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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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).

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.

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.