March 11, 2021 Athletic Trainers Get Back in the Game Page 2 Aqua Therapy Returns Page 2 Dr. Heather Walker Named Distinguished Centurion for Achievement by Greensburg Central Catholic Page 3 Westmoreland Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy Page 4 Fire Extinguisher Training Page 4 Employee Engagement Page 4 Page 6 to 7 New Faces
Volume 4 Issue 05 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Now Performed at Excela Westmoreland Hospital Excela Health now offers minimally invasive aortic heart valve replacement as part of a widening array of procedures available to the residents of Westmoreland County within the Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is being performed on patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis (narrowing or restriction of blood flow) at low, intermediate or high risk for standard valve replacement surgery. A TAVR can typically take less than an hour to complete, and patients can expect to spend less time in the hospital after TAVR compared to traditional surgical valve replacement. Learn more
Family Additions Maternity Center Once Again Ranked Among Nation’s Best The Family Additions Maternity Center at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital remains ranked among the nation’s best, and the only one in southwestern Pennsylvania featured in the Best Maternity Hospitals 2021 edition of Newsweek, which publishes the honor roll annually. Excela Health is one of 217 hospitals across 36 states on this list compiled by the news magazine in partnership with The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization that reports on the safety and quality performance of U.S. healthcare facilities. To be considered for the list, hospitals had to demonstrate adherence to a variety of standards for excellence in maternity care including low rates of C-section, episiotomy and early elective deliveries and follow important protocols to protect mothers and babies. “We are honored and pleased to receive this notable accolade for a second consecutive year,” said John Sphon, CEO of Excela Health. “It is yet another tangible recognition of our mission to improve the health and well-being of every life we touch.” Read more here
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In the News Excela Health’s Maternity Center Once Again Ranked Among Nation’s Best February 26
"The Family Additions Maternity Center at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital remains ranked among the nation’s best, and the only one in southwestern Pennsylvania featured in the Best Maternity Hospitals 2021 edition of Newsweek, which publishes the honor roll annually." Read more. Coronavirus Mitigation Measures Contribute to Mild Flu Season in Western PA and Beyond
Athletic Trainers Get Back in the Game As schools return to in-person instruction, athletes are getting back in the game right in time for National Athletic Training Month! Excela Health Athletic Trainers care for many of our region's scholastic and collegiate athletes. When the pandemic closed schools and sent students to online learning, athletic trainers stepped into new roles within the system. Athletic trainers were among staff members who became screeners, greeters, concierges, and helped in mask distribution and PPE manufacturing. Excela Health athletic trainers work with local high schools and college/universities to keep athletes safe. Learn more about the Athletic Training Outreach Program here. Click here to enlarge photo
February 28
“Health officials said the mitigation measures in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 are likely the key to this year’s mild flu season.” Read more. Stahlstown-Based Ministry Nears 11,000 Layettes Sent to Families in Need March 1
““All the families appreciate these handmade items for that extra touch of love,” Wendy Reynolds, clinical director of the Family Additions Maternity Center, said. “Maybe they don’t have someone in their family who can make these things.”” Read more.
Aqua Therapy Returns To enhance exercise and create a safe environment for rehabilitation, Excela Health Outpatient Rehabilitation offers aquatic physical therapy. Aquatic therapy uses the buoyancy and resistance of the water to assist in patient healing and exercise performance. Doctors may recommend aquatic therapy to help achieve earlier mobility following many types of surgery. The buoyancy of water allows for greater ease in walking without assistance and decreases the fear of falling. The pressure applied to the body by the water reduces edema (swelling), which allows for enhanced tissue healing. Excela Health offers two aquatic therapy pools, including a state-of-the-art Hydroworx underwater treadmill which helps promote early range of motion and initiates weight bearing in a safe environment. Our aquatic therapy pools are located at the Ligonier YMCA, 117 West Wellington Alley Ligonier PA 15658. To schedule an appointment please call 724-995-8815. Learn more
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Dr. Heather Walker Named Distinguished Centurion for Achievement by Greensburg Central Catholic
In the News
Congratulations to Dr. Heather Walker for being named the distinguished centurion for achievement by Greensburg Central Catholic (GCC)! The Distinguished Centurion Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to their community, workplace or GCC and provide a positive model for GCC students today. The awards serve to bring honor to the school community and advance the mission of the school. Dr. Walker serves as assistant director of the emergency department at Westmoreland Hospital. In addition, she is the Excela Health and Mutual Aid Ambulance Medical Director and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Progress Clarion's First Somerset RNs Prepare to Graduate in May
Read more here
March 4
Employee Benefit: Primary Care Weekdays Primary Care Weekdays is available for employees for when you are feeling ill, and can't get a same-day appointment with your PCP! This employee benefit is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The service is offered at Excela Square at Norwin and Excela Square at Latrobe in Excela Health WORKS. Call for a convenient, same-day appointment: 724-765-1230 Cash, credit card or insurance payment accepted. Learn more
Excela Health Staff Take Part in Read Across America Book Drive During the month of February the United Way held a book drive for six local YMCAs. Many staff members donated to the program, including employees from Environmental Services. Thank you to all who donated!
March 1
“The very first Clarion University’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) students from Somerset County are preparing to graduate in May with plans to enter the workforce as registered nurses (RNs).” Read more. Medical Consortium: If Offered a Vaccine, Take the One Available First “"We recommend that you accept whichever of the three vaccines becomes available soonest,” according to a statement by the Western PA Regional Chief Medical Officer Consortium.” Read more. Western PA Health Experts Cautious About CDC's Mask-Shedding Guidance March 8
““I worry a little bit, frankly, that people will maybe misinterpret this particular guidance, and think it gives more freedoms than it really does,” said Dr. Carol Fox, Chief Medical Officer at Excela Health.” Read more. Pandemic Weighs on Mental Health as People Cope with Anxiety, Fears March 8
“Susie Kramer, a 42-year-old senior respiratory therapist at Excela Frick Hospital, spent weeks donning personal protection equipment before entering a room, only to strip it off and start the process over as she rushed from patient to patient.” Read more.
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Employee Engagement Westmoreland Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy Did you know the Westmoreland Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy offers CBD products? CBD products can be used for chronic pain, nerve pain, anxiety, acne and more! Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the active ingredients derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. CBD does NOT contain THC and NO psychoactive properties. In the state of Pennsylvania CBD is considered a supplement and does not require a prescription. The Westmoreland Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy offers CBD products for humans and pets! Learn more
OUTPATIENT PHARMACY
Fire Extinguisher Training The 2021 schedule for Fire Extinguisher Training is now available. Training must be completed every other year. For example if you last completed training in 2019 you are now due to complete it again. If you are unsure of the last time you completed the training you can check the roster here or through UltiPro. If there is a discrepancy, please email Lisa Yetter at lyetter@excelahealth.org.
Kudos to Athletic Trainers “The Athletic Trainers “wrote the book” on the position of Patient Concierge... There is no way that we could have provided this level of service to our patients without the support of this group! I am so grateful!”
Department/Service Line Recognitions March National Athletic Training Month National Nutrition Month National Recruitment Month National Social Workers Month 3/7 to 3/13 - National Social Work Week 3/19- Certified Nurses Day 3/14 to 3/20 - Patient Safety Awareness Week Want to have your department/service line recognized? Click here to submit information.
Click here to view the schedule
Share Your Story
EAP Update: Lifelines
Have something that you would like to share with the Excela Insight staff for future editions? Email information to insight@excelahealth.org
Washington EAP services released the winter edition of Lifelines. This edition covers five things you should know about stress, making the most of small, and more. To access the newletter, click here. To access live webinars click here and use the Work-Life login code “excela” and click on “Online Seminars” to find all available seminars.
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Kudos & Recognition
Exceptional Service Provided “These have been some very trying times for all of us in healthcare, especially here at Excela. I know I personally have been down this past month in general, and have at times reached a breaking point of wondering 'Does this all even matter anymore?'. However, I wanted to mention something that really helped me and wanted you to know about it. "On Tuesday, February 2, I was part of a tremendous team effort that was not planned, but occurred out of spontaneity. As I was about to finish my daylight shift on 1D. I noticed a woman struggling to walk after getting off of the elevator. Another person, a nutritional services worker. had helped the woman get into a wheelchair. After seeing this, I wanted to know more. I thought is this a family member? Did they need help? Thus I wandered the extra 30-50 feet and asked about the situation at hand. Both parties then explained that the female patient was trying to get to the front door to leave. I then told the nutritional staff member I would help, or do anything that needed to be done from here if they wanted or needed to do something else. Aiding the woman was important, but I also wanted to get the team member’s name, which so happens to be Francezca Smith, but I did not want to ask, so I just memorized it from her badge to be able to utilize it later. "As I wheeled the woman out to the front, I asked what had brought her to the hospital. She told me she was here to get labwork, but she didn't realize that the lab closed earlier due to COVID restrictions. She enlightened me as to her diagnoses mainly of a respiratory nature along with diabetes and why she has to come here now due to home health agency issues. I asked her how she had arrived here as we approached the front door, and she replied UBER. I then asked her if she had anything to eat lately for the diabetes aspect of her life, to which she replied "no". Then I explained what we had in out pantries and we found something that matched her dietary restrictions. After getting her set up with a table in the lobby, she told me she was going to try to find an UBER home. I let her know that I would check back with her, but I needed to go finish with the patient assignment I had and the change of shift. "When I went back out to check on her, I was extremely happy that another team member from Patient Transport had been with her, Hannah Christner. When I came back on the scene, the patient said, 'That is him', identifying me as the one who helped set her up. I asked the woman more about the situation, and she said no UBERs were coming. However, Hannah took things into her hands, and had called the ED who helped to facilitate a way to get her home on the snowy evening. When I did leave for the evening, she was gone; and I was left to assume a timely transport to her home. This made my day seeing how caring the 'Excela Family' is and how everyone rises to the occasion. A lot of times I hear of people saying, 'This is not my patient' or they just walk past. I was especially proud because others helped aid this individual more than what I sometimes see. I felt that these two individuals exemplified some of the "unknown" HEROs that we often overlook and wanted to figure out a way to recognize them in any way.”
Travis Todd, MSN, BSN, RN
Hannah Christner escort
Francezca Smith, nutrition
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New Faces Frick Hospital
Westmoreland Hospital
Food and Nutrition Services Bryanna Palmer, Nutrition Services Specialist Intensive Care Unit Bethany Stambaugh, RN Laboratory Services Candice Keith, Phlebotomist Patient Transport Kayla Grimm, Transporter
COVID-19 Vaccine Marissa Findish, Vaccine Clinic Administrative Assistant Aaron Harter, Vaccine Clinic Administrative Assistant Emergency Department Jessica Iezzi, Technical Partner Eric Loucks, Graduate Nurse Environmental Services Penny Lee, Environmental Services Technician Family Additions Maternity Center Hailey Sanner, Graduate Nurse Imaging Services Alicia Elmore, Radiology Technologist Jessica Landry, Radiology Technologist Laboratory Services Alec Cicchini, Phlebotomist Medical Surgical Unit 4D Nathan Awai, RN Operating Room Melanie Dunn, RN Patient Transport Skylea Burrow, Patient Transporter PCU 1D Emily Melisko, Graduate Nurse
Latrobe Hospital Critical Care Sathrugnan Yogeswaran, Graduate Nurse Environmental Services Jenna Deemer, Environmental Services Technician Abigail Varsafsky, Environmental Services Technician Food and Nutrition Services Kristen LaBryer, Nutrition Services Specialist Laboratory Services Jennifer Grantz, Phlebotomist Medical Surgical Unit 3 North Alisa Flowers, RN Nursing Pool Caleb Conroy, Technical Partner Student Outpatient Administration Jennifer Haase, Imaging Aide Patient Transport Robert Grant Sr., Patient Transporter Progressive Cardiac Unit Angelina Brandonio, Technical Partner
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EHMG Advanced Pain Center - Frick Heather Bollinger, Patient Services Associate Anesthesia Thersea Troy, CRNA Family Medicine Bursch Family Medicine Vanessa Riggs, RN Saltsburg Family Medicine Shelli Kuhner, Patient Services Associate Pulmonary Services Elizabeth Murray, BSN Ankur Puri, MD
New Faces Home Care & Hospice Home Care Autumn Bretzel, Direct Care Partner Jazmine Frost, Direct Care Partner Tyra Johnson, Direct Care Partner Emilee Sterf, Direct Care Partner Skilled Nursing Cody McDonald, RN
Excela Square at Latrobe Outpatient Rehabilitation Lynne Gillott, Physical Therapist
Excela Square at Norwin Imaging Services Angela Zucco, MRI Technologist
CareGivers Club House Kayla Kimmel, Vocational Rehabilitation Worker Westmoreland Psych Rehabilitation Isabella Fields, Secretary
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