What’s Happening in Our Network
Teaching Our Community About the Flu
When H1N1 influenza strain (swine flu) reached fever pitch a few weeks ago, community members had many concerns and wanted to learn all about it. To help get information out there, the DaVinci Science Center in Allentown held a panel with Lehigh Valley Health Network's infectious disease specialists. Marcelo Gareca, M.D., Mark Knouse, M.D., Luther Rhodes, M.D., and Michael Consuelos, M.D., (shown l-r), as well as Jaan Naktin, M.D., and Terry Burger, R.N., (not shown) helped our community understand this particular strain of influenza.
The Next Frontier in Learning
Community members and local media recently toured Lehigh Valley Health Network's new Interdisciplinary Simulation Center, an educational resource available to health network caregivers. The center is a virtual hospital where caregivers work through health care scenarios to help simulated patients. It includes real health care technology and training mannequins that react to the care administered by caregivers. The simulated learning is recorded so participants can review the scenarios and reflect upon what they learned. The simulation center experience prepares caregivers to respond appropriately when facing similar scenarios in real life, enhancing patient care.
Running and Walking for a Cause
More than 2,500 runners and walkers raised $135,450 in the Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via, held in September. The money benefits Via of the Lehigh Valley's programs for children and adults with disabilities. Health network employee Christine Hnatow participated in the event on behalf of her brother, Robert. He benefits from Via's Community Connections program, which allows him to enjoy volunteer, recreational, social and educational activities. He's even a member of Via's bowling team.
Keeping the Community Healthy
Lehigh Valley Health Network volunteers administered 10,000 free seasonal flu vaccinations during a well-attended drive-thru flu clinic on November 7 at Dorney Park & Wild Water Kingdom. An additional 5,000 people were vaccinated against seasonal flu the next day at Coca-Cola Park. The response from the community was unprecedented, besting the health network's previous record of 12,000 vaccinations in two days.
H1N1 Flu Phone-In
Lehigh Valley Health Network's infectious diseases and infection control and prevention physicians and nurses answered calls for an H1N1 (swine) flu phone bank during CBS-3 TV's Eyewitness News on October 28. Network representatives assisted callers with numerous questions about H1N1 vaccine, high-risk groups, symptoms of the virus and more. The network's eight expert operators took calls for two-and-a-half hours to give people in Philadelphia and the surrounding region a better understanding of the new flu and how they can protect themselves and their families.
Tigers and Giraffes Live in Harmony for Halloween
Tigers and giraffes aren't exactly allies in real life. But this tiger (Jordan), and giraffe (Sophie), seemed to get along just fine during a Halloween parade held at the Children's Early Care and Education Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. The children who attend the center enjoyed the parade, costumes, treats and other fun-filled festivities associated with the annual holiday.
Mammogram Madness
More than 200 women participated in a recent Mammogram Marathon at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest. Mammograms were offered from 6 a.m. to midnight, accommodating women who work during the day and have difficulty making appointments. Screenings were offered to women 40 and older who had not had a mammogram within the past 12 months. The festivities included a pumpkin decorating contest, of which Breast Health Services colleagues participated, including (l-r) Colette Kresge and Nicole Rodriguez.
Snooze, or You Lose
Joseph Schellenberg, M.D. (left), Lehigh Valley Health Network pulmonologist, was a guest of Eve Tannery on WFMZ-TV Channel 69's News at Sunrise to discuss sleep and sleep disorders. Dr. Schellenberg talked about the most common problems, like sleep apnea, that keep people up at night, or that cause them to feel tired and drowsy during the day. Sleep issues often bring patients to the Network's Sleep Disorders Centers at Lehigh Valley Hospital-17th Street and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg for testing and treatment.
Nursing Excellence
Lehigh Valley Health Network nurse Erin Brazil, L.P.N., (right) was recently named a recipient of the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania for 2009. The awards recognize and honor exceptional nurses who practice in the state. Health network nurses June Kelly, R.N., (center) and Megan Snyder, R.N., (left) were also finalists for Nightingale Awards this year. The health network has had at least one Nightingale Award finalist in 18 of the 19 years the program has been in existence. Fifteen Lehigh Valley Health Network nurses have been named Nightingale Award recipients during this period.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Lehigh Valley Health Network physician Matthew McCambridge, M.D., and his wife join Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man on the yellow brick road at the health network's 14th annual Nites Lites fundraising gala. This year’s theme was "Over the Rainbow." Nearly 1,400 guests attended the black tie event beneath several tents fashioned to represent scenes from the classic film, "The Wizard of Oz."
Spirit of Courage
John Capanna (left) of Albrightsville, Pa., received the Phoenix Award from State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann during the fourth annual Valley Preferred Spirit of Courage Awards Celebration at Lehigh Valley Hospital—Muhlenberg on October 6. Capanna was recognized for overcoming burns he suffered in an oil refinery explosion when he was just 20 years old and subsequent addiction to pain medication and narcotics. Capanna now helps other burn survivors. In addition to Capanna, individuals and groups were honored for going "above and beyond" to perform a heroic act to save someone from burn deaths or injuries or for their commitment to burn prevention education.
Nursing Graduates Return to Their Roots
Members of The Allentown Hospital School of Nursing class of 1959 recently toured Lehigh Valley Hospital–17th Street (formerly The Allentown Hospital) where they spent many hours as students. Each day, as they entered the hospital, they walked over the tiled seal on the floor (located in what will soon be a Chronic Care Center, currently under construction). They ended their day with dessert at the Ritz, a favorite hot spot for students. Their 50th class reunion was a nice journey down memory lane.
Day of Caring
During the United Way's recent annual Day of Caring, health network president and chief executive officer Elliot Sussman, M.D., spent the day at Harmony Crossing at Westminster Village, Allentown, a day program for older adults. The Day of Caring celebrates the spirit of volunteerism and the launch of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley's fall campaign.
Health Network Earns National Accolades for Being Greener
Lehigh Valley Health Network's efforts to go "greener" earned national accolades from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The health network received the agency's Mid-Atlantic Region Environmental Achievement Award for innovative practices in waste management. Thanks to the work of our waste reduction specialist Linda Zengen (pictured), the health network recycled more than 110 tons of bottles, cans and plastics in the past year—to quadruple its recycling of past years—and doubled its paper recycling to more than 600 tons. In partnership with our food service provider, Sodexo, the health network also started composting pre-consumer food waste at Rodale Institute's farm in Emmaus, Pa. In turn, produce from the farm is sold at a farmer's market at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.
Penn State Proud
John Hart, vice president of medical staff services, has been elected chair of Penn State Lehigh Valley’s Board of Directors for a two-year term. “As a Penn State graduate, it’s gratifying to help lead an institution that has given me so much,” Hart says. He will provide leadership as the school transitions from Fogelsville to its new Center Valley campus. Hart believes the centrally located, expanded facility will provide an excellent opportunity for colleagues to continue their education.
We're Emergency Prepared
That's what U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (left), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, learned during a visit to Lehigh Valley Hospital—Cedar Crest. Lehigh Valley Health Network emergency management director Mike Wargo led Dent on a tour of our emergency department mobile surge hospital and decontamination facility. Wargo also showcased our communication system which allows us to keep in close contact with other hospitals, municipalities and EMS providers in the event of an emergency.
LVHN Flu Preparedness in the National Spotlight
An NBC Nightly News crew visited Lehigh Valley Hospital—Cedar Crest on Aug. 5 to report on the health network's preparedness for a possible outbreak of H1N1 flu this fall/winter. The crew, lead by chief health and science reporter Robert Bazell, conducted interviews with emergency preparedness and infection control clinicians and shot video to alert the public about ways to both prevent the spread of flu and treat a large number of cases. Infection control and prevention director Terry Burger also discussed prevention during a separate appeareance on NBC's Today show.
Preparing for the Unthinkable
In the event of a plane crash, large-scale fire or other disaster, nearly half of the victims could suffer burn injuries. Lehigh Valley Health Network's Regional Burn Center, the only burn center in the region, could handle 25 to 30 burn victims. To ensure appropriate care is available for many more potential victims, burn carts with necessary supplies for burn victims were created and distributed to 24 area hospitals and three mobile surge facilities. The carts were made possible thanks to a $65,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Office of Public Health Preparedness and contributions from Emergency Medical Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Here, Regional Burn Center coordinator Patrick Pagella presents the new burn carts.
