IN Woodland Hills by IN Community Magazines

SPRING 2012

oodland Hills COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Carnegie Library of Braddock Director Anita Greene-Jones Word & Worship Food Pantry

Woodland Hills School District News

How Old Is

Too Old To Drive?

ost experienced drivers have never received safe-driving instruction. They simply got in the car and started to drive. Surprisingly, people can be good drivers or bad drivers at any age. Young drivers tend to have the worst driving records. Experienced and middle aged drivers are most likely to have the best driving records, and older drivers generally stay safe because they make adjustments for their abilities and limitations. When it comes to actually driving, studies show that experienced drivers have fewer collisions than new drivers and surprisingly older drivers have fewer accidents than any other age group. However, the number of accidents per mile driven goes up around the age of 60, and gets much higher after 75. The older driver doesn’t cause accidents. However, many older adults do take medications and have health conditions that increase their risk of unsafe driving. Some of the medical conditions that increase this risk include: Vision Problems, Stroke, Arthritis, Diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease. What are some of the signs of unsafe driving? ■ Stopping at a green light. ■ Stopping when there is no stop sign. ■ Stopping in the middle of intersections. ■ Mistaking the gas pedal for the brake pedal. ■ Finding traffic signs and signals confusing. ■ Running stop signs and red lights and not realizing it. ■ Nearly hitting cars, people or objects and not realizing it. ■ Getting lost in familiar places. ■ Changing lanes without looking or signaling. What can people do to be safer drivers? Although the risk of crashes and crash related injuries usually go up as people age, following are some steps that can be taken at any age to drive more safely. ■ Avoid driving at night, in heavy traffic, and on unfamiliar roads. ■ Know the rules of the road. ■ Work with physical and occupational rehabilitation specialists to improve your physical driving abilities. ■ Take a safe driver course. Who can help figure out if driving skills are a problem? Rehabilitation Centers, Vocational Rehabilitation Centers, and Veterans Administration Centers usually provide the best driving evaluations. State Licensing or Driver’s Evaluation Centers and Driving schools can also provide driving evaluations. As drivers age, physicians may require their patients be reexamined in order to maintain or renew their license. What can I do to become a better driver as I continue to age? The best way to improve your driving skills as you age is to take a driver improvement

class. Locally, driver improvement classes are offered for seniors age 55 or older through AARP and the Seniors For Safe Driving program. Juniper Village at Forest Hills will be offering the Seniors For Safe Driving course on April 24 and 25 and July 24 and 25 from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at its facility on 107 Fall Run Road in Forest Hills. Cost for the two-day classroom instruction type of program is just $16.00 a person and is a driver awareness and behavior modification program. There is no on-the-road driving or classroom test. And, after completing the course, seniors will be eligible to receive a 5% reduction on their automobile insurance premium for a period of three years. Seniors who have already taken the course but are in need of a refresher, can attend Juniper Village at Forest Hills’ Seniors For Safe Driving Refresher course on April 25 or July 25 from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The cost for the refresher course is just $16.00 and after completion, will also make drivers eligible to receive a 5% reduction in their automobile insurance premium for a period of three years. Driving is one of the best ways for seniors to maintain their independence. Don’t let age or changes in highways, automobiles, traffic signs, or rules keep you from enjoying that open highway. For more information or to register to attend the Safe Driver courses offered at Juniper Village at Forest Hills, contact Seniors For Safe Driving at 1.800.559.4880 or visit sfsd-pa.com. Class size is limited and registration is required.

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 1

PUBLISHING

Welcome to the Spring issue of Woodland Hills Magazine! Hopefully, we are all enjoying the lengthening days as we forge on to summer. While spring usually brings more rain to the region than we normally get throughout the rest of the year, I’m glad we’ve had a few days of nice weather to get outside and remember what the snow covered up. We’ve grown once again over the winter, and have shifted some staff around to accommodate that growth. I want to point this out because you, the readers, give us many of the great story ideas that you see featured in these pages, and I want you to have the right point of contact so that your story can be heard. The editor for the east region is Monica Haynes (m.haynes@incommunitymagazines.com). Please forward your good news to Monica, and she’ll make sure it finds a place in the magazine. If you’re not sure whether you have a good story, give Monica a call at 412.254.8704 and ask! While our editors have realigned into better-organized zones, we still want everything in those zones to be 100 percent local to you. We also appreciate your feedback (good and bad) to let us know where we missed the mark and where we hit it out of the park. Lastly, it’s not too soon to start thinking about the rest of the year! I know we just got through the holidays, and are thawing out, but since we’re quarterly, we’re already looking ahead to summer and beyond. So if you have events planned and would like to promote them, call or email Monica. If you have an event coming up earlier, let us know so we can send our photographers and document the occasion! Here’s hoping that the start to your year has been a good one!

oodland Hills

Wayne Dollard MANAGING EDITOR

oodland Hills

Marybeth Jeffries m.jeffries@icmags.com REGIONAL EDITORS

Mark Berton [South and West] mark@incommunitymagazines.com Monica L. Haynes [East] m.haynes@incommunitymagazines.com N O R T H Z O N E C O O R D I N AT O R

Pamela Palongue p.palongue@incommunitymagazines.com S C H O O L & M U N I C I PA L C O N T E N T C O O R D I N AT O R

Megan Faloni m.faloni@incommunitymagazines.com OFFICE MANAGER

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com A D P L A C E M E N T C O O R D I N AT O R

Debbie Mountain d.mountain@incommunitymagazines.com GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Sharon Cobb Susie Doak

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda

WRITERS

Heather Holtschlage Joann Naser Leigh Lyons Judith Schardt Dana Black McGrath Gina Salinger PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ginni Hartle Brad Lauer

Wayne Dollard Publisher Welcome Spring! While June may not be busting out all over yet, hope springs eternal for warmer weather, blooming flowers, and more occasions to walk in the sunshine, and more opportunities to get out and meet your fellow residents and neighbors. Speaking of meeting folks, in this edition of Woodland Hills, we have a feature on Anita Greene-Jones, director of the Carnegie Library in Braddock. We also have news about the Woodland Hills School District and the great things that have been happening there. And Woodland Hills catches up with the food pantry at Word and Worship, which is really assisting those in need of a little extra help keeping food on the table. We applaud their efforts. Remember, this is your magazine. It’s about what’s happening in your community. So let us know what you want to read about, what’s going on, what’s important to you. For now, it’s time to think spring, and time to enjoy this edition of Woodland Hills Magazine!

Monica L. Haynes Eastern Regional Editor

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Woodland Hills

Kathleen Rudolph Gary Yon

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERS

Derek Bayer Tom Poljak

Tamara Myers

ADVERTISING SALES

Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Karen Fadzen Julie Graf Jason Huffman Lori Jeffries Connie McDaniel Brian McKee Gabriel Negri Aimee Nicolia

Robert Ojeda Ralph Palaski Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Jennifer Schaefer Michael Silvert Karen Turkovich RJ Vighetti Nikki Capezio-Watson Sophia Williard

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 2012. CORRESPONDENCE

Direct all inquiries, comments and press releases to: IN COMMUNITY MAGAZINES

Attn: Editorial 603 E. McMurray Rd. Ph: 724.942.0940 McMurray, PA 15317 Fax: 724.942.0968 www.incommunitymagazines.com Summer content deadline: April 27 Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

INSIDE

IN Woodland Hills is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Woodland Hills area 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.

IN Woodland Hills | SPRING 2012 |

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Discover Juniper Village How Old Is Too Old to Drive? ....................

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Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy A Solution to the US Healthcare Crisis ....... | 35 Sharpen Your LIstening Skills ....... ON THE COVER

FEATURES Schaffer Elementary students monitoring the quality of water in the Allegheny River. Photo by www.garyyonphotography.com

Attic Insulation Helping to Reduce Energy Costs ...............

McKeesport 8.375 x 10.875_8.375 x 10.875 3/19/12 5:37 PM Page 1

SPRING 2012

Health and Wellness News You Can Use Monroeville V4_Layout 1 3/7/12 12:45 PM Page 1

SPRING 2012

Health and Wellness News You Can Use For residents of eastern communities

Let’s Get Physical

What can a daily dose of moderate physical activity do for you? Plenty! As you get older, regular exercise is a key to staying strong, energetic, and healthy. To learn more about the link between fitness and aging, turn to page 3.

What’s Inside page 2

Getting Advanced Cancer Care at UPMC McKeesport

page 3

Fit at Any Age

page 4

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page 7

Let’s Get

Surviving Allergies: What You Can Do Putting Ergonomics to Work for You

15Physical

Brightening Lives With Light

A Walk to Remember Meet Our Physicians

What’s Inside page 2 page 3

COMMUNITY INTEREST

page 4 page 5

Woodland Hills Area Resident Profile ...........................

Woodland Hills School District News ...........................

UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use ........

The Path to Full Potential ..............................................................

Word and Worship Food Pantry ......................................

Community Worship ...........................................................

Pressley Ridge School for Autism

To Create the Ideal Hospital ... Start with a Dream Team Fit at Any Age Surviving Allergies: What You Can Do Putting Ergonomics to Work for You Brightening Lives With Light

page 6

A Walk to Remember

page 7

Partnering with the Community for Excellence in Emergency Care

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Woodland Hills Area

Resident Profile

Library Director Builds Upon Braddock’s Historical Treasure By Judith Schardt Photos by Gary Yon

“Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations.” {Henry David Thoreau}

ndrew Carnegie believed libraries were essential to community growth and enrichment and provided seed money to build 2,811 free libraries all over the world. Of these, 1,946 were located in the United States, at least one in every state except Rhode Island. One facility comes to mind if you live in or near the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In March 1889, the Carnegie Library of Braddock was the first Carnegie Library built in the United States, and the second in the world (a Carnegie Library was built in Andrew Carnegie’s home town of Dunfermline, Scotland in 1881). Braddock was also home to Andrew Carnegie’s first major steel mill, the Edgar Thomson Works. Andrew Carnegie felt an obligation to provide employees and their families with a library, music hall, gymnasium, billiards and swimming pool. He provided a $357,782 grant for the construction of the building at 419 Library Street in Braddock and arranged an endowment to operate this library.

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Braddock Carnegie Library is a Richardsonian Romanesque style building and was designed by William H. Wood. Architects Longfellow, Alden & Harlown built an addition in 1893. In 1973, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is also on the list of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks. The director of the library, Anita Greene-Jones, hired four years ago, says she was drawn to the library by the building itself. “I majored in Arts and Architectural Design and Political Science at Lehigh University in 2002; a building so rich in history and so beautiful holds tremendous potential.” Jones grew up in Oakmont and Penn Hills and attended Trinity Christian School in Forest Hills. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science with a Master of Library Science. She spent five years teaching at-risk and low-income children before working as a librarian. Being a longtime Pittsburgh resident, she was excited to be hired at the Braddock Library

“Libraries allow

children to ask questions about the world and find answers. And once a child learns to use a library, the doors open to learning are always open.”

since it offered much more than books. Braddock Carnegie Library has opened doors for thousands through the decades. In four years as the Director, Jones oversaw many improvements like overhauling the collection and hiring a full-time children’s librarian, which led to the expansion of children’s programs. The second floor was renovated to make room for a new children’s library, opening March 2012. The main library was reorganized and she obtained donations for all new furniture. Jones says she

loves all the programs that the library brings to the community: free yoga, line dancing, ceramic and computer classes. The foodie, anime, movie and scrapbooking clubs are {Laura Bush} among the most popular. She says the library offers book and poetry readings, genealogy research sessions and has participated in five annual Chili Cook-Offs, which raise funds for the library’s arts programs run by Executive Director Victoria Vargo and VISTA volunteer Dana Bishop Root. The programs include a pottery studio, a silkscreen shop Continued on page 6

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

Continued from page 5

and music. The Braddock library has partnered with GTECH, Fossil Free Fuels, and Second Life Computer Remanufacturing to help with recycling. All computer parts/accessories get recycled for FREE! Jones is looking forward to more renovations throughout the building, obtaining new books and offering more programs and classes. She knows the treasures that her library and books hold. Walt Disney said it best: “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates’ loot on Treasure Island and, best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life.”

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Woodland Hills

Woodland Hills SCHOOL DISTRICT

Message from the Superintendent

e have been relatively lucky this winter with regards to the warm weather and small amount of snow accumulation. In fact, as I write this we have not had a single delay or school cancellation due to inclement weather. I hope I haven’t just jinxed our chances to have an early spring, although Punxsutawney Phil has already nixed that idea. In these community letters, I have shared with you so much of the positive and good news of the Woodland Hills School District. But we also have our challenges that must be addressed if all of our students are to move forward and continue to achieve higher academic levels. I want to emphasize, in the spirit of Black History Month that “We Shall Overcome!” We will overcome any obstacles in our path, in our history, in the face of economic and social challenges unique to our District, to continue to excel and strive for even higher and broader academic excellence for our students. That is why our recent announcement that Woodland Hills has received a sizeable Heinz Endowments grant to help a particular segment of our academic population is so heartening. Planning has begun to implement the strategies of the Scholar Identity Framework developed by two nationally recognized scholars from Vanderbilt University, Dr. Gilman Whiting and Dr. Donna Ford. Our administrators have met with Dr. Whiting and Dr. Ford, and we are in the process of developing a plan and a course of action. We expect that students will begin to be accepted into this program by the beginning of the upcoming 2012-13 school year. Although the funds and program seemingly target only a select group of students, young African American males performing below expectations, I want to emphasize that the entire District and all of our staff and students will actually benefit from this grant. All of our staff will benefit greatly from the training that will be part of the program. New philosophies, teaching

news strategies and ideas will be shared across grade levels and across all of our schools. The professional development of our staff will benefit a wider range of students than was envisioned by the grant’s confines. In addition to the great news about the Heinz Endowments Grant program, I am excited to talk about another program we are bringing to our District. I first heard about “Engineering is Elementary” while attending a session as a member of the Penn State Education Outreach Advisory Board. We enjoyed a presentation from the creator of this program that fosters engineering and technological literacy among elementary school students and educators. I am delighted to announce that we will be bringing this exciting program to our K-6 students in all of our elementary schools next year. This is one of the premiere programs in the country and our use of EIE puts Woodland Hills in the top tier of public schools integrating science and technology into elementary curriculum. EIE units are designed to integrate elementary science topics with specific fields of engineering. Engineering is a new discipline for elementary school teachers so extensive professional development workshops will be provided. At its core, EIE is designed to have students view scientific questions from an engineering framework. The program develops interesting problems and contexts and invites children to have fun as they use their knowledge of science and engineering to design, create, and improve solutions. So you see in Woodland Hills, our teachers and staff are engaged in learning as much as our students are. When education is your job, learning has to be your lifelong passion. And we in the Woodland Hills School District are passionate about teaching and learning. Sincerely, Walter M. Calinger, Ph.D. Superintendent

All written material and photographs are by Maria McCool, Director of Communications for the WHSD, unless otherwise attributed. Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

news Being Green Can Be Fun!! Woodland Hills

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Photos by www.garyyonphotography.com

ictured on this issue’s cover are Woodland Hills sixth grade students from Shaffer Elementary in Churchill. They are monitoring the quality of the water in the Allegheny River. The students are working under the direction of their teacher, Mrs. Cathie Pearson, and they are working with ORSANCO (Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission).

ORSANCO is an organization located in Cincinnati, Ohio, that monitors the water quality of the Ohio River and its tributaries. The students are also working with the Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority. Each month, a representative from the water authority collects a sample of water from the Allegheny River and delivers it to Shaffer. The students then conduct tests for certain factors that determine the quality of the water. They measure pH, dissolved oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, nitrates, turbidity and

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E. coli. They then calculate the quality of the water according to established formulas. They report their monthly data to ORSANCO via a data entry form on the ORSANCO website. So far this year, the students are happy to inform residents that the water quality of the Allegheny River has been in the “Excellent” range. Mrs. Pearson and the Woodland Hills School District have been collecting and reporting data on the Allegheny River to ORSANCO for 17 years. This project is only one

After-School and Workforce Development Programs for Elementary and High School Students By Kate VanDerSchaaf

of the many ways that our district students are learning about ecology, conservation, alternative energies, and “green” initiatives. At our schools, students are taking action by instituting recycling programs, planting trees and tending gardens, and initiating fundraisers to support conservation efforts. If you would like to learn more about the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, please visit the website at www.orsanco.org.

he Youth LIFE After-School Program (Youth LIFE) and the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), run by the Human Services Center Corporation (HSCC) in Turtle Creek, are currently accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year. Youth LIFE provides up to 300 first through fifth graders residing in the Woodland Hills School District with a safe and educational place to spend their weekday afternoons. The program provides skill appropriate tutorial classes, a computer-based curriculum to help improve PSSA scores, educational seminars, self-improvement classes, field trips (HSCC site only), and recreational activities. Youth LIFE operates at Dickson, Edgewood, Fairless, Shaffer and Wilkins elementary schools, as well as at HSCC’s site in Turtle Creek. The Youth LIFE Program is provided FREE to all participants. ELP is available to low-income high school students who attend Woodland Hills High School and also East Allegheny or Clairton high schools. Juniors, and preferably seniors, attend weekly sessions during the school day where they develop work competencies and explore thousands of careers through handson experiences and field trips. Students also work on improving their study skills and gain social skills by meeting new people. Each participant has the opportunity to earn money each quarter by actively participating in the planned activities. With support from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, United Way, Allegheny County, and the Heinz Endowments, both programs have been very successful. Over 355 youth were served. A few of our outcomes from the 2011 year were: ❋ 81% of regularly attending participants improved in math, while 75% improved in reading ❋ 76% of high school seniors accepted offers to attend a postsecondary school For more information or to obtain an application for Youth LIFE or ELP, please call the Youth Programs staff at HSCC at 412.829.7112.

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

WHSD Teens Are Learning to

E ❋

Expect RESPECT

very year, thousands of high school students experience some form of physical, emotional or sexual violence perpetrated by a dating partner. Teen dating violence has become a pervasive problem with serious health and safety consequences for youth. Woodland Hills School District is partnering with Womansplace and Center for Victims of Violence and Crime (CVVC) to bring the “Expect Respect” teen dating program to Woodland Hills High School. There are three main components to the program. First there will be classroom presentations to all ninth grade students regarding the dangers of teen dating violence. These presentations will include a video produced for the program and discussions will be led by the professionals from Womansplace and CVVC. Support groups for students who are at risk for being in an abusive relationship or who would like more information about healthy relationships will be available. Groups will be led by a trained counselor from either Womansplace or CVVC. The groups will be gender specific and will be offered for both males and females. The purpose of the groups is not to supplant therapy or counseling. They are designed to provide a more in-depth education on creating and maintaining healthy relationships. Parental permission will be needed in order for students to be able to participate in a group. Individual counseling will also be available for students

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who are currently involved in an abusive relationship and are not comfortable taking part in a group. A Teen Leadership Team is being formed in the school and its members will take leadership roles in various awareness projects throughout the school year. This year, the HS Interact Club has adopted the Expect Respect program as one of its projects and members will serve on the leadership team. The adult professionals involved in the program are Diane Dahm-Martin, supervisor of the program from Womansplace; David Wingerson, from Womansplace, who will run the group at the high school for our male students; and Vanessa Mayers, from the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime, who will run the group at the high school for our female students. WHHS faculty who are working with the program are Mrs. Marilyn Keteles and Mr. Kevin Mcguire, as well as the district home school visitor and social worker, Mrs. Kellie Irwin. But the Expect Respect program engages the entire school community in preventing teen dating violence and promoting safe and healthy relationships. Just as with bullying awareness, it takes enlightened individuals supported by a community and a nurturing environment to support students at risk. As Cesar Chavez said, “We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community… Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.”

(left to right) US Attorney David Hickton, Brett Keisel, Kellie Irwin, Alan Johnson, Charles LaVallee

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Woodland Hills SCHOOL DISTRICT

Education Is A Civil Right For All Children What does it mean to be homeless?

According to the federal McKinney-Vento Assistance Act, the term “homeless children and youths” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. In Allegheny County, there were 1,819 homeless children (2009-10) and during that time period, 888 of them were under the age of five. In the state of Pennsylvania during the 2009-10 school year there was a total of 18,204 homeless children. That number has continued to grow each year. In February, the U.S. Attorney David Hickton joined the newly shorn Pittsburgh Steelers’ Brett Keisel, Homeless Children’s Education Fund Director Charles LaVallee, and members from school districts throughout Allegheny and neighboring counties, including the Pittsburgh City Schools, to generate awareness of the challenges facing children and youth experiencing homelessness. Also represented were numerous social and governmental agencies that are dedicated to ensuring that homeless children are enrolled, attending, and succeeding in school. At the news conference, two school districts were singled out for recognition for their excellence and commitment to serving homeless children: Wilkinsburg and the WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT. Woodland Hills was represented by our assistant superintendent, Mr. Alan Johnson; Mrs. Kellie Irwin, the district’s home-

less coordinator; and Mrs. Maria McCool, our communications director. Both Mrs. Irwin and the WHSD director of operations, Mr. Gerald Chessman, assume the heaviest responsibility of identifying homeless children and making the arrangements for housing, transportation and special services that homeless children and their families need. Mr. LaVallee told the group that more information needs to be disseminated to families who qualify as homeless; they need to know that there are services and support available to help children who find themselves in this situation due to no fault of their own. It is the goal of school districts to provide an opportunity for school stability for all our students, especially in a time of hardship. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, David J. Hickton, summed up the beliefs, thoughts, and feelings of all of the educators present when he said, “The civil rights of homeless children to obtain an education must be maintained and protected. It is the law, and it is the right thing to do, and every possible measure must be exhausted to ensure it.” We are proud that Woodland Hills is serving as a role model for others in how to make school a place of safety, structure, and opportunity; and most importantly, how to keep school as a place of hope. For more information on homeless educational services in the WHSD, please contact Kellie Irwin, 412.731.1300, ext. 0190. Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

news

Woodland Hills SCHOOL DISTRICT

Woodland Hills Helps to Beautify A.I.U. 3 Woodland Hills art students were part of a group of 748 students from Allegheny County public schools who crafted a 20-foot-long mural in the lobby of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 offices in the Waterfront business development. Over a three-week period, artist Laura Jean McLaughlin guided the students from 42 suburban districts as they envisioned and created the artwork. The process began with visualization exercises that helped the students graphically depict what public education means to them. Ms. McLaughlin combined these ideas in a large painting which was sandwiched between plywood and metal mesh. The students worked together in groups to affix tesserae, or small pieces of ceramic tile and colored glass, to the

â?&#x2039;

metal mesh. This art form is known as mosaic. Once all of the tesserae were attached, the mural was mounted to the wall and grouted. Artist Bob Ziller contributed to this effort. The mural is a permanent installation and serves to remind everyone about the importance of art education and the imagination of children. This effort was made possible through the generosity of the Grable Foundation. The president of the Woodland Hills School Board, Mrs. Marilyn Messina, is the secretary of the AIU Board of Directors. Our Woodland Hills students worked under the direction of high school art teacher Barb Amick.

Change of Venue for the Districtwide Art Show The 2012 All District Art Show will be held at Woodland Hills High School this year instead of Braddock Carnegie Library as it has in former years. The dates and times to view the exhibit are: April 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., April 28 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and April 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The artwork will be displayed in the hall in the athletics wing of the high school. The All District Art Show showcases work from students in grades K - 12 in all of our schools. The show is made possible through the combined efforts of the Woodland Hills Foundation, the district art faculty, and staff from various administrative departments.

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Dickson art decorates Administration building A

rt made by the students at Dickson Elementary School in Swissvale, under the direction of art teacher Mrs. Beth Wagner, decorated the lobby and halls of the District Administration Building on Greensburg Pike during the longer-than-usual wintry month of February.

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

news

Woodland Hills SCHOOL DISTRICT

CURTAINS

WHHS Spring Musical he Woodland Hills High School Department of Performing Arts is proud to present its 25th anniversary musical, “Curtains.” This original musical comedy unfolds backstage at Boston’s Colonial Theatre, where a new musical, “Robbin’ Hood of the Old West,” has the potential to be a Broadway hit... except for the talent-less leading lady. When the lackluster lead dies on opening night during her curtain call, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi of the Boston Police Department is called in to solve the murder. Lieutenant Cioffi believes that the perpetrator is still in the building, so he seals all entrances and exits with the cast and crew inside. The company uses this forced downtime to fix the show’s problems and, snared by the lure of the theater, a torn Lieutenant Cioffi finds himself just as involved in making the show a hit as he is in solving the murder. Can Lieutenant Cioffi solve the case… save the show…and get the girl before the musical begins without getting himself killed? Or will it be “curtains” for Lieutenant Cioffi as the body count rises? Tune in to see how everything is resolved before the evening ends.

Students and volunteers work on the high school set

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t and s a c e h t Join HS for H W f o crew of g n i n e v e an stery, y m , r e d mur m! e h y a m d music an nd 28,

are April 27 a s e t a d w Our sho 5 at 8 p.m. May 3, 4, and . ay 5 at 1 p.m M d n a 8 2 l ri and Ap 0. ts are $1 All ticke h 1. opens Marc e c ffi o x o b The x5187 412.244.1100 ary annivers h t 5 2 r ion Fo informat i n m u l a ation, musical ertising inform v d a l a n io it om. d and ad lAds@gmail.c a ic s u M H W please email

Two of the cast: Marika Countouris and Jared Hanley Photos by Marika Countouris

This & That Woodland Hills Junior High Students Win First Place Woodland Hills Junior High gifted students participated in a global competition sponsored by Phipps Conservatory. The challenge was to create an Olympic Wreath made entirely from plant material. In addition, students had to choose native western Pennsylvania plants with significant conservation value. After much research, our students chose a variety of plants and assembled the wreath. They were also required to write a 500-word rationale for their plant selections. Woodland Hills Junior High won First Place and will now have the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wreath and rationale submitted to the international competition. Photographs of the winning wreath will be displayed in London at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Congratulations to our junior high students!

International students studying at WHHS this school year take an ice-skating break at the Schenley Park rink with Peg Schmidt, CIEE Local Coordinator and Team Leader.

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

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Woodland Hills SCHOOL DISTRICT

WHHS Alumna (‘05) Traci Rue

enthusiastically undertook three minors in a multidisciplinary studies curriculum during her undergraduate education and never imagined it would lead to driving heavy trucks. She started off with a strong start in college, backed by scholarships, and had a GPA well above 3.5 entering her senior year. Then her scholarship money ran out, and she still had an intense desire to finish her undergraduate studies and to pursue a graduate education. So, she joined the National Guard. She is with the West Virginia National Guard’s 1201st Forward Support Co., based at Camp Dawson, near Kingwood, W.Va. She has been trained to drive very large military vehicles. “Joining the Guard was a difficult decision, really, but I thought long and hard about it,” she said. “My mother was concerned because at that time the nation was involved in Iraqi Freedom. But I believe I made the right decision. I’ve gained leadership experience, enhanced my own discipline and created great connections. Plus, I’ve been able to serve my country.” Sgt. 1st Class John Slaven is Rue’s non-commissioned officer. He said it is rather uncommon for students to enlist in the Guard late in their academic careers. “Most soldiers join the Guard prior to going to college, and the Guard then pays 100 percent of their tuition,” commented Slaven. “If a soldier has already attended college and has loans, the Guard will pay a percentage of the loans. Also, with the Montgomery GI Bill and the Kicker program (educational aid incentives) the soldier can receive extra money for college.” Plus, they can learn to drive trucks, although Rue doesn’t see that as a career path. She hopes to get started with a profession in international human resources management and to someday be executive vice president of a Fortune 100 company. That path will begin next August when she graduates, and she accepts that it may be a long one. “Being vice president is my long-term goal,” she said, “maybe 25 years down the line. I know there’s a lot of work ahead before I attain that.” She said an MBA trip to China “opened my eyes to the 16 724.942.0940 to advertise |

Woodland Hills

opportunity that is out there” in the international arena and that she has had some wonderful professors during her time at the College of Business and Economics, among them, Dr. Karen France. “Karen France is an outstanding role model for a professional woman, and I’m astounded by her work-life balance,” Rue commented. She said she was also helped to achieve her educational goals by Drs. Nicholas Apostolou, who “always made sure I had a grasp of the material;” Jeff Houghton, “an amazing mentor always with an open-door;” and Neil Bucklew who “is a wealth of information and quotes that have in my mind forever to refer to in the real world.” Rue, a dual-degree student in the MBA and MSIR programs, was vice president of her MBA class and is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management. She is a vice president and active in public service activities with the Morgantown graduate chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., and she has been given high praise from her Guard leadership. “Ms. Rue is one of the very best young soldiers that I have worked with,” Slaven said. “She pays attention to detail and completes all missions to their fullest. I am very proud of Traci, and I know that she will always make the West Virginia Army National Guard and the United States proud. I know that she will go far in life.” Reprinted with the permission of WVU College of Business and Economics

WHSD Alumni News

Woodland Hills Class of 2002, we are looking for you! The Woodland Hills graduating class of 2002 will celebrate its 10-year reunion this year. If you are a 2002 graduate or know a 2002 graduate, please contact the Reunion Committee at woodyhighreunion02@gmail.com with updated contact information. Please include your home address and email address so that the committee can reach you properly. The tentative date for the reunion is November 24, 2012. The location of the event has not yet been confirmed. Please join the “Woodland Hills Class of 2002 reunion information” Facebook page for an up-to-date account of the reunion plans. Don’t miss an opportunity to see old friends, familiar faces and reminisce about Woody High.

SPRING 2012

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

Let’s Get Physical

What’s Inside page 2

Getting Advanced Cancer Care at UPMC McKeesport

page 3

Fit at Any Age

page 4

Surviving Allergies: What You Can Do Putting Ergonomics to Work for You

page 5

Brightening Lives With Light

page 6

A Walk to Remember

page 7

Meet Our Physicians

Getting Advanced Cancer Care at UPMC McKeesport

Growing numbers of McKeesport area residents are finding that cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment is just minutes from their home!

For anyone coping with a cancer diagnosis, locating the highest quality treatment is an important first step in the journey toward recovery. UPMC McKeesport is committed to delivering that level of advanced care for area residents — and more.

State-of-the-art clinical care with a personal touch

“Our patients and their families are pleased to discover how comprehensive and high tech cancer care is here,” says Susan Rakfal, MD, medical director of radiation oncology for the UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC McKeesport. “As part of the UMPC Cancer Centers network, we offer a level of care that is comparable to what you would find at any of UPMC’s cancer facilities — and we’re right in your neighborhood.”

A Varian Clinac 23iX linear accelerator and GE CT simulator, the newest additions to the center’s arsenal of cancer-fighting weapons, give patients access to the latest radiation therapies and enable the staff to create patientspecific treatment plans. “These state-of-the-art devices allow us to target tumors and deliver the radiation beam with pinpoint accuracy, thereby destroying cancer cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissue,” explains Dr. Rakfal.

Combining convenience, comfort, and quality The radiation oncology wing of UPMC McKeesport’s cancer center is undergoing a major renovation designed to create a healing environment for the body, mind, and spirit. When work is completed in May, the wing’s waiting area will be bathed in natural light, and music and artwork will add homelike touches. “It will be a warm and inviting space that supports our staff’s delivery of personal care,” says Dr. Rakfal. Members of the UPMC McKeesport radiation oncology care team are among the best in the country at using different kinds of radiation therapies to treat patients with cancer. “We also make certain that primary care physicians and other cancer care specialists here at UPMC McKeesport are involved in managing a patient’s care.”

Radiation Oncology at UPMC McKeesport The UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC McKeesport offers patients access to some of the most advanced radiation delivery systems and imaging technologies available for treating patients with cancer, including:

UPMC.com/Today

UPMC McKeesport’s affiliation with UPMC Cancer Centers ensures that its center is equipped with cutting-edge technologies that aren’t typically found in community hospitals.

Having these capabilities in their backyard means patients don’t need to travel to the city to receive the same treatment. “When someone comes to us for cancer treatment, they can be confident that they will get care of the highest quality and added measure of comfort.” To learn more about the UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC McKeesport as well as the radiation oncology and medical oncology services, visit UPMCMcKeesport.com. To meet the cancer specialists at UPMC McKeesport, turn to page 7.

Respiratory gating During a radiation treatment, the patient’s tumor may change position due to the patient’s breathing cycle or other involuntary movements. In a respiratory gating treatment, a tracking device “watches” the tumor’s position and briefly shuts off the radiation treatment machine when the tumor moves beyond a certain point, helping to protect healthy tissue. RapidArc® This advanced equipment rotates 360 degrees around the body, providing radiation precisely sculpted to the tumor, helping to spare healthy tissue. RapidArc delivers treatment in two to three minutes, compared to other conventional treatments, which may take up to 30 minutes. On-Board Imager® (OBI) An imaging technology used in conjunction with radiation delivery systems prior to treatment ensures that the patient and the tumor are in the same place as originally planned. This allows the oncologist to precisely deliver treatment, which may spare healthy surrounding tissue.

Fit atAnyAge Comedian George Burns — who lived to be 100 — often advised his audience to “Look to the future, because that’s where you’ll spend the rest of your life.” Vonda Wright, MD — a practicing orthopaedic surgeon at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine and a nationally recognized author of several books on active aging and fitness — thinks that’s sound advice. “Nothing is more natural than aging,” she says. “Adults over 40 today are redefining what it means to age. They’re looking ahead — and doing what it takes to stay fit and vital. “With just 30 minutes of daily exercise, you can minimize your risk for 35 common illnesses — including high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes,” says Dr. Wright, who also directs the center’s Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes (PRIMA®), which focuses on maximizing the performance of both elite and recreational athletes over age 40.

Staying fit as you age “As we enter our 40s and 50s, we’re just starting to hit our stride, with the potential for many years of wonderful living ahead of us. A well-balanced exercise plan is a key to maintaining that quality of life as we grow older,” she maintains.

Many say that 50 is the new 30 as today’s mature adults enjoy more active, fitter, and healthier lives than any other generation.

“There’s no age or activity level to prevent any older adult from being active,” explains Dr. Wright. In fact, studies of 90-year-old men doing resistance training on a daily basis showed improvements in their strength and functioning.

Getting started

Starting — and sticking with — a fitness plan initially can be hard, says Dr. Wright. “The first step is to make exercise a part of your daily routine. Schedule it on your calendar, like an appointment,” she advises. “Don’t be a weekend warrior. Instead, try to maintain a moderate activity level throughout the week, and increase your exercise level gradually to reduce your chance of overuse or injury.” She tells her patients to FACE the future with a balanced, total body workout designed to achieve maximum benefits while avoiding injury:

F — Flexibility with daily stretching exercises A — Aerobic cardiovascular exercises every other day, using interval-style training Carry a load (or strength train) to build and maintain muscles in your arms, C — legs, and core (stomach, back, and abdomen) E — Equilibrium and balance through simple exercises like standing on one foot “Whenever possible, mix up activities like running, swimming, cycling, or rowing,” encourages Dr. Wright. “Cross training helps promote total fitness while reducing the chance for injury. Most of all, take that first step!” To learn more about UPMC’s PRIMA program for mature athletes, call 412-432-3651 or visit UPMC.com/SportsMedicine. You’ll find PRIMA listed under Performance in the Our Services section.

Should you see a doctor first? You’re 50 years old and a pack-a-day smoker. You also have high blood pressure, and you haven’t exercised since Ronald Reagan was president. Should you see your doctor before hitting the local gym? “Regular exercise is the best gift you can give yourself. But it’s important to use common sense when getting started,” says Christopher Radkowski, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at UPMC McKeesport. If you’re in generally good health and starting off with light to moderate physical activity, an extensive medical workup probably isn’t necessary. “But if you’ve been diagnosed with any medical condition, have been sedentary for some time, or are at risk for potential heart problems, it’s essential to talk to your doctor,” advises Dr. Radkowski. “Working together, you and your doctor can create the right exercise plan based on your age, physical condition, family history, and other key factors.” If you’re over the age of 40, visit UPMC.com/Today to take the American College of Sports Medicine’s Physical Activity Readiness Self-Exam.

1-800-533-UPMC

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

Surviving Allergies:

What You Can Do If you dread the approach of spring and the arrival of allergy season, here are a few ways to reduce your sniffling, sneezing and itchy eyes

What to do If you take medication to control your symptoms, start treatment early — before your seasonal allergies flare up, says BJ Ferguson, MD, director of the Division of Sino-Nasal Disorders and Allergy at UPMC, and a professor of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In western Pennsylvania, tree pollen starts flying around by the end of February or in early March, when it warms up enough for trees to begin budding.

Medications to take Dr. Ferguson recommends starting with an over-thecounter (OTC) medication, preferably a non-sedating antihistamine. She cautions that some products can be sedating or even result in extreme drowsiness that can impair driving. Be sure to read the accompanying instructions or ask your pharmacist about side effects. OTC decongestants can relieve nasal congestion, but should only be used on a short-term basis, Dr. Ferguson says. Decongestants can cause significant side effects, such as insomnia, agitation, heart palpitations, and a rise in blood pressure. A saline nasal wash also can help relieve congestion.

When to see a doctor “If you are getting no relief and it is impairing your quality of life, you should see a doctor about more effective alternatives and testing,” says Dr. Ferguson. • A doctor can prescribe medications that can provide effective relief from chronic congestion. • Allergy testing can determine precisely what you are or aren’t allergic to. A new sublingual immunotherapy administered under the tongue is just as effective as allergy shots, and with fewer side effects, says Dr. Ferguson. • Your doctor also can determine if your nasal blockage is caused by inflammation or nasal polyps, a deviated septum, enlarged adenoids, or an infection.

UPMC.com/Today

Putting Ergonomics to Work for You

At home and on the job, ergonomics can help you avoid injury and discomfort — and even increase your productivity The goal of ergonomics is to make our places of work as safe, comfortable, and efficient as possible. But let’s not limit its uses to our day jobs! “Many of the aches and pains people experience can be attributed to ergonomic issues like poor posture, excessive repetitive movement, or improper lifting techniques,” says William S. McCall, facility director, Center for Rehabilitation Services at UPMC McKeesport. “Whether you’re at work, home or play, applying basic ergonomic principles can help you avoid injury and perform at your best,” adds Mr. McCall. Here are a few tips to get you started: • Use the right equipment. Make sure the tool fits the job and your body, whether you’re sitting at a desk, vacuuming, riding a bike, or swinging a golf club. • Work at the right height for you. A too-low computer chair or a too-high kitchen counter can wreck havoc on your neck, back, and shoulders. • Avoid contact stress. Wear gloves or use tools designed to reduce pressure on soft tissue to avoid blisters and other skin damage. • Keep items within easy reach. Extend your arms out on each side. Picture an imaginary arc in front of you from left to right. Place the tools or supplies you use most often within that area. • Avoid repetitive movements and working long periods in one position. Alternate tasks and change your body position regularly. Stretch every 20 to 30 minutes. Visit UPMC.com/Today where you can find more ergonomic tips to use at work and at home.

Brightening Lives with Light

Light therapy is proving to be an effective treatment for bipolar depression and other mood disorders Michele Twyman of Penn Hills always dreaded the approach of winter and the holidays. As the days shortened, she grew increasingly tired, sleepy, and depressed. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed — and stay there. “I didn’t enjoy anything — from decorating to shopping. I never felt like celebrating,” says Ms. Twyman, who has a bipolar disorder and has battled depression for more than 30 years. But last Christmas was different. For the first time in years, she decorated, shopped, and made wreaths and centerpieces. “I enjoy the holidays again. I realize now how much I missed being happy about life’s little things,” she says.

New treatment shows bright promise

People with bipolar depression are especially sensitive to changes in outdoor ambient light and the seasons, she explains. The onset of fall and winter can trigger symptoms similar to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), including fatigue, sluggishness, daytime sleepiness, carb cravings, loss of interest, and inability to experience pleasure. Individuals with bipolar depression also may have suicidal thoughts.

How and why it works

“There are few effective treatments for bipolar depression. That’s why we’re exploring novel approaches such as light therapy.” — Dorothy Sit, MD

Ms. Twyman credits her new outlook to an artificial light box provided by Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) of UPMC. Every afternoon, she sits in bright light for about a half hour while reading or planning appointments and activities. It took just a few weeks to feel the effects. She now wakes up feeling more rested and relaxed. She’s also better able to care for her 95-year-old father. “There are few effective treatments for bipolar depression. That’s why we’re exploring novel approaches such as light therapy,” says Dorothy Sit, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, and a researcher at WPIC who is leading an ongoing study in the use of light therapy for treatment of bipolar depression. “Most patients feel better within two weeks of starting it, and continue to improve for up to eight weeks.” According to Dr. Sit, treatment is inexpensive and effective. Patients with seasonal depression require 30 to 60 minutes of daily light therapy while patients with non-seasonal depression need 45 to 60 minutes.

Light therapy replaces lost sunlight exposure and resets the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythms — important for everyone’s general health, mood, and thinking. That’s why light therapy also can help patients with jet lag, shift workers, and people with sleep disorders.

While light therapy is generally safe, patients with bipolar depression also must be on a mood stabilizer or they’ll be at risk for manic episodes, says Dr. Sit. Other possible side effects include headaches, eyestrain, irritation, agitation, and insomnia. These symptoms normally disappear following adjustments in the time and length of treatment.

Light therapy tips • Check with your doctor or mental health professional to see if light therapy is a good option for you. • Follow your doctor’s advice concerning any special precautions you need to take. • Use light therapy only with guidance from your doctor or mental health provider to minimize possible side effects and maximize benefits. Visit UPMC.com/Today for more information on bipolar depression and the light therapy study. To participate in the study, call 1-800-436-2461. For information on light boxes, visit the Center for Environmental Therapeutics website at cet.org.

1-800-533-UPMC

AWalk to Remember UPMC Rehabilitation Institute helps make a seemingly impossible wedding dream come true

Megan Dow was an athletic, carefree 27-year-old with so much to look forward to — from her upcoming wedding to a new house and barn. But a freak ATV accident on Memorial Day 2010 changed her life in an instant, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. It took a week for Megan to realize her broken neck and back wouldn’t be a quick fix and another six months to acknowledge that her paralysis might have permanent effects. Despite the diagnosis, the Negley, Ohio, resident was determined to walk down the aisle on her wedding day 16 months later. “What means more to a girl than walking down the aisle at her wedding?” asks Megan, who became engaged just weeks before the accident.

Regaining the life she lost Initially, she couldn’t sit up without help and wore braces to support her back, neck, and legs. “I went from doing everything to not being able to brush my teeth; from being able to throw a bale of hay to not being able to pick up a gallon of milk,” Megan says. An avid outdoorswoman, Megan longed to return to her activities, including horseback riding, camping, volunteering as a 4H Club adviser, and working as an interior designer. “I absolutely loved the life I had before the accident. I had to work to bring these things back into my life,” she says.

UPMC.com/Today

At the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute’s spinal cord injury unit at UPMC Mercy, Megan’s team of specialists put her to work four hours a day, six days a week in an intensive rehabilitation program. Luckily, she had use of her quadriceps, which allowed her to walk with the help of braces and a walker. Slowly, she relearned everyday skills like dressing herself and walking. She also learned new skills, such as transferring to a shower chair from her wheelchair, and did exercises to build her strength. Megan vowed she’d walk without the walker by that Christmas (a goal she met by Thanksgiving) and down the aisle without a cane. A few weeks before her wedding, Megan donned her gown and practiced walking in the gym with her physical therapist.

Walking happily into the future On her wedding day — Oct. 1, 2011 — Megan did walk down the aisle. Among the guests were her UPMC doctor, physical therapist, and occupational therapist. “They’re a huge part of my life and the reason I’m where I am today. They had to be there!” exclaims Megan. “I’m so grateful to everyone at the Rehabilitation Institute. They gave me the tools I needed, and they encouraged and steered me in the right direction.”

Megan and Eric Dow walked down the aisle after exchanging marriage vows on Oct. 1, 2011.

Megan and her husband Eric honeymooned in Cancún, Mexico, where they snorkeled, swam, kayaked, and even explored some ancient ruins. Today, while she still uses a wheelchair and cane, Megan is thankful she can walk up to two hours with just leg braces. She’s also driving again, riding horses, camping, and doing other activities. “It was a miracle. I’m so grateful I can still do what I used to do — I just do them differently,” Megan says. To learn more about UPMC Rehabilitation Institute and its services, visit UPMC.com/RehabInstitute. You’ll also find a link to Megan’s story and those of other patients who’ve benefited from the institute’s specialized care.

Meet Our Physicians Please visit UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) for more information about any of our physicians. To contact the UPMC McKeesport physicians listed below, please use the office phone number provided. UPMC CANCER CENTERS AT UPMC McKEESPORT CANCER SPECIALISTS Susan Rakfal, MD

Division Chief, Radiation Oncology Board-certified in therapeutic radiology, Dr. Rakfal received her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed residencies at Rush Presbyterian, St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Rakfal has been a member of the radiation oncology staff at UPMC McKeesport for 14 years. She is currently medical director of UPMC Cancer Centers at UPMC McKeesport and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology. For more information, or to schedule an appointment please call 412-664-2676.

Kevin M. Kane, MD

Division Chief, Medical Oncology Dr. Kane received his medical degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine, and completed his internal medicine residency and oncology fellowship at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. He is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Dr. Kane, who has been practicing at UPMC McKeesport for 34 years, serves as chief of the Hematology Oncology Division. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-664-2607.

Jason Bierenbaum, MD Medical Oncology

Dr. Bierenbaum is a graduate of Eastern Virginia Medical School. He completed an internal medicine residency at UPMC, and a hematology and oncology fellowship at the University of Baltimore. Dr. Bierenbaum is board-certified in internal medicine and board-eligible in hematology and oncology. He has been practicing at UPMC McKeesport for nearly a year. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-664-2607.

UPMC McKEESPORT GENERAL SURGEONS University of Pittsburgh Physicians Department of General Surgery

Richard Bondi, MD Board Certification: General Surgery Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Residency: University Hospitals of Pittsburgh 412-672-3422 Stuart Chetlin, MD Board Certification: General Surgery Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Residency: West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh 412-351-3821 Marc Cordero, MD (Joining April 1) Board Certification: General Surgery Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies Residency: St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, Pontiac, Mich. 412-672-3422 Steven Gribar, MD Board Certification: General Surgery Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Residency: UPMC 412-672-3422 Surgeons in Private Practice Mumtaz Alvi, MD Board Certification: General Surgery Medical School: Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan Residency: McKeesport Hospital 412-678-2015 Arthur Fine, MD Board Certification: General Surgery Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies Residency: McKeesport Hospital 412-469-7035 Showri Palepu, MD Board Certification: General Surgery Medical School: Sri Venkateswara University Medical College, Tirupati, India Residency: McKeesport Hospital 412-678-7799

1-800-533-UPMC

UPMC McKeesport 1500 Fifth Ave. McKeesport, PA 15132

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 McKeesport on Facebook.

YOU'D TRAVEL FAR FOR EXPERT CARE. BUT THANKFULLY YOU DON'T HAVE TO. When you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, receiving expert care is a priority. But receiving that care close to your home shouldn’t have to be a luxury. That’s why the experience you trust from UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC McKeesport is right here where you need it. Our convenient, state-of-the-art, newly renovated center has a variety of diagnostic and radiation therapy options. And our specially trained professionals use the newest technology for precise tumor treatment and detection. Plus, we work closely with our expert medical oncologists to ensure seamless care. You’ll even have your own personal oncology information specialist to take you through each step of your treatment.

To learn more about radiation oncology services or to schedule an appointment, CALL 412-664-2607 OR VISIT UPMCCANCERCENTERS.COM.

at Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. UPMC Cancer Centers is a partner in cancer care with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Students Hone Their

Writing Skills at the Academy

news

Woodland Hills SCHOOL DISTRICT

oodland Hills Academy students are participating in an “Authors of the Academy” program that provides them with an opportunity to hone their writing skills by creating and publishing their own individual children’s books. Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 at the academy are participating. The kickoff for the program was a visit from Maria McCool, author of the children’s book “Becoming George’s Brother.” Mrs. McCool is also the Communications Director for the Woodland Hills School District. She provided suggestions for writing children’s books as well as answered many questions about how books are published. The program is being funded by a grant of $1,350 that was obtained by teachers Dolly Heineman and Debbie Kritikos from The Consortium for Public Education Great Idea Grants program. The classroom teachers helping with the program are Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Fitzwater, Mrs. Rowe, Mrs. Ries, Ms. Pasculle, and Mrs. Moreno. They have been teaching the seven parts of story composition as well as working on a sample book in class. Mrs. Kritikos, the technology integrator at the school and one of the coauthors of the grant, visited each class and demonstrated the technical aspects of creating a book such as: how to use the graphics library; how to import pictures; and how to find websites with graphics the students writers could use. The name of the book writing software that the students are using is StoryJumper. Pictured are two of our young writers, Joy Wolverine Spirit Award winners for January Simpson and Leo Lauble, work2012: Woodland Hills Academy students: ing with instructional coach Mrs. Amyre Collins and Paige Johnson Heineman, the other co-author of the grant. Wolverine Spirit The participants’ published Award winners works will be distributed to primary for December classrooms for students to read, 2011: Shaffer which gives them the opportuElementary nity to enjoy the work of studentSchool students: authors that they know. Sophie Russell The experience of creating and Briana and seeing their own books as Toney published works should provide a great incentive for our “Academy Wolverine Spirit Award winners for Authors” to continue to refine their February 2012: Dickson Elementary School: writing and reading skills. The pubTatiyanna Fant and James McCoy lished books will be available for purchase by family and friends.

Spirit Awards!

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 25

news

Woodland Hills SCHOOL DISTRICT

Woodland Hills

Swimmers

Making Their Mark

he Woodland Hills Women’s Swim Team ended the season with a four meet winning streak over rival Penn Hills. Overall, their record stands at 9 and 3 and they finished the season at 4 and 1 in section competition. This is the best season for the team in at least the past ten years. A large group of freshman women who competed for the Junior High Team last year have added needed depth to the roster and have provided great support to returning veterans. The women have their sights set on the upcoming WPIAL meet for which members of the team have qualified in all individual and relay events, another first in recent history. Those competing in individual events are Natalya Luttinger, Maddie Marcelle, Caroline Rubash and Claudia Zido. These women will be joined in the relay events by Sara Kennedy, Kristina Lewis, Claire Mallick and Hollis Mermelstein. Recently Wendy’s Restaurants honored senior swimmer, WPIAL champion and state qualifier, Maddie Marcelle, by awarding her the Wendy’s Restaurant High School Heisman for outstanding contributions to her sport and school community. With only three graduating seniors this year Head Coach Nepa is excited about the prospects for next year’s season. Swimmers to keep an eye on include: Sara Kennedy, Kristina Lewis, Claire Mallick, Caroline Rubash and Claudia Zido.

26 724.942.0940 to advertise |

Sarah Letson and Sara Kennedy Photo: M. Contouris

Woodland Hills

By Tori Zido

Swimmers representing WHSD in WPIAL Finals along with coaches Brad Nepa, Brett Booth, and Tori Zido.

On the men’s side this year continues to be a building year. According to Coach Nepa, the men get better with every meet turning in consistently stronger performances. The team is led by seniors Joe Bennaugh, Colin Blaney, Kamau Clanagan, Greg Sorek, and Spencer Zhukas. These swimmers will be competing at WPIALs in the 200 Free Relay. While the team will feel the loss of these standouts next year, there is a large group of men moving up from the Junior High Team and expectations are high for next season.

Claudia Zido, Maddie Marcelle, Caroline Rubash, and Hollis Mermelstein

Spring Swim Lessons Make sure your youngster is water safe this summer.

Woodland Hills School District

Community SwimSpring Program 2012

WHEN: Tuesday evenings March 20 – April 24 WHERE: Woodland Hills Junior High School Pool WHO: Open to all Pre-K – 2nd grade students in the Woodland Hills School District (Students must be at least 4 years of age) Space limited so register early! WHAT TIME: Level 1: 5:30-6 p.m. and 6-6:30 p.m. Level 2: 6:30-7p.m. Level 2 and 3: 7-7:30 p.m. COST: $20 per child (cash or check made out to WHSD) Brought to you by the Woodland Hills School District and Woodland Hills Aquatic Team All swim groups will be divided by experience and ability. Advance registration required. Please complete and return the registration forms available on the school district website (www.whsd. net) or by contacting Tori Zido, along with your payment (cash, checks and money orders accepted – made out to WHSD) at Victoria Zido, 185 Penhurst Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. If you have questions email Tori at torizido@gmail.com or call her at 412.417.1378.

MONDAY

JUNIOR HIGH POOL 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ages welcome. Lane set aside for lap swimmers.

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

ACADEMY POOL

6:00-8:00 p.m. All ages welcome.

9:30-11:30 a.m. All ages welcome. Lane set aside for lap swimmers.

1. This schedule is in effect now. 2. Passes can be purchased from the guards at any of the pools. Those not wishing to pay for a pass may pay $1 each time they come to swim. 3. Pass prices are as follows: Family (expires May 25, 2012) $30 Individual (expires May 25, 2012) $15 4. If you have questions call Tori Zido at 412.417.1378 or email her at tori@whatswimming.org. 5. Reservations for scout troops and other private parties can be made by calling Tori Zido at 412.417.1378 or email her at tori@whatswimming.org.

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

news

Woodland Hills SCHOOL DISTRICT

he Woodland Hills School District will be holding special Spring Kindergarten Registration Days at our elementary schools. We recommend that parents register their child at the school he/she will be attending. See Attendance Zone information at the end of this article. This information along with a list of all the necessary registration documents is also posted on our district website (www.whsd.net) on the Registration page. It is perfectly acceptable to choose the day and location that is most convenient to you, but attending a registration day at one of our elementary schools allows you to visit the school your child will attend, meet the principal and staff, and have your child assessed for kindergarten readiness. Registration hours on these special registration days will be from 12 - 7 p.m. on the date indicated. Registration at the Woodland Hills Academy (a K-8 building) does not ensure that your child will be enrolled at the academy. The academy has a lottery that determines enrollment. That lottery is scheduled for Tuesday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. Contact the Academy for lottery information, 412.824.2450. Following is the schedule for Spring Kindergarten Registration: Tuesday, April 17 – Dickson Elementary 7301 Schoyer Avenue, Swissvale, PA 15218 412.731.5816

Thursday, April 19 – Fairless Elementary 531 Jones Avenue, North Braddock, PA 15104 412.271.1317

Wednesday, April 25 – Wilkins Elementary 362 Churchill Road, Wilkins Township, PA 15235 412.824.3231 Thursday, April 26 – WH Academy 126 Monroeville Avenue, Turtle Creek, PA 15145 412.824.2450 28 724.942.0940 to advertise |

Woodland Hills

for the 2012-13 School Year

Kindergarten screenings are done at the time of registration at the elementary schools. Children must be five years of age by September 1 of the year they plan to start school. There are a number of documents that are needed to complete the registration process, as well as requirements for your child before he/she can begin school. Documents requested by the WHSD School Board for student registration are: 1. Photo ID and 2. Residency Proofs: Current deed or lease agreement Any one (1) of the following must be provided in addition to the above: 1. Valid PA Department of Transportation driver’s license or identification with current district address. 2. Valid PA automobile registration. 3. Current (within 30 days) utility bills (gas, electric, cable, water) with district address. 4. Current tax statements with district address. 5. Current check stubs from wages with district address. 6. Copy of state/federal program enrollment. 7. Current credit card bill. In addition, parent/guardian must also present the following for the child: • Birth or baptismal certificate or current passport with child’s date of birth. • Proof of immunization.

Wednesday, April 18 – Edgewood Elementary 241 Maple Avenue, Edgewood, PA 15218 412.731.2238

Tuesday, April 24 – Shaffer Elementary 37 Garden Terrace, Churchill, PA 15221 412.371.4535

Kindergarten Registration

Irish Video Pals

E If you have any questions regarding registration procedures, please contact the Child Accounting Department at 412.731.1300 ext. 0130. We look forward to welcoming your child to the Woodland Hills School District and providing a safe, secure, and quality education for each and every child we serve. Attendance Zones The municipality you live in determines which elementary school your child will attend, except for the Woodland Hills Academy whose enrollment is determined by a lottery system.

Braddock Braddock Hills Chalfant Churchill East Pittsburgh Edgewood Forest Hills North Braddock Rankin Swissvale Turtle Creek Wilkins Twp.

Wilkins Elementary Edgewood Elementary Wilkins Elementary Shaffer Elementary Wilkins Elementary Edgewood Elementary Edgewood Elementary Fairless Elementary Edgewood Elementary Dickson Elementary Shaffer Elementary Wilkins Elementary

very month, Ms. Marcia Mineo and her class at Woodland Hills High School connect by video with students at Belmont School in Derry, Northern Ireland. For 90 minutes, the classes talk and stuinteract. With a different program agenda each month, the stu dents have a cultural exchange as well as share educational projects, reports, and their class work. The interactions are lively, filled with lots of questions and laughter. The students ask questions about each other’s interests and what living in their hometowns is like and what they are studying at school. There is also much discussion and sharing about the latest musical groups, movies and TV, and of course video games. Mr. Jason Coleman, the technology integrator at the high school, is responsible for setting up and monitoring the connection, the cameras and microphones. Mr. Tim Devlin of the AIU provides support for the program. Dr. Susan O’Rourke, Chair of Carlow University’s Special Education Department and Coordinator of Instructional Technology Certification, was instrumnetal in helping Woodland Hills connect with the school in Northern Ireland. Despite all of the technology Woodland Hills class video conferinvolved, the students on both sides of ences with Northern Irish pals. Tech the Atlantic are spontaneintegrator Jason Coleman is in the ous and enthusiastic. Our corner making this possible. Woodland Hills students are excellent international ambassadors, not only for our school district, but for our southwestern Pennsylvania region and for our country. Some of the people who help to make these monthly video sessions possible. Standing in the back are Dr. Susan O’Rourke from Carlow University and Mr. Tim Devlin from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3. Classroom teacher Mrs. Marcia Mineo is on the left.

The Northern Irish students and their teacher are seen on a big movie screen and there are many microphones installed around both classrooms to pick up the participants’ comments.

Ms. Linda Busch, (left) assists Mrs. Mineo in the classroom and has developed tight bonds with her students. Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

news

Woodland Hills SCHOOL DISTRICT

lassroom instruction across the country has evolved dramatically since the onset of the Information Age. The effects of these changes are evident in every classroom at Edgewood Elementary. From reading to physical education, the Edgewood staff seamlessly infuses technology into their daily lessons. Technology-integrated lessons have an intrinsically motivating quality, expand the classroom boundaries, and allow Edgewood students to express their ideas in limitless ways. The Flipped Classroom A relatively new concept that Edgewood teachers have been implementing during this school year is a “Flipped” Classroom instructional format. This is a relatively new concept developed by Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams, two innovative high school science teachers from Woodland Park, Colorado. In this format, the teacher provides students with the typical content presentation, usually done during the school day, via an online video or webcast. The homework assignment is to watch the presentation at home to be prepared for guided practice the next day in school. The practice activities previously done at home for homework are completed in school with assistance of the teacher.

21st Cent Instructio ury n Edgewood at Elementar y By Marty

Sharp

The Flipped Classroom has been well received by Edgewood students and staff alike. It allows students who are absent to easily keep up and promotes differentiated instruction by allowing students to work at their own pace. Students have access to the content well beyond the time spent on it in class for review or reinforcement. Currently, all Edgewood teachers have flipped lessons posted to their online classroom web sites. Technology is no longer viewed as an extravagance in education, but a vital part of daily instruction and learning. Edgewood Elementary teachers and staff firmly believe that learning does not stop at the end of the school day or the door of the classroom. Our students come from 21st century homes equipped with a myriad of technologies. It makes sense to use these very same tools to teach them in a manner and an environment in which they are most comfortable.

Edgewood Elementary Collaborates with WPSD Fourth graders in Mrs. Rochelle Seigfreid’s class at Edgewood Elementary are currently collaborating with their peers at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, a close neighbor to our elementary school. The two classes meet every three weeks to interact and share fun as well as learning activities. Both sets of students and their teachers have expressed how beneficial this project has been. The most significant accomplishment for our Woodland Hills students has been learning American Sign Language as well

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Woodland Hills

as other non-verbal ways to communicate with their hearing-impaired neighbors. The WPSD students are learning valuable lessons from having to interact with hearing students as well. The program places an emphasis on having the children socialize with peers that are different than themselves. But whether they are hearing or hearing-impaired, children will always find a way to have fun and enjoy themselves when given the opportunity. The teachers are kept busy making sure they are providing them with educational opportunities as well.

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 31

HunGER

By Pamela Palongue, Heather Holtschlag

To many, hunger is someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problem; a difficulty that will happen to someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family. But according to a 2004 study by Washington University of St. Louis, at least 42% of Americans will deal with food insecurity at some time during their lives. It is interesting to note that this study was done four years prior to the beginning of the recession.

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Woodland Hills

t is hard to overestimate the importance of food to quality of life and overall health. Medical experts now tell us that the major factors in determining disease are DNA, exercise and nutrition. A person may be able to stay alive by eating cereal every day, but how healthy is a consistent diet of nothing but cereal? Unfortunately, the poor are many times forced to buy what is cheap without regard for nutritional value. Indeed, many people are lucky to have enough money to buy food at all. As people age, nutrition becomes even more important to sustaining life. For individuals with health problems such as diabetes or heart problems, good food is essential. To growing children, proper nutrition is vitally important for optimal learning in school and normal physical development. Unfortunately, many people in our area do not have enough food to eat, much less the financial resources to buy healthy, nutritious food. One common misconception is that people who are hungry are unemployed. Although this is sometimes the case, many individuals who work at full-time jobs do not have enough to eat. With employee benefits such as health care decreasing, many workers are faced with the choice of paying for their health care insurance and prescriptions – or food. Workers have also accepted cutbacks in the number of hours worked or decreases in hourly wages in order to retain their jobs. This shortage in pay has to be made up in other areas and one way that individuals stretch their paychecks is by skipping meals, to the detriment of their health. According to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, since August of 2008, area food banks have been serving an average of 2,500 new households every month! This dramatic increase correlates directly to the economic hard times of the past few years. The Greater Pittsburgh Word and Worship Fellowship began its food pantry in the early 1990s. “We are usually busier in the winter and less busy in the summer, and the current state of the economy is now having an effect on a person’s daily needs,” said Frank Camarda, food pantry coordinator. “This past holiday season, we served close to 250 families, which was one of our largest turnouts. We were happy to be able to serve everyone, as we are pretty good at recognizing the busy times of year and are able to prepare accordingly.” On average, the food pantry serves about 120 families a month in the winter and about 90 families a month in the summer. The families reside in nearby neighborhoods, including North Braddock, Braddock, Forest Hills, East Pittsburgh, and Braddock Heights. And although they do not currently serve hot foods, it is in the plans for the future. “There are certain state requirements that we must meet that would enable us to serve meals, and we would like to make that happen,” Camarda said. According to Camarda, it is the people who serve as volunteers

“When you are helping someone who has a real need, you can see an expression of genuine appreciation in their faces, and you know you are doing something good,” he said. “Beyond that, I truly enjoy the interaction I have with all of the volunteers and the people who visit the pantry.”

in the food pantry that make it unique. “The volunteers add a local flavor; they are just everyday people wanting to help out others.” There are a number of jobs that need done when the food pantry is operating, which is from 9 to 11 a.m. on the second and third Saturdays of each month. These jobs, which require about 10 to 15 volunteers total, include unloading the food truck when it arrives, putting the food on the shelves, packing boxes, helping people to their cars, and praying with the people who come to the pantry and would like someone to pray with. “We also have volunteers staff our clothing room, which contains clothing donations available for people who are in need,” Camarda explained. “We also have baby items and shoes in this room, and unlike the food pantry, for which people must meet certain state requirements to participate in, there are no restrictions for the clothes. And, we have a senior box program, available to people age 60 and older, who receive an extra box of food.” Camarda said that the donations they cannot accept are household items or furniture, as there is not enough space for these. Although people who express an interest in emergency food can just walk in to get what they need, they also must register with the church, just as everyone does when they begin using the food pantry services. “The food that we provide is meant to be a supplement and give a little bit of extra food without having to pay for it,” Camarda noted. “It is not meant to replace other means of getting food, such as food stamps.” The community also participates in the services provided by the food pantry, which is a member agency of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. “Although the bulk of our Continued on next page

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 33

Continued from page 33

food comes from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, we also participate in the annual KDKA Turkey Fund, and we receive annual donations from a local Boy Scouts troop and the Braddock Post Office,” Camarda said. “Curves in North Versailles has donated to our food pantry, as well as Panera’s and other local bakeries. We also receive donations from individuals who donate on their own.” Perhaps it is the satisfaction that Camarda gets from his role at the food pantry that keeps him coming back. “When you are helping someone who has a real need, you can see an expression of genuine appreciation in their faces, and you know you are doing something good,” he said. “Beyond that, I truly enjoy the interaction I have with all of the volunteers and the people who visit the pantry.” If a family is fortunate enough to have plenty to eat, there are important things that anyone can do to help those who are hungry. One of the most obvious ways is to donate money to your

One of the best things about helping your local food pantry is that you are helping your neighbors. Often times the hungry go unnoticed because hunger cannot be seen or felt by those around it. The person who is hungry could be your neighbor, a co-worker or the waitress at your local coffee shop.

local food pantry. This enables the food bank to buy the nutritious foods that are needed, rather than having to cope with limited amounts of random food items. Although many businesses and corporations support the food banks, they could not survive without help from the general population at large. The support of individuals in the community is crucial. For some families, a donation of $25 or $50 may pose a hardship on their budget. But even with limited income, there are things that almost anyone can do to help. Most grocery stores offer shoppers the opportunity to make a contribution to the local food pantry at the checkout line. If every family who is able makes a donation of $1 each week when they shop for groceries, think of the money that could be generated to help feed the hungry! By donating a smaller amount more frequently, it is less painful than writing a check for $20 or more. A small donation of one dollar will most likely not be missed in the family budget, but will help make a big impact when combined with the dollars from other area households. Although monetary donations allow the food pantry the ability to buy food supplies to fill particular needs, food donations 34 724.942.0940 to advertise |

Woodland Hills

are also helpful. Many times we buy things at the store with good intentions, but those items at the back of the cupboard are just not being eaten. Chances are if you take a quick inventory of your pantry, there are a few items that could be donated to your local food bank. In particular need are high fiber cereals, rice, pasta, and canned beans such as kidney, black and navy which are an important source of protein. Peanut butter, canned tuna and salmon also supply much needed protein. Canned vegetables and fruits are always welcomed as well as fruit and vegetable juices, although they should be 100% juice so be sure to check the ingredients label before donating. Chili, stews and soups are also valuable items because they offer a quick and easy way to get several daily nutrients in one convenient source. Glass containers cannot be accepted at local food banks because of possible breakage. Although many foods remain nutritious and palatable after they expire, some do not. Therefore donated food items should not be expired. Another practically painless way to donate food is to take advantage of store specials. When your local grocery runs a special where two items may be purchased and the third one is free or there’s a “two for the price of one” special, consider donating that extra can of carrots to the food pantry. If this is done weekly, the items will add up quickly and the surplus will help feed hungry families. Last of all, but in no way least, if individuals cannot afford even small sacrifices of money or groceries, time is another valuable commodity. Most food banks are operated entirely by volunteers. There are many different jobs to do which allow a person to be matched with a task that fits his/her own unique personality. Groceries must be organized and stocked on the shelves and later packed into boxes for food pantry clients. Individuals are also needed to work directly with clients to determine eligibility and the distribution of food. Still other people are needed for fundraising activities, food drive events and marketing duties. One of the best things about helping your local food pantry is that you are helping your neighbors. Oftentimes the hungry go unnoticed because hunger cannot be seen or felt by those around it. The person who is hungry could be your neighbor, a co-worker or the waitress at your local coffee shop. If 42% of U.S. citizens will have food insecurity at some time in their lives, the hungry person may even be you or your family. Helping the food pantry to help others will build a stronger, healthier community for us all.

A Solution

to the US Healthcare Crisis

or years, we have heard that the healthcare system in this country is in crisis. Healthcare expenditures continue to skyrocket, and all agree that this cannot continue. Lawmakers cannot agree on a way to solve this crisis, and predictions for the future of healthcare in this country are scary. But consider this: Of the trillions that are spent on healthcare in the US, about half is being spent on illnesses and disabilities which are preventable! Diabetes is now epidemic. Obesity may soon be our country’s leading cause of death. And related to diabetes and obesity are a host of other costly health conditions, including heart disease, osteoarthritis, cancer, stroke, to name a few. It is safe to say that dia-besity will be the number one healthcare cost of the future. And we have the power to reduce the costs associated with these diagnoses! Obesity • More than 72 million American adults (33% of the population) are obese. • Of adults aged 25 or older, eight out of ten are overweight. • An overweight or obese person costs $500/year more in healthcare than a non-obese person. And yet... • It only takes 30 minutes of activity per day to change this • Healthy eating combined with exercise has been proven to reduce obesity • 78% of Americans are not meeting their basic activity level Diabetes • The US has seen a 76% increase in Type II diabetes in 30-40 year olds since 1990. • Americans spend $174 billion/year on diabetes. • 80% of Type II diabetes is related to obesity. And yet... • Exercise has the potential to control diabetes, reduce the severity of the disease, and significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications. Osteoarthritis • Osteoarthritis affects 20 million people • Each year Americans spend billions of dollars on hip and knee replacements and osteoarthritis is the leading cause of total joint replacement. • We have seen an 8-fold increase in joint replacements in the past 20 years • 400,000 knee replacements are performed in the US each year. • 250,000 hip replacements are performed And yet... • Inactivity accelerates the effects of osteoarthritis • Research suggests that exercise may be the most effective treatment available for osteoarthritis. • Exercise and weight loss significantly decrease the loss of function associated with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. • Strength training helps decrease stress on affected joints. Conclusion: If we can impact the activity level of Americans, we can significantly lower US healthcare costs and help solve our healthcare crisis!

Dr. Steve Gough, physical therapist and CEO of Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy, recognized these three diagnosis groups as being key contributors to the growing cost of healthcare. He has developed a researched-based solution to help you save healthcare dollars, and most importantly, improve your lifestyle. It is called The Dr. Steve Health Plan, and it targets three groups of people: 1) Individuals who are overweight (BMI of 25 or more). 2) Individuals with diabetes 3) Individuals with osteoarthritis. The Dr. Steve Health Plan promotes regular physical activity along with accountability. Anyone with these conditions can help make a change in their life and in the healthcare system. In 2011, The Dr. Steve Health Plan participants exercised 335,970 minutes, saving about $58,316 in healthcare dollars! Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy is a privately owned practice, with three Pittsburgh locations. All therapists hold doctorates of physical therapy and practice using the latest research techniques. ACPT has experts in musculoskeletal disorders and lymphedema management. Now, they have added pelvic floor rehab to their areas of expertise! For more information visit www.AlleghenyChesapeake.com or call 1-800-NEW-SELF.

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 35

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Woodland Hills

Churchill High School 1967 45th Class Reunion

Space is limited – reservations must be received by June 28. Cost per person is $80 – checks can be made to: CAHS 1967 45th Class Reunion and sent to Reunion Committee, 901 Elizabeth St., Pittsburgh, PA 15221 Any contributions to defer cost are grealy appreciated. For details, pictures, and all other information, check out the website – www.CAHS67.myevent.com, password – Chargers. Please, check the Your Information Page on the website to send contact information (name, address, email, phone, etc.) for ALL further updates. This is the last notice.

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

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Woodland Hills

Community Worship All Saints Anglican Episcopal Church 412.793.0270

Hope Lutheran Church of Forest Hills 412.242.4476

Penn Hills Free Methodist Church 412.793.7263

St. Maurice Roman Catholic Church 412.271.0809

Beulah Presbyterian Church 412.242.4570

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church 412.271.1995

St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Evangelical Lutheran Church 412.271.9300

Calvary United Church of Christ 412.823.4347

Laketon Heights United Methodist 412.241.9170

Pittsburgh Mennonite Church 2018 S. Braddock Ave. Swissvale, Pa 15218

Christ Lutheran Church and School 412.271.7173

Liberty Baptist Church 412.271.3775

Electric Heights United Methodist Church 412.824.3303 Emmanuel Lutheran Church 412.824.4525 Epiphany Lutheran Church 412.241.1313 Faith Bible Baptist Church 412.825.7450 First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood 412.241.4613

Living Spirit Ministry 412.351.1802 Madonna del Castello Church 412.271.5666 McMasters United Methodist Church 412.823.1988 Mount Hope Community Church 412.793.0227 Mount Olive Baptist Church 412.271.0303

First Christian Church of Turtle Creek 412.823.2582

Mount Olive Church of God in Christ 412.361.0503

Forest Hills Community Bible Church 412.371.1611

Muhleman Memorial Methodist Church 412.823.5170

Forest Hills Presbyterian Church 412.241.1647

New Hope Baptist Church 412.271.8998

Good Shepherd Catholic Parish 412.271.1515

New Vision Community Church 412.241.6160

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 412.793.1394

Parkway Jewish Center 412.823.4338

Hebron United Presbyterian Church 412.371.2307

Penn Hills Baptist Church 412.793.6640

Presbyterian Church of America 412.793.7117 Presentation of Christ Greek Orthodox Church 412.824.9188 Protestant Reformed Fellowship 412.371.2299 Resurrection Baptist Church 412.271.7355 Sri Venkateswara Temple 412.373.3380

Trinity Tower United Methodist 412.793.9000 Universal United Presbyterian Church 412.793.1355 Word of God Catholic Church 412.241.1372 Word & Worship Church 412.824.1616 Zion Lutheran Church 412.242.2626

SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Church 412.466.3578 St. Bartholomew Catholic Church 412.242.3374 St. Colman Catholic Church 412.283.2564 St. James Episcopal Church 412.242.2300 St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church 412.824.0246 St. John Fisher 412.241.4722 St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church 412.824.1622

Woodland Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

C.C. Mellor Library-Edgewood

Happenings Saturday April 14, 2012 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Squirrel Hill Poetry Workshop Contact: C.C. Mellor Memorial Library 412.731.0909 Location: C.C.Mellor Memorial Library Conference Room Tuesday April 24, 2012 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. PALS Book Club Contact: Forest Hills Branch 412.824.3567 Group will discuss Day after Tomorrow by Allan Folsom. Location: Forest Hills Library Saturday April 28, 2012 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Squirrel Hill Poetry Workshop Contact: C.C. Mellor Memorial Library 412.731.0909 Location: C.C.Mellor Memorial Library Conference Room

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Woodland Hills

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO. 887