New feature provides more information
Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania recently launched a Patient Review of Physicians function on its website to help members make more informed health care decisions.
Using the tool, members can complete a survey or submit comments about specific doctors, read what other members said about physicians and review cost and quality ratings for hospitals and procedures before making an appointment.
All doctors are judged by the same criteria and there is a validation process to ensure members submitting reviews have seen that professional.
Members traveling outside the northeastern and northcentral part of the state may read reviews by Blue Cross and Blue Shield members nationwide on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's National Doctor & Hospital Finder website.
Members may access the services online on the Doctor & Hospital Finder page at www.bcnepa.com.
Cardiologist joins Evangelical
LEWISBURG - Evangelical Community Hospital welcomes Dr. Petra Lynch, a Geisinger interventional cardiologist to its staff. She will perform cardiovascular procedures at the hospital while also providing care in an outpatient setting at Geisinger Cardiology-Lewisburg, 131 JPM Road.
Lynch specializes in minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures, including heart and peripheral vascular catheterizations, balloon angioplasty and stent placement.
She received a medical degree from the Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg School of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany, in 2002, then completed a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics in 2007 and a fellowship in cardiology in 2011, both at SUNY, Buffalo, N.Y. Lynch also completed a fellowship in interventional cardiology in 2012 at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
For more information on Lynch and her services at Evangelical Community Hospital and outpatient treatment at Geisinger Cardiology-Lewisburg, call 524-4211.
Health system gains LEED certification
Susquehanna Health recently achieved LEED certification at the gold level for the Williamsport Regional Medical Center renovation and expansion, part of Project 2012.
The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.
"LEED Gold certification is a significant accomplishment for the Susquehanna Health facility development team," said President and CEO Steven Johnson. "We are honored by the recognition and grateful to the team of individuals who worked so diligently to ensure the new construction at Williamsport Regional Medical Center would meet these stringent standards, indicating the project's positive impact on our environment and important contribution to the health and well being of our community. When coupled with the on time and under budget delivery of the entire project, this team has truly done a remarkable job!"
New Geisinger center opens in Danville
DANVILLE - The Geisinger Center for Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery on Oct. 10 unveiled a new $2.4 million facility within the Geisinger Medical Center Outpatient Surgery Center at the Geisinger-Woodbine Outpatient Facility, 115 Woodbine Lane.
Moving from Geisinger Medical Center's main campus, the Center for Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery occupies 6,700 square feet at Geisinger-Woodbine.
The new center offers a state-of-the-art Ambulatory Surgery Center, two laser rooms, three exam rooms, a private consultation office and convenient parking.
"Our team of board-certified physicians and staff are very excited to be in our new environment," said Dr. Alexander P. Moya, director of the Center for Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery and Weight Loss Body Contouring Program. "We have moved into an aesthetically pleasing and private environment, which allows us to focus on our patient's individual needs."
Geisinger receives award for care
of stroke patients
DANVILLE - Geisinger Medical Center has received the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. The award recognizes the center's commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted guidelines.
This is the third year that Geisinger has been recognized with a quality achievement award.
Get With The Guidelines-Stroke helps the center's staff develop and implement acute and secondary prevention guideline processes to improve patient care and outcomes. The program provides hospitals with a web-based patient management tool, best practice discharge protocols and standing orders, along with a robust registry and real-time benchmarking capabilities to track performance.
The quick and efficient use of guideline procedures can improve the quality of care for stroke patients and may reduce disability and save lives.
Donate vehicles to aid lung association
The American Lung Association's Vehicle Donation Program provides an option for individuals to rid themselves of unused or unneeded vehicles, possibly earn a tax deduction and benefit its lung health programs.
"Donating may make more sense to some folks rather than storing the vehicle," said B. Derek Shaw, of the American Lung Association. "All of the proceeds fund our mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.
"Many people want to help the American Lung Association but may not be able to make cash contributions," he said. "This is a hassle-free way for them to provide support, while earning a tax deduction they didn't expect."
The vehicle donation process requires only one step: vehicle owners call the Vehicle Donation hotline and their vehicle is towed within a few days. The American Lung Association is responsible for logistics and provides donors with a fair market value range for their vehicle.
To donate a vehicle, call the Vehicle Donation Hotline at 1-800-586-4872, ext. 3, or visit www.donateyourcar.com. Some restrictions apply for older vehicles.
Geisinger Cancer
Institute receives
national certification
DANVILLE - The Geisinger Cancer Institute at Geisinger Medical Center has received Quality Oncology Practice Initiative certification from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the world's leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer.
"Our clinic is now recognized among only 150 cancer centers in the United States to have earned this designation," said Mark Wojtowicz, manager of Geisinger's NCI Community Cancers Center Program. "This certification reflects the high standards we have set for providing safe, quality cancer care to our patients."
The QOPI Certification Program is an oncologist-led, practice-based quality improvement initiative that recognizes medical oncology and hematology/oncology providers that are committed to delivering the highest quality of cancer care. It provides a three-year certification for outpatient hematology-oncology practices.
Physician assistant joins health system
Robin Krikorian, a certified physician assistant, has joined Dr. Ronald DiSimone in his practice at Susquehanna Health Orthopedics at Divine Providence Hospital, 1705 Warren Ave.
He completed a bachelor of science at Lock Haven University and a master of health science-physician assistant at DeSales University of Pennsylvania.
As a licensed physician assistant, Krikorian provides advanced care with DiSimone's supervision. He is educated in intensive medical programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant and obtained certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Like all physician assistants, Krikorian can manage both acute and chronic illness, prescribe medications and maintain a collaborative relationship with physicians.
To schedule an appointment, call 322-0609.
Local woman receives Spirit Award
Kay Tyberg, founder and president of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) of Lycoming County chapter in Williamsport, received the 2012 national HLAA Spirit Award at the national convention in Providence, R.I., in June.
Tyberg has been active for many years in advocating for people with hearing loss at various state-level meetings and conferences in Pennsylvania. She has been accepted to serve on the Pennsylvania Advisory Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (awaiting official appointment by the governor) and on the Hearing Loss Association of Pennsylvania Advisory Council and serves on the state Hearing Aid Sales Registration Law Advisory Council.
She is majoring in human service at Pennsylvania College of Technology and studying peer mentoring at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
Tyberg formerly served as vice president of the Hearing Loss Association of Central Pennsylvania in State College before beginning the local chapter.
For more information, contact the HLA Chapter of Lycoming County, P.O. Box 3212, Williamsport, PA 17701; email tybergkay7376@yahoo.com; call Annette Clark at 326-1111; or search for the chapter on Facebook.
Hospital names
Rocker of the Month
Jersey Shore Hospital congratulates Brenda Shuman-Johnson, who was selected as the November ROCKER of the Month.
Shuman-Johnson, who works in the hospital laboratory, was nominated for her extreme dedication and forward-thinking while building the blood-bank component of the hospital's electronic health record system.
She also was recognized for continuing to help support and grow the hospital's biannual Community Health Screening.
"Brenda is an all-around team player," a co-worker said. "She is always pleasant and helpful and is the type of person who will always drop what she's doing to assist others."
The ROCKER of the Month is similar to an employee of the month program. The acronym stands for Respecting Our Customers Kindly and Employees Regularly.
Lighting up
Tomorrow Gala
raises $145,000
DANVILLE - The Auxiliary at Geisinger Medical Center's 2012 Lighting Up Tomorrow Gala on Sept. 29 raised $145,000 for programs to benefit patients at Geisinger Medical Center.
More than 300 attended the Lighting up Tomorrow Gala, the auxiliary's annual black-tie event that featured live and silent auctions and The Juliano Brothers band.
Funds from the gala will support:
Nurses Improving the Care of Health System Elders (NICHE) - The program seeks to expand services and reduce the incidence of delirium in patients 65 years of age and older.
Palliative Care for Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) - The program seeks to improve quality of life and access to end-of-life services for patients with ESRD.
ThinkFirst, which promotes behavioral changes to help students increase their knowledge about the high incidence and permanent effects of brain and spinal cord injuries.
"Let's Get Moving" - The project helps fund the transportation of campers with mobility challenges while at Camp Victory.
