June 3, 2021
Volume 4 Issue 11
June is National Safety Month Page 2 Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society 2021 Junior Volunteer Scholarship Recipient Page 2 Dr. Jenkins Chosen to Fly with Blue Angels During Westmoreland County Airshow Page 3 Calling All 2021 Excela Health Graduates Page 4 Westmoreland Parking Garage Elevator Construction Page 4 Employee Engagement New Faces
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TCAR Procedure Offers Patients Less-Invasive Treatment Option to Help Prevent Stroke Vascular surgeons Justin Wallace, MD and Elizabeth L. Detschelt, MD, FACS are among the first in western Pennsylvania to treat carotid artery disease and prevent future strokes using a new procedure called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). The new procedure is performed in the hybrid operating room at Excela Westmoreland Hospital. “TCAR is an important new option in the fight against stroke, and is particularly suited for the patients we see who are at higher risk of complications from carotid surgery due to age, anatomy or other medical conditions,” said Elizabeth Detschelt, MD. “Because of its low stroke risk and faster patient recovery, I believe TCAR represents the future of carotid repair.” Learn More
COVID-19 Vaccine in Relation to Screening Mammograms
Westmoreland Hospital QuikDraw has Reopened
It is important to understand that there is no increased risk or association of breast cancer with COVID-19 vaccination. We encourage everyone who is eligible for vaccination to receive the vaccine at the earliest date available for their own protection and for the benefit of our community to achieve herd immunity. We also encourage women to continue annual breast cancer screening with mammography to detect cancer at the earliest stage possible.
QuikDraw (outpatient lab, radiology and EKG) services have resumed at Westmoreland Hospital. Services are available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Schedule an appointment call: 724-689-0100
No appointment is necessary for these services; patients should report to Outpatient Registration on the Ground floor of the hospital upon arrival. The garage walkway to the hospital also has reopened for easy access to Outpatient Registration. View All QuikDraw Locations and Hours
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HERE TO SERVE EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY
June is National Safety Month
Pride Month is a time to raise awareness, improve the attitudes of society and encourage inclusiveness. At Excela Health our mission is to improve the health and well-being of EVERY life we touch.
Acceptance Begins Here
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The Safety team is hosting a virtual safety fair this year because safety was, is and will always be an important focus.
Each week of June there will be an exercise/word puzzle available on the Intranet featuring different subjects focused on employee wellness and safety. Participants can complete the exercise/puzzle and return to Lisa Yetter by interdepartmental mail to the Safety office at Frick Hospital or by email at EHSafety@excelahealth.org. Look for links under Employee Health/Safety and on Featured News on the Intranet for each weekly exercise/puzzle. There will be a total of four winners (one from Westmoreland, Frick, Latrobe, and offsite campuses) drawn from each week’s correct/completed entries. Winners will each receive $100 cash payable by check. One Grand Prize of an Apple Watch Series 6 valued at $400 will be awarded to an entrant on June 30. Winner will be required to pay the payroll taxes on the Grand Prize. Learn More
Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society 2021 Junior Volunteer Scholarship Recipient Olivia M. Galando has received Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society’s Junior Volunteer Scholarship of $2,500 for her outstanding performance and dedication in accruing 217 hours of volunteer service at Excela Latrobe Hospital. As a Junior Volunteer, she worked at the front desk, directing visitors and answering phone calls. She also assisted the Excela Latrobe Hospital administration by sending congratulatory e-cards to employees who received special awards. “Volunteering has shown me a lot about the hospital environment. I have a deep appreciation for anyone who works in healthcare,” Olivia said. Students who are 16 and older who are interested in volunteering at the Hospital should contact Dolan Vogle, Volunteer Services, at jvogle@excelahealth.org or 724-537-1357.
Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society Host Shoe Drive Help Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society raise funds by donating your gently worn, used and new shoes. Items can be dropped off Monday, June 14 to Friday, August 13 at Excela Latrobe Hospital and Excela Square at Latrobe lobbies. Accepting all womens, mens & childrens shoes. Collected shoes are used to support micro-enterprise vendors. Micro-enterprises are small businesses in developing nations. They are typically operated by one person or family and friends, depending on size. For questions, contact Jan Mills at 724-433-9601
Greater Latrobe Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Education Banquet Sponsorship Maryann Singley, Vice President Patient Care Services, recently attended the Greater Latrobe Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce (GLLVCC) 27th Annual Excellence in Education Banquet. Excela Health is a proud sponsor of the event that recognizes the top 5% of graduating seniors from Derry Area, Greater Latrobe and Greensburg Central Catholic. Joining Singley pictured second from left along with ( left to right) Briana Tomack, President/CEO of GLLVCC; Caitlyn Crook, Derry Hight School; Alisha Ungvarsky, Derry High School teacher; Amy Peer GLLV Board Vice Chair.
Dr. Jenkins Chosen to Fly with Blue Angels During Westmoreland County Airshow William A. Jenkins, MD was chosen to fly with the Blue Angels on their Key Influencer Flight Program during the Westmoreland County Airshow due to his work in the medical field in Western Pennsylvania.
In the News Penn-Trafford to Hold COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic on June 3 May 28
“Excela Health of Greensburg will conduct a covid vaccination clinic for Penn-Trafford students age 12 and older as part of its fall athletic physicals at the Penn-Trafford High School in Harrison City.” Read more. Excela Health Offering Breakthrough Technology for Carotid Artery Disease to Help Prevent Stroke May 26
“Vascular surgeons at Excela Health are among the first in western Pennsylvania to treat carotid artery disease and prevent future strokes using a new procedure called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR).” Read more. Excela Health Again Recognized for Patient Safety May 26
“Excela Health continues to be recognized for exceptional patient care, with Excela Westmoreland Hospital once again receiving an “A” in The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2021 Hospital Safety Grades. The designation comes for the second consecutive grading period and reaffirms Excela Health’s continuing efforts in protecting patients from harm and meeting the highest safety standards in the United States.” Read more.
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Employee Engagement Calling All 2021 Excela Health Graduates Do you have a 2021 graduate at home you want to recognize or are you one yourself? We will be honoring employees and/or their children or stepchildren who are graduating from high school, college or technical school. The graduation gallery will be posted in a special edition of Excela Insight. To submit information click here. LAST CALL: Submissions due by end of day June 4.
Graduation Album Father’s Day Fundraiser Benefits Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society Celebrate Father’s Day by purchasing a unique gift he will enjoy from RADA. For fathers who enjoy grilling or who enjoy cooking, consider grilling spices and marinades or various knives to help him with slicing or carving. Your purchase will help the Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society raise funds for Excela Latrobe Hospital and community events such as the Children’s Health Fair. Purchase here
Westmoreland Parking Garage Elevator Construction Beginning June 4 The entrance to Westmoreland Hospital through the Parking Garage Bridge, which is located on the 3rd floor of the parking garage, is open. However, the elevator in the parking garage will be under construction and thus unavailable for three months, beginning Friday, June 4. Signage will be posted at the entrance to the garage as well as at the hospital entrances and on all floors to alert patients/families/visitors.
Kudos & Recognition Kudos Mary Allias, PA-C
Mary has worked as a physician assistant at Christianson Family Medicine since 2009 and has recently earned her Doctorate of Education degree from the University of Pittsburgh! Congratulations Mary on your accomplishment! Christianson Family Medicine Staff
Hospice Patient Birthday Cake Program Anniversary May 26, 2021 was the 10th anniversary of the Hospice Patient Birthday Cake Program. Volunteers Ed Washburn and Nancy Gombos have made and delivered 601 cakes! In addition, several volunteers have also helped with an additional 41 cakes for a total of 642 cakes. Ed and Nancy thought of the project and have really done an outstanding job. Our program is better for their help. Whether it is for a veteran, a child, or a particular wedding anniversary the decorated cakes are delivered with good will and song!
Department/Service Line Recognitions June 6/1 National Healthcare Recruiter Recognition Day 6/17 to 6/24 National Nursing Assistants Week 6/21 to 6/25 National Healthcare Risk Management Week Want to have your department/service line recognized? Click here to submit information.
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New Faces Frick Hospital
Westmoreland Hospital Cont.
Food and Nutrition Services Brian Lowery, Nutrition Services Specialist Progressive Care Unit Kyla Yencik, RN
Rebecca Feliciano, Technical Partner Medical Surgical Unit 4D Hannah Mensch, Technical Partner Student Nursing Pool Caitlyn Carney, Technical Partner Student Isabella DeVito, Technical Partner Student Oliver Kinney, Patient Safety Associate Shaelyn Shipley, Technical Partner Student Brooke Vijuk, Technical Partner Student Samantha Wagner, Patient Safety Associate Outpatient Rehabilitation Keith Berkebile, Rehabilitation Technician Rachel Erdely, Physical Therapist Erin Grandgeorge, Rehabilitation Technician Catherine Hudak, Rehabilitation Technician Airiann Page, Rehabilitation Technician Abbey Scekeres, Rehabilitation Technician PCU 1D Autumn DeFrank, Technical Partner Student Anna Gallis, Technical Partner Student Kayla Gartland, Technical Partner Holly Kunicki, Technical Partner PCU 2D Jamie Burda I, Technical Partner Student Bridget Conrad, Technical Partner Student Grace Painter, Technical Partner Student Madison Quinn, Technical Partner Student Pharmacy Jacqueline Burkett, Pharmacist Sarah Conn, Pharmacy Intern Step Down Unit Trisha Hann, Technical Partner Volunteer Services Sharon DeVito, Visitor Concierge
Latrobe Hospital 2 East Stephanie Molyneaux, RN Symone Puskar, Technical Partner Student Central Processing Joshua Prohaska, Central Service Technician Emergency Department Brett Yennerell Sr., Technical Partner Laboratory Services Elizabeth Dusack, Phlebotomist Kevin Siebert, Phlebotomist Medical Surgical Unit 4S Sarah Gardner, Technical Partner Nursing Pool Noah Belak, Technical Partner Student Faith Fannie, Technical Partner Student Karley Kovatch, Technical Partner Student Operating Room Ashleigh Skwirut, RN
Westmoreland Hospital Emergency Department John Friel, Unit Clerk Mason Harbaugh, Technical Partner Student Jennifer Reeger, BSN Environmental Services Lauren Pratt, Environmental Services Technician Family Additions Maternity Center Nina Leithner, RN Food and Nutrition Services Kimberly Pierce, Nutrition Services Specialist Intensive Care Unit Carrie Muir, RN Laboratory Services Ryan Bowman, Phlebotomist Michaela Cline, Phlebotomist Medical Surgical Unit 2AB Hailee Errera, Technical Partner Student Medical Surgical Unit 3AB Josepha Caruso, Technical Partner Student
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New Faces Frick Hospital Administration Float Pool Jodie Schatz, RN Gretchen Schinkel, BSN Cardiology Excela Square at Latrobe Emily Oswald, Patient Services Associate Excela Square at Norwin Blake Holmes, RN Cardiothoracic Surgery Emily Tercek, Physician Assistant I Family Medicine Excela Square at Frick Melissa Kooser, Patient Services Associate
Home Care & Hospice Home Care Carrie Lenz, Direct Care Partner Jennifer Robb, Direct Care Partner Cheryl Stewart, Direct Care Partner Armani Turner, Direct Care Partner
Excela Square at Latrobe Outpatient Rehabilitation Derrick Chan, Physical Therapist
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