May 19, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 10
Top Stories
Excela Health Accolades For Patient Safety Continue
Graduation Album
Now Accepting 2022 Graduation Album Submissions
Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society 37th Annual Children’s Health Fair
Excela Health continues to be recognized for exceptional patient care, with Excela Westmoreland Hospital and Excela Latrobe Hospital each receiving an “A” in The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2022 Hospital Safety Grades. This marks the fourth consecutive grading period for Westmoreland Hospital to receive the “A” designation. 2022 Service Awards
Summer Perks
In Every Edition In the News, Page 3
“We are gratified to have our performance reviewed by many benchmarking organizations nationwide,” said John Sphon, Excela Health Chief Executive Officer. “There are various factors that contribute to the total patient experience and the pandemic has certainly shaped our day-to-day work in ways we could not have imagined. Still, we remain focused on delivering safe, high-quality care during each encounter.” The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
Kudos & Recognition, Page 6 New Faces, Page 7
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Now Accepting 2022 Graduation Album Submissions Do you have a graduate at home you want to recognize or are you one yourself? Submit your information to be included in the 2022 Graduation Album! Information will be shared via a special edition of Insight – to be released in the summer of 2022. Although this is an internal publication, there is a possibility that it can be accessed publicly.
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Graduation Album
Outpatient Diabetes Education Center Merits Continued Recognition From American Diabetes Association Nearly half of all Americans have diabetes or prediabetes, considered the nation’s most expensive chronic health condition. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease and amputation. Excela Health’s Outpatient Diabetes Education Center maintains a leading role in helping people with diabetes manage their disease through its nationally certified education program. Excela’s program was first recognized in March 2014 and was recently recertified by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) through its Education Recognition Program (ERP). “Diabetes greatly impacts the risk of and the trajectory of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke, conditions which are common in our region,” said Carol J. Fox, MD, Excela Health Chief Medical Officer. “Excela Health is fortunate to have a comprehensive program aimed at assisting patients with diabetes in optimizing their glucose management thereby limiting the negative cardiovascular effects. We are very proud of our program and of our team.”
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May 19, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 10
Join the HealthyWage Challenge The HealthyWage Team Challenge is a 12-week weight loss challenge with over over $10,000 in cash prizes. Teams consist of five people and the challenge begins May 20, 2022. Registration is $25/month for three months ($75). Contestants can earn back their registration fee with an individual weight loss of 10% in 9 months!
In The News
Excela Health Outpatient Diabetes Education Center recognized by American Diabetes Association Click here
Register Here
21st Annual Freedom 5K for Heart
PA Hospital Safety Grades 2022: The Best And The Worst Click here
Join Dr. Larry DeNino, Excela Health Cardiologist, for the 21st Annual Freedom 5K for Heart. The 5K will take place on July 4, 2022 at Lynch Field. Virtual running is also available for those who can't come in person. The dollars raised from the Freedom 5K will help the American Heart Association to save lives from heart disease and stroke…. today, tomorrow and for years to come.
Register Here
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Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society 37th Annual Children’s Health Fair The Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society in conjunction with Excela Health hosted its 37th Annual Children’s Health Fair at Charter Oak Church, Greensburg. Approximately 550 third grade students from Latrobe, Derry, Ligonier and the Valley School of Ligonier attended, along with their teachers. Throughout the day long event, students rotated through 12 learning stations, including Dangers of Tobacco/Vaping, Robotic Medicine, Concussion Prevention, Yoga Exercise, Good Nutrition, Respecting Others, Dental Hygiene, Stress Management, Ambulance Tour, K-9 Officer, Car and Bicycle Safety and Summer Safety.
Donation to Allied Universal Security In anticipation of June as National Safety Month Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society (LAHAS) recently donated snack baskets to staff of Allied Universal Security who serve at Excela Latrobe Hospital and Excela Square at Latrobe. The donations were made in appreciation for all they do to keep the environment safe for patients, visitors and staff. Representing LAHAS from left are Kathy Koontz, Roberta McCahan and Sally Ann Novak. Accepting the gift are Allied officers Ron Altman and Dan Myers. Allied Universal provides security for Excela Health across the health system.
Spinach-Bean Dip Recipe Enjoy this spinach-bean dip recipe presented by Dawn Davoli, Registered Dietitian, in this edition of Healthy Kitchen.
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May 19, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 10
2022 Service Awards Congratulations to the following employees who have reached a milestone in calendar year 2021. This list includes employees who were not previously recognized in 2021. Please join us in congratulating the staff on their milestone. Beginning this year, service anniversaries will be celebrated in the calendar year following their anniversary year. For example, if an employee reaches their 10 year milestone in June of 2022, they will be included in the 2023 recognitions. Excela Health is grateful for all employees and the service they provide to improve the health and well-being of every life we touch.
5 Years
15 Years
Frick Hospital Katie Dillinger, BSN
Latrobe Hospital Lugene D'Angelo, BSN, Perioperative
Latrobe Hospital Robin Harkcom, BSN Lucille Urban, RN
20 Years
Westmoreland Hospital Brian Campbell, Technical Partner Jocelyn Cawoski, Pharmacist
Excela Health Medical Group Rebecca Plummer, RN Rene Smail, Nurse Practitioner IV
Excela Health Medical Group Caitlin LaBute, RN Cathy Tofani, Regional Practice Manager Home Care & Hospice Toni Pancoast, Medical Secretary
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Summer Perks Summer is just around the corner! Enjoy discounts from 512 Coffee and Ice Cream café, Kennywood, Idlewild and Sandcastle, Caddie Shak, Delgrosso's Amusement Park and more!
Must show Excela Health ID badge at time of purchase. Visit the Excela Health Perks Page for more information on how to redeem featured perks. Please be sure to abide by all COVID-19 guidelines and regulations when using/participating in Excela Perks.
EAP Update: Sleep Essentials The sleep holds high importance on your overall health! This seminar explores strategies to start a healthy bedtime routine to help you reduce stress and improve your well-being.
Your Employee Assistance Program can provide free, confidential, and independent support as well as assistance on any of the work, personal, and family challenges that life may bring.
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Kudos & Recognition Excela Health Employees “I can account for the staff that attended me when I was in isolation! They took the time to talk to me to help relieve my anxiety.” Facebook
Critical Care Recognition Month | Oncology Nurses Month | National Mental Health Month | Better Hearing and Speech Month | National Nurses’ Week, 5/6 to 5/12 | National Hospital Week, 5/9 to 5 /15 | National Skilled Nursing Care Week, 5/9 to 5/15 | Neuroscience Nurses Week, 5/9 to 5/15 | National EMS Week, 5/15 to 5/21 | Healthcare Technology Management Week, 5/16 to 5/23 | Healthcare Documentation Integrity Week, 5/16 to 5/23 | National Speech Pathologist Day, 5/18
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April 21, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 8
New Faces: Welcome to Excela Health Frick Hospital
Central Processing Rhonda Striner, Materials Management Worker Progressive Care Unit Kara May, Technical Partner Loretta Taylor, Technical Partner Hannah Ucman, Technical Partner
Latrobe Hospital
Nursing Pool Tracey Dudley, Patient Safety Associate Emma Greiner, Technical Partner Perioperative Administration Shannon Lowen, Nursing Instructor
Westmoreland Hospital
Accounting/Finance Brian Bicko, Accountant Advanced Wound Center Stephanie Yoder, Hyperbaric Oxygen Technician Clinical Resource Management Heather Reagan, Case Manager, RN Tracy Whatule, Case Manager, RN Human Resources Kylie Wood, Summer Internship Laboratory Services Terra Shuma, Clinical Lab Assistant Brittany Turner, Laboratory Technologist Medical Surgical Unit 4D Madison Layhue, Technical Partner Pharmacy Nathan Henry, Pharmacy Technician Volunteer Services Donna Stillman, Visitor Concierge
Excela Health Medical Group Anesthesia Associates Angela Lukow, MD Diagnostic Associates Latrobe Michelle Gardner, RN, Health Coach Tammy Smoker, Patient Services Associate Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) Excela Square at Latrobe Kimberly Alberter, RN General Surgery, Women’s Health Megan Boyle, Physician Assistant Orientation Primary Care Excela Square Norwin Alicia Guerra, LPN Chelsea Patton, Medical Assistant Wound Care Shirley Byers, Nurse Practitioner Orientation
Home Care & Hospice Home Care Tiffany Smith, Direct Care Partner
Excela Square at Latrobe Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Gina Karpac, Occupational Therapist
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