) 942-3963 Timothy Weyrich, MD

Wound CareWashington Health System Wound Center (724) 223-6903 (724) 627-1600 Dennis P. Brown, MD Gerald I. Kaufer, MD Amy R. Diamond, MD Nicholas J. Lowery, DPM James A. Marks, DPM

(Our Specialist Physicians cont.)

Offers comprehensive services at convenient locations in Washington & Greene Counties

WashingtonWashington HospitalInpatient and outpatient services including: Cancer Care Emergency Care Hospice and Palliative Medicine Heart, Lung and Vascular Services Orthopedics and Neurosciences Surgical Services Women’s Health Services

Wilfred R. CameronWellness Center Health & Fitness Center Corporate Wellness Services Spa Harmony Live Well Yoga & Pilates

Medical Plaza - Wellness Way Outpatient Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Hand Clinic Speech Therapy

Sports Medicine Wound and Skin Healing

Outpatient Center - Neighbor Health Diabetes Education Family Medicine Center Laboratory Occupational Medicine Radiology

Outpatient Center - Meadows Landing Women’s Center Lab Services Tri-State Surgey Center

Greenbriar Treatment CenterInpatient Drug and AlcoholRehab Services

Donnell HouseHospice CarePalliative Medicine

Strabane Trails of WashingtonSenior Independent Living

Strabane Woods of WashingtonSenior Assisted Living

CanonsburgFamily Medicine Center - Canonsburg And Laboratory Services

CecilOutpatient Center - Cecil

Family Medicine CenterDiagnostic Center

Peters TownshipMedical Plaza - Peters Township Children’s Therapy Center Diagnostic Center

WaynesburgMedical Plaza - Greene County Laboratory Radiology EKGs

Greene HospitalInpatient and outpatient services including: Cardiovascular Services Diagnostics Emergency Care Surgical Services

Greene Plaza Wound and Skin Healing Center for Recovery and Wellness

whs.org




2017 AnnualHealthcare Guide

PROFILES32 Southwestern Nephrology33 Medicare Specialists

of Pittsburgh36 Greater Pittsburgh

Vascular Associates37 K&J Complete Woman

Mastectomy & Wig Boutique42 Tri-State Mobile X-Ray

OPTHALMOLOGY43 AIO-The Eye Surgeons

ORTHOPAEDIC34 South Hills Orthopaedic

Surgery Associates35 Monongahela Valley

Hospital Awarded the JointCommission’s AccreditedCertification for Total Hipand Knee Replacement

CHILDREN WITHSPECIAL NEEDS38 The Children’s Home of

Pittsburgh andLemieux Family Center

39 Every Child

SCHOOLS40 Western Pennsylvania

School for Blind Children41 DePaul School for

Hearing and Deaf

SENIOR SERVICES44 Presbyterian SeniorCare

53 Senior Resources54 Healthcare Directory

This section of leading health, wellness and fitness providers, schools, and organizations who excel in theirchosen specialties, is designed to help you in your search for quality care.

As you search to fulfill your healthcare needs, we hope this will serve as an invaluable guide.

Contents:

SENIOR LIVING 46 Elderly Housing Development48 Mt Vernon of South Park49 Locust Grove Personal

Care & Memory Care

HOME CARE/HOSPICE50 A&M Healthcare Agency 51 Harmony HealthCare52 VITAS Healthcare53 Concordia



By Daniel Casciato

WASHINGTON HEALTH SYSTEM RECENTLYANNOUNCED THAT SOUTHWESTERNNEPHROLOGY WILL BE JOINING THEWASHINGTON PHYSICIANS GROUP SOMETIME THISAPRIL. THE PRACTICE WILL BE KNOWN ASWASHINGTON HEALTH SYSTEM NEPHROLOGYONCE THE TRANSITION IS COMPLETE.

Shirley Jayakumar Dopson, D.O., a practicing nephrologist and part-ner in Southwestern Nephrology, says that joining WashingtonHealth System was part of a natural evolution for her and the prac-

tice.“Having practiced in the area for 10 years, we already worked closelywith other physicians that are part of the health system,” she says. “Also,since the other doctor in our practice is planning to retire, we decided nowwas a good time to to merge our practice with the health system’s physi-cian group.”

For Dr. Dopson, this merger will help provide better continuity of carefor their patients. Since many of the physicians in the area are part of thisphysician group, patients will be getting care from the same multi-special-ity group.

“The hospital was happy to have me join their physician group,” saysDr. Dopson. “My ideals and goals coincide well with the hospital physi-cian group.”

Dr. Dopson is originally from the area so she have been part of this com-munity her entire life, she notes. Being from the area is one way her prac-tice distinguishes itself from other similar practices in the region.

“I’m very committed to serving the patients of my own community andI feel very dedicated and invested in this community because this is whereI was born and raised,” she says. “What also makes us different is that weoffer very personal service to patients whom we evaluate in the hospitaland office, and continue to follow their progress to maintain that goodcontinuity of care.”

As a nephrologist, Dr. Dopson specializes in kidney care and treatingdiseases of the kidneys. While she was educated and trained in internalmedicine, Dr. Dopson underwent further training to specialize in treatingpatients with kidney diseases. Her practice commonly treats patients withchronic kidney disease, polycystic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertensionand electrolyte problems. Uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension are thetwo top causes of kidney disease.

Dr. Dopson went to medical school at Lake Erie College of OsteopathicMedicine and did her Nephrology Fellowship at the Medical University ofSouth Carolina. In addition to being board certified in nephrology, Dr.Dopson is also board certified in internal medicine. She was drawn tonephrology as a speciality for several reason. One of those reasons was tofollow in her father’s footsteps. Her father, Dr. Subramoniam Jayakumar,is a nephrologist who has practiced for 41 years in Washington County.

“I grew up with nephrology in the background,” she explains. “So Iheard and learned a lot about this specialty growing up.”

While that certainly played a factor in her decision, Dr. Dopson also hadan affinity for nephrology because of the subject matter and her naturalaptitude for it.

“While I was doing my internal medicine residency, I rotated throughall of the different sub specialities to try to determine what would be thebest fit for me,” she recalls. “As I continued to learn more about the spe-ciality, I realized that it was a good fit for me. I also liked that nephrologypatients were unique. It’s not always the same issue so each patientrequires personalized, individual management. Not only do we seepatients in our office, but we also work in dialysis clinics and surroundinghospitals. So there’s diversity in what I do throughout the day.”

Dr. Dopson is also medical director of the DaVita Dialysis Clinic inWashington, PA and Paris, PA. The clinic in Washington has been award-ed four stars under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services'(CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating system and is the highest rated dialysisclinic in the area.

“That recognition solidifies the fact that patients will get excellent careif they are part of that facility as well,” she notes.

Looking ahead, Dr. Dopson says that she is looking forward to startingthe next chapter in her career and practice.

“I’m excited to become more involved with Washington Health Systemand help patients in the community, along with their primary care physi-cians,” she says. “I feel that I’m very approachable and want to keep thebest interests of the patients in mind. I’m always available and accessiblefor anyone who has kidney disease, kidney issues or problems with hyper-tension.”

To schedule an appointment, call (724) 228-1303. In addition toworking with the Washington Physicians Group, Dr. Dopson willcontinue to see patients at her other offices in Burgettstown, PA,Waynesburg, PA and Weirton, WV.

Southwestern Nephrology Joins Washington Health System Southwestern Nephrologycommonly treats patients

with chronic kidney disease, polycystic kidney

disease, diabetes, hypertension and

electrolyte problems.Uncontrolled diabetes and

hypertension are the two top causes of kidney disease.

Dr. Shirley Jayakumar Dopson

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Southwestern Nephrology



By Vanessa Orr

With the recent change in the country’s leadership, many ques-tions have been raised about what changes will be made toMedicare. But what is more important, according to John

Wells of Medicare Specialists of Pittsburgh, are the questions that peoplehave about their Medicare coverage right now.

“We have no idea how Medicare is going to be impacted by the newadministration—our goal is to assist people with their concerns now,” heexplained. “We want to make sure that people who are shopping for sup-plemental coverage know about all of their options, and can find a prod-uct that fits them for the lowest cost. In a lot of cases, we can help peoplesave $20 to $40 a month on their premiums for secondary insurance; andthat adds up on a fixed income.”

According to Wells, just like car or homeowner’s insurance, supple-mental insurance should be reviewed every few years. “You need to shopit around,” he said. “A lot of people overlook this.”

Wells and his staff also help people new to Medicare who may notunderstand how it works, as well as people who have gone throughfinancial or health issues that may make them eligible for programs, suchas PACE/PACNET, LIS and Medicaid, that could help them save moneyon coverage or prescription drug costs.

“Unfortunately, what happens a lot of the time is that people just don’tunderstand what documents are needed, or they have trouble keepingtrack of the paperwork that the state or county needs, so they end up los-ing their assistance,” he explained. “We spend a lot of time preparingdocuments to make sure that they are submitted in the proper way.”

One of the difficulties that people face when they turn 65 and are eli-

gible for Medicare is the avalanche of information that they receive.“People are getting slammed by unsolicited phone calls and junk mail—I met with a woman yesterday who said that she doesn’t even answer thephone anymore,” said Wells. “I highly encourage those who are about toturn 65 to talk to an independent broker who specialize in Medicare atleast four to six months before their birthday. They don’t need to respondto those unsolicited phone calls; they can just tell them they have a bro-ker and hang up.”

Medicare Specialists’ staff educates clients about the differencebetween supplemental insurance and Medicare Advantage plans, andtakes them through a series of steps designed to determine the type ofcoverage they need.

“We are licensed with every major carrier in western Pennsylvania, soit doesn’t matter to us who they choose, as long as they get the right planfor themselves,” said Wells. “We are just here to help them make aninformed decision.”

Wells gives the example of two carriers that have different formulariesin their plans. “When we go over a person’s medications, we can seewhich carrier covers those medications—it can mean a difference of hun-dreds of dollars a month,” he said. “They may also choose a plan depend-ing on the access they want to specific doctors.

“Most people try to take this on themselves, and it becomes over-whelming,” he added. “That’s why we take the time to explain how every-thing works. We encourage anyone with questions/concerns or whodoesn’t understand Medicare to contact us.”

For more information, visit Medicare Specialists at www.medipgh.com or call (412) 343-0344.

Medicare Specialists of Pittsburgh Takes the Confusion Out of Choosing a Plan

>

Medicare Specialists of Pittsburgh

http://www.medipgh.com



By Nancy Kennedy

As the newest physicianmember of South HillsOrthopaedic Surgery Assoc -

iates (SHOSA), one of the region’sbusiest and most progressive ortho-pedic surgery practices, Justin J.Petrolla, M.D., is focused on pre-venting his patients from needingto undergo surgery. It may soundlike a contradiction, but Dr.Petrolla says it makes perfect sensefor SHOSA to have him in thegroup. Like his colleagues, he treatspeople with acute and chronicmusculoskeletal conditions, butunlike them, he is not a surgeon.

He practices what is sometimescalled “non-surgical orthopedics”and he is eminently qualified to doso; he is board-certified in threeclinical specialties: physical medi-cine and rehabilitation; pain medi-cine; and sports medicine. It’s a rarecombination of credentials and itmakes Dr. Petrolla exceptionallyeffective at helping people witharthritic joints, painful backs andother orthopedic conditions to feelbetter and to function as well aspossible, without surgery.

“I’m the first non-surgeon in theSHOSA group,” he explains. “Themajority of patients will see mefirst. I treat mostly neck and back

pain, due to spinal stenosis,osteoarthritis, disc problems andradiculopathy; I also treat patientswith problems of the hip, knee,shoulder and wrist, as well aschronic or migraine headache.”

Non-surgical treatment for thesepatients means diagnosing thecauses of pain and providing med-ical management with surgery as alast resort. Treatment might includeexercise; physical therapy; steroidinjections; anti-inflammatory med-ication; orthotics and injections.

Joint replacement surgery can belife changing for those who need it,Dr. Petrolla says, but he warns thatan artificial joint will never be asgood as the original. “Artificialjoints have limits, and if you getone in your 40’s or 50’s, it will wearout eventually. People should try tokeep their own joints as long asthey possibly can.” To help makethat possible, he encourages hispatients to be physically active.“Most people take better care of

their cars than their bodies,” hesays. “Everyone needs to exercisethree or four times a week, doingsomething. This means that you setaside an actual designated time forexercise. You carve out time in yourday for exercise, and you stick to it.Make it a priority. No matter howbusy you are, you can find time totake care of your health.

“People are living longer now.We have to plan for our 80’s and90’s. That means cutting out theharmful things in your life that willlead to illness, chronic disease anddisability. It isn’t just a matter ofyour genes – you should do yourbest to control the things that youcan control. The choice is to be anactive, vibrant 80 year old whotook good care of herself, or a frailsick person with a limited life.”

Dr. Petrolla himself leads a fulland active life. A former highschool football coach, he practicesmartial arts and works out regularly

South HillsOrthopedic

SurgeryAssociatesWelcomes

Justin J. Petrolla,M.D.

“Artificial joints have limits, and if you get one in your 40’s or 50’s, it will wear out eventually. People shouldtry to keep their own joints as long as they possibly can.”

(Continued on following page.)

-Justin J. Petrolla, M.D.

South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates



(Continued from previous page.)

MM/AB-GTGH/3-17

The Only Hospitalin Western Pennsylvania to earn

The Joint Commission’sGold Seal® of Approval

for Advanced Certificationfor Total Hip and

Total Knee Replacement

Learn more at monvalleyhospital.com.

Monongahela Valley Hos -pital (MVH) is the firsthospital in Western Penn -

sylvania to earn The JointCommission’s Gold Seal ofApproval® for Advanced Certifi -cation for Total Hip and Total KneeReplacement. Of the nearly 5,000hospitals in the nation, MVH is oneof only 29 hospitals in the UnitedStates to be awarded this advancedcertification. The advanced certifi-cation is for Joint Commission-accredited hospitals, critical accesshospitals and ambulatory surgerycenters seeking to elevate the qual-ity, consistency and safety of theirservices and patient care.

Monongahela Valley Hospitalunderwent a rigorous onsite reviewJanuary 26-27, 2017. Joint Com -mission experts evaluated compli-ance with advanced disease-specificcare standards and total hip andtotal knee replacement require-ments, including orthopedic con-sultation, and pre-operative, intra-operative and post-surgical ortho-

pedic surgeon follow-up care. “Achieving Advanced Total Hip

and Total Knee ReplacementCertification recognizes Monon -gahela Valley Hospital’s commit-ment to provide care in a safe andefficient manner for patients,” saidPatrick Phelan, executive director,Hospital Business Development,The Joint Commission.

“The advanced certification willhelp Monongahela Valley Hospitalbetter provide coordinated andcomprehensive care to patientsundergoing a total hip or total kneereplacement.”For the past fouryears, people receiving total hip andknee replacement surgery atMonon gahela Valley Hospital havedone so at its Orthopedic Institute— the only local joint replacementprogram that evaluates each patienton multiple clinical, functional andpatient satisfaction criteria. “In2013, when we established ourOrthopedic Institute, we changedthe way people experience jointreplacement surgery,” ex plained

Louis J. Panza Jr., MVH’s presidentand CEO. “Our Ortho pedicInstitute offers a patient-centeredprogram that emphasizes wellnessand maximizes patient recoverytimes while incorporating educa-tion, a culture of early mobility,family involvement and groupinteraction. “We are pleased toreceive advanced certification fromThe Joint Commission, the premierhealth care quality improvementand accrediting body in the nation,”added Mr. Panza. “People can selectto have their total hip and kneereplacement surgery at Monon -gahela Valley Hospital with the con-fidence that we offer the patientsafety and quality of care that theyexpect and deserve.”

Established in 2016 and awardedfor a two-year period, the advancedcertification was developed inresponse to the growing number ofpatients undergoing a total hip ortotal knee replacement surgery, aswell as the increased focus on clini-cal evidence-based patient care as it

relates to pain management, qualityof life issues, functional limitationin mobility and the return to nor-mal daily activities.

The Joint Commission’s Ad -vanced Certification in Total Hipand Knee Replacement Surgery isjust the latest national recognitionfor MVH’s total joint replacementsurgery program. During the pastfour years, the hospital also wasnamed a 5-Star Recipient forOrthopedics by Healthgrades®;received the Women’s ChoiceAward™ as one of America’s BestHospital’s for Orthopedics; earnedThe Joint Commission’s Certi ficatesof Distinction for the “Managementof Joint Replace ment-Knee” and“Management of Joint Replac -ement-Hip; was accred ited as a BlueCross and Blue Shield AssociationBlue Distinction Center Plus forHip and Knee Replacement; andwas designated an Aetna Instituteof Quality® Orthopedic CareFacility for total Joint ReplacementSurgery.

Monongahela Valley Hospital Awarded The Joint Commission’s Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Knee Replacement

To make an appointment with Dr. Petrolla, contact South HillsOrthopaedic Surgery Associates at (412) 283-0270. The office islocated at 2000 Oxford Drive, Suite 211, near South Hills Village.

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in a space he set aside in his garage.Despite his demanding days as aphysician, he gets plenty of exercisewith his family: his wife, DianaBaca, M.D., an OB-GYN, their chil-dren and three dogs. He lives inEdgewood, where he serves as aCouncilman. Petrolla is originallyfrom Youngstown and grew up in amedical family. Both of his parentsare podiatrists, and his sister is alsoa physician.

Petrolla attended medical schoolas part of an innovative acceleratedprogram, a joint program of Youngs -town State Uni versity and North -eastern Ohio College of Medi cine,which enabled select students to geta Bachelor of Science degree andmedical doctorate in a single, con-densed three year program. Dr.Petrolla completed a residency inphysical medicine and rehab atUPMC, where he served as chief res-ident. He completed a fellowship inpain medicine.

Carmen Petraglia, M.D., a spinesur geon with SHOSA, recruited Dr.Petrolla to the group. “Justin is a

great addition for us,” says Dr.Petraglia. “With his expertise intreating pain, he brings a dynamicthat we have never had before.We’re developing a ComprehensiveSpine Center and he is a huge con-tributor to that; we’ll be partners inan in-house center where patientswith neck and back problems willbe able to get everything they needin one setting, including physicaltherapy. It will mean “one-stopshopping’ for patients, providingthem with great convenience andclinical continuity.

“Justin is uniquely qualified andhe’s an excellent physician. He’shard working, professional and hasa great personality. With him onboard, we are your complete ortho-pedic team.”

Dr. Petrolla is equally pleased tobe with the group. “SHOSA has agreat reputation and is very busy.My old patients are finding me, andI’m looking forward to meeting newpatients and helping peopleimprove their health, mobility andquality of life.”

Justin J. Petrolla, M.D.

Monongahela Valley Hospital



By Nancy Kennedy

A STATE-OF-THE-ARTOUTPATIENT DIAGNOS-TIC AND INTERVEN-TIONAL CATHETERIZA-TION LAB IS ADVANC-ING THE CARE OF PER-SONS WITH HEART ANDVASCULAR (BLOOD VES-SEL) DISEASE ATGREATER PITTSBURGHVASCULAR ASSOCIATES.

Well known throughoutthe region for clinicallyexcellent and highly per-

sonalized care, Greater PittsburghVascular, a division of JeffersonCardiology, is the first private cardi-ology practice in southwesternPennsylvania to open an outpa-tient, office-based catheterizationlab. The service was launchedabout 18 months ago and today it iseverything that the group hoped itwould be: busy, productive, suc-cessful and growing.

The cath lab, located in JeffersonHills, enables the group’s board-cer-tified cardiologists to perform spe-cialized procedures that openblockages in the peripheral bloodvessels; this takes place in a settingthat combines high-tech medicalimaging and treatment capabilitieswith a safe, comfortable setting.

“This is our specialty at GreaterPittsburgh Vascular,” says GennadyGeskin, M.D. “We treat patientswith peripheral arterial disease,chronic venous insufficiency, vari-cose veins and deep vein thrombo-sis. We perform every venous and

arterial procedure, includingangiograms, rotoblator atherecto-my, laser atherectomy and stentplacement.”

An angiogram is an x-ray of thearteries using dye; it provides aroad map, revealing the location ofblockages formed by plaque in thevessels. When a blockage or nar-rowing is found, it can be removedthrough a procedure called atherec-tomy, which uses specialized equip-ment to remove the accumulatedplaque.

In some cases, a device known asa rotoblator is inserted in the arterythrough a small catheter; the roto-blator spins very rapidly, breakingup the plaque so that it can be elim-inated. This opens up the artery,allowing blood to flow freely again.

Most procedures can be complet-ed in two hours, and complicationsare rare and minor. “Occasionally,there may be some post-procedurebleeding,” Dr. Geskin says, “butnothing that requires surgical inter-vention. Patients walk out of theoffice and they typically can resumenormal activities the following day.Our patients appreciate the cathlab; it’s convenient for them. Ouroffice has a calm, homey environ-ment that reduces stress, and theservice is personalized. There’splenty of free parking and it’s easyto get in and out. Patients are verysatisfied with their experiencehere.”

Treatment for May-Thurner Syndrome

Dr. Geskin, who is certified invascular and endovascular medi-cine, says that the cath lab alsotreats patients with iliac venouscompression syndrome, alsoknown as May-Thurner syndrome,a condition that is the result ofcompression on the iliac vein by an

artery. The artery, which is not onlyheavier than the vein but also pul-satile, may compress the veinagainst the underlying bone. It pro-duces venous hypertension; overtime, it causes swelling in the legfrom pooling of the blood and canlead to blood clots, skin ulcers anddeep vein thrombosis. It may alsoresult in the formation of emboli –blood clots that escape and travel tothe lungs, heart or brain, requiringemergency intervention.

Advanced technologyeliminates varicose veinsGreater Pittsburgh Vascular also

treats varicose veins withEndovenous Laser Treatment, orEVLT, an advanced technology thateliminates varicose veins with abeam of high energy light and noincisions.

Jason Withers, a chef who typi-cally is on his feet for 12 hours eachday, developed swelling in his leftleg that eventually led to redness,cellulitis and an ulceration. HisPCP referred him to Dr. Geskin,who cauterized the greater saphe-nous vein in the cath lab. His leghas returned to normal size and henow has no pain or skin problems.“Dr. Geskin was amazing,” Witherssays. “The entire process was effi-cient and smooth. I recommendGreater Pittsburgh VascularAssociates to anyone with circula-tion issues in their legs. It’s a greatfacility.”

State-of-the-artCardiovascular Care

With his partners and associatesat Jefferson Cardiology - AlanBramowitz, M.D., MichaelNathanson, M.D., Shirshir Mathur,M.D., Inna Lamm, M.D. and NicoleBruno, CRNP – Dr. Geskin offersstate-of-the-art cardiovascular care,

including prevention, diagnosticsand treatment. He is a native ofLatvia and completed his fellow-ship in cardiology at AlleghenyGeneral Hospital. He and his part-ners practice at Jefferson Hospital.With three office locationsthroughout southwestern Pennsyl -vania, Jeffer son Cardiology hastreated thousands of peoplethrough a comprehensive range ofservices that provide preventivecare, state-of-the-art diagnosticsand interventional treatment ofheart and peripheral blood vesseldisease.

At Greater Pittsburgh Vascular‘s Cath Lab, Advanced Care of Peripheral Vascular Disease Is a Specialty

“We treat patients withperipheral arterial disease,chronic venous insufficien-cy, varicose veins and deep

vein thrombosis. We per-form every venous and arte-

rial procedure, includingangiograms, rotoblator

atherectomy, laser atherec-tomy and stent placement.”

> To learn more about the services provided in the Cath Lab, visit the web site, www.GreaterPittsburghVascular.com. To contact Jefferson Cardiology Association and Greater Pittsburgh Vascular Associates, call (412)469-1500.

-Gennady Geskin, M.D.

2017 can be the year YOU and your DOG

finally jump into training!

Greater Pittsburgh Vascular Associates

http://www.GreaterPittsburghVascular.com



By Lois Thomson

Imagine having just gonethrough the trauma of a mastec-tomy, then having to go to a

store that provides wheelchairs,oxygen, and other durable medicalequipment to get your breast formand bra. And then further imaginebeing taken into a back room by agentleman where you have just twobreast forms and four types of brasto choose from.

That's exactly what KathyGarrison had to do in the 1980s fol-lowing her surgery, and it was fromthat experience that K & J'sComplete Woman Mastectomy &Wig Boutique was born.

Kathy’s daughter, KristinGarrison-Smihal, a cancer survivorherself, is also employed at K & J's.Kristin explained, "My mother was36 at the time, so she was prettyyoung, and that (experience) wastraumatic. I remember her saying,'There has to be a better way forwomen who are going throughthis.' So she called the number on

the box of breast forms and said, 'Idon't like how I got this breastform, what can I do?' And that'show it started."

Kathy added, "Back then, themission (of K & J) was to provide abeautiful bra and a prosthesis sowomen could look and feel goodagain." Since then, however, theboutique has grown. As Kristincommented, “We try to follow theneeds of our patients, and as theycome in and identify needs thataren’t being met elsewhere, we'vetaken them on."

That includes expanding thecompany's compression and wigbusiness. Women who are experi-encing hair loss will find a largeselection of wigs from which tochoose. "The thing that's helpfulfor our patients is that it's private,we have separate rooms in both ofour stores (Bethel Park andMonroeville) for wig fittings. Plus,we make sure that it's personalizedby scheduling each client a privateappointment with one of our wig-fitting specialists."

Additionally, compression gar-ments can treat a variety ofwomen’s health conditions. Kathyherself has struggled for years withlymphedema, a side effect of hercancer treatments. K & J’s staff istrained to provide women with theappropriate and correctly sizedcompression garments they need.

Kristin further commented onthe rising number of women whohad lumpectomies or breast recon-struction in the past, and becauseof aging and other factors, havechanges in the size and shape oftheir breasts. "These patients areno longer seeing their oncologistsor surgeons, and are out of balanceand stuffing their bras because theydon't know we have products cov-ered by their insurance. We're try-ing to get the word out, because wewant to help these women to behealthy, and to look and feel good."

Kristin said that K & J'sComplete Woman Mastectomy &Wig Boutique being family ownedand employing local people isvery important to her mother."I went to school with one ofour newest employees. We hadlost touch, but her mother wasdiagnosed with lymphoma, receiv-ing chemotherapy, and came intomy mom's shop for a wig. I gotin touch with her and she's nowworking here. She's not family,but our families have known eachother for more than 35 years.So we're expanding, but we'rekeeping it close-knit."

K & J Helps Woman Look and Feel Good

> For more information, call(412) 835-5093 or visit www.kandjscompletewoman.com.

K&J Complete Woman Mastectomy & Wig Boutique

http://www.kandjs



By Lois Thomson

"Medically fragile" is a term that'sused often when describing the youngpatients to whom The PediatricSpecialty Hospital of The Children'sHome of Pittsburgh and LemieuxFamily Center provides services. ThePediatric Specialty Hospital is onearm of The Children's Home ofPittsburgh (the other two beingAdoption and Child's Way), and JenniferMarch, Director of External Affairs,explained just what is done.

"We care for medically fragile children and infants, newborns, whoare transitioning between the big hospital to home," she said. "They arenot quite ready to go home, but they don't need to be in a large hospital anymore." She said "medically fragile" can be a range of acute medical situa-tions – a premature infant, a baby born with a congenital heart who requiressurgery and needs to recover, or a baby born addicted to opioids who needstime to be weaned from the drugs. "Our doctors specialize in cardiology,endocrinology, pulmonology – so we can care for a variety of medicalneeds."

More than just treating the patients, The Children's Home provides edu-cation for parents and family members on how to care for the children

when they go home. March said the average length of stay is threeweeks, which allows nurses and social workers to work with the

families. "By the time they are ready to leave, everybody is com-fortable with the routine of how to care for the child. It givespatients time to grow and heal, and teaches parents how to dosemedicine or use the medical equipment."

Even more of a benefit is the atmosphere of the facility. Marchsaid, "The families come to us from the hospital, and we often

hear them say, 'When I first walked in, I couldn't believe howrelaxed it was. This was the first time our family actually got

to be together, to hold our baby.' We really try to offera home-like environment for the comfort of every-

body."Opened in 1984, the Pediatric Specialty

Hospital was founded by Dr. Ronald David.March said what he was seeing in the com-munity was medically fragile babies beingdischarged from the hospital and their par-ents bringing them right back into the emer-gency room, either from fear or from not

understanding how to interpret the monitorthey were sent home with. "All of the equip-

ment we have here is what you take home withyou. So you're going to be an expert in it before

you get discharged."The Pediatric Specialty Hospital is the only one of its kind

in Pennsylvania, and March said it can serve up to 450 families a year. Inaddition, "We are a nonprofit organization, and our funding supports thesefamilies. We don't send anybody home with a bill, they've been throughenough."

For more information, call (412) 441-4884or visit www.childrenshomepgh.org.

"The familiescome to us fromthe hospital, and weoften hear themsay, 'When I firstwalked in, I couldn'tbelieve how relaxedit was. This was thefirst time our fami-ly actually got to betogether, to holdour baby.' We real-ly try to offer ahome-like environment for the comfort of everybody."

A Home-like Environment for 'Medically Fragile' Children and Family

When a patientstays at The Children'sHome and LemieuxFamily Center, parentsand family can stayon-site at the LemieuxFamily Center.Jennifer March,Director of ExternalAffairs, said, "We'vegot full-size kitchens,living rooms, hotel-like bedrooms. So as the child continues to heal,the goal is for them to live like a family. We love it when they bringsiblings here, we want them to get used to living like a family with thismedically fragile child before they go home."

Child’s Way® enhances the lives of medically fragile children. While parents are at work or going to school, The Children’s Home’s medical day care provides a safe, educational environment for medically fragile children to socialize, play, and receive therapy.

Staffed by pediatic registered nurses and trained child care associates, Child’s Way provides an alternative to in-home nursing care. If your child does not qualify for a typical day care because of ongoing medical needs, Child’s Way may be the answer.

www.childrenshomepgh.org

>

The Childrenʼs Home of Pittsburgh





By Nancy Kennedy

Every child should feel safeand loved and have thechance to grow up to become

a successful adult. Every child,however, does not have an easypath to adulthood; for many chil-dren, there are barriers and chal-lenges along that path that takemany forms: medical fragility, dis-ability, family dysfunction, abuseand neglect, and disorders such asautism. Special attention must begiven to meeting the needs of thesechildren and their families – atten-tion that is expert, professional,child-focused and highly individu-alized.

Fortunately for children andfamilies in southwesternPennsylvania, there are numerousservices and agencies devoted tothe welfare of vulnerable children.One of the most effective is EveryChild, a small but mighty humanservices organization that has beensuccessfully supporting childrenand nurturing families for the pasttwenty years.

Originally created in 1997 toprovide services to medically fragilechildren, Every Child has expand-ed in scope and mission to includeChild and Family Support Servicesand a comprehensive ClinicalServices program.

Child and Family SupportServices encompass In-HomeFamily Preservation; PregnancySupport with Trained Doulas;Foster Care and Adoption servicesand Medical Wraparound Services.

The Clinical Services programconsists of Family-Based MentalHealth Services and FamilyFocused Solution-Based Services.In all of Every Child’s services, saysLaura Maines, Executive Director,

the goal is the same: “Every Childdevelops, preserves and strength-ens the relationships to family andcommunity that are essential to achild’s growth and development.”

Dennis Falo, M.A., Director ofClinical Services, says that the twoclinical programs serve childrenwith a wide variety of diagnoses.“In the family-based mental healthservices program, we see childrenages 5 to 21 with an existing diag-nosis of depression, anxiety, attach-ment disorders, grief and loss,adjustment disorders and othermental health issues. We see kidswho are recovering from emotionaltrauma. For children with mentalhealth issues, the family-basedmental health program is the lastline of defense before placementinto a residential treatment facilityor hospital. It’s an intensive pro-gram and is entirely home-based;we want to see the child and familyin their own environment. We alsotransition kids to home after theyhave been in a facility, from residen-tial care.

“Our teams each have five or sixcases and they make home visitstwo to five times a week, for a peri-od of several months. They providetherapy; crisis intervention, 24/7;they also provide service coordina-tion, case management and advoca-cy. We have two teams and they doan outstanding job; each team has asenior clinician who is prepared atthe master’s level, plus a group of18 clinicians who may have degreesin psychology, social work or edu-cation. They all have completed aspecial training program at WPIC.”

Family Focused Solution Basedservices are less intense but com-prehensive. According to Falo, theFamily Focused program servesages 5 to adult, as long as the adult

is a caregiver of a child or adoles-cent, with suspected mental healthdisorders. Ages 8 – 14 is the averagefor children in the program. Theteams will work with any familymember, the family system and theoutside systems that interact withthe family – the school, church andthe community. “This program is astep down from Family BasedMental Health; these are familiesthat probably have not previouslyhad mental health services. Thefamilies function better and ourteams can manage larger case-loads.”

Holly Livingston, M.S.W.,Director of Child and FamilyServices, says that Every Childworks through its entire continu-um of services to ensure that everychild has a safe and loving home togrow up in. “Our staff sees thiswork as a calling,” she says. “Thestaff has enormous experience inthe field and they care passionatelyabout helping families succeed.Families define their own success,and their success is our success.”

To learn more about EveryChild, call (412) 665-0600or visit the websitewww.everychildinc.org.

Every Child Provides Intensive Mental Health Services to Children and Families

Every Child has expanded in scopeand mission to include Child and

Family Support Services.

Staff member Shacoya Bates (left)assists a family member.

>

• Foster Care • Adoption• Family Support Services

• In-Home Behavioral Health Carewith Autism Enhancement

Offering autism support services for children and

their families in the home. Interested in learning more?

Contact us to speak with Clinical Services.

Call us at 412-665-0600or visit www.everychildinc.org.

Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________City: _____________________________________________________________ State:______________ Zip:________________Phone:___________________________________________________ E-mail:__________________________________________Gender and Age:_____________________________________________________________________________________________

REMEMBERto sign up for yourFREE subscriptionTo receive your own copy direct mail, mail the form below to the WesternPennsylvania Guide To Good Health, 2574 Oldfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15102.

Every Child





By Nancy Kennedy

For 130 years, the WesternPennsylvania School forBlind Children (WPSBC) has

graced the region as a highlyrespected, cherished institutionthat provides top notch educationand services to blind and visuallyimpaired children and youth andtheir families. Even the school’slegions of admirers and supporters,however, may be not be fully awareof the depth and breadth ofWPSBC’s programs and services.Among many other innovative ser-vices, the school has an exemplaryOutreach Program that takes its ser-vices and its expert staff far beyond

the walls, into homes and schooldistricts across the region.

“At WPSBC, we provide directservices to children in their ownhome school districts,” explainsBeth Ramella, Director of OutreachServices and CVI Project Coor -dinator. “We understand that it’snot easy for every school district tohave teachers who are qualified toteach the visually impaired. Wehave a team of 12 experiencedteachers of the visually impaired;nine of us are also certified Orien -tation and Mobility Specialists. Ourmultidisciplinary team has a strongshared work ethic and diversestrengths; it includes a teacher,physical therapist, occupational

therapist, speech and languagetherapist and behavior specialist orschool psychologist; we provideevaluations, consultations,resources and training. We makerecommendations and help schooldistricts develop an individualizedplan for the child.”

WPSBC’s Outreach Program cov-ers a wide geographic area, reach-ing into Beaver, Mercer, Fayette,Indiana, Westmoreland and Butlercounties plus the Pittsburgh PublicSchools. In addition, the programserves pediatric hospitals and rehabfacilities and Early Interventionagencies. WPSBC’s Outreach Pro -gram currently serves 20 schooldistricts; 5 Intermediate units; 5private contractors; 4 Early Inter -vention programs; one charterschool and 5 cyber charter schools.The program includes a lendinglibrary, equipment loan program,Braille instruction, independent liv-ing skills instruction and staff sem-inars. All resources, consults andevaluations are provided at cost,with no administrative fees.

According to Ramella, 80% of thechildren served by WPSBC haveCortical Visual Impairment, or

CVI, which means they are visuallyimpaired as a result of an injury tothe brain and not a condition of theoptic nerve or the eye itself. CVIcan be due to birth anoxia, headinjury, a genetic syndrome or a neu-rological disorder. The OutreachTeam offers CVI Range assessmentand functional visual assessment.

For Ramella and the Outreachteam, their work is about muchmore than providing a range of ser-vices. “Children who have visualimpairment are entitled to learnjust like every other child,” shesays. “They deserve the same learn-ing opportunities, but too often,they get much less because theydon’t receive information and edu-cation in the way that other kidsdo, as there aren’t enough teachersavailable who have the skills to dothis. What we are doing is helpingand supporting their teachers andgiving these children access to acurriculum which their sightedfriends have, so that they can par-ticipate fully. They have dreams forthemselves just like any other childand we helpmake that hap-pen.”

Western PASchool for BlindChildren Offers

ExtensiveOutreachServices

WPSBC staff members working with visually impaired children of all ages.

> To learn more, visit www.wpsbc.org. To con-tact Beth Ramella, call (412) 621-0100 Ext.379 or email her at [email protected].

Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children





DuBois

Monroeville

877.622.7245www.newstory.com

New Story’s private licensed schools offer an academic

learning environment and multiple therapeutic services to

help students achieve success while dealing with emotional,

educational and behavioral challenges. We serve students from

5 to 21 years of age.

New Story provides emotional support and autism support classrooms along

with multiple community based programs. We work to create an individualized

program to meet the student’s needs.

At New Story schools, students are writing

their futures.

Our students speak miracles

every day!

By Ruth G. Auld, EdD

LISTEN! DO YOU HEAR THAT? IT IS THE SOUND OFCHILDREN CHATTERING TO EACH OTHER IN THELUNCH ROOM. WHAT MAKES THAT CHATTER NOTE-WORTHY? WELL… THESE CHILDREN ARE DEAF, ANDTHEY ARE TALKING AND LISTENING TO ONE ANOTH-ER.

All this is possible because the marvel of medical intervention hasaided our mission at DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, locatedin the Shadyside area of Pittsburgh.

Technological advancements in digital hearing aids and cochlearimplants have made it possible for children who are deaf or hard of hearingto hear speech. With access to sound provided by these devices and inten-sive

Listening and Spoken Language education, even children who are pro-foundly deaf can learn to listen and speak. Since our inception in 1908, themission of DePaul School for Hearing and Speech has been to teach eachchild who is deaf or hard of hearing to listen, speak, and learn. Now thatmedical technology has made it possible to gain access to sound, DePaulSchool can teach children to listen and talk and learn on par with the lan-guage development of typically hearing peers in the preschool years.

DePaul is the only school in the western Pennsylvania and tri-stateregion to provide Listening and Spoken Language education to childrenages 18 months to 15 years who are deaf or hard of hearing. We actually

begin teaching families shortly afterthe birth of their child to promoteauditory skill and oral languagedevelopment, and continue workingwith families during the critical timein a child’s language development.DePaul provides families with multi-ple strategies to support and promotetheir child’s oral language develop-ment at home.

It is interesting to note that foryears, we have had families relo-cate to DePaul School from as faraway as Florida, Tennessee,Hawaii, Virginia, and many foreigncountries (Russia, India, SaudiArabia to name a few). If you havea child who is experiencing a hear-ing loss, or deafness, you havesome great choices in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. This region offersfamilies excellent medical care,innovative medical technology,and a full-scale educational pro-gram to habilitate the process for children.

For more information, visit our websiteat DePaulHearingAndSpeech.org

Speaking Miracles

>

DePaul School for Hearing and Speech




By Vanessa Orr

Tri-State Mobile X-Ray hasbeen around a long time,serving the Pittsburgh area

since 1982. Yet it is still at the fore-front of mobile healthcare, offeringclients the most advanced digitalimaging services available in thefield today.

“Our new, state-of-the-art imag-ing systems provide clear, crispimages that can be read right at bed-side by our JHACO-accredited radi-ologist, and faxed or emailed totheir doctor at the same time,”explained Sales RepresentativeDebbie Coyne. “This is a huge ben-efit to physicians because of the fastturnaround time; and it’s even bet-ter for patients, who don’t have togo to the hospital for imaging ser-vices.”

Tri-State Mobile X-Ray hasalways tried to make the processeasier and more accessible for those

needing everything from digital X-rays to digital ultrasound, echocar-diography, EKG, digital Holtermonitoring, bone density studies,digital Doppler, flow studies andmore. The company can also domammograms, with a minimumnumber of patients required beforescheduling a visit.

When owners Jack Stasik andBarbara Milillio first started thebusiness in their basement with oneX-ray machine, there were nomobile diagnostic services for thoseneeding these tests at home.“People had to go to the hospital,which was costly, time-consuming,and often very difficult, especiallyfor seniors,” said Coyne. “Even if aperson was in a personal care homeor nursing home, they still had tofind transportation to the hospital,and a one-way ambulance chargecould run $400!”

Not only is Tri-State Mobile X-Ray more efficient, but it is morecost-effective, too, with visits atabout one-quarter of that cost, usu-ally covered by insurance. The com-pany will travel to private homes,nursing homes, rehabilitation cen-ters, industrial sites and correction-al institutions in the Pittsburgharea, as well as in Butler, West -moreland, Beaver and Fayette coun-ties.

“We’re really unique in that wehave such a long history in the field;a lot of companies have beenbought and sold, but we’ve had thesame ownership for 34 years,” saidCoyne, who has been with the busi-

ness for the last 20 years. “There’s alot to be said for smaller companiesas well—you’re not dealing with alarge corporation, so you get morepersonalized service.”

This client-centered approachextends to being available 24/7, andoffering same-day service, withresults being provided to physicianswithin an hour or two of an on-sitevisit. “We invested in digital imag-ing a year-and-a-half ago, whichenables our technologist to go intoa patient’s home or facility, and usethe wireless digital plate that isattached to the X-ray machine tosend or read the results right at thebedside,” said Coyne. “The same istrue with ultrasounds and echocar-diograms.”

In addition to same day servicesand reports, Tri-State offers physi-cians online reports and paperlessordering. Quality assurance reportsare issued monthly, and its JHACO(Joint Commission on Accred -itation of Healthcare Organiza -tions)-accredited radiologists un -der go peer review. Other servicesinclude CPR and first aid classesthrough the American Red Cross, aswell as a therapy dog program.

Tri-State Mobile X-Ray is state-approved, fully insured, and is amember of the Brentwood BaldwinWhitehall Chamber of Commerce(BBWCC).

To learn more about Tri-State Mobile X-Ray, visitwww.tristatemobilexray.netor call (412) 881-9333.

Tri-State Mobile X-Ray Cost-effective and Convenient for Patients, Physicians

“This is a huge benefit to physiciansbecause of the fast turnaround time; and

it’s even better for patients, who don’t haveto go to the hospital for imaging services.”

-Debbie Coyne

>

1-800-346-9622

1-800-346-9622

Digital X-Rays • EKG • UltrasoundsHoltor Monitoring • Doppler Flow Studies

Echocardiograms

Phone: 412-881-9333Fax: 412-881-35224684 Clairton Blvd.

Pittsburgh, PA 15236www.tristatemobilexray.net

ServicingSkilled Nsg Facilities/Private HomesPC/Assisted Living • Rehab. Centers

Industrial Sites • Correctional Institutions

Fast, Accurate 24/7/365Online access to reports

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Nancy Lammie

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Brenda ConferBarbara Levenson

DESIGN & LAYOUT

JMC Graphics(412) 835-5796

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lisa BiancoKevin Brown

Daniel CasciatoVanessa Orr

Nancy KennedyLois Thomson

WEB SITE DESIGNER

Keith Trageserwww.keithtrag.com

[email protected]

PRINTER

Gazette Printers

HOW TO REACH US:ADVERTISE / SUBSCRIBE

[email protected](412) 835-57962574 Oldfield Ave,

Pittsburgh, PA 15102

The Guide To Good Health is published quarterly(4 issues per year) by JMC Publications. The contentsof this publication may not be reproduced in whole orin part. All rights reserved. 2016

www.guidetogoodhealth.com

WE ARE EXPANDING INTOWestmoreland County!

Westmoreland County

Don’t be left out of our special edition!Call (412) 835-5796 or [email protected]

Tri‑State Mobile X‑Ray

http://www.tristatemobilexray.net



http://www.keithtrag.com






OFFERING ADVANCED CATARACT SURGERY Femtosecond Refractive Laser

Innovative IOLs to reduce dependency on glasses

Lisa Cibik, MD, FACS andJohn Nairn, MD, leadingcataract surgeons, are part of

the many generations of AIO sur-geons who have performed over200,000 cataract surgeries. Theyare committed to providing thehighest standard of eye care, utiliz-ing the newest technology availablefor cataract sur gery, which includeLaser Assis ted and DroplessCataract Surgery with advancedintraocular lenses (IOLs).

Laser Cataract SurgeryAIO was the first surgical prac-

tice in Western Pennsylvania tooffer Laser Assisted CataractSurgery, with the acquisition of theFDA- approved FemtosecondLaser. While laser technology wasnew to cataract surgery, prior tothat it had been used for over adecade in LASIK surgery. Since

2012 AIO has performed over8,000 surgeries using the Laser,which offers an image-guided,computer-controlled precision tothe surgeon while making an open-ing into the lens, creating self-seal-ing corneal incisions, correctingastigmatism, and fragmenting thelens, all using the laser before enter-ing the eye to remove the cataract.

"Dropless" CataractSurgery

Since January 2016, AIO hascompleted almost 1,000 “Dropless”cataract procedures. As manyknow, traditionally prescribeddrops, prior to and after surgery, areoften the most cumbersome chal-lenge associated with this surgicalexperience. Dropless cataract sur -gery helps to eliminate or reducethe burden of drops as well as pro-vide convenience and cost-savings.

Dr. Cibik is thrilled with thisdefining moment for ophthal-mology, “The introduction ofDropless cataract surgery helpsus reach the ultimate goal forour patients - better vision freeof complications with a morepositive patient experience."

Cutting-edge Intraocular Lenses

Dr. Cibik and Dr. Nairn offerstate-of-the-art, most recentlyFDA approved IOL’s including theReSTOR® Multifocal Toric IOL,ReSTOR® 2.5 IOL with ACTIVE-FOCUSTM, Symfony ®IOL, andSymfony Toric® IOL. These lensesimprove visual acuity at close, inter-mediate and far ranges, and there-fore, help reduce the need to wearcontact lenses or glasses aftercataract surgery. Additionally, oursurgeons have participated in vari-

ous in FDA trials involving intraoc-ular lens research and approval.

As an AIO patient, you can haveconfidence that your surgeons areusing the most advanced technolo-gies to help attain your vision goals.

To find out if you are a good candidate, call 1-800-246-1000 or visitwww.AIOvision.com.

ADVANCED CATARACT SURGERY AT AIOINNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY REDUCES PATIENT BURDEN, IMPROVES PATIENT EXPERIENCE

>

AIO ‑ The Eye Surgeons

CATARACTSCORNEAGLAUCOMA

LASIKREFRACTIVERETINA888.634.9800

AIOvision.com

VISIONARY EYE CARESM

http://www.AIOvision.com



Presbyterian SeniorCare Net work is a nonprofit organization that hasbeen serving the needs and desires of older adults since 1928. We areprivileged to touch the lives of over 6500 seniors annually through

our continuum of 53 communities across 10 Western Pennsylvania coun-ties.

Our care and service options include: personal care and skilled nursingcommunities, specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care, over 35 afford-able and supportive housing communities for low income seniors, our pre-mier continuing care retirement community Longwood at Oakmont, aswell as in-home and community-based programs.

Our Person-Centered ApproachWe’ve been dedicated to our mission for nearly 90 years and have stayed

true to our person-centered philosophy. When you walk into aPresbyterian SeniorCare Network community, you get an overwhelmingfeeling of “heart.” From the people you meet to the non-institutional envi-ronment that greets you, you can just feel the warmth.

We listen to you and your family to create an environment that puts yourneeds and desires at the center of what we do. It’s our culture and it is whatmakes us uniquely different in terms of how we serve others.

Centers of ExcellenceWe believe that specialization is the key to develop creative solutions

to meet the changing needs of older adults, so we’ve created Centers ofExcellence in short-term rehabilitation and dementia care.

Our Center of Excellence in Short-term Rehabilitation is for adultswho have had a joint replacement, injury, stroke or other conditionrequiring physical, occupational or speech therapy after a hospital stay.In keeping with our person-centered philosophy, we’ve developed theMyLife short-term rehabilitation program which takes a holistic and per-sonalized approach to getting people back to their lives. Patients take anactive role in planning their rehab experiences – everything from theirtherapy schedule to their dining experience – to create a stay that meetstheir needs.

Presbyterian SeniorCare Network is known as a Dementia Care Centerof Excellence. We have been pioneers in dementia and Alzheimer’s caresince 1991 when we opened Woodside Place of Oakmont, a revolution-ary new memory care model based on a person-centered philosophywhich has been replicated nationally and internationally. The innovativeprogramming, training and design features of Woodside Place also havebecome the standard for dementia care across our entire continuum.Each team member at every level of our organization is certified indementia care through the National Alzheimer’s Association. True to ourmission, we are committed to continuing to innovate and share our knowl-edge and dementia care expertise in order to enhance the quality of life forall those who are impacted by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Recognized for Quality All of our efforts to create a “home” environment have been recognized

and credentialed through an independent expert, CARF. CARF is an inter-national nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. We have vol-untarily pursued CARF accreditation since 2006 to assure consumers thatwe are committed to meeting international standards of service quality andcustomer satisfaction – think of it almost like the ‘Good Housekeeping Sealof Approval.’ In 2016, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network became one of thefirst aging services providers in the country to achieve CARF accreditationin six areas.

Our PeopleWe employ over 2000 team members across our Network who are very

special people. They have chosen to be a part of the PresbyterianSeniorCare Network mission because of their personal calling to MakingAging Easier® for our residents.

Our mission is to enrich the aging experience through person-centeredservice and living options.

To learn more about Presbyterian Senior Care’s array of living and service options, visit www.SrCare.org or call 877–851-1440.

Our Person-Centered Approach to Care

>

Whether it is a stroll around campus, realizing potential through art or a visit from a furry friend, we create personalized,

homelike environments for all of our residents

Presbyterian SeniorCare Network

http://www.SrCare.org



Presbyterian SeniorCare Network™ is western Pennsylvania’s largest aging services provider. Whatever service or setting you need—at-home, independent living, personal care, skilled nursing, Alzheimer’s care, short-term rehabilitation, income-eligible affordable housing and more— you’ll fi nd the respect and person-centered experience you deserve!

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By Lois Thomson

Housing that was constructed decades ago for senior living in thePittsburgh area is currently under the auspices of the ElderlyHousing Development & Operations Corporation. Melissa Tarrant,

Vice President of Field Operations for EHDOC, oversees the operations forthe organization's complete portfolio, which includes 54 properties acrossthe nation.

Tarrant talked about the four local properties that are under EHDOC'sjurisdiction: Steelworkers Tower (North Side), I.W. Abel Place(Lawrenceville), Lynn Williams Apartments (Brighton Heights), and LloydMcBride Court (Millvale). "These buildings are for those 62 years of ageand older and for low-income elderly," she said. "And the SteelworkersTower also accepts people who are under the age of 62 with mobility impair-ments."

She explained the history of the buildings, saying that in HUD terminol-ogy, they were considered to be section 202 housing, or housing for thosewho are 62 years of age and older. "Because these were subsidized throughHUD, there were many different funding sources, in addition to the unionsthat were very strong at that time. The properties were primarily namedafter labor leaders. For example, I.W. Abel was a former president of theUnited Steelworkers Union, and Lloyd McBride succeeded him, followed byLynn Williams. The Steelworkers Tower was named after the actual union,the United Steel workers."

Tarrant said that when they were originally built, they were under theumbrella of the National Council of Senior Citizens, the organization thatwas very instrumental during that period in advocating for the interests ofolder Americans and their families. Steve Protulis, current president andCEO of EHDOC, was the former executive director of NCSC.

Amenities in the buildings include a community room and a computercenter, and free washers and dryers in the laundry rooms. In the units them-selves are refrigerators and stoves, along with heating and air conditioning."We also have a service coordinator to help with any necessary programs orassistance that they need," Tarrant added.

She said anyone interested in more information about becoming a resi-dent of one of these properties may contact the properties directly andrequest an application, which will go through a screening process for ageand income requirements.

For more information, call (412) 734-4229 or visit www.ehdoc.org.

EHDOC Offers Affordable Senior Housing

>

Melissa Tarrant

For more informationabout becoming a resident, contact theproperties directly andrequest an application,which will go through a screening process for age and incomerequirements.

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By Lois Thomson

Mount Vernon of South Parkoffers two communitiesfor senior living, designed

to serve two distinct areas of thesenior population. Mary Moran,Executive Director, talked about theservices offered by both the person-al care community and the Bridgeto Rediscovery program.

Moran said the personal carecommunity provides 24-hour nurs-ing, assistance with all personal careneeds, and medication manage-ment, as well as onsite physical,occupational and speech therapyprograms.

"We also have a wonderful freshapproach to activities, called ourLifestyle 360 program," Moran con-tinued. "We have 360 degrees ofwellness, and it's our approach tolife engagement and programs sothat we can make every day excep-tional for our residents here atMount Vernon of South Park. OurLifestyle program is very important

because it brings the five dimen-sions of wellness into perfect har-mony: intellectual, social, physical,emotional and spiritual. We try toencompass all of these into schedul-ing our daily activities."

Additionally, she pointed out thatone of the best things about the siteis that it has no stairs or elevators."We're on a ranch-style layout, andin the middle is a gorgeous court-yard that the residents really enjoy,pretty much for three seasons of theyear."

The Bridge to Rediscovery pro-gram deals with memory care.Moran described the award-win-ning program as one that celebratespeople "as they are today. We havepersonalized activities that actuallyencourage creativity and self-expression. We work with each ofour residents individually."

With a low staff-to-individualratio, the Bridge to Rediscoverystrives for small successes each daythat help to create a sense of accom-plishment for the residents withmemory care needs. "We wantthem to feel valued, and feel that

they contribute, so our activities areall geared with that in mind. Welook at their strengths and workwith them."

As an example, Moran saidMount Vernon of South Park hassome vegetable gardens that areabove ground that residents are ableto tend. "And we have a section offlowers and they help with a lot ofthat gardening. We do art and we'llset up displays for families and thecommunity to come in and enjoy.We have walking paths that aresecured, so we have many engagingactivities for our residents in thisvery special safe environment.

"Mount Vernon has a very goodmix of men and women with a vari-ety of activities that are suited toboth. We put a lot of effort into cel-ebrating the person and makingevery day 'today' for our residents,focusing on the strengths and abili-ties they have now, and bridgingtheir past to who they are today."

Mount Vernon of South Park Serves the Senior Community

In 2016, Mount Vernon of South Park received the Best Practice inQuality Assisted Living and Personal Care Award, through thePennsylvania Healthcare Association – the only personal care com-munity so awarded out of 12,000 in Pennsylvania. Mary Moran,Executive Director, said Mount Vernon received it for doing an indepth cause-and-analysis of rehospitalizations. "It revealed thatsometimes changes in resident conditions were not detected earlyenough. To address this, we educated the entire staff – nurses,servers, housekeeping – and if they saw a change in a resident wewould deal with it immediately. We were able to keep them health-ier longer, and actually reduced our hospitalizations and rehospital-izations. We were recognized for our commitment to quality, andwe're very proud of that award."

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> For more information, call(412) 655-3535 or visitwww.fivestarseniorliving.org.

SIGN UP TODAY TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE MONTHLY ENEWSLETTER.

Subscribe online at www.guidetogoodhealth.com

Mount Vernon of South Park

http://www.fivestarseniorliving.org




Did Mom Lose Her Keys Again?BELOW ARE SOME EARLY SIGNS OF POSSIBLEDEMENTIA-RELATED SYMPTOMS. AS A CAREGIVER,YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CHECK OFF ONE OR POSSIBLYMANY ON THIS LIST.

• Poor judgment• Repeating themselves or not remembering recent events• Consistent difficulty balancing their checkbook or paying bills• Problems with driving: getting lost in familiar settings;

having small accidents• Difficulty planning activities or executing day-to-day chores• Confusion about what day or time it is, or where they are• Problems with words and conversation• Misplacing objects• Changes in personality or mood

Memory loss is a common symptom people first notice, but thereare other early warning signs that could indicate a problem.Withdrawing from social activities, becoming financially irre-

sponsible, changes in mood, or frequently misplacing items and becomingeasily agitated for example.

Keep a log of anything strange or new behaviors you notice. Make sureto note the time of day and what was happening around them. This canhelp identify patterns or environment triggers that might be contributingto the behavior.

Does any of this look or feel familiar? If your loved one exhibits any ofthese symptoms of early-stage dementia, go with them to see their doctor.Consider requesting a referral to a neurologist who specializes in dementiafor a full neuropsychological evaluation.

At Locust Grove Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in WestMifflin, our team specializes in memory support. Locust Grove’s In TheMoment Memory Support Program, is a holistic approach designed tomeet residents in the moment they are experiencing and engage themkindly and compassionately to guide them through their day. Our philos-ophy features the Six Elements of Engagement, which address physicalengagement, spiritual support, artistic expression, community connec-tions, continuing education, and lifestyle and leisure. In The Moment ismore than a slogan, it is a feeling throughout the community.

For more information or to schedule a tour of Locust Grove, call (412) 461-7210 or visit the website www.locustgrovesrliving.com.>

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By Vanessa Orr

When Adrienne Moon, RN,decided to open her ownhome healthcare agency,

she had an advantage that manynew business owners do not. Shehad a lot of experience helpinghomebound clients—both as a care-taker and as a medical professional.

Providing in-home care for hermother as well as working outsideof the home as a registered nursegave the CEO a unique opportunityto experience both ends of the spec-trum. Her father, John Moon, whois the COO of A&M HealthcareAgency, had also worked in themedical field for years as the chiefsupervisor of the city paramedicsbefore he retired.

A&M Healthcare Agency hasbeen in operation since 2014, pro-viding both medical and nonmed-ical in-home care services to resi-dents ages 18 and up, includingseniors. The company servesAllegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washing -ton and Westmoreland counties.

The agency provides qualitynursing from the heart that includes

medication management and ad -min istration, wound care, vitalsigns monitoring, and diabetic ther-apy. It also provides a variety ofnonmedical services which includeassistance with activities of daily liv-ing (i.e. bathing and dressing), mealpreparation, light housekeeping,food shopping, and transportationto and from appointments. A&MHealthcare Agency also provides in-home companions.

“Based on client needs, assistance

is available from a minimum of twohours to 24-hour, around-the-clockcare,” said Moon. “From a medicalstandpoint, having home healthcare assistance helps to increase thehealing process; often, people sufferfrom opportunistic infections out-side of a home environment,” sheexplained. “Being at home, aroundfamily, improves clients’ emotionalwell-being.

“Home is a safe haven, and ourgoal is to help our clients remainindependent and in a familiar homeenvironment,” she added. In addi-tion to the peace of mind thatcomes from being in one’s ownhome, clients also take comfort inthe fact that their needs are beingtaken care of by experienced, empa-thetic caregivers.

“You don’t find a lot of homehealth care agencies owned by anurse, and I go out and do medicalvisits along with my staff. It givesme the opportunity to develop arapport with our patients individu-ally,” said Moon.

“By visiting with our clients per-sonally, I become familiar with theirneeds so I can find them a good fit,”

she added. “I’ll sometimes bring astaff member into a client’s home fora one-on-one interview with themto ensure a level of comfortability.”

A&M Healthcare Agencyattempts to keep the same staffmembers with the same client for aslong as possible—not only does ithelp build relationships, but it alsoprovides a comfort level for thoseclients with dementia who benefitfrom seeing the same person on aregular basis. Before any caregiversare placed with clients, they receivein-office training and are required topass a competency exam. Theymust also perform their duties suc-cessfully in front of A&M’s clientservices coordinator. Most of theagency’s clients are referrals fromsocial workers, service coordinatorsand physicians. “Word-of-mouth isalso an important component of ourbusiness,” said Moon.

A&M Healthcare Agencyparticipates in a variety ofhome and community-based

waiver programs as well as theVeterans Assist Program. To learnmore, call (412) 793-3705 or visitwww.am-hcagency.org.

A&M Healthcare Offers Quality Nursing from the Heart

>

Adrienne Moon, RN, was able to utilize her experience as a nurse

and caretaker to start A&MHealthcare and provide medical and nonmedical in-home care services.

A&M Healthcare Agency

http://www.am-hcagency.org



By Vanessa Orr

For many families, finding theright home care companycan be a challenge; after all,

you’re letting a stranger into yourhome to care for your loved onewhen you’re away. But HarmonyHome Healthcare makes it easierfor families to have peace ofmind—not only because they hirecaring, experienced professionals,but because they use modern tech-nology to ensure quality care.

“We’re looking to bring harmonyinto clients’ homes,” said JamieBayer, director of community devel-opment for Harmony HomeHealthcare. “We understand thetrust that it requires to let someoneyou don’t know into your home,and we take that concern seriously.Our team is committed to our corevalue, ‘Integrity Trumps All.’ Welive by that and it is not a responsi-bility we take lightly.”

Harmony provides a range of ser-vices for clients in three differentareas: Harmony Home Care,Harmony Home Healthcare and

Harmony Pediatrics.Harmony Home Care provides

personal care services such asbathing, toileting, light duty house-work, companionship, groceryshopping, meal preparation andmore. Harmony Home Healthcareoffers skilled nursing services,including physical therapy, occupa-tional therapy and speech therapy.“This is especially useful whensomeone has heart surgery, forexample, and they want a nurse tostay with them in the evenings afterthey’ve returned home,” explainedBayer.

Harmony’s Pediatric Division

provides private duty nursing forchildren suffering from long-termillnesses. “We work with childrenwho are on ventilators, have tra-cheotomies or who are totally bedbound,” said Bayer. “We also workwith special needs kids with intel-lectual or physical disabilities. Astaff member will go from class toclass with students, or meet theschool bus and stay with a childuntil their parents come home.We’re one of the few companies inwestern Pennsylvania that cares forpediatric patients.”

All of Harmony’s medical staff arecertified and licensed, and LPNsand aides work under registerednurse supervisors. They must pass arigorous orientation that includesshowing mastery of medical equip-ment including hospital beds andHoyer lifts, and must pass an FBIbackground check, drug screen andTB test.

“We make a point to hire caring,empathetic staff with exceptionalbackgrounds; we make sure thatthe right type of people come toyour home,” said Bayer, adding

that referrals from satisfied clientsare the backbone of Harmony’sbusiness.

Harmony also uses technology tomake sure that clients’ needs arebeing met. “Using our Family Roomservices, families of our clients cango online and see what’s happeningin the home in real time,” saidBayer. “For example, with a client’spermission, his family in Ohio canlog in and see how he is being caredfor in Greensburg.

“We also have a GPS system thatdocuments if the caregivers showup on time, and if they are wherethey are supposed to be,” he contin-ued. “Our employees clock in byphone, and if they forget to do that,we call and check on the client rightaway to see if the caregiver is there.

“While our use of technology issecond to none, our patient-cen-tered approach makes all of the dif-ference,” he added.

To learn more about Harmony’sservices, visit www.homewithharmony.comor call (412) 573-7338.

>

Patient-centered Approach, Real-time Technology Key to Success

Harmony Home Healthcare

http://www.homewithharmony.com



For more information, please call 412.799.2101 or visit VITAS.com

You choose your doctor. You choose your hospital.Now choose VITAS as your hospice specialist. You and your family have made so

many tough decisions. When it

comes to hospice care in Pittsburgh,

the choice is easy—VITAS.

VITAS Healthcare, a pio-neer and leader in thehospice movement since

1978, has made it a priority toensure that terminally illpatients and their families inPittsburgh have immediateaccess to compassionate andhigh quality end-of-life care.

Hospice is intended to helppeople during the last sixmonths of life and is better uti-lized at the beginning of a ter-minal diagnosis rather than the

last few days of life. Too often, patients and familieselect hospice late in the course of their illness andmiss out on the many benefits hospice has to offer.

Unlike common misconceptions suggesting thathospice is a “place,” hospice is a philosophy of carethat focuses on enhancing people’s comfort and qual-ity of life during their final months of life. It includesexpert pain management and may be administered atpatients’ homes, hospice inpatient units as well ashospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living com-munities or residential care facilities. The care is pro-vided by skilled, interdisciplinary teams of experts,including physicians, nurses, home health aides,social workers, chaplains, bereavement specialistsand volunteers, who work together to ensure thebest-possible quality of life for patients and their

loved ones. Since 2005, VITAS has helped define and continu-

ously elevate the standards of care for hospicethroughout Pittsburgh and is committed to helpingpatients stay at home, or in their preferred settings.Our team of physicians and Advanced RegisteredNurse Practitioners (ARNP), led by our board certi-fied medical director, are well prepared to provide thecompassionate care that patients deserve at the end oflife, including:

• Routine home care, available wherever thepatient resides.

• Intensive Comfort Care, a service that putstrained clinicians at our patient’s bedside up to 24hours a day during a brief period of crisis.

• Respite Care, provides a brief break for thepatient’s primary caregiver by admitting the homecare patient to an institutional setting without meet-ing the “inpatient” pain and symptom managementcriteria.

• Inpatient hospice care is provided at designatedinpatient units for a short period when a patient’smedical needs cannot be managed at home.

VITAS works hard to ensure people can accessthese and other important resources. Our trainedhospice professionals live in the counties VITAS ser-vices (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler,Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland) andwork closely with patients and their families to pro-vide the caring, compassionate attention they need.

VITAS’ Commitment to Providing Quality Care

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by SaraBeth Swain and Emily Bitting

At Concordia, every day of careis influenced by the ministry’srich history of dedication and

compassion to serve the needs ofGod’s people. The roots of servicewere first planted in Butler Countyafter Concordia Lutheran Ministries(CLM), the parent company ofConcordia Hospice of Washingtonand Concordia Visiting Nurses whoboth serve patients in Washingtonand Greene Counties, was blessedwith a 46 acre farm donated by theOertels, a couple who answeredGod’s call to serve and protect theorphans of the region. This was thebeginning of a greater call to serviceand 136 years later the ministry isproviding health and hospice care toall of His people living in WesternPennsylvania.

By God’s grace, Concordia wasrecently provided the opportunity toshare their mission of service withWashington Health System in thecreation of Concordia Hospice ofWashington (CHOW). Much likeCLM’s story, hospice care inWashington had its roots plantedseveral decades ago when one mananswered God’s call and was drivento help families dealing with end-of-life-illnesses in his local community.

Rev. Fr. J. E. Victor Carlson, aPresby terian minister who was moti-vated by his wife’s terminal cancerdiagnosed, began researching andlearning about hospice programs inthe 1970s. He brought his knowledgeback to his community of GreeneCounty and created a hospice task-force that later became Hospice Care,Inc, one of the first such programs tobe chartered in the state. HospiceCare, Inc eventually moved intoWashington Coun ty and continuedto evolve after their merger withWashington Hospital which laterbecame part of Washington HealthSystem. But the roots didn’t stopgrowing there, in fact, they blos-somed with thanks to another couplecalled to serve the people of theircommunity.

Richard and Shana Donnell pro-vided a generous lead gift in 2002and were supported by many com-munity members who gave financialdonations to open the DonnellHouse, the only inpatient unit of itskind in Washington County. TheDonnell House now operates underConcordia Hospice of Washington inpartnership with Washington HealthSystem.

The roots mentioned were God’sgifts, the home care and hospice ser-vices that CVN and CHOW provideare the fruit of the roots and theagencies gifts to all of His people inneed of services in our communities.

If you or a loved one are inneed of home care and hos-pice services or are interestedin employment opportunities,

Concordia welcomes you to contact anoffice near you. Visit www.concordiavn.org orwww.concordiahw.org for office loca-tions and contact information, anoverview of services, and currentcareer openings.

The Roots of Concordia

HOME CARE/HOSPICEA&M HEALTHCARE AGENCY, LLC412-793-3705 • am-hcagency.orgOur team of Home health aides, CNAs, LPNs,and RNs will deliver medically-based care inthe comfort of your own home. We provideassistance in: activities of daily living, includ-ing bathing, cooking, house cleaning, medica-tion maintenance/ administration, woundcare, diabetic accu-checks, IV therapy, trans-portation, nutritionist, social worker andphysical therapy.

CONCORDIA HOSPICE OF WASHINGTON724-250-4500www.concordiahw.orgConcordia Hospice of Washington patientsreceive care in their homes as well as in ourinpatient location called the Donnell Housein Washington, PA. Services can also takeplace at personal care/assisted living facilities,skilled nursing homes and more.

CONCORDIA VISITING NURSES1-844-942-9700www.concordiavn.orgProfessional Nursing • Therapy Services Palliative Care • TeleHealth Technology

HARMONY HOME CARE, HOME HEALTHCARE & PEDIATRICS(412) 573-7338 or (412) 283-4354www.homewithharmony.com

PRESBYTERIAN SENIORCARE AT HOMEOakmont: 412-828-6686Washington: 724-884-1300www.SrCareatHome.org

VITAS HEALTHCARE800-723-3233 • www.VITAS.com

LIFT CHAIRS/MATTRESSESSleepPittsburgh.com(412) 462-7858 Homestead(412) 492-7858 Glenshawwww.SleepPittsburgh.comYour Local Discount Mattress Store

MEDICATION MANAGEMENTACCUPACAccuServ Pharmacy412-586-5410 or (800) 727-3583

SENIOR LIVINGCONSULATE RETIREMENT VILLAGE OF NORTH STRABANE(724) 746-0600 consulatehealthcare.comYour Home Away From Home1See our ad on page 12.

ELDERLY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT &OPERATIONS CORPORATIONAffordable Housing for Seniors Rent based on income.

LOCUST GROVE PERSONAL CARE & MEMORY CARE412-461-7210www.LocustGroveSrLiving.comRespite Care also available

MOUNT VERNON OF SOUTH PARK412-655-3535www.MtVernonOfSouthPark.com• Personal Care • Memory Care • Respite Short Term Stays

UPMC SENIOR COMMUNITIES1-800-324-5523UPMCSeniorCommunities.comFrom independent living and personal care, toassisted living and skilled nursing, we makeevery resident feel cared for and at ease. Call toschedule complimentary lunch and tour.

SENIOR SERVICES JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES412-422-0400 • www.jfcspgh.org

LIFE PITTSBURGH - Living Independence For The Elderly412-388-8050 • www.LIFEPittsburgh.org

PRESBYTERIAN SENIORCARE877-851-1440 • www.SrCare.orgOakmont: 1-877-740-2179Washington: 724-566-5132Care Communities offering Personal Care,Rehab and Skilled Nursing; Continuing CareRetirement Communities; Home andCommunity Based Services, and Supportiveand Affordable Housing.

SENIORLIFE1-877-998-LIFE (5433)www.SeniorLifePA.com Locations in Washington, Greene andUniontown.

SKILLED NURSING ANDREHABILITATION

MEDBRIDGE AT MANORCAREmedbridgerehab.comRehab that gets you back to livingManorCare Bethel Park 412-831-6050ManorCare Greentree 412-344-7744ManorCare Monroeville 412-856-7071ManorCare North Hills 412-369-9955ManorCare Northside 412-323-0420ManorCare Peters Twp 724-941-3080ManorCare Pittsburgh 412-665-2400ManorCare Shadyside 412-362-3500ManorCare Whitehall 412-884-3500

VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS BLIND & VISION REHABILITATIONSERVICES OF PITTSBURGH412-368-4400 x 2231www.bvrspittsburgh.orgHelping people who are blind, visionimpaired or have other disabilities achievetheir goals.

SENIORRESOURCES

Use this guide as a handy reference for long term use!

Rev. Fr. J. E. Victor Carlson, aPresbyterian minister, learned abouthospice programs in the 1970s and

created a hospice taskforce that laterbecame Hospice Care, Inc.

>

The Donnell House is located in aquiet residential neighborhood just acouple of blocks from Washington

Health System Washington Hospital

The Donnell House is the only inpatient unit of its kind in

Washington County.

Concordia

http://www.concordiavn.org

http://www.concordiahw.org



http://www.homewithharmony.com

http://www.SrCareatHome.org

http://www.VITAS.com

http://www.SleepPittsburgh.com

http://www.LocustGroveSrLiving.com

http://www.MtVernonOfSouthPark.com

http://www.jfcspgh.org

http://www.LIFEPittsburgh.org

http://www.SrCare.org

http://www.SeniorLifePA.com

http://www.bvrspittsburgh.org


ACUTE REHABOhio Valley Hospital's AcuteRehabilitation Unit 412-777-6770 www.ohiovalleyhospital.org

BREAST CARE St. Clair Hospital Breast Care Center412-942-3177 • www.stclair.org

WHS Women’s Center ImagingWHS Diagnostic Center - PetersTownship • whsdocs.org

CARDIAC & VASCULAR CARE

Jefferson Cardiology Association412-469-1500www.jeffersoncardiology.com

CAREERS IN HEALTHCAREDuquesne University School of Nursingduq.edu/[email protected] and Online GraduatePrograms

Western Area Career & TechnologyCenter Practical Nursing Program724-746-0467www.wactc.net/LPN

CHILDREN, SPECIAL NEEDSChildren’s Home & Lemieux Family Center412-441-4884 www.childrenshomepgh.org

Every Child, Inc412-665-0600www.everychildinc.orgFoster Care • Adoption • FamilySupport Services • In-Home BehavioralHealth Care with Autism Enhancement

Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Pittsburgh412-422-7200 • www.jfcspgh.org

New Story877-622-7245 • www.newstory.comLocations in Clearfield, Dubois, Indianaand Monroeville.

The Early Learning Institute412-922-8322 • www.telipa.orgEarly Intervention Services for childrenwith developmental delays. OutpatientOccupational and Speech Therapy alsoavailable.

WHS Children’s Therapy Centerwhsdocs.org

CHILDREN & ADULTS/Woodlands724-935-5470www.mywoodlands.orgDedicating to enriching the lives of chil-dren and adults with disability andchronic illness.

DIABETESSt. Clair Hospital Diabetes Center412-942-2151www.stclair.org

Washington Health SystemDiabetes Education & Management724-250-6262 • whs.org

HEALTH, WELLNESS AND FITNESS CENTERS

The Community & Recreation Centerat Boyce Mayview Park412-221-1099www.twpusc.org/crc/cre-home

Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center724-250-5208www.wrcameronwellness.orgwww.facebook.com/CameronWellnes70,000 square-foot facility featuringstate-of-the-art cardio and resistanceequipment, climbing wall, indoor track,lap pool, therapy pool, whirlpool,sauna, steam room, basketballcourt/gymnasium, spin/aerobics.

HEALTHY EATING East End Food Coop412-242-3598www.eastendfood.coopLocal, organic, fair trade, non-GMO Gluten-free, vegetarian • Vitamins &Supplements • Smoothies and more!

HEARINGHearUSA855-236-8315 Locations in Monroeville, Delmont,Washington and Bethel Park

Swift Audiologywww.SwiftAudiology.comSee page 46 for special offer!

HOLISTIC HEALTHwww.edlarosa.com724-942-8980 [email protected], safer, non-toxic products for your family.

HOSPITALSAdvanced Surgical Hospital724-884-0710www.ashospital.netA Physician Owned Hospital

Monongahela Valley Hospital monvalleyhospital.com

Ohio Valley Hospital 412-777-6161 www.ohiovalleyhospital.org

St. Clair Hospital412-942-4000 www.stclair.org

WHS The Washington Hospital724-225-7000 www.washingtonhospital.org

HYPNOSISJan Lee Hypnosis724-351-1242Jan Lee, CH, RN, Certified HypnotistIndividual Hypnosis Sessions, GroupHypnosis Sessions, HypnosisPresentations

IMAGINGHealth Enhancing Thermography1-855-254-4328 (HEAT)www.heat-images.com

St. Clair Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Serviceswww.stclair.orgState-of-the-art diagnostic imaging ser-vices at multiple locations: the Hospital;St. Clair Outpatient Center – BethelPark and the St. Clair OutpatientCenter - Peters Township; and the MRICenter on Broughton Road.

Tri-State Mobile X-Ray412-881-9333www.tristatemobilexray.net

INSURANCEMedicare Specialists of Pittsburgh412- 343-0344 • www.medipgh.comMedicare made easy

HighmarkHaveTheDocTalk.comOur Doc Talk Checklist makes asking theright questions easier. Free for anyonewith Medicare.

MASSAGE THERAPYBeaufusion Massage, LLCJames Stark • (724) 255-6610www.beaufusion.com

MATTRESSESSleep Pittsburgh.com(412) 462-7858 Homestead(412) 492-7858 Glenshawwww.SleepPittsburgh.comYour Local Discount Mattress StoreGuaranteed lowest prices on mattresses,futons, bunk beds, and more.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES/DIABETIC SHOES

Eagle Medical Equipment724-218-1051www.eaglemede.com

Ponsi Shoes1-866-708-5825www.ponsishoes.comDiabetic & Orthopedic Shoes, CustomOrthotics, Stair Lifts, Power Chairs,Scooters, Incontinence Supplies

MENTAL HEALTHOhio Valley Hospital Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic OVH Kennedy Twp Outpatient Ctr412-458-1331www.ohiovalleyhospital.org

NUTRITION COUNSELINGWilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center724-250-5207www.wrcameronwellness.orgwww.facebook.com/CameronWellnessFood sensitivity testing, nutritionalcounseling.

ORTHOPEDICSAdvanced Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation1-800-828-CAST (2278)www.advancedorthopaedics.net

South Hills Orthopaedic SurgeryAssociates, P.C.412-283-0260www.southhillsortho.com

WHS Orthopedics and Sport Medicine724-206-0610 • whsdocs.org

PAIN MANAGEMENTOhio Valley Pain Treatment Center 412-777-6400 www.ohiovalleyhospital.org

PEDIATRICSPediatric Alliancewww.pediatric alliance.comThe largest physician owned pediatricpractice in our area - 17 locations.

PHARMACY/MEDICATIONMANAGEMENT

AccuPac(800) 727-35835020 Centre Ave, PittsburghMedication Made Easy! Free Delivery!

PHYSICIANSWashington Physician HospitalOrganization Provider Networkwhs.org (See page 28-29)

Ohio Valley Primary Care412-458-5696New location at Crafton-IngramOutpatient Center. Other locations inCoraopolis, Kennedy Twp, South Side

PODIATRYBeaver Valley Foot Clinic724-772-FOOT (3668)www.BVFootClinic.comLocations in Cranberry, Ambridge,Hopewell, Moon and Chippewa.

REHABILITATION/PHYSICAL THERAPY

Novacare Rehabilitation159 Waterdam Road, McMurray724-942-1511Physical, Occupational, AquaticTherapy. Incontinence Rehab. MassageTherapy open to the public.

Ohio Valley Hospital's The Balance Center 412-777-623www.ohiovalleyhospital.org

UPMC Centers for Rehab Services1-888-723-4CRS (4227))www.UPMC.com/4CRS

WHS Physical Medicine and Sports Rehabilitation724-229-2700 • whsdocs.org

SCHOOLSDePaul School for Hearing and SpeechDePaulHearingAndSpeech.org

Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children1-800-444-1897 www.wpsbc.org

SPA SERVICESSpa Harmony At the Wilfred R.Cameron Wellness Center724-250-5238www.spaharmony.orgfacebook.com/spaharmonyCWCPamper yourself at Spa Harmony. Weoffer an array of treatments and ser-vices including massage therapy,acupuncture, reflexology, reiki, mani-cures/pedicures, waxing/ sugaring, skin-care and body treatments.

VISUAL IMPAIRMENTSBlind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh412-368-4400 x 2231www.bvrspittsburgh.org

AIO The Eye Surgeons888-634-9800AIOvision.comCataracts • Cornea • Glaucoma Lasik • Refractive • Retina

WALK-IN BATH Kohler Walk-In Bath888-711-3289www.homesmartind.com

WOMEN’S HEALTHK & J's Complete WomanMonroeville: (412) 646-4661Bethel Park: 412-835-5093www.kjcompletewoman.comBreast Forms, Bras, Wigs

WOUND CAREOhio Valley Hospital's The Wound Care Center 412-250-2600 www.ohiovalleyhospital.org

Washington Health System Wound & Skin Healing Center724-222-5635 • www.whsdocs.org

YOGA & PILATESLive Well Yoga & PilatesAt the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center724-225-WELL (9355)www.wrcameronwellness.org


DIRECTORYIn order to choose a health professional who is right for you, you need information. The following guide is a good place to start.

To be included in this Directory,

call (412) 835-5796 or [email protected].


http://www.stclair.org

http://www.jeffersoncardiology.com


http://www.wactc.net/LPN



http://www.jfcspgh.org



http://www.mywoodlands.org


http://www.twpusc.org/crc/cre-home

http://www.wrcameronwellness.org

http://www.facebook.com/CameronWellnes

http://www.eastendfood.coop

http://www.SwiftAudiology.com

http://www.edlarosa.com


http://www.ashospital.net



http://www.washingtonhospital.org

http://www.heat-images.com



http://www.medipgh.com

http://www.beaufusion.com

http://www.SleepPittsburgh.com

http://www.eaglemede.com

http://www.ponsishoes.com



http://www.facebook.com/CameronWellness

http://www.advancedorthopaedics.net

http://www.southhillsortho.com


http://www.pediatric

http://www.BVFootClinic.com



http://www.UPMC.com/4CRS


http://www.spaharmony.org

http://www.bvrspittsburgh.org

http://www.homesmartind.com

http://www.kjcompletewoman.com


http://www.whsdocs.org




Concordia Hospice of Washington offers:

Managing pain, easing fatigue, helping with bathing… these are just some of the many ways that family members support an ailing loved one. Visit our educational website to learn more.

www.seriousilness.org/washington www.elderpagespittsburgh.comwww.concordiahw.org www.concordiavn.org

Quality end-of-life care for serious illness Pain and symptom management

Spiritual Care Respite Care Inpatient level of care in an 8 bed facility at the Donnell House

In partnership with

724-250-4500 1-844-942-9700

Professional Nursing Therapy Services

Palliative Care TeleHealth Technology

Disease Management Programs

For Family Caregiversof Aging Parents...

Caregivers Resources...

If you’re looking for helpful tips and information, please visit our

educational website.


http://www.seriousilness.org/washington


http://www.elderpagespittsburgh.com


1 0 0 0 B O W E R H I L L R O A D . M T. L E B A N O N , P E N N SY LVA N I A 1 5 2 4 3 . 4 1 2 . 9 4 2 . 4 0 0 0 . S T C L A I R . O R G

1#in the region

PATIENTSAFETY

PATIENTSATISFACTION

QUALITYCARE VALUE

AND COSTTRANSPARENCY

PROVIDING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE TO OUR PATIENTS IS OUR GREATEST REWARD

St. Clair Hospital is consistently rated as the market leader for quality, patient safety, patient

satisfaction, value, and cost transparency. These accomplishments reflect St. Clair’s culture of

continuous improvement, one that has been recognized by a host of independent third-party

evaluators. It’s patient-focused care that is propelling us to not only be the best regionally,

but among the best in the nation as well. It’s all part of our pledge to provide the best health

care to our patients.

Sources: Comparion Medical Analytics; The Leapfrog Group; Press Ganey; CMS

2017 annual healthcare guide - guidetogoodhealth.com · 2017 annual healthcare guide see pages...

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