Aria doc offers stroke tips
Strokes kills 130,000 Americans each year, and Dr. David H. Sirken, chief of the Division of Neurology and Stroke Program medical director for Aria Health, is providing advice to identify the symptoms and reduce the risk of stroke.
To reduce the risk of having a stroke, Sirken recommends taking the following actions:
• Schedule regular check-ups.
• Quit smoking.
• Get 30 minutes of physical activity each day with an activity like walking.
• Adhere to your medications.
• Monitor your blood glucose and pressure.
• Limit your salt intake.
Sirken also advises to watch for the warning signs you or a loved one may experience, such as face drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulty. In that case, call 911. ••
Aria boosts cardiac care
Aria Health announced that the Pennsylvania Heart and Vascular Group medical practice is an affiliate partner.
“Our collaboration with the PHVG team will greatly strengthen our ability to deliver the best possible cardiac care to our patients,” said Kathleen Kinslow, president and CEO of Aria Health. “PHVG has a stellar reputation in our region with a history of striving to improve the health of patients with the most comprehensive cardiovascular care, research and education possible. We are thrilled that PHVG will join us in our efforts to deliver the best possible medical services to the people in our communities.”
The addition of PHVG to Aria Health will expand the healthcare provider’s cardiovascular services and offerings. Comprised of 20 board-certified cardiologists, the medical practice includes doctors in every specialty of cardiac care.
In addition to treating patients at Aria Health hospitals, PHVG physicians will serve patients at their existing offices located at 9501 Roosevelt Blvd. and The Pavilion, 261 Old York Road, Suite 214, in Jenkintown.
For more information about Aria Health and its cardiovascular offerings, visit www.ariahealth.org or call toll-free 1–877–808-ARIA. ••
Aria gets high ratings
Aria Health announced that its Home Health program received a 5-star rating — the highest possible — in the Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems.
Aria Home Health also received a 4-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Home Health Quality of Patient Care Star Rating.
“Home care has proven to be clinically effective, managing chronic diseases that account for 75 percent of healthcare spending,” said Denise Reinholt, senior director of Aria Home Health. “At Aria Home Health, our aim is to promote medical independence in the community by empowering our skilled nurses to teach patients how to manage their disease or ailment, establishing realistic health goals, and providing the support they need to achieve them. These third-party ratings further prove that Aria Home Health is having a positive impact and benefiting patients in our community.”
Aria Home Health provides skilled nursing services such as pain management, patient education, monitoring of serious illnesses or unstable health conditions and rehabilitative services.
For more information about Aria Health or Aria Home Health, visit www.ariahealth.org ••
Aria doc serves as team physician
Dr. Todd McGrath, of Aria 3B Orthopaedic Institute sports medicine, served as team physician for the United States Under-18 and Under-20 Women’s National Soccer Teams that competed in La Manga, Spain.
McGrath specializes in non-operative care.
With more than 14 years of experience in the field, McGrath has a special interest in sports medicine, concussion management and acute and chronic injuries in athletes. ••
Jeanes employee wins award
George Miller, clinical pharmacy manager at Jeanes Hospital, was one of 21 Pennsylvania healthcare workers from 12 facilities recognized by the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority for his efforts to improve patient safety.
“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of myself and Jeanes Hospital,” Miller said. “I take great pride in making Jeanes Hospital a safe and comfortable environment for patients and their families.”
As clinical pharmacy manager, Miller works closely with physician leadership, nursing staff and the hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee to develop protocols to improve the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy and other medications.
Because of Miller’s efforts, the protocols have resulted in an 80-percent reduction of adverse events related to warfarin. ••
CTCA recognized for high standard
Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 1331 E. Wyoming Ave., has been recognized by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, for meeting the highest standards for quality cancer care.
“At CTCA, we are committed to providing exceptional cancer care to all our patients,” said Nancy Hesse, interim president and CEO of CTCA. “It is an honor to receive QOPI Certification, which recognizes our continued commitment to providing personalized cancer treatment. This year, as we celebrate our tenth anniversary, I could not be more proud of CTCA Eastern’s physicians and employees for their dedication to providing exceptional care to our patients each and every day.”
CTCA was recognized for meeting standards in the areas of treatment planning; staff training and education; chemotherapy orders and drug preparation; patient consent and education; safe chemotherapy administration; and monitoring and assessment of patient well-being. ••
Nazareth doc wins award
Dr. Lee A. Celio recently received the Dr. Stanley J. Skromak Award at Nazareth Hospital’s Doctors’ Day Celebration.
The award is presented to a Nazareth physician who exemplifies dedication to the medical profession, fosters medical education, demonstrates exemplary patient/physician interaction and shows courtesy and respect.
Celio has been on Nazareth’s staff since 1985.
“We congratulate Dr. Celio for his hard work and continued dedication, exemplifying what the Skromak Award represents,” said Dr. Michael Magro, vice president of medical affairs at Nazareth. ••
Jeanes Hospital earns award
Independence Blue Cross has selected Jeanes Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement.
Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community.
Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions. In addition to meeting these quality thresholds, hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers are on average 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to other hospitals.
“It is an honor to have our hospital’s expertise in knee and hip replacement recognized by this distinction,” said Dr. Marc P. Hurowitz, CEO at Jeanes Hospital. “A Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement allows us to continue to deliver the highest quality of care to our patients.” ••
MossRehab a great place to work
MossRehab has been recognized by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com as one of the Greater Philadelphia Area’s “Top Workplaces” for the sixth year in a row.
Staff nominate their organization and then fill out a survey expressing how they feel about where they work.
“I feel so proud of MossRehab,” said Dr. Alberto Esquenazi, chairman of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at MossRehab. “For six years in a row, our employees have loudly voiced their support for MossRehab as a Top Workplace in Philadelphia. We are grateful to each and every employee for their dedication and effort toward our mission of improving the lives of people with disabilities. It is nice to know that working at MossRehab supports the sense that we are a family.”
“I’m honored for MossRehab to be a ‘Top Workplace’ for the sixth year in a row,” said Thomas Smith, chief operating officer at MossRehab. “On a daily basis, our employees live up to our ‘Challenge Accepted’ motto, impacting the lives of our patients in positive ways big and small. They are leaders in rehabilitation, research, education and advocacy. Such things are only possible when you love what you do, and where you do it.” ••
CTCA doctor honored
Dr. Mashiul Chowdhury, chief of infectious diseases and director of infection control and antibiotic stewardship program at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, was one of 21 Pennsylvania healthcare workers from 12 facilities recognized by the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority for their efforts to improve safety within their healthcare facilities.
The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority is an independent state agency.
Chowdhury developed and launched guidelines for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (preventive antibiotic treatment before surgery), post-splenectomy vaccination (vaccination after removing the spleen), appropriate pneumococcal vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis and vaccination for stem cell transplant patients. He also improved the turnaround time for receiving all culture results and led a multidisciplinary Ebola task force.
Chowdhury has been a member of the CTCA team in Philadelphia for more than four years. ••
Holy Redeemer hires 2 docs
Holy Redeemer Health System has announced the addition of two new physicians, Jane M. Cahill and Brenda A. Buzydlowski, who provide palliative care consultations to patients and their families in many settings, including in the hospital, in the home, in a life care setting and in the physician’s office.
Palliative medicine is a relatively new medical specialty that offers pain and symptom management and emotional and spiritual support for those who face chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illness.
Palliative care specialists work with people, their family and their care team to help improve the quality of life during and after treatment for specific medical concerns. It is provided in tandem with life-prolonging therapies. ••
Paul’s Run employee honored
Katrina Wise, executive director of Paul’s Run, a senior living community at 9896 Bustleton Ave., has earned the Distinguished Service Award for Leader of the Year conferred by LeadingAge PA, an organization that represents over 370 nonprofit providers of senior housing, healthcare and community services across Pennsylvania.
LeadingAge PA required standards for its Leader of the Year Award, including a distinguished record of service, dedication and foresight. Wise, who has worked in the senior services industry for the past 30 years, was nominated by a group of public and industry leaders, including Lt. Gov. Mike Stack.
“Not only is she (Wise) very knowledgeable about seniors in our commonwealth, she has a passion for helping them. As a leader in our state on the treatment of seniors, I have personally witnessed Katrina’s sense of responsibility toward bettering the lives of seniors in Pennsylvania through legislation and through her role at Paul’s Run,” Stack wrote in his letter of reference for Wise.
Wise leads a staff of 400 who provide services for about 450 seniors across the entire continuum of care. ••
