SUMMER 2011
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
Living History
All-Girl Tuba Line
The
at PR High COMMUNITY-DRIVEN
and watermelon eating contests, ice creations, wild world of animals, K-9 police dog demonstration, food vendors and more. The No Bad Ju-Ju Band will take the stage in the evening and there will be fireworks by Pyrotecnico.
Aug. 13 July 15 Family Campout and Movie in the Park Richland Community Park 6:30 p.m. - camp set-up begins, movie at dusk Camp overnight and enjoy a movie in the park. There will be a campfire after the movie and S’mores will be provided. Restrooms are available at the barn. Those under age 18 must be supervised by an adult and participants must bring their own camping gear. For more information, call 724.443.5921. Cost is $3 per person for residents, $5 per person for nonresidents.
July 16 Pine Community Day Pine Community Park 5 p.m. - dusk The event features fun, food, games and prizes for the entire family, including train rides, T-rex crawl, Jurassic adventure, dunk tank, petting zoo, jumbo bouncer, volleyball, giant slide accelerator, pie 2 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
Richland Township 18th Annual Community Day Richland Community Park 2 p.m. - Fireworks A full slate of fun, food, fireworks and friends is planned for this annual community celebration. For more information, contact the Richland Township Recreation Department at 724.443.5921.
Aug. 29 – Nov. 21 Line Dancing Class Richland Municipal Building 6 p.m. - beginners 7 p.m. - advanced Offering fun exercise and a chance to meet new people, this popular class returns for another session. No need for a partner. There must be 10 people registered by Aug. 26. Class meets on Mondays and costs $50 for a 10-week session.
Contents Pine-Richland | SUMMER 2011 |
SUMMER 2011
Health and Wellness News You Can Use
Heart Health Is a Family Affair Every member of your family could have some degree of risk when it comes to developing heart disease. Look inside for ways to get your family heart healthy.
What’s Inside page 2
10
18
COMMUNITY INTEREST
The Good News About Heart Disease Five Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure
page 4
Young Athletes and Sudden Cardiac Death What Parents Need to Know
page 5
The Downside of Falls
page 6
Choosing the Right Doctor for You
page 7
Fit Feet: Summer Foot Care Tips What’s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret
40
25 Exercise: Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Harmful
© 2011 UPMC
Publisher’s Message FEATURES
Keeping Your Cool in Hot Weather
page 3
|
4 8
|
Real Estate in Pine-Richland
|
On the Road to Recovery
|
IN Kids
|
Gibson House is Cornerstone of Area History
|
Peoples Natural Gas
|
|
|
46
49 |
10
14
| Community-Driven |
Clear Thoughts Foundation Wages War Against Dementia
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
UPMC Today
|
The “All-Girl Dancing Tuba Line” of PRHS Marching Band
|
Special Value Coupons
|
Child’s Play: It’s All in a Day’s Work By Mark & Jennifer Rebstock | 24
|
A Tale of Two Hats By David Jeter CFP | 41
|
18
|
40
25
|
| Health and Wellness News You Can Use |
|
53 |
|
®
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
|
George Washington and Jerry Seinfeld By Chips Dental Associates | 43
|
Whiplash and Other Pains in the Neck By Dr. Vincent P. Schirra | 52
|
Westmoreland Supply Pool & Spa Outlet
DINING OUT
|
ON THE COVER
|
Campesino’s
|
|
|
|
|
39
44
37
Living History—The Gibson House.
Photo by Gary Yon.
NOTE: We regret that we omitted PineRichland Art Teacher Holly Angeloff when identifying the wonderful student art work in the Spring Edition. - Marybeth
SUMMER 2011 Welcome to the SUMMER issue of Pine-Richland magazine. As I write this, I’m thinking back to the time I spent with my family during Easter, and wish that that togetherness could be something shared yearlong. I suppose it’s the holidays that make family time seem more special, which would mean that the other days of the week are taken for granted. I think that’s true for most of us. You can’t treat ever y sit-down meal like it’s Easter brunch, not when there are sports practices to drive to, homework assignments and piano lessons. Sometimes the best quality time we can have as a family is passing the happy meal to the back of the caravan so the kids can eat before they get dropped off yet again. But keep in mind that before we know it, these summer days will be winding down into fall and we’ll have mi ssed the season that’s best for spending time with our families – outside of holidays. My wish for everyone is to hold on to what’s dear, and make the most of your summer!
IN Pine-Richland is a community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Pine-Richland area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PUBLISHER
Wayne Dollard M A N AG I N G E D I TO R
Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com R E G I O N A L E D I TO R
Dana Black McGrath d.mcgrath@incommunitymagazines.com O F F I C E M A N AG E R
Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com STA F F P H OTO G R A P H E R
Jack Megaw j.megaw@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS
Pamela Palongue
Wayne Dollard Publisher
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Cassie Brkich Sharon Cobb Susie Doak
Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda
P H OTO G R A P H E R S
Hello and welcome to the summer issue of Pine-Richland magazine. I joined the team at IN Community Magazines in April as North Regional Editor and I am so excited to turn the page on a new chapter in my career with such a dynamic and fast-growing company. As editor of this and seven other local magazines, I will be getting back to the work I did early on in my journalism career – delivering community-focused news. Over the past 22 years I have worked in Pittsburgh regional media for a number of newspapers and magazines, and also worked on the other side of the fence in public relations and corporate communications. I am so grateful for the contacts and colleagues I have met along the way, many of whom have become dear friends. Though I appreciate this rich experience, I have to admit my favorite job is being mom to my four-year-old triplet girls, Molly, Bridget and Shannon. As I work through my first production cycle, I am looking forward to learning more about what makes each of the communities we cover unique. If you have ideas for news and feature stories or something else you would like to see on our pages, please do not hesitate to contact me. I always welcome the opportunity to meet new friends. Happy summer,
Garyyonphotography.com A DV E RT I S I N G S A L E S
Derek Bayer Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Rose Estes John Gartley Jason Huffman Lori Jeffries Rita Lengvarsky Connie McDaniel Brian McKee
David Mitchell Tamara Myers Gabriel Negri Robert Ojeda Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert RJ Vighetti Nikki CapezioWatson
This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011. CORRESPONDENCE All inquiries, comments and press releases should be directed to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968
Fall content deadline: 9/10 www.incommunitymagazines.com
Dana Black McGrath Regional Editor Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.
4 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5
Pine Center Richland Center 700 Warrendale Road 4015 Dickey Road Gibsonia, PA 15044 Gibsonia, PA 15044 724.625.5655 724.449.2665 Bookmobile Pine Tree Shoppes Wexford, PA 15090 The following is a sampling of the many programs offered through the library. For complete information, visit the website at www.northerntierlibrary.org. July 14 Harry Potter Release Party 6-8 p.m. Set for premiere night of the final installment of the film series, this teen event will be held in the upper level. Dress as your favorite character, watch Potter films and enjoy treats inspired by the series. July 15 Family Movie Night 6:30-8:20 p.m. Free screening of Rango (PG) starring Johnny Depp. Popcorn is provided. July 19 First Run Films 1-2:40 p.m. This screening of Disney’s Tangled (PG) is part of the summer reading club event. July 19 Teen Movie Night 6-7:30 p.m. Screening of Zombieland®. Popcorn will be provided. July 25 Kinder Flute 11-11:40 a.m. Children ages 4 through 8 are invited to an introductory flute class, offered July 25, 27, and 29. the program is free and flutes will be provided. Registration is required. July 26 First Run Films 1-2:40 p.m. This screening of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (PG) is a summer reading club event. July 26 Teen Movie Night 6-7:35 p.m. Screen of Easy A (PG-13) on the lower level with popcorn provided. 6 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
July 28 Library Dance Party 6-8 p.m. For this summer reading club event, the library will provide Just Dance for Wii. Compete against friends, in teams and have fun dancing. Refreshments provided.
- R.D. Cumming
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7
REAL ESTATE
PI N E - R IC H L A N D
IN Community Magazines proudly announces a comprehensive look at the Pine-Richland real estate market. In this section, you’ll find interesting information about creating beautiful spaces to live in, and other interesting facts about your community.
F E AT U R E S T O R Y
If you’re looking for ways to increase your property value, attract buyers or just improve your way of life, you may find the answer is in your yard. Figures in the last two years suggest that the landscaping of your home is worth somewhere between 5% and 15% of the total home value. We’re all familiar with the term “curb appeal,” which basically means that buyers must be attracted to the outside of the house before they will ever see the inside. If your yard is unappealing, it may kill the sale of your home in the first few seconds. And the new outdoor room is increasingly appearing on the list of “musthave” features for new homebuyers. Today, landscaping is more than just plants and bushes. Some of the features you may want to consider in making your space more attractive are lighting, color, foliage, fencing and water features. Lighting goes a long way in defining an outdoor space for nighttime enjoyment, but it’s also a wise investment for security. Motion detector lights can illuminate pathways and deter crime. They are inexpensive, and solar-powered models are available that are wireless. For more subtle lighting, wall sconces can create ambience in heavily-used areas. For dining spaces, outdoor chandeliers come in a variety of styles from old world to contemporary. Next, try adding some color. Pick a shade that will coordinate with the color and hue of your home, but add some contrast. The color theme can be achieved through the use of chair cushions, throw pillows, table umbrellas, canopies and flowering plants. Keep in mind that wooden patio furniture can also be painted to further carry out the theme.
8 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
REAL ESTATE
Peters Township
Trees, bushes, plants and flowers can breathe new life into a barren space. Trees increase in value over time as they grow. Bushes and hedges can be used to add beauty and also to add security. Thorny rosebushes or holly bushes with their pointy leaves can be strategically planted in front of ground floor windows to discourage would-be intruders. Lavender bushes generally grow fairly quickly and will add a wonderful scent to your outdoor area. They are also a good deterrent for spiders since they avoid the lavender scent. When choosing plants and flowers, keep in mind that most people prefer low maintenance if you are planning on selling your home. Some good low-maintenance flowers for our area, Zone 6, are Shasta daisies, irises, coneflowers and peonies. These perennials come in a variety of colors to highlight your yard and your color scheme. Don’t forget the lawn. It’s the foundation for your landscape. Be sure to replace all the “bald” spots with new sod to cover these worn areas. Consider using paving stones for heavy traffic areas. If your grass is brown in spots and you are having a party or open-house showing, consider using a green lawn spray that is specially made to dye your lawn, giving it a lush, verdant look. The dye is permanent and will last until you mow the lawn. Although fencing may be one of the more expensive improvements to your landscaping project, it is also one of the most attractive and efficient. A fence defines property lines, and adds privacy and security. A lattice fence is a less-expensive option and lends a cottage flair to most yards. It may be purchased in sections for fairly quick installation. Chain link fencing is a sturdier but more expensive option. Fencing is generally available in brown, green or black to blend in more easily with natural surroundings. Split rail fencing adds a rustic feeling and may be lined with chicken wire to keep small pets secure. Water features are extremely popular and offer the greatest opportunity for creative expression in your landscape design. They can be as complex as a custom-designed waterfall and as simple as a birdbath. Keep in mind that still water breeds mosquitoes. If your water feature is not going to be aerated with a circulation pump, it will need to be flushed out and cleaned weekly or you can add fish which will eat the mosquito larvae. Many solar-powered pumps are available for use with water fountains which eliminate the need for electricity or cords. Most come with a back-up battery for cloudy days and nighttime use. An outdoor space is a great place for the entire family to spend time and enjoy nature while adding to the value to your property. by Pamela Palongue
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9
a Cornerstone of Area History Photos by Gary Yon
On the corner of the intersection of Rt. 910 and Hardt Road sits a charming yellow house that now is home to offices. But long before its office use, the house was home to the Gibson family, for whom Gibsonia was named. Originally the home was a wedding gift from Squire Charles Gibson to his son, Charles Jr., explains John Mack, who previously owned the home. Mack purchased the home in 1990 and owned it until 2005. “I always liked historic things and it had been on the market for a while,” he says of his decision to buy the piece of local history. “But, it needed a lot of work.” Mack spent a considerable amount of money to rehabilitate the property and, as a result, it is still standing today. He had to replace many of the home’s systems, including the heating and water, and also needed to remediate lead paint and fix the plaster that was falling off the walls. Floors inside the home had been painted, and Mack had the floors sanded down to expose the natural pine flooring. He also had to address the siding on two sides of the house. And, over the years, there were many other home projects. “There were lots of little things we needed to do to make the house solid again,” Mack explains. Those efforts helped to preserve the property that has played a significant role in the community’s history since the early 19th century. The elder Gibson came to the area in the early 1800s, sometime between 1805 and 1810, Mack reports. He lived in a stone and log house along Babcock Boulevard. Eventually, he built a house for each of his sons, according to Mack. The first was built in 1832 and is still standing, located along Babcock Boulevard just south of Route 910. What would become known as the Gibson House, pictured here, was built in its current location in 1839 for Charles Gibson, Jr., who would become a community and economic leader in the area. 10 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
Gibson built the first steam flour mill west of the Alleghenies, according to the historical information published on the Richland Township website. The mill was located on Grubbs Road. The family also operated a general store, which served a few other purposes as well. It was home to Gibsonia’s first post office and also a mission, the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, according to township history. It was no accident that the store was situated just below Gibson House, near the railroad crossing. Gibson Jr. was the first president of the Pittsburgh, New Castle and Lake Erie Railroad. That railroad was established as a single narrow gauge track in 1870, and ran from Allegheny City (Pittsburgh) to New Castle, where it connected to western destinations. The system eventually expanded sometime around 1880 to a double track and became the Pittsburgh and Western Railroad, running 14 passenger trains a day. Gibson knew the railroad would promote the town’s economic significance. In 1905, Gibson secured the right-of-way through the township to build a new electric railway, which became the Pittsburgh and Butler Street Railway. Service started in 1907 linking Gibsonia to both Pittsburgh and Butler. Gibson served as vice president for the company. Eventually the line fell victim to maintenance issues and the emergence of the automotive industry, and shut down in 1931. Bus service along Route 8 replaced the line and provided mass transit in the area. Through all these changing times, the Gibson House remains. When the time came for Mack to sell the property he called home for nearly 15 years, he sold it to the owner of a nearby lounge who considered repurposing the house as a restaurant. That plan never came to fruition. Today the Gibson House is home to Richland Properties.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11
R E A L E STAT E NORTH ALLEGHENY R E A L E STAT E PINE-RICHLAND
By Pamela Palongue
Downsizing Your Home
Retired persons are commonly advised to sell their home to avoid the cost of repairs and maintenance. Well-meaning friends and relatives often point out that they won’t be able to mow the lawn forever. Is selling your house always the best choice? According to Tom Ceponis, of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Pittsburgh, it’s a decision that needs to be weighed carefully with knowledgeable people you can trust. “There are many reasons a home may not be practical to maintain in retirement years. Lifestyle or financial changes are two of the main reasons a person chooses to relocate,” Ceponis explains. For example, some older homes may not be well insulated and this can lead to high gas or electric bills. There are the major expenses of replacing a roof as well as the ongoing costs of lawn maintenance, snow removal and real estate taxes. Additionally, as the children grow up and move out, a large home will seem impractical to maintain. Some retired persons opt for condominium living which quells many of the anxieties of home ownership. Maintenance is usually taken care of in the association fees and will generally include lawn maintenance, roof repairs and replacement and siding. Some condos may include exterior painting as part of their upkeep agreement. The down side is that association fees can be raised over time. However, most associations manage their money wisely and the increases are usually infrequent. If you like the idea of condo living, do your homework. Attend the association meetings and see how the money is being spent and if they are managing it well. One other point to consider is that condo associations occasionally may assess their members a one-time fee to pay for a major
12 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
renovation or repair. This is not common and generally the tenants have months to years prior notice before such an assessment is made. Some Baby Boomers opt to move to another home that has better use of living space. With people maintaining a healthy lifestyle longer, a move to a more efficient home can have great returns. In addition to their active lifestyle, “Baby Boomers still want the flexibility to entertain and live in a home with plenty of privacy that a single family home offers,” says Ceponis. So you are ready to move, but can’t face the daunting task of getting your home ready to sell? “Most people have a trusted relative or friend to help walk them through the process”, says Ceponis. For those that don’t, most agencies today offer services to help guide you through the whole process. Just can’t fathom cleaning out that garage? “No problem, says Ceponis, the right agent, will coordinate a company to clean up your garage, recommend a painter to freshen up the front door, or just about anything else you need to help sell the house.” Choosing the right agent is extremely important when selling a home of a person who has lived there for 20-30 years. It is an emotional move, one that will take patience on the part of the agent and the family to get the whole project done in a manner that will leave everyone feeling ok with the sale. Ceponis says that if you are in doubt about the best agent to help sell your home (or your Mother’s home), call and speak to the manager of any reputable real estate agency. They can recommend a person who has experience in dealing with this type of sale as well as the patience and know how to get the job done. While every real estate transaction is different, selling your home can be an emotional decision. It’s best to make sure you have the right person representing you. The best agent is the one who will listen to your needs and guide you to make good decisions on the sale of your home.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13
14 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
community-driven
y o u r e n e r g y p a rt n e r
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15
Preparing for
FOUNDER’S DAY esidents at St. Barnabas Nursing Home enjoyed a sunny afternoon in the chapel while preparing for the April 28th arrival of this year's Hance Award recipient Rocky Bleier. The day was kicked off with a game of "Rocky" trivia, then folks worked together to create a huge welcome banner and signs. Some residents were crocheting black and gold lap blankets; the plan is to make a nd distribute 40 of these blankets in Rocky's honor. Residents also enjoyed beverages and cutout cookies, appropriately shaped and decorated like footballs. Former Pittsburgh Steeler and Vietnam Veteran Rocky Bleier was recognized with the Hance Award because of his extraordinary community involvement. He felt very welcome by the good people at St. Barnabas!
R
o Carl Asche, Le
Eunice Hermle, Floren ce Ball
Rihm
Everyone Has
A Story Eunice Halliwell, Ali Schnur
Would you or someone you know like to be featured IN Pine-Richland Magazine for our newest feature - Resident Profiles?
Lillian Bennardo
Please suggest a resident for the community to get to know! Email our Managing Editor at Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com (Must be a resident of Pine-Richland)
16 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17
Hayley James on and
Donald James on
CLEAR THOUGHTS FOUNDATION
Against Dementia
18 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
hen Hayley Jameson’s father, Donald Jameson, was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), one of the many known forms of dementia, she was heartbroken. “My parents are my best friends,” says the devoted daughter and advocate, “I see them every day.” She had started to notice changes in her father about four years ago. After months and months of doctors’ appointments, visits to a psychiatrist and psychologist, and investigative research trying to determine what was wrong, her father received the FTD diagnosis. “It was interesting from a family standpoint, because there has been no history of it [dementia]... that we know of,” Jameson says. Through this experience, Jameson became frustrated with the lack of viable medical solutions available to treat her father’s condition and slow the progression of his dementia. There are a few drugs that have proven to be effective for Alzheimer’s patients, she explains, but even those do not help with the FTD form of dementia. “Symptoms often are difficult to recognize and are not diagnosed early enough,” she says. “Getting the right diagnosis early on is imperative.” This information, she is quick to point out, comes from a loving daughter, not a medical expert. On a professional level, Jameson owns a placement agency, HDJ & Associates, Inc. At home, she is the mother of two and a dedicated caregiver to her father, trying – as often as she can – to provide relief for her mother. “To watch the devastation that has occurred in our whole family is just tragic,” she says. “We were just really frustrated with the lack of viable options, and still are.” That frustration motivated her to take action. “It took a year for me to accept my father’s diagnosis before realizing there was no viable solution, so I thought, ‘let’s do something’ and took action to change the status quo.”
W
While there are a number of organizations that offer support and educational resources for patients who are suffering with dementia and their families, Jameson says there is a gap when it comes to medical answers. So she decided to work to bridge that gap and established the Clear Thoughts Foundation to reach out nationally and internationally in support of drug discovery. All of the foundation’s founding members, including her brother, have first-hand experience with the devastation of this disease. “You have no idea how devastatingly expensive it is to take a drug to market,” she says. “Researchers get stalled because of a lack of funding.” Currently much of the National Institutes of Health research related to dementia focuses on basic research and biomarkers, Jameson explains. “That’s very worthy but it doesn’t produce drugs that end dementia or slow the progression of the disease.”
To support drug discovery and development, the foundation will accept applications and offer grants to those whom the medical review board deems most likely to come up with viable medical solutions, Jameson says. Working as an incubator, the foundation has partnered with a local firm, Cognition Therapeutics, which already is involved with drug discovery for dementia. Two members of the company serve on the foundation’s board of directors. The Clear Thoughts Foundation recently received its non-profit 501(c)(3) designation, a process that took more time than originally anticipated. And, Jameson says, the foundation has set forth aggressive fundraising goals. “This diagnosis is horrific and my goal is to find a cure. Period.” In Jameson’s opinion, “As a society we are too accepting [of dementia]. We see it as part of getting older and we are losing generations of wisdom.” For more information or to make a donation to the Clear Thoughts Foundation, visit www.clearthoughtsfoundation.org.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 19
20 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
lmost 150 kids came out for SHREDFEST at New Community Church in Wexford, where five of their favorite local high school bands performed. Not only can these kids really rock, they're talented musicians with a whole lot of heart andA soul! lmost 1 Everyone had an awesome night--so it looks like SHREDFEST SHREDFEwill 50 kids came out for be an ongoing thing. You can check out SHREDFEST NCC onST at New Com Weat xfo munity C rd, where hurch in Facebook for pics and future concert dates. five of th high scho The Young Giants eir favori ol bands te local This event was sponsored by Revolution, Newth Community's perf ese kids really roc ormed. Not only High School Student Ministries Program. New Community Church musician c s with a w k, they're talented an has so much to offer! For more information on services, hole lot o soul!programs Everyone f heart an had a and upcoming events, visit their website at www.nccinwexford.org. d it looks li ke SHRED n awesome night FEST wil thing. You —s o l be an on c going NCC on F an check out SHR ac EDFEST a t concert d ebook for pics an d future ates. This even New Com t was sponsored by Revolu munity's H tion, Ministrie s Program igh School Stude nt . For more on servic es in events, v , programs and up formation isit the c c oming hurch’s w www.ncc ebsite at inwexford .org.
Wearin g The
Inside Out
Swiger April & Adam
A Little More Chaos
Andrew Radick
ry Leaders Student Minist Joel Friend & Adam Jackley
The Flames , They Call
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 21
n 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that one in 150 children were born with some form of autism. By Christmas of last year, those numbers were revised to one in 110—a significant increase. Most cases of autism are detected before the age of 3, and are classified as developmental disorders based on a spectrum of severity collectively called Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. Because children and young adults with ASD require some form of therapeutic care to help them cope with stresses of the disorder and the need to fit into mainstream society, organizations like Wesley Spectrum Services have come up with programs to help children do just that. Jennifer Kostolansky, manager of communications and internal marketing for Wesley, said that autism has become a large part of Wesley’s services over the years. “Wesley Spectrum offers 24 unique services across 11 different locations,” said Kostolansky. “The organization as a whole offers mental health services, education services and family support among other things, but the autism support and our Wesley Wonder Kids program is one of our largest. “Children on the autism spectrum often have a challenge with social skills,” she added. “Wonder Kids was designed to provide a therapeutic skills group for children to work with peers on various social skills. They work on things like understanding emotion, building friendships with others, responding to change, working in a group, safety and advocacy, and understanding their diagnosis.” In Wonder Kids, children participate in small therapeutic groups where they can relate to peers and build relationships in a safe, structured, environment. This helps special-needs children learn environmental cues from peers and adults,
22 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
and generalize skills to interact with groups, allowing them to function in their community schools and typical environments. Wonder Kids are children ages 2 to 21 that have a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, High-Functioning Autism, or other developmental disabilities. Participant criteria includes being able to express wants and needs, focus and play for 15 minutes, and engage the environment with limited selfstimulatory behavior. Older youth should be able to carry on a reciprocal conversation. Children are grouped 12 to a session by age, maturity level, and therapeutic needs. There are morning and afternoon programs for preschool children, afterschool sessions for elementary and middle school youth, and evening sessions for teens. Groups are also offered on Saturdays. Children with a diagnosis of ASD are generally referred by an outside service provider, psychiatrist, hospital unit, diagnosing psychologist, or support group. Before beginning the program, children and parents will have a chance to tour the facilities and meet the staff. Call for information and referral forms. The program is paid for through Medical Assistance (MA) for up to 15 hours a week. This is
available to most children with disabilities regardless of their parents’ income. Services are funded by the Department of Public Welfare, through the MA card, but are managed by an HMO, which is arranged by the county. Wonder Kids also accepts private pay. Wonder Kids’ small therapeutic groups allow children with ASD to relate to peers and build relationships in a safe, structured, kidcentered environment. They explore play, socialization and safety skills, learn how to be a good sport, cooperate, and make friends. Adolescents can refine friendship skills with regard to such issues as boundaries, and learn advanced coping techniques for dealing with anxiety or anger. This will also help these young adults increase their independence with regard to making choices as it relates to developing a positive sense of self as they mature to adulthood. Kostolansky said the results are profound and heartwarming. “One parent told us her child had never been invited to a birthday party. Because of his ASD, he didn’t fit in with the other kids at school,” she said. “After he was placed in the Wonder Kids program, he made friends for the first time and was invited to a birthday party for the first time in his life.” Sue, who cannot be fully identified because of patient privacy regulations, also had high praise for the program for her son. Boys have a higher rate of ASD than girls. “Wonder Kids is really working out for my son,” she said. “He gets excited about coming, and I like that they keep things very positive.” The desired outcome for each child served is mastery of important social skills that will help that child successfully interact in our society. This allows him or her to become an independent adult, who will contribute to the community. Parent satisfaction with the program is measured annually. This outcome data is then aggregated across clients and used to help us improve the quality of our services. Discharge goals and criteria are set as part of the treatment planning process by the interagency treatment team. A child leaves Wonder Kids when he or she has attained goals at the level of mastery designated for that child, which may be less than 100 percent perfection. Kostolansky said that Wesley Spectrum also provides for transitional services for kids who advance beyond the 21-yearold age limit. “We are starting some groups above that age, and we do have a group that pays privately to continue their Wonder Kids program,” she said. “We do help them work on a discharge plan and help them plan for what’s next. Overall, there aren’t a lot of services available once they’re adults.” With just seven years under its belt, Wesley Spectrum has seen the program grow explosively since 2004. Kostolansky said that from March of 2004, when 161 kids were in the program, the program’s most recent enrollment for 2009-10 is 654.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 23
ith so much information about preschools available to parents, it can be difficult to choose the right program. One approach to evaluating a school that can help parents choose is the level of emphasis on learning through play. For young children, play is the natural way to learn, according to the experts. In fact, research studies confirm that children who are allowed to play function better later in life, both socially and academically. “Young children who learn through play are more ready to make their own decisions, advocate for themselves and use creativity to solve problems as they grow,” says Dr. Kyle Pruett, a Yale University child psychiatrist and consultant to the Goddard School, the fastest-growing franchise preschool program in the United States. Dr. Pruett points out that play helps children learn to solve problems, promotes flexibility and motivation, teaches regulation of emotions and builds resilience and confidence. Play is also essential to the development of the child’s brain, triggering trillions of neural connections that form the
basis of healthy cognitive function and mastery of the child’s physical world. Playing alone and with others not only builds brain development, it also helps children develop social skills and a sense of ethics. The most effective play is free of evaluation and correction while promoting autonomy. After all, to a young child, throwing a ball shouldn’t be “right” or “wrong”. “True play is actually hard work,” says Sue Adair, Senior Manager of Quality Assurance at Goddard Systems, Inc. “The child lost in play is exploring infinite possibilities. Caretakers and parents can assist the child’s growth by participating in play and creating an environment that encourages play as a means to meet new developmental challenges.” So after parents have checked the basics that are required for any preschool, how can they find one with the right emphasis on play? Adair suggests looking at three things: Find a school that puts a priority on learning through play. For young children, play is unstructured and freeing. It’s not about expensive toys, in fact, the simpler the toy, the more ways it can be used by a child developing his or her imagination. Toys and equipment should be carefully chosen, first for safety and then for how they stimulate young imaginations and help children develop. Look at the total environment. Environment means having clean, safe and spacious places to play, as well as the resources to provide imaginative, rewarding playtime. It also means a caring and well-trained staff, a critical element for any preschool. “Remember, how children are treated is as critical to their development as what they are taught,” says Dr. Pruett. Ask about enrichment programs. Only the best preschools offer special enrichment programs at no extra cost, as part of the tuition. Enrichment programs - including yoga, manners and world cultures, for example develop the whole child by encouraging their innate curiosity and imagination. “At the end of the day, parents know they’ve chosen the right child care program when their children are given time for child-centered exploratory play…” Adair says. “For a child, play isn’t optional. The educational and other benefits of play are so important – in terms of healthy bodies and minds – that parents should put play at the top of their list when comparing preschool programs.” This Industry Insight was written by Mark & Jennifer Rebstock. Prior to opening The Goddard School in Wexford, Mark Rebstock was Training Manager for a national utility company, and Jennifer worked in early childhood education. 3000 Brooktree Road • Wexford, PA 15090 724.935.1100 or www.goddardschools.com
24 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
SUMMER 2011
Health and Wellness News You Can Use
What’s Inside page 2
Magee at Passavant
page 3
The Good News About Heart Disease Six Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure
page 4
Young Athletes and Sudden Cardiac Death What Parents Need to Know Exercise: Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Harmful
© 2011 UPMC
page 5
The Downside of Falls
page 6
Choosing the Right Doctor for You
page 7
Welcoming New Physicians What’s Happening at UPMC Passavant
Magee at Passavant Bringing Magee-Womens Specialty Services closer to home for North Hills residents Carolyn Coffin’s mother died of ovarian cancer, so when she found herself feeling suspiciously bloated and uncomfortable, she immediately scheduled an appointment with her doctor. “I just knew something wasn’t right,” says Carolyn. She underwent a CT scan and ultrasound at UPMC Passavant and was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. Carolyn was operated on by Robert P. Edwards, MD, director of the Ovarian Cancer Center of Excellence and executive vice chairman of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Surgery at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. In the past, her operation would have taken place at Magee, which is ranked sixth in the nation for gynecologic care by U.S. News & World Report. But Dr. Edwards is leading a new partnership between Passavant and Magee that now delivers that same high level of specialty gynecologic services to North Hills residents and beyond. Dr. Edwards credits the program’s success to the visionary efforts of administrators at both hospitals and to the goodwill extended by its physicians and staff. “So much has happened at Passavant in recent years to make the timing ideal for a program like this,” says Dr. Edwards. “The foundation of this effort actually began in 2007, but the hospital’s new pavilion and cancer center now provide the state-of-the-art facilities and staffing support to make this a first-class resource for women’s care.” “For generations, Magee has been synonymous with trusted and innovative care for women,” says James W. Boyle, MD, chief medical officer at UPMC Passavant. “This new partnership means improved access to the most advanced and innovative specialty care for our patients, who are drawn to Passavant not only from communities in the North Hills but the entire Interstate 79 corridor north of Pittsburgh. It’s another manifestation of our evolution as a major specialty care center. We couldn’t be prouder of the world-class physicians and surgeons participating in this program.” “I feel so fortunate to have had Dr. Edwards do my surgery,” adds Carolyn. “His incredible expertise — coupled with the care and follow-up support of the entire Passavant oncology staff — made this a life-changing experience for me.”
Magee-Womens Specialty Services at UPMC Passavant Magee’s program at Passavant offers the most advanced care for women, including:
Gynecologic Cancer Now patients at UPMC Passavant can benefit from the latest research, diagnosis, and treatment of cancers of the uterus, ovaries, cervix, vulva, and fallopian tubes. The Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program of UPMC Cancer Centers, part of the Women’s Cancer Program at Magee, is at the leading edge of the effort to help women maintain gynecologic health and, when necessary, to provide early cancer detection and individualized intervention.
Urogynecology A subspecialty within obstetrics and gynecology, urogynecology treats women of all ages experiencing bladder or pelvic floor disorders. The pelvic floor is a combination of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs — the bladder, vagina, uterus, and rectum. It can be weakened by a combination of factors, such as childbirth, heavy lifting, the effects of menopause and aging, and chronic medical and neurologic conditions.
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Surgeons use the latest minimally invasive surgery techniques to treat many of the gynecologic problems that women experience. At UPMC Passavant, these techniques include robotic-assisted surgery. After surgery, patients can usually return to work sooner, typically experience less pain after surgery, have less scar tissue formation, and have smaller skin incisions.
To learn more about the Magee at Passavant program, visit www.UPMCPassavant.com and click on Services and Specialties, or call 412-367-4700. To schedule an appointment with a UPMC-affiliated physician, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor, or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
2
www.UPMC.com/Today
The Good News About Heart Disease Take charge of your heart through health screenings and heart-healthy lifestyle changes Heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death for both men and women. Every 25 seconds, someone experiences a coronary event; every minute, it claims a life. The good news? You can take steps to reduce your risk of heart disease through routine screenings and lifestyle changes — even if you’ve already had a heart attack or stroke. “Heart disease is a disease we can do something about. In most instances, it is preventable,” says Daniel Edmundowicz, MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and director of preventive cardiology at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. Dr. Edmundowicz, who also is director of cardiovascular medicine at UPMC Passavant, recommends regular health screenings as a way of knowing your numbers and whether to take action. For example, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your heart and blood vessels, but you wouldn’t know you have these conditions without testing for them.
Risk factors that can’t be changed • Family history of heart disease, carotid artery disease, or peripheral artery disease • Age (65 and older) • Gender (men have a greater risk of heart attack)
Risk factors that can be changed • • • • •
Smoking High blood pressure High cholesterol levels Obesity Physical inactivity
“Screening absolutely saves lives. We can help people change the outcome once we know their risk factor levels,” Dr. Edmundowicz says. Doctors also can use tools such as EKGs, ultrasound, and CT scans to look for signs of atherosclerosis in the heart, neck, legs, and arms — especially if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease. At the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, you can take advantage of the region’s only low radiation electron beam CT scan, which looks specifically for calcium in the coronary arteries as a marker of the cholesterol accumulation that can cause sudden heart attacks. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing heart disease. While you can’t control genetics, you can take steps to control many other risk factors by following a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Some changes — like quitting smoking — can have an immediate impact. “The bottom line is: If you know your numbers and know your risk, you can do something about it,” Dr. Edmundowicz says.
Six Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and other serious diseases. Follow these recommendations from Dr. Edmundowicz to take charge of this “silent killer”: • Increase physical activity. Aim for at least 30 minutes each day (most days) of brisk walking, bike riding, or other aerobic activity that you enjoy. • Monitor your sodium. Limit your sodium intake to less than two grams (2,000 mg) a day. Beware of “hidden” sodium in processed foods, including canned soup, lunch meats, frozen dinners, and crackers. • Eat healthy. Follow a lower-fat diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods. • Control your stress. Take 15 minutes each day to decompress and focus on yourself. Listen to music, read, pray, or meditate. • Don’t smoke! Nicotine has a direct effect on your blood vessels as well as your lungs. It causes your heart to beat faster, and raises your blood pressure. • Take your medicine. If medicine is needed to control your blood pressure, make sure you take it as prescribed by your doctor.
Know your numbers
Become heart smart
Aim for these vital numbers to keep your ticker in good working condition:
Take time to educate yourself about heart disease and the treatments available. The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute website is a one-stop source of information about cardiac conditions, as well as UPMC’s full spectrum of cardiovascular services from routine screenings to advanced cardiac care. Be sure to check it out at www.UPMC.com/HeartandVascular.
Monitor
Target Levels
Cholesterol
less than 200 mg/dL
Blood Pressure
below 120/80
BMI (body mass index) 18.5–24.9
Ask your doctor If you have questions or concerns about your heart health, call your physician to schedule an appointment.
1-800-533-UPMC
3
Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan
Young Athletes and Sudden Cardiac Death
What Parents Need to Know Is your child among the three to five million young people in the United States who play organized sports each year? If so, you know that a pre-participation physical examination can help identify young athletes who may be at risk for an injury or illness that could require additional medical evaluation. Recently, identifying young athletes who may be at risk of sudden cardiac death has become a hot topic among sports medicine professionals, focusing the attention of parents on the need for better cardiovascular screening of young athletes. “Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes is extremely rare,” says Vivekanand Allada, MD, clinical director of pediatric cardiology at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and professor of pediatrics. “In fact, it’s a one in a million risk.” According to Dr. Allada, sudden death in young athletes is most often due to heart problems, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (an abnormal thickening of the heart). Other causes include congenital coronary anomalies, arrhythmia (which can be caused by a blow to the chest), and Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that can weaken the aorta and lead to a tear or rupture. “Unfortunately, there’s no perfect test to find a needle in a haystack,” says Dr. Allada. However, parents can take steps to uncover risk factors that may require more testing or a consultation with a pediatric cardiologist. The American Heart Association recommends that young athletes undergo a screening medical history to check specifically for: • Chest pain, palpitations, or fainting during exercise (red flags that require immediate attention) • A history of a heart murmur or hypertension • Family history of coronary disease, sudden death, or Marfan syndrome Children with any of these risk factors or an abnormal physical exam should see a pediatric cardiologist, who is specially trained to look for cardiac problems in children and teens, Dr. Allada says. Further testing might include an EKG, echocardiogram, and stress test. He offers these tips to parents: • Don’t let your child play through chest pain. Pain can be a warning sign. • Teach your child to avoid energy drinks that have high levels of caffeine. Such drinks can make the heart race and cause cardiac arrhythmias. They are particularly dangerous for athletes with undiagnosed cardiac problems. To learn more about caring for your child’s heart, visit www.chp.edu, then click on Child Health A-Z. To schedule an appointment with a Children’s-affiliated physician, call 412-692-PEDS (7337).
4
www.UPMC.com/Today
Exercise:
Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Harmful Regular exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy life. Many of us, however, still struggle to fit even a moderate amount of exercise into our schedules. But there are plenty of people who are getting too much exercise. If some exercise is good, they think more will be better. Not true. In fact, excessive exercise can lead to a host of physical issues, including injuries, the loss of lean muscle mass, a weakened immune system, sleep problems, irritability, and depression. A study in the American Journal of Cardiology suggests that too much vigorous exercise also can increase the risk of heart problems.
Are you exercising too much? Experts say that if your workouts suddenly seem more difficult than usual and you aren’t making progress, you may be overexercising. Other trouble signs include: • Insomnia • Aches or pain in muscles and/or joints • Fatigue • Feeling unmotivated and lacking energy • Increased susceptibility to colds, sore throats, and other illnesses If you’re experiencing any of these signs, see your doctor to find out if something else is causing the problem.
Just starting an exercise program? Congratulations on taking an important step to improve your health. Here are a few tips to help your body adjust to a new routine: • Create a reasonable exercise program based on attainable goals. • Exercise in moderation. • Begin slowly and build up gradually to avoid injuries. • Cut back the volume and intensity of your workouts at the first sign of injury. • Listen to your body. When it needs a rest, give it a rest. Sources: American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association
UPMC Spotlight
The Downside of Falls Preventing tripping, falling can be key to maintaining independence Falls may be funny on comedy shows, but they can be traumatic for older adults. Simply tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet floor can change an older person’s life in an instant — posing serious threats to his or her health and independence. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three people over 65 experience at least one fall each year, and more than two-thirds of them are likely to fall again within six months. Falls also are the leading cause of accidental death in seniors. And, as many as 30 percent of those who fall end up with debilitating hip, pelvic, or spine fractures that make it harder to get around and adversely affect self-confidence. Even those who don’t suffer serious injury can become fearful. “The most obvious concern when an older adult falls or trips is injury,” says Stephanie Studenski, MD, MPH, director of the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at the University of Pittsburgh and associate director of research at the Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and the University of Pittsburgh. “But the fear of falling can cause people to restrict their activity and sacrifice their independence. In some cases, it can lead to social isolation,” she says. Everyone is at risk for falls, but that risk increases with the changes that come with aging, plus other medical conditions such as arthritis, cataracts and glaucoma, and balance problems. “Fortunately, there’s a lot people can do to prevent most risk factors,” says Dr. Studenski. “Taking care of your overall health, staying active, socializing with friends, and taking a few common-sense precautions can help you avoid falls and broken bones.” To learn more about the Falls Clinic, located at UPMC Senior Care-Benedum Geriatric Center in Oakland, call 412-692-4200.
Three things you can do to prevent falls Exercise! Exercises such as tai chi or other relaxation exercises that improve balance and coordination can help lower your chances of falling and make you feel stronger. See your doctor regularly. Annual physical and eye examinations can uncover underlying medical problems that can lead to falls. See your doctor if you feel unstable or dizzy, possibly due to medications. Tell your doctor if you fall; a medical evaluation can help. Make your home safer. Seventy-five percent of all falls occur at home. To help make your home fall-proof: • Improve lighting. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Use night lights in your bedroom, hall, and bathroom. • Remove small throw rugs. Tack down all carpets and area rugs so they are firmly fastened to the floor. • Remove things you can trip over. Clear books, clothes, and shoes from stairs and places you walk. Keep cords and wires near walls. • Use handrails. Install grab bars near toilets, and both inside and outside your tub and shower. Always use the handrail when using the stairs. • Store items within easy reach. Don’t store things too high or too low. Avoid using stepladders or step stools. Most of all, think before you reach. • Wear shoes with non-skid, non-friction soles. Avoid going barefoot or wearing only socks or loose-fitting slippers.
Leading the Work in Falls Prevention Dr. Stephanie Studenski received the 2010 National Award for Falls Prevention Research and will be honored as the grand champion at the third annual Celebrating Senior Champions benefit dinner and auction Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. For more information about the event, sponsored by UPMC Senior Services, the Aging Institute, and the Division of Geriatric Medicine of the University of Pittsburgh, call Peggy VanHorn, benevolent care advocate, at 412-622-9239.
1-800-533-UPMC
5
Choosing the Right Doctor for You Taking the time to find “Dr. Right” is one of the most important investments you can make. We’ve all heard about the importance of the doctor/patient relationship, often described as the cornerstone of quality medical care. “In fact, the stronger that relationship, the better your chances of receiving the right care at the right time in the right way,” says Tami Minnier, vice president of UPMC’s Donald J. Wolff, Jr. Center for Quality Improvement and Innovation. “At UPMC, our goal is to help you develop a long-term partnership in which your doctor is your number one health care champion.” According to a 2010 survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, most of us are very satisfied with our physicians. It usually takes something major — like moving to a new area, changing medical insurance, or being diagnosed with a serious condition — to prompt us to look for a new doctor. “If you’re in the process of changing doctors, there are some exciting new options to consider,” says Ms. Minnier. “For example, UPMC’s Health Plan is working with a growing number of primary care physicians to implement patient-centered medical homes in their practices.” In this medical model, your family doctor becomes the hub for all your care by linking you to a collaborative team of medical professionals — from physician assistants to specialists. Medical homes are designed to ensure that you receive appropriate and comprehensive care over your entire lifetime, including preventive health care, treatment for acute or chronic illness, and assistance with end-of-life care. Studies show that medical homes are resulting in improved care, access, and communication between patients and their “medical team” — as well as improved quality, safety, and cost of care.
6
www.UPMC.com/Today
When searching for “Dr. Right,” here are five helpful tips to locate the best match:
Determine what’s important to you “Finding the ‘right’ doctor often involves personal preferences apart from a physician’s skills or qualifications,” says Ms. Minnier. “For example, are you more comfortable with a doctor of your gender? Is a primary care physician right for you, or do you have a medical condition that requires treatment by a specialist? And if easy access is a concern, do you need a doctor located close to your home or workplace?”
Get the opinion of people you trust “Begin your search by asking your circle of family, friends, and co-workers about the positive experiences they’ve had,” she advises. “If you’re moving, or seeking a specialist, your current doctor also can be an excellent referral source.”
Do some homework “There are a number of credible online resources, including UPMC’s Find a Doctor (www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor), with information on more than 5,000 physicians, that allow you to confirm a physician’s medical credentials, board certifications, and specialties,” says Ms. Minnier. You also can check with the state medical board at docboard.org. In general, avoid “doctor ranking” sites, which are unregulated and difficult to verify for accuracy.
At UPMC, a variety of tools are used to assess physician quality, including patient satisfaction surveys. “We literally review thousands of surveys monthly, which provide us with invaluable insights and feedback,” says Ms. Minnier.
Verify your doctor’s insurance plans and hospital affiliations “Most practices accept a variety of insurance plans, but be sure yours is among them,” advises Ms. Minnier. “And should you ever require hospitalization or special tests, it’s important that your doctor be affiliated with a hospital you know and trust.”
Call for an appointment “Bring a written set of questions covering your concerns and expectations. When your visit is over, evaluate the experience,” suggests Ms. Minnier. “Was it easy to get an appointment? Were you treated with respect by both the doctor and the staff? If your answers are positive, you’re on the right path to a doctor/patient relationship characterized by quality care, compassion, and open communication.” For more information, or to schedule an appointment with a UPMC-affiliated physician, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor, or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
Welcoming New Physicians To schedule an appointment, or for more information about any of our physicians, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Surbhi M. Agarwal, MD Family Practice
Nitin M. Kamat, MD Nephrology
Mary E. Peterson, MD Gynecologic Surgery
Edward A. Verdream, MD Infectious Disease
Gretchen M. Ahrendt, MD General Surgery
Jason J. Lamb, MD Thoracic Surgery
Edward E. Saar, DO Orthopaedics
Robert L. Volosky, MD Infectious Disease
Robert M. Denshaw, MD Nephrology
Christopher J. Passero, MD Nephrology
Andrew R. Watson, MD General Surgery
Laurence E. Friedman, MD Nephrology
Kevin Perez, MD Infectious Disease
Jamuna Sivakanthan, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
David L. Weinbaum, MD Infectious Disease
What’s Happening at UPMC Passavant These free events are offered by the Passavant Hospital Foundation Bridge to Hope: Vigil of Hope Wednesday, June 8, 7 p.m. Passavant Hospital Foundation Legacy Theatre This sixth annual “Vigil of Hope” brings people together to call attention to the extent and nature of the drug and alcohol epidemic. It offers support for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one to drugs or alcohol and for those who have a loved one currently struggling with drug and/or alcohol abuse. Please call 412-367-6640 for more information. Spine As We Age . . . Prevention and Treatment Wednesday, June 15, 12:30 p.m. Senior Center, Cranberry Township Municipal Building Speaker: Matt El-Kadi, MD Learn about care for your spine, plus prevention and new treatment options. Please call 412-367-6640 to register. Youth Summer Camp: Childhood Wellness . . . Making Movement Fun Tuesdays and Thursdays; June 21-July 7, 9 a.m. to noon Pine Richland Youth Center Children will learn how to make positive changes in their health for a lifetime of wellness. Please call 724-443-3796 for more information.
Child Car Seat Safety Check Thursday, June 30, 10 a.m. McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority, Wexford Have a certified child passenger safety technician check your child car seat installation in your vehicle at no cost! Appointments required. Please call 412-881-9221.
How’s Your Hearing? Thursday, August 18, 12:30 p.m. Senior Center, Cranberry Township Municipal Building Speaker: Mariann McElwain, MD Learn when to have a hearing test and what to expect. Free hearing screenings will be available at this seminar. Please call 412-367-6640 to register.
Passavant Hospital Foundation Patriotic Tribute Thursday, June 30, 7:30 p.m. Passavant Hospital Foundation Legacy Theatre As a special event in the Legacy Music Series, the Pine Creek Band will provide a patriotic tribute to our country’s history as we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July. Please call 412-367-6640 to register.
Diabetes Symposium Thursday, Sept. 29, 8:45 a.m. Passavant Hospital Foundation Conference Center & Legacy Theatre, Cumberland Woods Village Free screenings, vendor displays, informational tables, and presentations throughout the day. Please call 412-367-6640 for more information.
Advances in Conservative and Surgical Knee Treatments Wednesday, July 20, 12:30 p.m. Senior Center, Cranberry Township Municipal Building Speaker: Kelly Agnew, MD Advancements in surgical and conservative knee treatments, joint fluid therapy, arthroscopic knee surgery, and minimally invasive knee replacement will be discussed. Please call 412-367-6640 to register.
24th Annual Passavant Hospital Foundation Charity Golf Outing Monday, June 20, 8 a.m. Treesdale Golf & Country Club Join other local golfers for a day of sport and networking to help raise funds to support the Passavant Hospital Foundation. Mark your calendar today, and be sure to note this year’s new location. Please call 412-367-6640 to register.
Legacy Music Series UPMC Passavant, McCandless Campus The Passavant Hospital Foundation is seeking talented musicians who want to help lift people’s spirits and volunteer their time to give the gift of music. Inquiries are now being accepted for summer and fall 2011 dates. Please call 412-367-6640 for more information.
For more information about classes at UPMC Passavant and affiliated outpatient centers, call UPMC Physician Referral at 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
1-800-533-UPMC
7
UPMC Passavant 9100 Babcock Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15237
UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.
Follow UPMC on Facebook.
The expertise that women trust is now in the North Hills. When it comes to expert care, women have always trusted Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. And now that expertise is available here at UPMC Passavant. Magee’s program at Passavant offers the most advanced care, including gynecologic oncology and urogynecology, as well as minimally invasive gynecologic surgery – which can mean a shorter recovery period and less pain. Not to mention less time away from your family. So it’s never been more convenient for you to get world-class specialty services. The kind of services that have helped women for generations. With the addition of Magee’s specialty services, UPMC Passavant continues its commitment to providing the most advanced, most respected, and most effective care in the North Hills. To learn more about Magee’s specialty services offered at UPMC Passavant or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) or visit www.UPMCPassavant.com.
now available at upmc passavant
adets in Pine-Richland High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC program celebrated their accomplishments during the first of what will become an annual banquet. This is the first year for the district’s Air Force Junior ROTC program, which is led by senior instructor Maj. Michael Lynn Morrison and junior instructor Chief Master Sgt. Michael G. Gasparetto. Morrison started at the district in August and Gasparetto started in January after retiring from active duty at the end of December. Pine-Richland’s program is one of 884 Air Force Junior ROTC programs nationwide. Students in grades nine through 12 are eligible to enroll. While there are JROTC programs for each branch of the military, the decision was made to bring an Air Force-specific program to PineRichland because it was a good fit with the district’s strong technology base, Gasparetto explains. The program strives to build better citizens by developing leadership and management skills. Through the program, the student cadets are taught the Air Force’s three core values: integrity, service before self, and excellence in all they do, explains Gasparetto. “We tell them, if you don’t think what you are doing should be on the first page of the newspaper for your mother to read, you shouldn’t be doing it,” he says. A total of 53 students started in the program, and at the end of the school year there were 46 students enrolled. Classes meet five days a week. Morrison teaches aerospace science and Gasparetto teaches leadership and management. Three days of the
C
week are dedicated to academics, there is uniform day once a week, and one day of the week is dedicated to physical training. Enrollment numbers for next year already are on the rise. Cadets from the high school program spoke to eighth grade middle school classes about their experience, which helped to bolster enrollment. Experiences like the opportunity to ride in a C-130 military cargo aircraft while circling the high school and downtown Pittsburgh certainly helped to generate interest. For some students, it was their first time riding in an airplane. “The more students we can positively affect, the better,” says Gasparetto. “Everyone can benefit from leadership, time management, and conflict resolution skills.” The banquet, the first of what will become an annual event, celebrated the culmination of a successful year. Some of the cadets’ achievements during the school year included 545 hours of community service, 11 cadets with a 3.5 or higher GPA, conducting three fundraisers that totaled nearly $6,000, 17 cadets awarded an academic ribbon, receiving a distinguished unit nomination, and taking fourth place in their first-ever Color Guard Competition. Awards also were presented to cadets by representatives from many veterans organizations. Superintendent Dr. Mary Bucci was the guest speaker. Next year, Gasparetto hopes to expand the event to include a ball or dance after the banquet.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 33
Photos by Gary Yon
hildren and young adults with special needs have an opportunity to connect with their community through SERVE, a program conducted at the Pine-Richland Youth Center. Director Carl Mele established the program four years ago to provide programming for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “There are no limitations on age and no limitations on impairment,” Mele explains. Individuals as young as five years to as old as 41 years participate in the program. All that is required is a diagnosis of some kind – such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or other qualifying diagnosis. SERVE is an acronym for Social enrichment, Emotional supports, Recreational outlets, Vocational awareness, and Educational achievements. Three comprehensive programs are offered: an afterschool program, an extended school year program, and a transition to adulthood program. The stated mission of the program is to “provide quality programs and a resource for the facilitation of sports, recreational, social, vocational and education
C
“To provide quality programs and a resource for the facilitation of sports, recreational, social, vocational and education experiences for the positive development of special needs youth and young adults in our region.”
34 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
experiences for the positive development of special needs youth and young adults in our region.” Although services are offered at the PineRichland Youth Center, the program is not affiliated with the center. SERVE is a 501(c) non-profit organization that rents space there, Mele explains. “We are open to anyone and everyone, not just those who live in the Pine-Richland community,” Mele says. Participants travel from the North Allegheny area, Quaker Valley, Seneca Valley and Butler. Mele previously worked for the Bradley Center, a residential treatment facility. He and the others who worked to establish the program recognized the need in the community to support those with disabilities. SERVE’s afterschool program runs throughout the school year, Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Enrollment in the afterschool program is rather small, just four to five students, Mele explains, because parents must pay tuition. Students who qualify for an extended school year program (ESY) are eligible to participate in SERVE’s summer program, which runs 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m. weekdays through August 6. Enrollment in the summer program is much higher because school districts cover the cost of tuition and busing for those in ESY programs. During the summer program, each week is dedicated to a different theme to offer students a broad range of experiences. For example, during “community helpers” week, students learn about and receive visits from police, fire, emergency medical and 9-1-1 workers. And there are some fun times worked into the curriculum too, like a field trip to Fun Fest in Harmarville. “What separates us from other programs is that we have a daily schedule and commit 40 minutes a day to students’ IEP goals,” Mele explains. An IEP, or Individualized Education Plan, is a document developed for students with delays or disabilities that outlines specific behavioral and educational goals. Parents of those who participate in SERVE’s summer program choose three goals from their children’s IEP that they would like to focus on through the summer session. Progress is charted and reported, and at the end of the session, comments and recommendations are offered. “A lot of other programs offer great experiences,” Mele says, “but we believe the way to really help a child the best we can is to continue [pursuing IEP goals].” The program is staffed by certified instructors and some volunteers from Slippery Rock University who are working toward degrees in special education. The student-to-staff ratio is nearly one-to-one. In setting out to start the programs, Mele was put in charge of finding funding to support it. “If there was no money, there would be no program,” he explains. “We were blessed with different sources for funding.” There is one primary donor (a grant) that supports SERVE, and two fundraisers are held each year – a spaghetti dinner and a benefit concert. This year’s spaghetti dinner was held in May and the benefit concert will be held in October at St. Richard’s Hall. SERVE is a registered provider for ESY with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3. For more information about the summer program and afterschool program, contact Carl Mele at 724.443.3796.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 35
www.incommunitymagazines.com
36 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
Campesino’s Restaurante Mexicano
DINING OUT
Campesino’s
11978 Perry Hwy., Suite 401 Wexford, PA 15090 724.934.0518
f you are looking for authentic Mexican food in Pittsburgh, look no further than El Campesino, located in the Villages of Pine, 11978 Perry Highway, in Wexford. With seven area locations, El Campesino offers a large selection of traditional Mexican dishes prepared from authentic recipes with the freshest ingredients. The restaurants offer customers, not just authentic food, but an authentic experience with themed dÈcor and Mexican music, along with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Burritos, enchiladas and tacos are among the traditional offerings on the restaurant's extensive menu, which also includes American offerings for the less adventurous as well as a children's menu. The lunch menu, offered Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is a great option for those who are looking for a lunch solution that is fast and affordable. El Campesino's lunch menu consists of a variety of special plates, filled with traditional favorites like tacos, burritos, tostadas, quesadillas, enchiladas, chimichangas, Mexican rice, refried beans, and more in a variety of combinations. On the regular menu, El Campesino offers 25 different combination platters that are available at any time, so diners are certain to find a collection of favorites all on one plate. House specialties include the fajitas. Choose from beef, chicken or shrimp, with onions and bell peppers, served with guacamole, refried beans, cheese and tomato, along with your choice of flour or corn tortillas. Other favorite dinners include the Carne Asada and Pollo Poblano. Carne Asada, tender roast beef, is served with refried beans, guacamole salad and tortillas. The Pollo Poblano, grilled chicken breast with poblano peppers and nacho cheese, also is served with rice and beans, and tortillas. New dinner selections that are emerging as popular choices with guests are the Pollo Mexicano and Cinco de Mayo. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy El Campesino's outdoor seating area. The restaurant's full-service bar offers tempting house margaritas made with Sauza Giro Tequila ad well as Hornitos margaritas, made with your choice of Hornitos tequila ñ a perfect way to cool off during hot summer days, and nights.
I
Happy Hour, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., is the perfect time to visit the bar and patio. Check out the menu of half-price appetizers and drink specials. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information and money-saving coupons, visit the website at www.elcampesino.net.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 37
38 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
Westmoreland Supply Participates in
PPG Pittsburgh Paints Dealer Designer Referral Program t happens to all of us – we stare at a wall of paint chips trying to remember what color our sofa is, or if the lights in our living room are incandescent or compact fluorescent. Thanks to PPG’s Dealer Designer Referral Program, you can leave the store with the one tool that you need the most – a professional Interior Designer. “We launched this program where designers get referrals directly from the pa int store. A customer comes into the store and is either looking for paint, or browsing for color,” said Steve Shorthouse, Voice of Color Marketing Manager for PPG Pittsburgh Paints. “They’re someone who could use professional help in their home for color consultation. PPG teamed up with local, experienced designers and the paint stores. We provide the stores with a prescreened group of designers who can be tapped for consultation through our dedicated website: www.myvoiceofcolor.com/pittsburgh.” At the site, customers can preview the portfolios of 15 different Interior Designers to see whose work most reflects the customer’s style and personality. The customer can schedule an appointment right there with the designer they pick. They pay the designer a flat rate of $75 for a one hour session. In return, they get an hour of solid design advice at a greatly discounted rate, and a voucher for $50 off PPG Pittsburgh Paints. “The best part about this is that designers typically charge between $75 and $200 an hour. This is a great deal,” Shorthouse said. “The homeowner gets the help they need quickly and at a great price.” The program was originally a pilot program in Pittsburgh, but this March, recently rolled out to three other cities on the west coast. Shorthouse said that within the first year, customers scheduled 260 design consultations in the Pittsburgh market alone. Shorthouse also suggested that customers visit PPG’s www.voiceofcolor.com and enter the PPG Pittsburgh Paints section of the site to play the fun and informative Color Sense Game 2.0 that will allow them to answer a series of questions to come up with a custom palette of colors that match their personalities and demeanor.
I
“We encourage homeowners to play the game and find out what their personal color scheme is prior to meeting with the designer,” Shorthouse said. “By answering the questions, they can easily get color selections that are right for them and are unique PPG Pittsburgh Paints offerings.” Westmoreland Supply Paint and Decorating Centers has 12 convenient locations to serve you no matter where you live in the Pittsburgh region. To find the Westmoreland Supply Paint and Decorating Center nearest you, go to www.westmorelandsupply.com.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 39
“The All-Girl Dancing Tuba Line has quite a following because of their unique style and flair.”
The
of PRHS Marching Band
he “All-Girl Dancing Tuba Line” of the Pine-Richland High School Marching Band is a real crowd pleaser. Although it is the height of summer and the crisp cool air of Friday night football halftime shows seems far off, preparations for next school year’s marching season already are underway. The band’s first practice for the upcoming marching season was held in May, and a two-week band camp starts Aug. 8. The Tuba Line started about 16 to 17 years ago, according to band director Brian Scott. “It started as an experiment, and caught on like wildfire,” he says.
T
40 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
“To have a good sounding marching band, you need some good tuba players,” he explains. Oftentimes bands will lose tuba players to sports or other activities. So the music department started looking for a unique way to get enough good musicians to play the tuba – and they started targeting female musicians. The plan worked. Now the All-Girl Dancing Tuba Line has quite a following because of their unique style and flair. They have a featured song routine that is performed during football game halftime and festival shows, and it is always a crowd favorite. It is hard to imagine marching while wrapped in a sousaphone, let alone performing an entire dance routine while playing one. “They do a great job with it,” Scott says. “They really have turned out to be fantastic musicians.” He jokes that he seems to always be buying, selling or reconditioning sousaphones to keep up with the band’s needs. Last year there were 11 girls on the tuba line, and the line typically ranges from 10 to 14 players each year. The marching band’s season runs through football season and into the playoffs. That could stretch into midNovember, depending on the team’s record. The marching band, which consists of a whopping 220 members, also gives a winter concert in the gymnasium, and gathers again for a spring trip. And, among those members, there was one male tuba player last year. Scott says male students are not discouraged from playing the tuba; they just don’t participate in the dance routines. To build the tuba program and to keep its momentum going, recruitment for the section starts in the fifth or sixth grade, Scott explains. Usually students start out on a different instrument and switch to playing the tuba. “By the time they hit high school, they are comfortable with it and able to hit a decent sound.” The best sounding bands, he added, have a good sounding base foundation. “It’s hard to get that without tuba.” The tuba line has caught the eye of the news media, and word even spread nationally after the Associated Press picked up a story about the group. “It’s pretty unique,” says Scott. “We have even seen some others try to imitate it.” One of this year’s graduating seniors will major in tuba at Ohio State University starting this fall. The All-Girl Dancing Tuba Line has become a tradition at PineRichland, one that Scott hopes will continue for many years.
A Tale of Two Hats by David Jeter, CFP®, Allegheny Financial Group
W
hen you think about current economic issues, you can wear either of two hats, a Consumer Hat or an Investor Hat. Things you may not like as consumers, such as rising prices or flat wages, sometimes create positive opportunities in financial markets, when you wear your Investor Hat. But if you wear the wrong hat, you may make poor decisions, and reaching your financial goals may prove more difficult. Let’s see how the two hats fit and function for you in 2011.
Inflation Consumer Hat: With the overall rate of inflation comparatively low right now, as a consumer you haven’t had to pay increasing prices for most goods and services (that is, unless you eat, drive, or heat). One-and-a-half cheers for low inflation. Theoretically, in a low-inflation environment you should have money to spend or save for the future. Investor Hat: Certain investments, like bonds, often thrive in a lowinflation environment. But as an investor you must look ahead. Will inflation stay low? Not likely, given growing global demand, high government deficits, and other factors. That changes the decision equations. Rising inflation is tough on most bonds and long-term CDs, t hough inflation-protected Treasuries can be an exception. Commodities, precious metals, and stocks typically handle rising inflation better.
Rising Food and Fuel Prices Consumer Hat: In the past year the price of gasoline has risen 98 cents; cotton went from 80 cents per pound to $2; and corn futures prices have doubled. As we spend more on driving, eating and clothing, our ability to put our money to other uses diminishes, and the potential for a stalled economy looms. Investor Hat: This energy and food inflation puts the emphasis on a few key factors, some event-driven (non-ideal weather in the past growing season, surging demand in emerging foreign markets, and political unrest overseas), others policy-driven (farming subsidies, restrictions on domestic energy production, and monetary policy). When inflation is accelerating, equities, commodities, and precious metals perform better than cash and bonds.
Weakened U.S. Dollar Consumer Hat: The dollar weakened as the Fed increased the money supply (twice) to help our faltering economy. To us consumers a weak dollar means foreign goods cost more (and you’ve noticed that these are a
large proportion of your purchases). The issue is more complex with oil and its impact on gas prices. When a weaker dollar is coupled with increased demand for oil around the world, prices can get truly ugly. ($5 a gallon by summer? A possibility.) Investor Hat: Looking at investments, again we must remove our Consumer Hat. Certain investments perform better with a weak dollar. Returns from your investments that include Japanese yen, the U.K.’s pound, even the euro, have probably been favorable. Other investment possibilities include gold and precious metals, emerging markets, securities, bonds, and foreign equities. But keep in mind that renewed economic growth in the U.S., coupled with turmoil elsewhere, could halt or even reverse, the dollar’s fall.
Economic Recovery Consumer Hat: Most observers agree that the current economic recovery is fragile, not robust. By government measurements we have been out of a recession for almost two years. But it doesn’t feel that way to many. Unemployment remains high, especially factoring in those no longer looking. Some industries and companies appear busy; others are stagnant. If you match to this type of thinking, your best bet as a consumer is to save more, reduce debt, and give yourself a “margin for error.” Investor Hat: A nascent global recovery presents opportunities for growth as well as reversal. Precious metals, Treasury bonds, and utility stocks frequently offer protection in economic swoons. Commodities, “growth” stocks, emerging-market stocks, even real estate, do better in periods of economic growth. Uncertain conditions call for particular attention to balance and diversity. The two-hat perspective on financia l decisions reminds us not to throw in the investment towel, or hatband, during a period of slow economic growth, high fiscal challenges to the country, energy conflicts, and an uncertain political climate. Call or email me if you want to discuss how your Investor Hat fits, or when to put it on. 412 367 3880 or djeter@alleghenyfinancial.com.
David Jeter CFP® is a Senior Vice President with Allegheny Financial Group. As a member of the executive team, David helps guide Allegheny’s Marketing and Practice Management initiatives. As a practitioner, David provides comprehensive planning and investment management advice for individuals and families. Allegheny Financial Group is a Pittsburgh based financial planning firm that has been providing advice to clients since 1976. For questions or comments contact David at: 811 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, 412.536.8012 djeter@alleghenyfinancial.com, www.alleghenyfinancial.com.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 41
Karen Tabacchi, President of St. Barnabas Clinical Services; Margaret Horton, Assistant Vice President of St. Barnabas Health System; Nanci Case, President of St. Barnabas Charities
Darlene and John Wisniewski Ed Palko, J.D. Turco, Andy Russell
William Bell, Krisiti Festa, UPMC Health Plan Community Relations Coordinator and Greg Harteis Don Hersh, Carole Hartman, Ali Schnur, Peggy Sparr
Rocky Bleier Honored Rocky Bleier Hance Award Recipient
at St. Barnabas Black ‘n Gold Charity Ball
he St. Barnabas Charities Founder’s Day 2011 was recently celebrated at the Omni William Penn Hotel with a Black ‘N Gold Charity Ball. Guest speaker Rocky Bleier received the St. Barnabas Hance Award. The UPMC Health Plan ‘signature’ sponsored event included a tailgate themed reception, silent auction, dinner program and award ceremony. Live musical performances by The Etta Cox Duo and The Harold Betters Show entertained the guests. WPXI news anchors David Johnson and Peggy Finnegan, and former Pittsburgh Steelers J.T. Thomas and Andy Russell added excitement to the evening’s festivities. The charity ball and Hance Award are inspired by the founder of St. Barnabas, Gouverneur P. Hance, a religious brother. Starting in 1900, his mission was to care for and house the sick and the poor in the Pittsburgh area. In 1916, he opened the St. Barnabas Free Care Home in Gibsonia. The Hance award is given to a national figure who has had a significant impact on the lives of Americans. The non-profit St. Barnabas Health System has grown to serve 900 patients and residents and 35,000 outpatients yearly. It still practices the same philosophy as Gouverneur Hance; never turning away an economically disadvantaged patient. The charity ball is held to help raise funds for the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which provides free medical and rehabilitative care. Bleier was chosen for the evening's award
T
42 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
because he represents the humanitarian spirit of Gouverneur P. Hance. Despite the difficult challenge of recovering from extensive injuries to his legs that he sustained during his service in the Vietnam War, he persevered and went on to win four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is now a successful motivational speaker, businessman and author. Bleier is involved in many charitable organizations including the national spokesman for the National Veteran Owned Business Association, co-chairman of Beating the Odds Foundation, and is a Presents for Patients volunteer. For 27 years Presents for Patients, a program in which St. Barnabas participates, has matched a community volunteer who brings a present to a patient during the holiday season. The goal is to have the volunteer continue the annual tradition and form a friendship with that patient. “Presents for Patients touch people’s lives. The patients just want to know that someone cares about them,” Mr. Blier said. “It’s nice to see the connection that happens between the people that volunteer and the patients over time. St. Barnabas is filled with wonderful personnel and patients. All of the programs that they have for the patients are great.” If you would like to learn more about St. Barnabas Health System and how you can help, visit the website at www.stbarnabashealthsystem.com
and
visited the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, PA where there was an exhibit about George Washington, and I was inspired by how much modern dentistry could have helped good old George. We’ll start with the basics, oral hygiene, regular periodontal maintenance (cleanings) and professional dental examinations. In the early to mid 1990s The Seinfeld Show w as running at its peak and it came to light that Jerry Seinfeld was an oral hygiene fanatic. In fact he was so fanatical about his oral hygiene that the American Dental Association essentially made him the poster child for their preventive dentistry campaign. There was actually a poster in our office with Jerry on it, the caption read “Look Ma, I flossed!” How does this relate to George Washington? You may not believe it, but for the mid 1700s, George was about on par with Jerry when it came to the care of his teeth. George Washington had a litany of dental problems and he had many sets of ‘not so wooden’ dentures. This may lead you to conclude that he was not as adamant about his oral health care as Jerry Seinfeld, but you would be mistaken. George, like Jerry, was also a fanatic, having found from a young age that he had difficulty with his teeth. He had his first tooth removed at age 22. He worked especially hard to maintain his oral hygiene, almost always owning a toothbrush (not the norm for the day). His brush would have had boars hair bristles and would have been nearly as effective as those we use today according to Dr. Scott Swank curator of the National Dental Museum in Baltimore. George also had an ongoing relationship with several dentists, he was always seeking out who was “the best.” This relationship was meant to handle any problems that arose with his teeth and to manufacture high quality, comfortable dental prosthetics (dentures and partials). In the 1700s a regular periodontal maintenance program and professional dental exam were not part of a dentist’s repertoire. For the mid 1700s in America though, George Washington was the Jerry Seinfeld of oral hygiene. Unfortunately for George, he didn’t have any of the advantages that we have today in preventive dentistry. In addition, according to Dr. Scott Swank curator at the Smithsonian affiliate National Dental Museum in Baltimore, George Washington took a popular medicine called calomel (mercurous chloride) which would have been the major culprit in the destruction of his teeth through the years. This medicine, was a sort of cure-all for the time. It was given for many reasons sometimes as a laxative, sometimes as a soother for teething babies and for a variety of other reasons as well. Research has since shown what a catastrophic effect calomel had on people’s teeth.
I
If George had access to a Sonicare or Oral B electric toothbrush, dental floss, Fluoride toothpaste, and even Listerine or Act mouth washes, his dental history would have been dramatically different. Regular periodontal maintenance, dental x-rays, and oral cancer screenings would have also provided tremendous benefit. These simple measures, which you most likely take for granted, would have made it possible for George Washington to restore (fix) his cavities when they were smaller, stabilize and maintain his periodontal status, and prevent the slow onslaught of destruction that oral disease wrought on him. So we can all thank goodness that we’re in this fascinating modern era of dentistry with everything from xrays to dental implants to local anesthetic (novocaine) helping us fight this ongoing Napoleon battle with oral disease. Chips Dental Bonaparte’s Associates takes advantage of many of toothbrush, silver the latest advances in modern gilt handle and horsehair bristles. dentistry that George as well as Jerry would appreciate. Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC. If it’s been a while since your last dental visit or you just want to get together to discuss our favorite historical character, visit www.chipsdentalLLC.com.
This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Timothy J. Chips. Dr. Chips is a DMD from Temple University, and his Dad (John D. Chips D.D.S.) is a graduate from University of Illinois in Chicago. We are members of the Academy of General dentistry, the ADA. I'm an avid fly fisherman and my Dad is a voracious reader. 9104 Babcock Blvd., Ste 5106 Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412.364.7144
5615 William Flynn Hwy. Gibsonia PA 15044 724.443.5710
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 43
Brings Olympic-Style Training Home ool & Spa Outlet is proud to introduce the innovative new line of Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas by Master Spas. Master Spas developed the line with input from the 14 time Olympic Gold Medal winner and his coach, Bob Bowman. Fred & Jan Cerminara, owners of Pool & Spa Outlet had the opportunity meet Phelps at a private event in Las Vegas and discuss his love of the sport and his desire to bring the benefits of swimming and aquatic exercise to everyone. With six different models of Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas available, it is now possible to enjoy the full-body benefits of aquatic exercise in the privacy of your own home. A commercial model has also been designed for use in physical therapy centers, schools and swim clubs. “Our swim spas can accommodate swimmers of all abilities, from beginners to elite competitive swimmers.” explains Jan Cerminara. She notes that the emergence of swim spas is a huge trend in the industry, because of the overall health benefits associated with swimming and aquatic exercise and the fact that a water exercise regimen puts less stress on muscles and joints, thereby making it the perfect work-out for people looking to increase stamina and endurance and strengthen muscles and joints. In addition to the smoothest, strongest and widest water current in the industry, the Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas by Master Spas also come standard with the Aquatic Exercise System , which includes a rowing kit and resistance bands. Optional underwater treadmills and exercise bikes are available as well. These swim spas are completely portable and install in just one day, Cerminara explains. They are energy-efficient, can be used year-‘round, and do not require any additional plumbing or excavation. Prices range from approximately $18,000 to $40,000. The Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas are on display now at Pool & Spa Outlet’s Peters Township showroom. Their knowledgeable sales team is eager to educate you on the therapeutic benefits of owning a swim spa and they look forward to helping your family choose a model that best suits your needs and your budget. Pool & Spa Outlet has been Pittsburgh's premier pool and spa retailer since 1988 and is proud to be Western Pennsylvania's only Aqua 100 Hall of Fame inductee.
P
44 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 45
Robert Friedlander, MD, left, and Michael Horowitz, MD, discuss treatment options with a patient who has an unruptured aneurysm.
On the
TO
ROAD By Mark Berton
Ashly Hunt
UPMC neurosurgery patient making strides after suffering a near fatal brain hemorrhage.
46 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
When you think of someone who has suffered a stroke, common images arise: paralysis on one side of the body and difficulty with speech and coordination. While stroke can occur at any age, most people associate strokes with older people. So if you’re an athletic 24-year-old with no history of brain injury, on the beach at Ocean City, Maryland during the Fourth of July holiday with stroke-like symptoms, denial is a natural response. And for Ashly Hunt, she denied her symptoms until the moment she was loaded into a helicopter. “I remember thinking I wanted water. I am a huge runner. I ran before this and thought I was dehydrated,” she said. “It literally took the life-flight to believe that I wasn’t dehydrated. When it’s happening to you you’re not thinking the worst.” Within a matter of hours, what she thought was a simple headache evolved and robbed her of her sight and ability to speak. She also had trouble moving her arms and hands. Emergency responders decided to life-flight her to the nearest hospital in Baltimore, where she was diagnosed with a brain stem hemorrhage. Blood from the hemorrhage was pooling in an area that connects her brain to her spinal cord, causing her to lose movement on her right side, and creating a major dilemma for the neurosurgeons because they believed the site was too risky to treat with surgery. Soon after the diagnosis, Ashly entered a rehabilitation program in her hometown of Johnstown, Pa., to help her regain movement of the extremities that were affected by the hemorrhage. However, after several weeks in rehabilitation and slight improvements in her vision and speech, Ashly’s overall condition began to worsen. Ashly still maintained her hearing, but what she heard going on around her, she didn’t like. Until she met Robert Friedlander, MD, at UPMC.
“I’m pretty close to 100 percent now. My hand and foot are the last things I’m waiting for to come back. I’m writing again. It’s like a 3-year-old, but I am. I’m going to be 100 percent.” Ashly Hunt
From left to right, Brian Jankowitz, MD, Paul Gardner, MD, Daniel Wecht, MD, and L. Dade Lunsford, MD, discuss a complex neurovascular case.
Dr. Friedlander was called after Ashly’s family doctor consulted with a neurosurgeon at The Johns Hopkins University, who recommended that Dr. Friedlander manage this complex situation. Within four hours of the initial consultation, Ashly was in an ambulance headed for Pittsburgh where, she said, she met the doctor who made all the difference. “I couldn’t speak and had a hard time seeing, but my brain was processing everything. All of the other doctors were talking above me and not looking at me, not doing anything with me even though I understood them all,” she said. “Until I went to Dr. Friedlander and he worked with me through my condition to give him the answers he needed. He never came off as pompous. He’s the most caring person I’ve dealt with to this day.” Ashly’s hemorrhage was caused by an underlying condition called a cavernous malformation, which is an abnormal, berry-like patch of blood vessels located inside her brain stem. Because the brain stem is deeply situated within the base of the brain and controls important functions such as movement, sensation, breathing, and instructing the heart to beat, surgery to remove the malformation was extremely risky. However, if left untreated, the malformed vessels could again bleed and result in additional critical neurologic damage or even death. Dr. Friedlander and the neurosurgeons at UPMC faced the challenging task of removing the malformation without causing further complications. Using advanced brain imaging technology known as High Definition Fiber Tracking, pioneered at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Friedlander was able to view the detailed wiring of Ashly’s brain fibers to determine the best way to execute the surgery with as little damage to her brain as possible. In order to obtain appropriate access to the brain stem, Dr. Friedlander turned to Dr. Barry Hirsch, a skull base ENT surgeon at UPMC. Using a special microscope and image guidance device, Dr. Friedlander approached the brain stem and was able to completely remove the cavernous malformation.
After surgery, Ashly’s vision and speech began to improve. She also could move her right hand, which had been paralyzed. She improved daily, making strides with her balance, speech, movements, and other functions, and credits her improvement to her strict discipline in following her doctors’ recommendations and her physical therapy program. “If I could say one thing to inspire anyone going through this it’s that you can’t just sit there. It becomes your job,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of people who have had strokes. You can’t just sit down and think you’ll get better. You have to follow the therapy and give your body time.” While she’s been living with her parents in Johnstown during her recovery, Ashly is looking forward to getting back to her life in Baltimore. “I’m pretty close to 100 percent now. My hand and foot are the last things I’m waiting for to come back,” she said. “I’m writing again. It’s like a 3-year-old, but I am. I’m going to be 100 percent.” Her road to recovery has been long. Approaching the anniversary of her ordeal, she and her family are thankful to Dr. Friedlander and everyone on the UPMC staff who helped her through this challenging time. She maintains a blog at ashlystatus.com, where family and friends post updates on her condition. “I’ll never forget, Dr. Friedlander said to me, ‘We’re a team. I’ll do my part as long as you do yours,’” she said. “That’s big in my mind. That made an impact.” For more information, please call the UPMC Department of Neurological Surgery at 1-866-979-1336 or visit UPMC.com/nv. This patient’s treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 47
ADVERTISE
HERE! Reach over 13,000 potential customers in Pine-Richland
Call 724.942.0940 sales@incommunitymagazines.com
48 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
W S N P M L R U G L Q S X
A L X S F T E S K P P I X
N Q J R R L Q Q E D H Q Q
T R A L L I P R E T A C A
M W M C R L R E D I P S P
P R A Y I N G M A N T I S
O G X L A D Y B U G J Y M
R T C E N T I P E D E L C
G C P S A W Z W N S W F P
Y I H E L O W E P J O E C
Y L F R E T T U B D R R N
T Q F K W C T J T P M I N
B T O Z G G Q G R Y L F E
Ant Butterfly Caterpillar Centipede Firefly Ladybug Praying Mantis Spider Wasp Worm
In my childhood memory is a jar of light, Captured sparks from the quilt of night. On the bedstand they glow with green, Their captive spirits’ winking beam. Time was cut short by a summer pastime, Yet the years cannot dim their light of lime.
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 49
Find these items above hiding in the picture.
50 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
Jackie Evancho
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 51
Y our neck has a wide range of motion, so you put greater bending, twisting and turning demands on it than you do the rest of your spine. Yet your neck is the most vulnerable part of your spinal column. Even minor "whipping" of your cervical vertebrae can cause severe trauma in the neck muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues. When you fail to give your neck proper attention, you pay the price for the demands you make on it with pain and stiffness.
Cervical Vertebrae Your seven cervical vertebrae form a fragile bridge to your brain. The vertebra are small and supported only by muscles and ligaments which
must hold and balance a 10-pound head. Your neck is susceptible to stresses and strains, and often reacts violently to what seems like a minor trauma. The cervical vertebrae protect eight pairs of spinal nerves which are connected to almost all parts of the body. The two top cervical vertebrae are called the atlas and the axis and they are shaped differently than other vertebrae. The atlas, an oval ring of bone, is named after the Greek giant who supported the world on his shoulders. The axis performs the task of an axle, allowing the head to pivot sideways.
Whiplash Injury Whiplash refers to an injury in which the neck is whipped backward and rebounds forward suddenly, as in a rear-end auto collision. The damage to the neck may not be felt for hours, or even years. Injuries which can result from whiplash include subluxations, strains and sprains, disc herniation, fractures, and spinal cord and nerve injury. If you suspect a whiplash injury, look for stiffness, aching, headache, dizziness and numbness, shoulder, neck or arm pain, and any visual disturbances or nausea. Immediate attention to the problem by your chiropractor can often preclude the development of arthritis or disc problems years after the accident.
Other Pains In The Neck We all suffer from occasional aching or stiff necks that usually go away in a day or two. When pain persists longer, our neck is telling us that it needs help. Some of the common causes of neck strain are weak muscles, bad posture, working too long without moving the neck around(such as at a computer, or a drafting board or painting the ceiling), nervous and emotional tension, and finally, degenerative conditions which affect the joints and discs.
What You Can Do For Your Neck Keep the muscles of your neck strong with isometric exercise and flexible with slow range of motion movements. Protect yourself from whiplash by having a headrest in your car. Take regular "neck rests" from any work which keeps your neck fixed in one position. If you sleep on your back us a round contour pillow for your neck. Don't slouch when you sit. Sit tall from the crown of your head, with your shoulders relaxed, and your chin slightly back. And of course, don't stick your neck out! This Industry Insight was written and submitted by Dr. Vincent P. Schirra, Schirra Chiropractic. Dr. Vincent Schirra graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic in December 1982 after his undergraduate studies at Washington & Jefferson and Indiana University of PA. Since the age of 11 years old he aspired to become a doctor. Due to several injuries from wrestling in high school and college, he was introduced to the natural healing benefits of chiropractic care. He has been in private practice since 1984 and has been fortunate to have a very successful practice serving literally thousands of patients.
52 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
Community Magazines
ADVERTISE HERE 724.942.0940 sales@incommunitymagazines.com
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 53
Food and Wine Classic
to Benefit HEARTH
ore than 16 varieties of wines and over 20 restaurant and specialty foods were sampled by guests and gourmets at the fourth annual Food and Wine Classic held in June at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center. The evening also included wine connoisseurs, beer experts and a chocolate chamber for dessert lovers. The Classic was hosted by The Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and sponsored by UPMC Passavant, Consolidated Communications and many other North Pittsburgh businesses. The Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a non-profit organization that includes members from the North Shore into Zelienople, and from Route 8 to Beaver County. “The Food and Wine Classic is part of our six signature events including the Neighborhood Business Expo, Golf Outing, Chamber Chase, Taste of Cranberry and Holiday Social,” said Susan H. Balla, executive director. “Tonight we invited the community to come in and sample food and wine, see what we are all about and help raise money for the recipient that we select to give part of the proceeds to. The funds also go to programs and services for our members.” Since merging the Cranberry Area Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Allegheny County Chamber of Commerce in January of 2010, the Chamber has grown to approximately 950 members. “Joining the Chamber is the first step and becoming involved in the Chamber is the second step to success,” said Mike Hall, Chamber
M
board member and owner of General Rental Center in Cranberry. “It is great to have a line of communication to government. They listen to our opinions.” Kathleen Sain, Esq., of Sain Law, LLC, chair of the Chamber board of directors, said, “Merging the two Chambers together was a positive move that has made us stronger,” and continued, “It is also nice to be able to provide service to the community.” Another function of the Chamber is to give back to the community; such as donating part of the proceeds from The Food and Wine Classic to HEARTH. HEARTH provides transitional housing for homeless women with children and permanent affordable rental housing for working families and individuals. HEARTH recently moved from Benedictine Place to temporary housing in Scott Township for their transitional housing. They plan to purchase the former Zoar Home in Shaler for their new facility and are embarking on a $1.5 million capital campaign. “We are using the proceeds from The Food and Wine Classic for operational costs such as rent and utilities,” said Judith Eakin, executive director. “In 2009 we served 15 families and today we serve 32 families.” Along with donations, volunteers are needed to help at both locations. If you would like to learn more about The Chamber of Commerce, Inc., please visit their website at http://thechamberinc.com/. If you would like to find out more about HEARTH, please call 412.366.9801.
Lucy Kish, Rose Vange, Armin and Becky Hooman
Kathy Sain , Chambe r Board of Directors C hair and M ike Hall, Chamber B oard Mem ber
Susan H. Balla, Executive Director
Donna Phillips , Mari William s, Lori Bullman , Diane Munizz a
Caryl Skinneir and Henri Chatman
d Ron anning an Crystal M sors vi d A G of JR
Smuch
Bruce Czaja and Pam Golubski
54 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
B USINESS D IRECTORY
Pine-Richland | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 55
Cookin’ Up
Pancakes & Sausage
W
hat a great way to start the morning—an “All You Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Breakfast” prepared and served up with efficiency and a smile by members and friends of the Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department. Regular and buckwheat pancakes, fresh sausage, hot cinnamon apples and beverages were on the menu. Almost 350 guests stopped by the department's social hall on M eridian Road to enjoy the hearty breakfast and support the department. There was no charge for admission, only a request for a free-will donation. Don't miss this delightfully delicious event next year! It's always held on the second Sunday in March. Proceeds benefit the fire department's general and building funds.
for the Richland Township VFD
Tyler Sergent
Tina Kelly, event organizer, & Ryne Zierenberg
Bobby Woods
Doris Givens
Mandy, Megan & Elissa Cousins with Jake Harper & Brian Fung
Ken & Connor Summit with Ron Hunter
56 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
|
Pine-Richland
603 East McMurray Road McMurray I PA I 15317 724.942.0940 www.incommunitymagazines.com
| IN BEDFORD COUNTY | | IN BETHEL PARK | | IN BRENTWOOD-BALDWINWHITEHALL | | IN CANON-MAC | | IN CHARTIERS VALLEY | | IN FOX CHAPEL | | IN HAMPTON | | IN KEYSTONE OAKS | | IN MARS AREA | | IN McKEESPORT AREA | | IN MERCER COUNTY | | IN MONROEVILLE | | IN MONTOUR | | IN MOON TOWNSHIP | | IN MT. LEBANON | | IN MURRYSVILLE | | IN NORTH ALLEGHENY | | IN NORWIN | | IN PENN HILLS | | IN PETERS TOWNSHIP | |
Allyouhave todoispack We take care of the rest
PINE-RICHLAND |
| IN PLUM |
Complete destination planning including: • All-Inclusive • Honeymoons • Family-Friendly Trips • Cruises • European Tours • Destination Weddings • Weekend Getaways • Shopping Excursions • Culinary & Wine Weekends • Reunions • Group Travel
| IN ROSS TOWNSHIP | | IN SENECA VALLEY | | IN SEWICKLEY AREA |
| IN SHALER | | IN SOUTH FAYETTE |
Travel and Tours
| IN UPPER ST. CLAIR | | IN WEST ALLEGHENY |
603 East McMurray Road
McMurray, PA 15317
Ph: 724.260.5341
www.threeriverstravel.com
| IN WEST JEFFERSON HILLS | | IN WEST MIFFLIN |
Authorized agent for these trusted vacation specialists:
And many more.