May 23rd, 2012 by Brian Downs
Resistance to therapy in advanced melanoma is just one of the cancer studies to be conducted jointly by Lehigh Valley Health Network and The Wistar Institute Cancer Center in Philadelphia under a new affiliation announced by the two organizations. “This affiliation is an important step in our ongoing efforts to bring more hope and more options to people in the Lehigh Valley faced with cancer,” said Ronald Swinfard, MD, the health network’s president and chief executive officer. Local patients are already participating in the melanoma study, and Dr. Swinfard said additional studies are being planned for ovarian, pancreatic and lung cancers as well as brain tumors. The affiliation with Wistar follows last year’s agreement between Lehigh Valley Health Network and the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute of Tampa, Fl., to conduct the most advanced clinical research trials. The relationships have been forged by the health network’s partnership with the National Cancer Institute’s Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP).
May 16th, 2012 by Gerard Migliore
Judith’s Reading Room, the cornerstone project of The Leiber Family Foundation, recently presented a mobile library to the Hackerman-Patz House, a family lodging facility on the campus of Lehigh Valley Hospital—Cedar Crest.
The 100 coffee-table books, valued at nearly $4,000, will help patients and families staying at the house relax and take their minds off the challenges they face. Cathy Leiber (left) and her husband, Scott, established Judith’s Reading Room in memory of the Leibers’ cousin, Judith F. Krug. Its founding concept, “Freedom Through Literature,” is based on the idea that literature has the power to spark the imagination and figuratively “transport” people beyond difficult circumstances—be it a wheelchair, hospital bed or anxious thoughts about the health of a loved one. The library is the third donated to the hospital by Judith’s Reading Room. In 2010, the pediatric unit received a collection of 484 children’s books, and in 2011 the Children’s ER received 595 children’s books.
May 16th, 2012 by Matthew Burns
Have you ever been so riveted by a book you just can’t put it down? At the Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley’s “Storybook Breakfast 2012: Terrific Tales and Staggering Stories,” that was the goal. More than 200 children and their parents enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. Then, with full bellies, they saw some of their favorite heroes perform live skits such as Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp. Other events included belly dancing lessons, arts and crafts, magic carpet rides, and, of course, plenty of books to read and take home.
May 15th, 2012 by Rick Martuscelli
Quotes inspire and motivate. That’s why Lehigh Valley Health Network created a wall of inspiration that displays quotes inside Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. The wall is located on the hospital’s first floor near the Frank Banko Educational Conference Center. There are similar walls at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest and Mack Boulevard. More than 100 health network employees submitted their favorite words of wisdom and explained why they’re so passionate about the quotes. The most inspirational quotes and stories were chosen for the wall.
May 15th, 2012 by Amy Koch
James Wertz, DO, a board-certified internal medicine physician with Muhlenberg Primary Care, relates to his patients who need to make lifestyle changes. “I want my patients to know I’m human, just like them,” he says. “I struggle to keep healthy, eat right and get exercise just like they do.” Two years ago, his knees were hurting and he really needed to lose weight. “We got a puppy, and walking him helped me shed the first few pounds. Then I started to swim, bike and pay attention to my eating habits. Through diet and exercise, I lost 85 pounds. I like sharing this information with my patients so they know I understand where they’re coming from.”
May 8th, 2012 by Rick Martuscelli
Eileen Quintana, MD, has joined Lehigh Valley Health Network as the fourth pediatric emergency physician in our Children’s ER. She will help meet our community’s increasing demand for specialized emergency care for children. Quintana is board-certified in pediatric emergency medicine and emergency medicine, and has special interest in toxicology, pediatric trauma, injury prevention and the prevention of cold/heat related illnesses. Quintana received her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine, completed her emergency medicine residency at State University of New York and her pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.
May 8th, 2012 by Matthew Burns
As Japanese legend has it, anyone who folds 1,000 origami paper cranes is granted one wish. In 2011, the legend meant much more to 10-year-old David Heard of Easton, Pa., who had a rare and deadly cancer. He was determined to deliver as many paper cranes as possible before he died so others would have their wishes come true. So far, thousands of cranes have been folded and made on his behalf. Sadly, Heard passed away last February, but his legacy lives on through the National Crane Project. Recently, volunteers from Crayola and Lafayette College’s theater department installed a new set of paper cranes at Lehigh Valley Hospital—Cedar Crest in Heard’s memory.
May 4th, 2012 by Brian Downs
Brenda Laboy, a senior at Dieruff High School in Allentown, and other high school students with Lehigh Valley Health Network’s emerging health professionals program joined the community for the health network’s robotic surgery simulation Olympics during April. The event at Kome Restaurant at the Promenade Shops in Saucon Valley culminated LVHN’s 12 Days of Robotics to educate the community about minimally invasive robotic surgery and spotlight local students who are interested in pursuing health care careers. “Many patients in the community are unaware of the benefits of minimally invasive surgery,” said Martin Martino, MD, gynecologic oncologist and medical director of LVHN’s minimally invasive robotic surgery program. “This technology exists right here in the Lehigh Valley and our health network has performed more than 1,500 cases.”
May 4th, 2012 by Brian Downs
Motorcycle patrol officers from around the Lehigh Valley gathered at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem to promote Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month during May. The Lehigh Valley DUI/Highway Safety Task Force is encouraging motorcyclists and drivers to drive safely and responsibly and to share the road, not just during May, but at all times. The Task Force also stressed extra safety precautions as the City of Bethlehem prepared to host the MDA’s Ride for Life 25. Hundreds of motorcyclists were expected to attend the two-day event at SteelStacks for what’s billed the largest Harley Davidson fundraising event in the world, raising millions of dollars over the years for kids and adults served by MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association).
May 2nd, 2012 by Amy Koch
The fourth annual Jeffrey Paul and Grace Kathryn Feather Endowed Lectureship event will be held 12-1 p.m., Tuesday, May 15 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in the auditorium. Dario C. Altieri, MD, director of Wistar’s Cancer Center, will present “40 Years of the War on Cancer: From Carpet Bombing to Magic Bullets.” He will review the different stages of cancer therapy, the development of key concepts of cancer as a systemic disease, the genomic revolution and the introduction of molecular therapies for the treatment of cancer. Community members are invited to attend this event and can reserve a space by calling 610-402-CARE.
May 2nd, 2012 by Matthew Burns
Looking for a job in health care? Becker’s Hospital Review recently ranked Lehigh Valley Health Network as one of their “100 Best Places to Work in Health Care.” The magazine cited the network’s commitment to environmental responsibility as one of the main reasons for making the list. The magazine also mentioned the low-cost health insurance offered to employees and a $700 stipend each employee is given as part of our Culture of Wellness. The stipend can be used for exercise and fitness programs, weight loss programs and massage therapy.
May 1st, 2012 by Matthew Burns
Silly Seussian rhymes? A hippopotamus who hiccupped quite a lot(amus)? Lehigh Valley Health Network President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald W. Swinfard, MD, read to the children at the health network’s Early Care and Education Center to celebrate Week of the Young Child. Swinfard chose to read Dr. Seuss’s “There’s a Wocket in My Pocket” and “Hiccupotamus” by Aaron Zenz. Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Week of the Young Child is meant to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.
May 1st, 2012 by Amy Koch
Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Community Health and Wellness Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital-17th Street is a unique place for patients to learn how to get fit, stay healthy and manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma. Opened a year ago, the center offers programs for medical management, diabetes education, weight management, nutrition counseling, tobacco cessation, and cancer support and testing. All of the programs are available in English and Spanish.
April 24th, 2012 by Matthew Burns
Sitting on the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum before The Dash for Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness, Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Transplant Center’s transplant coordinator Sue Eckhart, social worker Judy Knoop and transplant surgeon Michael Moritz, MD, relax before the long walk ahead of them. They were part of a larger 30 member team made up of health network staff, patients, friends and families who walked to support the Gift of Life donor program.
April 23rd, 2012 by Rick Martuscelli
Springtime means more people are riding bicycles or motorcycles, driving to the beach and enjoying warm weather. It also means there is a greater potential for serious accidents. Lehigh Valley Health Network’s MedEvac flight team helps protect our community—and now MedEvac helicopters have a new look. All four helicopters will be painted black—with the word MedEvac in red – to best spread the prevention message. “Our helicopters and flight crew represent the ultimate in teamwork and serve to protect people throughout our community,” says Mike Wargo, the health network’s administrator for the department of public safety and emergency operations.
