January 13, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 1
Top Stories
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
One Year Out… One Patient’s Perspective
Quit the Habit – For Good: Getting Pharmaceutical Help
Excela offers both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines. You may mix vaccines manufacturers if necessary. Pfizer:
Concussion: The Hidden Diagnosis
• Initial two-dose series of vaccination is available for anyone five • years of age or older, two doses at least three weeks apart. • Third dose is available to immunocompromised individuals five • years of age or older at least 28 days after second dose. Please • contact your physician with any questions. • A booster dose is recommended for anyone 12 years of age or • older, at least five months after completion of your initial series • (second dose).
Moderna: A Year Full of Healthy Challenges
In Every Edition In the News, Page 3 Kudos & Recognition, Page 5 New Faces, Page 6
• Initial two-dose series of vaccination is available for anyone 18 • years of age or older, two doses at least four weeks apart. • Third dose is available to Immunocompromised individuals 18 years • of age or older. Please contact your physician with any questions. • A booster dose is recommended for anyone 18 years of age or • older, at least five months after completion of your initial series • (second dose).
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One Year Out… One Patient’s Perspective 365 days ago I did something that changed my life forever. I haven’t talked much about it to anyone because it is my story to tell and I wasn’t ready to talk to most people. After years of wanting/needing to lose weight I decided to undergo a bariatric surgery procedure known as a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. With this procedure I would have more than of 85% of my stomach removed with the hopes of improving my overall health while losing weight. I had wanted to do this for at least 12 years, and I decided it was time to take control of my life. I had been told before that it would be “the easy way out.”, but I can tell you first hand that this has been anything but easy. Of all the things I have done in my life, nothing has pushed me physically, emotionally, and spiritually like this. I can’t even sit here and type without becoming emotional. To say that I am a better person one year later is a certainty.
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Quit the Habit – For Good: Getting Pharmaceutical Help Are you ready to quit smoking? Once you’ve decided to quit smoking, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about medications to minimize your withdrawal symptoms, in order to make it a successful quitting process. Dr. Abigail Casey discusses pharmaceutical options that may help.
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January 13, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 1
Concussion: The Hidden Diagnosis Jayden Moffa was in her sophomore year of high school, a student with good grades, who was preparing for college in her future. One day, during gym class Jayden was accidentally hit in the head with a soccer ball. She visited the school nurse and returned to class as normal, not giving it a second thought. She did not know that hit to the head would lead her down a path filled with doctors appointments and more questions than answers.
In The News
1st New Year's Baby in Westmoreland Makes Late Appearance Click here
Learn More 'The overarching view is vast': 5 surgeons' Predictions on Outpatient Orthopedics Click here
A Year Full of Healthy Challenges This is the year to take charge of your well-being! Let’s begin our healthy eating journey at a slow and steady pace, without sprinting. Small simple adjustments can produce the biggest results. Read on to learn month-by-month tips by focusing on one small change at a time
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More Health Systems Requiring Vaccination for Workers — but Some Still Aren't, Despite CMS Mandate Click here
Letter to the Editor: Get Vaccinated to Help Health Care Workers Click here
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Employee of the Month Congratulations to the following employees who have demonstrated their commitment to Excela Health’s mission. Latrobe Hospital Kathleen Fisher, Nursing Pool Home Care & Hospice Allan Brown, Physical Therapy Jacqueline Pehrson, Home Health Aide Laurel Surgical Center Bridget Reed
Nominate Someone for Employee of the Month Celebrate the accomplishments of those around you by nominating a co-worker for Employee of the Month! Individuals or teams are chosen based on a demonstration of a positive impact on our culture and work environment through Safety, Quality, Human Development, Productivity and Growth and Margin. Multiple awards are presented each month to employees across the health system.
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Updated Screening Guidelines For Lung Cancer Guidelines for lung cancer screening have changed. Both the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) are expanding recommendations for lung cancer screening with low dose CT scans (LDCT). Learn about the updated guidelines.
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January 13, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 1
Career Opportunities EAP Update Excela Health is hiring for a variety of clinical and non-clinical positions. Take advantage of the employee referral program, and earn cash while improving staffing.
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Start the new year in the right mindset! This online seminar covers practical steps to use positive reframing strategies to guide your way through 2022. The webinar is available beginning January 18. To access the webinar use the Work-Life login code “excela”.
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Upcoming Recruitment Events: • Monday, January 31 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Virtual nursing interviews for RN, LPN and • Nursing Assistants. Click here to register. • Wednesday, May 19 | 3 to 4 p.m. • Virtual Nurse Residency information session on • WebEx. Click here to register.
Kudos & Recognition News Years Message to Staff My prayers continue for all at Excela and all that give and support care elsewhere as well! As a former provider from the field, hospital and air, I applaud you all! - Facebook Kudos to Arvind Vasudevan, MD I love this Doctor! He took his time and was very thorough. He called the same day with Bloodwork results. Knowledgeable & Caring. I highly recommend!! - Google Review National Pharmacist Day, 1/12 | Intravenous Nurse Day, 1/25
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New Faces: Welcome to Excela Health Frick Hospital
Central Processing Jennifer Keller, Materials Management Food and Nutrition Services Danny Strickler, Nutrition Services Specialist Emergency Department Ryan Hupp, RN Environmental Services Sherry Haines, Environmental Services Technician Deborah Wilson, Environmental Services Technician
Latrobe Hospital
Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit 2 Alicia Amorose, RN Cheryl Erdley, RN Amanda Machanos, BSN Environmental Services Mikayla Vance, Environmental Services Technician Laboratory Services Madison Lind, Phlebotomist Deidra Woodward, Phlebotomist Nursing Administration Jaclyn Berry, Nursing Supervisor Nursing Pool Leighann Ashbaugh, Technical Partner Student Kathleen Hendrickson, Technical Partner Student Pharmacy Catherine Dzibua, Pharmacist Physical Therapy Megan Downey, Rehabilitation Technician
Westmoreland Hospital
Administration Scott Witman, Compliance Analyst Anesthesia Kayla Holmes, Anesthesia Technician Melinda Hunter, Anesthesia Technician Behavioral Health Crisis Center Jason Homer, Behavioral Health Therapist Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit 1 Jamie Corleto, Behavioral Health Technical Partner Behavioral Health Outpatient Patricia Lewis, Behavioral Health Director COVID-19 Vaccine Janet Opst, Vaccine Clinic Administrative Assistant Jessica Persin, Vaccine Clinic Administrative Assistant
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Westmoreland Hospital Cont.
Employee Health Services Sarah Koscho, Vaccine Clinic Administrative Assistant Environmental Services Walter Allen, Environmental Services Technician Emergency Department Cody Shipley, RN Food and Nutrition Services Cullen Shearer, Nutrition Services Intern Henrietta Smith, Culinarian II Imaging Services Megan Gerhardt, Imaging Student Intensive Care Unit Eric Scherger, RN Inpatient Physical Therapy Sarah Leech Berklovich, Speech Pathologist Laboratory Services Jessica Mickey, Phlebotomist Tara Miller, Lab System Supervisor Ashley Roney, Phlebotomist Materials Management James Mills, Supply Chain Associate Medical Surgical Unit 3D/3E Amber Adams, Technical Partner Student Katie Corsaro, Technical Partner Student Nickolas Giatroudakis, Technical Partner Emanual Knouse, Technical Partner Nursing Pool Kayla Cooper, Technical Partner Koen Long, Technical Partner Student Katlyn Pierce, Technical Partner Student Kasi Pritts, Technical Partner Abbigail Riggs, Technical Partner Operating Room Lauren Elzer, RN Joan Shivak, Unit Clerk Outpatient Rehabilitation Ian Wissinger, Physical Therapist Assistant Patient Transport Josephine Toth, Patient Transporter PCU 1D Kaitlyn Bricker, LPN PCU 2D Jennifer Fetty, Unit Clerk Perianesthesia Michele DeFalco, RN
January 13, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 1
New Faces: Welcome to Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital Cont. Pharmacy Alison Hensler, Pharmacy Technician Respiratory Care Services Malaysha, Respiratory Assistant Student Step Down Unit Stephanie Young, BSN
Excela Health Medical Group Advanced Paint Center Norwin Donna Long, Patient Services Associate Cardiology Blairsville Shaylee Anderson, Medical Assistant Family Medicine Blairsville Martina Mullen, Certified Medical Assistant Shelby Ursiak, Medical Assistant Excela Square at Frick Brittany Maust, Patient Services Associate Saltsburg Nicole Rado, Patient Services Associate Internal Medicine Greensburg Katie Harris, Physician Assistant Neurology Norwin Kylee Lawson, Patient Services Associate Greensburg Hope Shearer, Certified Medical Assistant Obstetrics & Gynecology Greensburg Chelsea Cook, Medical Assistant Excela Square at Latrobe Michelle Sensue, LPN Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Excela Square at Norwin Lori Ostroski, Patient Services Associate Primary Care Excela Square at Norwin Kaylee Lawson, Patient Services Associate Shelly Maloney, RN Value Base Nathan Morgan, Quality Coordinator Wound Care Patrick Roberto, DPM
Home Care & Hospice Home Care Kierstin Schade, Direct Care Partner Skilled Nursing Crystal Shilling, LPN
Excela Square at Norwin
Administration Wendy Fabery, Secretary Imaging Services Casey Tuxward, Radiology Technologist II Physical Therapy Ashley Smallwood, Physical Therapist
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