Pulse August 2011

August 2011

Network Are You Ready? 484-526 is Here!....................1

Are You Ready? 484-526 is here!

Pediatric Rehab Department is a Busy Place.................................................2

All Bethlehem Campus numbers are changing! All phone and fax numbers will begin with 484-526-XXXX, making all Bethlehem phone and fax numbers consistent.

Miners is a Vital Link in the Services Provided Throughout St. Luke’s........................3

Here’s what you need to know: ✓.You should begin using your new numbers NOW! ✓ Four digit extensions remain the same. ✓ .The change applies to both phone and fax numbers.

Prestigious National Award Recognizes St. Luke’s Organ Donation Program.................4 A Day in the Life..............................................5 New Program will Screen Long-Time and Former Long-Time Smokers for Cancer............6

New numbers for Bethlehem - 484-526-XXXX

Dr. Gopal Wants to Share His Love of Yoga with St. Luke’s.....................................7

OLD

NEW

610-954-(your four digit extension)

484-526-(your four digit extension)

PCRAFT Award Winners..................................8

610-419-(your four digit extension)

484-526-(your four digit extension)

Angela Cole is the HomeStar Employee of the Year.......................................9

484-892-(your four digit extension)

484-526-(your four digit extension)

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Feature the Latest In-Office Technology.....................10 Harold Kushner Brings Inspirational Message to St. Luke’s Hospice Event............11 Dr. Unger Creates Memorial Tournament to Honor Chess-Playing Friend...........................12 Biggest Crowd Ever Attends Survivors Day at Lehigh Valley Zoo...............................13 What’s New at St. Luke’s Riverside at the Anderson Campus: Dr. Justin Psaila is Named Vice President of Medical Affairs.....14 St. Luke’s is a Sponsor of ‘George Yasso Memorial,’ a Hometown 5K Race..................15 “Run with the Heroes” Combines Fun, Fitness and “Celebration of Life”..................16

All Bethlehem four digit extensions will remain the same.

Not sure where to begin? Here’s a handy checklist to get you thinking about the items you need to begin updating:  email signature  prescription pads w ebsite (The web team is updating phone numbers as  business cards  h ospital/departmental they make updates to pages) phone lists  brochures/letterhead Some Background The Information Technology Department launched a major modernization project for the Network’s internal telephone system that will save operation and maintenance costs and provide the capability to keep adding phone lines as the Network grows. The new numbers also will eliminate some confusing aspects of the old phone number system and better integrate numbers throughout the Network.

Patience Phillips started working on the new system at the end of last year as an engineer in the IT department and then became the project manager. She said that at all campuses experienced changes in May. New three digit tie lines launched along with a new internal emergency number – 5555. The Miners campus also implemented four digit extension dialing — the same as the rest of the Network. The three digit tie lines allow a person to call a colleague continued on page 6

A Publication of St. Luke’s | www.pulsenews.org | 1-866-STLUKES

Pediatric Rehab Department is a busy place The recently refurbished Pediatric Rehab Department at St. Luke’s North is a busy place. The staff of 14 therapists sees about 250 patients in a typical week and they are proud of the new, brightly colored gym, swing room, equipment and toys that enable them to care for children from just weeks old to adolescence. Amy Taylor, a Pediatric Rehab speech-language pathologist and clinical coordinator, says people across the Network might not know all that the department has to offer.

Rehabilitation for all ages is offered at St. Luke’s North, but the remodeled area is for pediatric services only. The St. Luke’s North site is the only location for outpatient pediatric rehabilitation and speech therapy in the St. Luke’s Network. Its categories of services include occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language services.

Occupational therapy promotes fine motor skills, sensory processing and self-help skills to help children to play independently. Amy says, “You might think of occupational therapy as helping people go back to their jobs, but remember, a child’s ‘job’ is to play.”

Physical therapy assesses and treats strength and gross motor skills to improve overall mobility and independence.

Speech-language services treats disorders of articulation, language, communication and swallowing. It also includes feeding therapy,

Josi Barakat, PTA, providing physical therapy through play and positioning.

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where children who are problem feeders or who have aversions to food learn to tolerate foods and eat a varied diet. There is a lot of demand for speech therapy, Amy says, and the department always has a waiting list.

Some children need all three services — speech, occupational and physical therapy.

A child might have three to six sessions a week and the length of treatment could be three to six months. However, extended therapy could take years to reach all of a child’s goals. Carryover activities to the home are a crucial part of progress and therapy.

Among the specialty services at the department is sensory processing disorder (SPD) treatment.

Ann Ahearn, an occupational therapist certified to evaluate and treat SPD, treats babies from less than a year old and older. The earlier a child with a problem comes for treatment, the better the outcomes usually are, she says.

Most of the children who come for rehab are referred by their doctors, but sometimes parents with concerns will contact Pediatric Rehab. (In those cases, the case needs to go back to the doctor, who needs to write a prescription.)

Ann says she sees children who might have problems processing information from any of one or multiple senses, such as auditory, tactile or vestibular. A child with vestibular problems may have difficulty navigating around obstacles and on unsteady surfaces.

In addition to therapy at the rehab center,

Angela Heckler, PT, providing physical therapy in crash pit activity.

Ann recommends simple activities at home to carry over appropriate sensory processing in all environments.

Amy and Ann, trained with SOS Approach to Feeding, say one key to feeding therapy is to introduce the element of fun. “I think every parent should have that photo of the bowl of spaghetti on the head or the face covered with yogurt,” Ann says. And she tries to employ fun activities with food. “If a child has an aversion to eating peas, we might have a little contest to see who can shoot a pea farthest across the room,” Amy says.

Another specialty at the rehab department is treatment of torticollis, or a tightening of a child’s neck muscles that causes an asymmetry.

So, a child might always look to one side or tilt the head to one side. Kelly Pryce, a physical therapist, says she and other therapists employ passive therapy for these babies, in which the therapist moves the baby’s head and neck to relieve tightness. A typical course of treatment might be 10 weeks to eight months.

To learn more about the services offered by the Pediatric Rehab Department, call 610-954-3200.

Debbie Hoffman, COTA and Amy S. Taylor, MS, CCC-SLP providing occupational and speech therapies through motor activities and play.

July 2011

Miners is a Vital Link in the Services Provided Throughout St. Luke’s Founded in 1910, Panther Creek Valley Hospital was built in answer to the desperate need of the men and boys who labored in the area’s mines.

Over the years, the hospital evolved and changed to meet the needs of those men and others in the community. But in 2000, when Miners Memorial Medical Center (as it was known then) joined the St. Luke’s Network, it underwent a metamorphosis. From a small, rural community hospital, Miners became a vital link in a regional health care powerhouse that provides services to more than 45,000 inpatients every year.

Accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital provides a wide variety of health care services to more than 11,000 people annually.

Since joining the Network, a new, state-of-the-art Emergency Department was added, followed by a new MRI, a Sleep Disorders Center and a new access road from Rt. 209 directly to the hospital.

The hospital opened the area’s first Urgent Care Center and expanded its Home Care services. A new Cardio Pulmonary Rehabilitation center was opened in early 2010, and an inpatient dialysis unit and critical care unit were opened at the end of 2010.

Bill Moyer, president of St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital, says the physical upgrades cap more than $20 million in improvements at the Coaldale hospital.

And the changes continue... Nine new physician specialists have recently joined the staff.

Among the new physicians is a team of internal medicine hospitalists.

They include Mark Kender, MD; Michael Jusinski, MD; and Michael Sabol, DO. Bill explains that hospitalists provide in-patient care and often serve as “the family physician” for patients who do not have one or whose family doctor cannot come to the hospital.

“Drs. Kender, Jusinski and Sabol are high quality physicians who are eager to establish this new service at Miners,” says Bill, “a service that will again add a valuable care component to Miners and to the Network as a whole. They are highly skilled having trained at institutions such as Hahnemann, St. Luke’s, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Lankenau.”

St. Luke’s Cardiology Associates is now providing services at the Miners campus as well. Doctors practicing at Miners include Richard S. Kolecki, MD; Christopher Cutitta, DO; Lynn Moran, DO; and Sobhan Kodali, MD. Dr. Kolecki is board certified in cardiology and internal medicine and has practiced in the Palmerton area for more than 15 years.

Dr. Cutitta has Level III training in echocardiography and is a Palmerton native, and Dr. Moran has achieved Level III training in echocardiography and is a native of Hazleton. Dr. Kodali completed a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Allegheny General Hospital.

He is board-certified in internal medicine, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and cardiovascular computed tomography.

“These doctors bring an expertise and provide a service in the Coaldale area that up to this point has been in limited supply,” says Bill. “We’ve found that residents of our area either have no access to these services or limited access. And they don’t want to travel long distances. Now we can provide care right here.”

And that extends to both orthopaedic services and pulmonary care, adds Bill. Chandra S. Reddy, MD, is a new orthopaedics specialist and surgeon at Miners who also sees patients at St. Luke’s Urgent Care Center in Jim Thorpe. Dr. Reddy has completed residencies in both orthopaedics and plastic surgery and completed a fellowship at Georgetown University Medical Center in orthopaedic sports last year.

Ross N. Futerfas, MD, provides pulmonary care at Miners two days a week. He also has an office in Bethlehem. Dr. Futerfas served an internship and residency at Mount Sinai Hospital and is boardcertified in pulmonary diseases and internal medicine.

“This is really the beginning of a new era for Miners,” says Bill.

“We’re providing the same medical skill, expertise, consistency and commitment in our community, similar to large health care systems.

Our connection to St. Luke’s helps us do that, and our commitment to our region means we’ll keep doing it as long as we’re needed.”

“This is really the beginning of a new era for Miners. We’re providing the same medical skill, expertise, consistency and commitment in our community, similar to large health care systems. Our connection to St. Luke’s helps us do that.”

— Bill Moyer, president of St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital July 2011

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Prestigious national award recognizes St. Luke’s organ donation program The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) and the Gift of Life Donor Program have presented the prestigious Medal of Honor to St. Luke’s Hospital – Bethlehem Campus for its high rate of organ donation in the past year.

Only 3 percent of U.S. hospitals qualify for the award, and St. Luke’s has won the Medal of Honor every year since the award was created in 2005.

The Medal of Honor recognizes that 75 percent or more of eligible donors at the Bethlehem Campus gave organs. From January 2010 to April of this year, 13 donors at the Bethlehem Campus gave 36 organs

to 33 recipients. Network-wide, donors at the other St. Luke’s hospital locations provided an additional 128 tissue donations.

Howard K. Koh, MD, who is the HHS assistant secretary for health, said, “We are honored to recognize these public health stewards who offer such profound service to society.

The awardees have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to quality and leadership that leaves a special legacy.”

The award was presented on April 29 in a ceremony at the Laros Auditorium of St. Luke’s Doctors Pavilion as part of the observance of April as National Donate Life Month.

In addition to HHS, the Medal of Honor is presented by Gift of Life, the organization designated to serve as the link between donors and patients who need life-saving transplants in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware.

Since the program’s beginning in 1974, it has coordinated more than 30,000 organ transplants and hundreds of thousands of tissue transplants. Scott Demczyszyn, Gift of Life director of transplant services, credits partnerships with hospitals like St. Luke’s for that record of success.

Medal of Honor award recipients from St. Luke’s Hospital – Bethlehem Campus recently gathered to receive their award in a special ceremony at the Laros Auditorium of St. Luke’s Doctors Pavilion.

SMILE

Administrative Rounding: Patient Access Center staff explain their jobs to Carol Kuplen, RN, MSN, senior vice president, Chief Nursing Officer. Seated front: Christine Martin, Bed Coordinator. Seated back: Keri Belisaire, Bed Coordinator.

Standing, from back: Sarah Grogg, Bed Coordinator; Pamela Morales, RN, BSN, Bed Coordinator, Carol Kuplen; Deborah Schroettner, RN, BSN, Director; and Fran Kratzer, PAC Volunteer.

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SMILE

Administrative Rounding: Pamela Morales, RN, BSN, Bed Coordinator, Patient Access Center, explains her job to Carol Kuplen, RN, MSN, senior vice president, Chief Nursing Officer in the Patient Access Center.

July 2011

A Day in the Life of... Rich Kozo Coordinator • HealthStar Vans Rich Kozo, coordinator for the HealthStar vans, started working for St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network in March 1998 as a part-time shuttle driver. Driving a car or SUV from place to place was OK, but he knew he could do something bigger. As it turned out, that bigger thing turned out to measure 11-feet wide and 39-feet long.

One day, Rich volunteered to step in when a regular driver of HealthStar, the Network’s community health van, wasn’t available. He test drove the van around the parking deck at the St. Luke’s Hospital – Bethlehem Campus; forwards, backwards, into parking spaces and

out and backing in again, using the van’s rear-camera driving system. Rich was having fun. When he went to give the HealthStar keys back to his boss, he was told “You keep them,” and the next part of his career began.

Since then, Rich has driven the medical and dental vans to schools and other locations around the Lehigh Valley, bringing heath care to thousands of children and community members. For a long time he was known as the HealthStar driver, but he really is much more.

He serves as a unit clerk and he takes care of repairs. And, Rich has a knack for getting things done quickly and economically.

For instance, one of the vans had a problem in its leveling system. The manufacturer’s estimated repair cost was $1,100.

Rich sent away for a repair schematic, took a control unit apart and found a worn bronze bearing and replaced it. Cost of the repair was 83 cents. Melissa Craig, RN, coordinator for the vans, says, “There is no way those vans still would be running without Rich.”

Rich is skilled in everything from carpentry to electrical and mechanical systems. He calls his way of making things work “pack ratting,” meaning that he has connections throughout the community with people who have the skills or supplies he needs.

Rich Kozo installs a blood pressure meter in the new HealthStar van.

Rich’s typical day starts before 8 am when the van is scheduled to set up at a school. He parks

and gets it ready inside and out for the children who will be seen that day.

Rich was especially busy during the summer of 2010 because two new HealthStar vans were acquired. When the Winnebago vehicles were delivered, their interiors were bare. Rich helped to design the furniture, fittings and furnishings and then set out to make sure everything was properly installed and working.

The van staff sees children until 3 pm. Then, they shift to serving members of the community who have health care needs and no other way to receive care. Eventually, Rich returns the van to the parking area next to the Outpatient Dialysis Clinic at St. Luke’s Hospital – Bethlehem Campus, cleans it and gets ready for another day.

For all of his practical responsibilities, Rich understands very well the higher purpose behind having the HealthStar vans. “It’s all for the kids,” he says. Rich admits that he’s often moved when he sees a child knock on the door of the van and ask to see a nurse.

“Yeah... it’s all for the kids.”

Did you hear?

From patients at St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital: “ My room was nice and always clean. It’s cheerful bright colors made my stay an easier one.” “ The Radiology Department was wonderful!” “ Meals were a very good portion, and there’s enough to choose from with a very good variety and taste.” “ Excellent care from admission to discharge doctors, nurses, administration, therapists, etc. This hospital goes the extra steps to help the patient quickly and efficiently.”

Rich Kozo reviews a manual to familiarize himself with the new HealthStar van.

July 2011

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Phone Numbers cont. at another campus without going out to the external phone system.

The next major change is the roll out of the 484-526 numbers for the Bethlehem Campus.

Patience says that one of the problems the project will resolve is that the Bethlehem system was at capacity. Another issue is that the Network didn’t own entire ranges of numbers for four digit extensions. So, for example, a person’s number might be 1234 but the Network didn’t own 1235. Buying a new exchange with 10,000 numbers in sequence will resolve that.

Also, Bethlehem numbers had more than one area code. With the new system, all Bethlehem numbers will have the 484 area code.

While it will take some time (until October 2012) for all of the needed changes to take place, it is important. Changes include updates to letterhead, business cards and signage – any item that lists a number that is changing! During the transition period, both old and new numbers will work. Patience adds that with the magnitude of items that need to be changed, it is important that everyone take ownership of their new numbers and begin making updates now.

New program will screen long-time and former long-time smokers for cancer Radiology locations throughout St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network are offering an innovative CT scan to detect early-stage lung cancers. The low-dose Spiral CT scan is quick and non-invasive.

However, the test, costing nearly $400, is not covered by most insurance for screening purposes.

To encourage appropriate patients to be tested, St. Luke’s is making it available for $49 with a doctor’s prescription.

William Burfeind, MD, chief of thoracic surgery for the Network, said St. Luke’s program was inspired by a recent large, government-funded study. That study found that the scan can detect lung cancers before they have time to spread. Dr. Burfeind said, “Once we learned the results of the national study, we felt compelled to offer this to our patients. Lung cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and accounts for more deaths than any other type of cancer.”

He continued, “Lung cancer is so deadly because when symptoms appear and the diagnosis is made, the cancer usually has already spread. Only one quarter of lung cancers are found in the early stages when surgical resection can cure it.”

The program is for former and current smokers aged 55 to 74 who have smoked more than 30 pack-years. Thirty pack-years is the equivalent of smoking one pack per day for 30 years or is calculated by multiplying the packs per day smoked by the number of years smoked.

Several St. Luke’s family medicine and internal medicine practices are referring patients for the screening and plans call for more physician offices to participate later.

Radiologist Andrew Halpern, MD, said the scan itself takes about 10 seconds and the entire appointment about 10 minutes. He said the scan produces a complete image of the lungs and can detect early-stage tumors. It can also find abnormalities that are not tumors, but may require further examination or treatment. The scans are read by thoracic radiologists and the patient’s primary doctor receives the results so that any follow-up care can be arranged.

Did you h ear?

From patients at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital: “ The nurses were the best. You can tell these people really care about their patients and were not just there to collect a paycheck.” “ They were careful and astute in diagnosing — excellent confidence in your ER staff!” “ The dignity, skill and professionalism can serve as a role model everywhere.

My perceptions of the care I received are as high as can be.” “ Environmental services/housekeeping should be commended for a job well done. The room was always kept clean.”

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Dr. William Burfeind (top) and Dr. Andrew Halpern review a screening CT to determine if a patient has early-stage lung cancer.

July 2011

Dr. Gopal wants to share his love of yoga with St. Luke’s About 15 years ago Dr. Tirun Gopal, a St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, was staying in shape primarily by running.

But, he developed bronchial asthma and suffered bouts of pneumonia and running became too difficult. As an alternative way to keep fit, he turned to yoga.

Yoga combines physical work involving traditional postures with mindful breathing and a spiritual discipline — an awareness of body and mind. Dr. Gopal has found that yoga helps him in his duties as a physician. Regular practice gives him energy, enabling him to do sustained work without being exhausted.

Dr. Tirun Gopal (above) shows some of his yoga poses.

From top: Halasana, Janu Sirsasana, Bakasana and Urdhva Dhanurasana.

It makes sense, Dr. Gopal believes, to encourage doctors — and perhaps other staff members — to learn yoga. He says, “If there’s one group who can benefit from yoga, it is doctors and nurses. They work under stress, both emotional and physical. Their days are busy and harried. Even if they can fit exercise into their busy schedule and they do it in a regimented manner, they do not derive the types of benefit one should get from exercise.

Yoga is a way of life, as much as it is an exercise routine.”

Dr. Gopal says the discipline of yoga must be learned over time. Describing his own experience, he feels lucky to have found a gifted teacher 15 years ago. Dr. Gopal practices every morning from 4 to 5:30 am, and often adds half-hour evening sessions. He still visits his guru once or twice a year to get advice on modifying his postures, or asanas, or to learn new techniques.

“You need to make a commitment. The classes are one thing, but you have to practice on your own every day.” The next logical step might be to offer yoga classes for Network staff.

Dr. Gopal integrates complementary and alternative medicine techniques into his practice.

This includes traditional Indian medicine, known as Ayurveda, and acupuncture. He has been with the Network since 2003 and has been a physician for 32 years.

Dr. Gopal is also a novelist. His book, “Sacred Relationship,” is the story of a boy whose mother dies giving birth to a sibling when he is young. The boy grows up to become a physician. When the doctor researches the details of his mother’s death, he is shocked by what he finds. “Sacred Relationship” was published electronically by Solstice Publishing in December 2010. It is only available electronically at http://www.solsticepublishing.com/ products/sacred-relationship.html.

“If there’s one group who can benefit from yoga, it is doctors and nurses. They work under stress, both emotional and physical. Their days are busy and harried. Even if they can fit exercise into their busy schedule and they do it in a regimented manner, they do not derive the types of benefit one should get from exercise.

Yoga is a way of life, as much as it is an exercise routine.”

— Dr. Tirun Gopal

July 2011

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Our Guiding Principles: Pride, Caring, Respect, Accou

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Allentown PCRAFT award recipients, front row (L-R): Lisa Doddy, RN, BSN; Lori Dolansky, RN; Jane Levine, MT, ASCP; and Dolores Young, RN, BSN. Back row (L-R): Ann Marie Eckert; Ginger Johri, RN; Lori O’Neill, RN, BSN; John Horner; Christopher Geist, RT (R); Barbara Serfass, John Partington, RPh, MBA; and David Bradley.

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SLPG PCRAFT award recipients (L-R): Chris Stelz; Bankim Bhatt, MD (Physician of the Year); Patti Swietzer; Alissa Sodl; Gloria Olmeda; Kelli Galarza; Kelly Koskey; Mary Beth Heckert; and Janet Laky (Practice Administrator of the Year).

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Bethlehem PCRAFT award recipients, front row (L-R): Barbara Anglestein, BSN; Lucina Otero; Joanne Jacko; Kathy Fackenthal, MSCCC; and Linda Reynolds, RN. Back row (L-R): Gursh Dhanjal; Joanne Murphy; Peter Hlavinka, PharmD; Michael Kotsch; Kathy Cruz; Paul Maserjian, RT(R); and Charlene Stackhouse, RN, CNOR. Not shown: Terry Koller, the Eddie Saks winner.

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July 2011

Angela Cole is the HomeStar Employee of the Year

untability, Flexibility, Teamwork

Angela Cole, a customer service representative with St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network’s HomeStar Services, has been named HomeStar Employee of the Year. The announcement was made by Joel Fagerstrom, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the Network.

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VNA PCRAFT award recipients (L-R): Judy Putnam, RN; Janet Belovich, RN; Linda Potillo, RN, CHPN; Dorothy Ondush; and Raquel Torres. Not pictured: Nick Sorrentino.

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Quakertown PCRAFT award recipients (L-R): Whitney O’Reilly, RT; Cathy Rice, LPN; Ann Stever; Chrissy Dorsey, PA-C; MaryAnn Yaich; Bill Huttemann, MT; Rose Landis; and Michelle Pfaff.

Cindy Fenza, Angela’s manager, describes Angela as a “compassionate and giving person.” A coworker who nominated Angela for the honor wrote that one of her strengths is respect, saying she “knows how to treat others... treating them the way we would all like to be treated.” The nomination also said Angela never refuses to help anyone and is willing to work late and help other departments. “She offers to help co-workers regardless of the amount of work she has,” the nomination also said.

Angela has been with HomeStar for three years. She originally did insurance verification, and she has a total of 12 years of experience working with durable medical equipment, all of it in customer service and helping people with referrals. Before that, she worked as a nurse’s aide.

Angela lives in Nazareth with her son and daughter. Away from work, she enjoys gardening, baking, reading, going for long walks and kayaking.

Miners PCRAFT award recipients (L-R): Betsy Steffy, Cardiopulmonary Manager; Antonia Vazquez, CNA; Mary Ann Segilia, RT (R) CT; and Maria Yorro.

July 2011

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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Feature the Latest In-Office Technology Daniel S. Lader, DMD, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with the Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network, says many people don’t realize all of the services the practice offers. “Inside the hospital, we’re the surgeons who treat complex facial trauma. Here in the office, we have the ability to remove wisdom teeth, place dental implants and perform various other procedures with sedation or general anesthesia, if necessary.”

Dr. Lader is one of eight surgeons in the practice, which covers the entire Lehigh Valley with offices in Bethlehem, Allentown and a newly opened Easton location. In addition to Dr. Lader, the practice includes Wayne Saunders, DMD; Dominic Rachielle, DMD; Brett Geller, DMD; Joseph Arnone, DMD; Michael Goulston DMD; Michael Fedele, DMD; and Karl Maloney, DMD.

people talk or chew. This can be embarrassing and prevent people from eating the types of food they used to enjoy. We can now place implants into the jaw bone, allowing the dentures to literally snap into place and hold them securely. Some of our most satisfied patients are those that have received this treatment.”

The Center is among the first in the country to offer in-office cone beam CT scanning. This new technology is an invaluable tool that allows surgeons to image the entire facial complex in three dimensions.

The Center is among the first in the country to offer in-office cone beam CT scanning. Dr. Lader says this new technology is an invaluable tool that allows surgeons to image the entire facial complex in three dimensions. It is especially useful in planning complex implant cases by allowing surgeons to “virtually” place implants using software prior to the actual procedure. In many cases, this allows for a minimally invasive technique with quicker healing times. This technology enables the surgeons to place implants and give patients back their teeth in the same day.

Another common procedure performed in the office is the removal of wisdom teeth. Often there is not enough room in the jaw to accommodate wisdom teeth. This causes them to become impacted, or stuck in a poor position within the jaws. As a result, they are very difficult to clean and can cause problems such as pain, infection and damage to nearby teeth.

A significant amount of research has demonstrated that the early removal of asymptomatic wisdom teeth can prevent many of these problems.

This procedure is typically performed on young adults with sedation in the office setting.

Dr. Lader says, “Dental implants have revolutionized the way we replace missing or damaged teeth.” Implants are the next closet thing to a patient’s own natural teeth and can be used in a variety of ways. On a daily basis, Dr. Lader and his colleagues place implants to replace single and multiple missing teeth. However, what people may not realize is that dental implants can also be used to help anchor dentures. Dr. Lader explains, “Sometimes dentures don’t have a great amount of retention and can move when

The Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is proud to serve the St. Luke’s community. Its doctors invite any Network employee who is interested in dental implants to come in for a free consultation.

Dr. Lader says, “We think patients will be very happy to hear the various options available to them to enhance their smile and quality of life. Please feel free to contact us at 610-865-8077. We look forward to hearing from you.”

Dr. Daniel Lader, DDS, (left) and Mike Amato, Implant Coordinator, demonstrate their in-office cone beam CT scanning.

Dr. Daniel Lader, DDS, an oral surgeon at the Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at St. Luke’s, LLC reviews images from the cone beam CT scanner.

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July 2011

Harold Kushner brings inspirational message to St. Luke’s Hospice event More than 1,000 people filled Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem recently to hear Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, author of the best-selling book “When Bad Things Happen To Good People,” speak about coping with tragedy and finding new meaning in life. The event was organized

by St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network Hospice as a way of reaching out to and engaging the community in a conversation about life’s big questions.

Rabbi Kushner spoke for about one hour, took questions for a half-hour and then signed books. Wendy Littner Thomson, MEd, LPC, NCC, bereavement coordinator and counselor for St. Luke’s Hospice, says asking “why?” in the face of bad events was a natural, recurring theme in the talk.

The Rabbi said that nature is amoral, and God is not an interventionist Being that changes an outcome for some people, but not others. He said people are not singled

out, but that when bad things do happen, it is important to stay connected to the community and to accept care from those who offer it to you. The Rabbi said, “What do I do now that this has happened to me?” is a more relevant question; a question that is answerable.

Rabbi Kushner’s book, “When Bad Things Happen...” was published in 1981. It has been translated into 12 languages and was selected by members of the Book of the Month Club as one of the ten most influential books ever written.

Wendy says the audience was impressed by the Rabbi’s skill as a speaker and his heartfelt remarks. “One thousand people attended, but each person felt as if he or she were having an intimate conversation, as though the Rabbi were speaking directly to each individual.”

Rabbi Harold S. Kushner

The premier sponsor for the event was the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., of Hellertown and Schnecksville.

Did you hear?

From patients at St. Luke’s Hospital – Bethlehem Campus: “ Your whole staff, from doctors, nurses, lunch people, and house keeping, were all great!” “ Therapy personnel were wonderful!” “ Thank you everyone at St. Luke’s!

It was such an awesome experience and I felt so comfortable and taken care of by the kind-hearted staff members.” “ The speech therapist was great!” “ I have never in my life been treated so well in a hospital after a surgery.”

Rabbi Harold S. Kushner speaks on bereavement themes to more than 1,000 attendees to his lecture and book signing recently at Central Moravian Church in downtown Bethlehem.

July 2011

“ I went for MANY tests. Everyone was great, and the Interventional Radiology guys were funny and had me very relaxed!”

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Dr. Unger Creates Memorial Tournament to Honor Chess-Playing Friend Andrew Unger, MD, section chief of Neonatology for St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network, first met the late Joseph S. DeRaymond of Freemansburg in the late 1980s at the former Lehigh Valley Chess Club. At that time the group held weekly meetings and games in the cafeteria of St. Luke’s Hospital – Bethlehem Campus.

Dr. Unger is an active and avid — if not terribly strong, by his own description — chess player. Mr. DeRaymond was a registered nurse who also made a name for himself in the Lehigh Valley and beyond as a peace activist and human-rights advocate. His kind nature and concern for others soon resulted in their friendship.

Unfortunately, Mr. DeRaymond was diagnosed about three years ago with an aggressive brain cancer, specifically, gioblastoma multiforma, or GBM. As Dr. Unger recalls it, Mr. DeRaymond’s course was fairly typical for this particular kind of malignant tumor: An initial excellent response to chemotherapy and radiation that lasted for more than a year, followed by a rapid decline. Mr. DeRaymond died on Oct. 1, 2009. Dr. Unger remembers having gone to Mr. DeRaymond’s home to play chess early in 2009 and, “Even when he

was sick from the chemo, he could beat me, he’d take five of six points at a sitting.

And laugh.”

On June 24, 2010, the First Annual Joe DeRaymond Memorial Chess Tournament was held at the meeting place for the Allentown Center City Chess Club at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Allentown. Now, Dr. Unger has organized a second — and what he hopes will become an annual — chess tournament to memorialize his friend and to raise awareness about GBM tumors. It was held on July 30, 2011, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.

“I would like to raise money for GBM awareness and education,” he says. ”A chess tournament is a natural event for a disease that attacks the brain. That’s what chess is about — two people butting brains.

And, I want to honor the memory of Joe. I have never met a more passionate and compassionate man.” Players will pay entry fees and compete for donated prize money.

Dr. Unger says he tries to schedule the DeRaymond tournament close to Bastille Day, July 14, France’s independence day. “I think that would be fitting, knowing how Joe loved that kind of politics,” he adds. Tournament Director Eric Johnson of Allentown, the

Dr. Unger (right) plays a chess match at the tournament.

organizer of the Allentown Center City Chess Club, says the event will be rated by the United States Chess Federation, which means players will gain points for their play. Eric, also a friend of Joe DeRaymond, said the event will be a “Swiss tournament,” meaning players are paired based on their USCF ratings, and games will have relatively short time limits, 30 minutes per player. “Joe liked fast games,” Eric recalls.

SMILE

St. Luke’s members of the Disciples of Joy clown alley take a break while volunteering at a soup kitchen in Bethlehem. Front row (L-R): Betsy Toole, Manager, Media Production Services; Sue Willis, RN, Perinatal Center; Patti Hartney, Patient Access Representative; and Mary Crocus, RN, BSN, RN-BC, Manager, Women’s Health Centers. Back row (L-R): St. Luke’s Caring Clown volunteers Al Beahm (Stitches) and Mark Schessler (Whistles).

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July 2011

Biggest crowd ever attends Survivors Day at Lehigh Valley Zoo More than 1,400 people attended the fifth annual St. Luke’s Cancer Survivors Day “Outback Adventure” held on May 21 at the Lehigh Valley Zoo near Schnecksville. This year’s crowd was the largest ever for the event. The “Adventure” was scheduled to observe National Survivors Day, which is an annual affair for cancer survivors and their loved ones to celebrate life and survivorship.

It also honors people with the strength and courage to face a diagnosis of cancer.

The Network’s registered cancer survivors and as many as four guests each were admitted free to the Zoo, where they could take special

Shirley Christman (right) of Danielsville with daughter Sherry Hahn of Breinigsville.

Ed Johnson with his team of volunteers from Pepsi Beverages Co. of Allentown donated sodas and bottled water for the event.

guided Zoo tours and see Australia-themed animal presentations. Members of the St. Luke’s Cancer Center family volunteered their time to support the survivors and keep things running smoothly.

Lisa Anderson and her volunteers from the Allentown and Bethlehem Outback Steakhouses donated and prepared grilled chicken sandwiches and hamburgers. Ed Johnson and his volunteers from Pepsi Beverages Co. of Allentown donated soda and bottled water.

Also on hand were DJ Fred “Dan” Donatelli and Stephanie Altieri from the 99.9 “The Hawk” radio

Lisa Anderson and her volunteers from Outback Steakhouse donated and prepared grilled chicken sandwiches and hamburgers with all the fixings.

Husband and wife Karl and Gail Hettel of Nazareth.

station, who provided entertainment. Artists Mark and Arlene Kennedy of Allentown offered origami art demonstrations. Karen Steen and Janice Lipzin from The Banana Factory gave arts and crafts demonstrations for visitors young and old.

A team of Network volunteers, led by “BandAids the Clown,” put on an interactive clown circus and did face-painting for children.

The St. Luke’s HealthStar van was at the Zoo, with nurses on board to provide blood-pressure checks and any first aid that was needed.

Matthew Ellis (right) of Saylorsburg with his family.

DJ Fred “Dan” Donatelli (above) and Stephanie Altieri of 99.9 “The Hawk” donated their time and talents to entertain the crowd with great music.

C e l e b r at e L i f e a n d S u r v i vo r s h i p July 2011

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What’s New at St. Luke’s Riverside at the Anderson Campus: Dr. Justin Psaila is named vice president of medical affairs Preparations to open the new St. Luke’s Riverside at the Anderson Campus continue to progress, with the appointment of Justin Psaila, MD, FACP as vice president for medical affairs at the new campus. The announcement was made in May by Ed Nawrocki, president of the Riverside campus. In his announcement, Ed said, “Dr. Psaila has a proven track record as a skilled and compassionate physician.”

In his new position, Dr. Psaila will provide medical leadership and ensure the quality and safety of patient care. He also will serve as liaison to physicians on the medical staff at St. Luke’s Riverside Hospital.

Dr. Psaila has been with St. Luke’s for seven years. Dr. Psaila will continue to serve as interim chief, department of medicine, for the Bethlehem campus. Since 2005, he also has served as section chief for hospital medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital – Bethlehem Campus.

Among his accomplishments, he has grown the hospitalist program from four doctors to 19 doctors and eight advanced practitioners.

Dr. Psaila also helped to establish St. Luke’s Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship, and he serves on the faculty of St. Luke’s graduate medical education program. He earned his medical degree at Ney York

Medical College, Valhalla, N.Y., and completed his internship and residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York City. He is board certified in internal medicine and hospice/palliative care, and he is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a Fellow of Hospital Medicine.

Medical Executive Committee Appointed Seven members of St. Luke’s medical staff have accepted a two-year term on the Medical Executive Committee of the new St. Luke’s Riverside at the Anderson Campus.

Radiologist Jay S. Riccardi, MD will serve as the committee’s President and radiation oncologist Nimisha Deb, MD will serve as Vice President. Dr. Deb is also the Section Chief of Radiation Oncology for St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network. Members at large include family medicine physician Sheila M. Borick, MD; anesthesiologist Robert F. deQuevedo, MD; vascular surgeon Jay B. Fisher, MD; emergency medicine physician Rebecca Pequeno, MD who was previously appointed Medical Director, Emergency Medicine; and internal medicine physician Justin Psaila, MD, FACP who was recently appointed vice president for medical affairs.

The committee will provide leadership and governance for the medical staff appointed to St. Luke’s Riverside at the Anderson Campus and work toward continuous improvement in health care delivery and patient safety and satisfaction.

Patient Care Managers Appointed Aimee Kipila, BSN, has been named ICUMed/Surg patient care manager at St. Luke’s Riverside at the Anderson Campus. Aimee has been serving as the clinical coordinator of the ICU at St. Luke’s Hospital – Bethlehem Campus for more than a year. She previously served as the critical care Clinical coordinator for the Division of Critical Care and has held positions as a critical care surge nurse and as a staff nurse on PPHP5, also at the Bethlehem Campus.

Justin Psaila, MD, FACP, St. Luke’s Riverside Hospital’s vice president for medical affairs.

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Aimee graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a Bachelor’s degree in

nursing and is currently attending Moravian College, working towards her Master’s degree in Nursing Administration.

Tuesday Smith, BSN, has been named the Med/Surg patient care manager. Tuesday graduated from Northampton Community College in 1993 with her Associate of Applied Sciences degree and from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey with her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 2005. Tuesday also completed some master’s courses at Seton Hall University.

During her 18 years as an RN, Tuesday worked for various area health care organizations. During this time period work experiences have included IMCU, GI lab and chemotherapy certification through the University of Pennsylvania. She joined St. Luke’s in 2004 with the Network Staffing Agency. In 2010 she became Hospital Supervisor at the Bethlehem Campus.

Pharmacy Services Manager Appointed Stephen Schwartz, PharmD, is joining St. Luke’s Riverside at the Anderson Campus as the Pharmacy Services Manager.

Steve has served as supervisor of the Pharmacy IV Lab at St. Luke’s Hospital – Bethlehem Campus for the past three years.

He earned degrees in pharmacy and business administration from Temple University and Moravian College, respectively.

Steve has been instrumental in implementing USP 797 guidelines to the IV lab setting, while working to set a standard for aseptic technique and waste minimization. He has also worked extensively in the Infusion Center and the OR with a focus on drug utilization/protocols, interdepartmental communication and improving patientfocused practices.

Carol Harryn is joining St. Luke’s Riverside at the Anderson Campus as the manager of Radiology. Carol joined St. Luke’s in 1986 as a radiology administrator. She has served in many roles over her years at St. Luke’s... the most recent in IT as the manager of Ancillary Department Software Systems. Carol’s continued on page 15

July 2011

St. Luke’s is a sponsor of ‘George Yasso Memorial,’ a hometown 5K race When Steve Repasch became the mayor of Fountain Hill in 1997, one of the things he did was to revive a 5K race that had been organized by the Jaycees in the 1980s.

The event was renamed “The Fountain Hill Mayor’s Cup.” In its first year, it had about 75 participants and $500 in scholarship prizes were awarded. In the next year, participation was up to 100 and $750 in scholarships were awarded.

From the beginning, Bart Yasso, a worldrenowned marathoner and ultramarathoner and a member of the staff at Runner’s World Magazine for more than 30 years,

Did you h ear?

From patients at St. Luke’s Hospital – Allentown Campus: “ Everyone was terrific, going above and beyond for both of us. Best hospital experience I ever had.” “ Everything was SO EASY, which was important because I was scared.

Regarding meals I felt like I was in a restaurant. Very good. The BEST staff in the UNIVERSE.” “ I have told EVERYONE I know that St. Luke’s Allentown Campus is the only facility they should consider. I am a retired teacher. You earned an A+.” “ The anesthesia team was amazing and took their time to ensure my husband could participate in my planned C-section.” “ I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a clean, roomy and cheerful hospital.

I would definitely recommend St. Luke’s Allentown Campus!!!”

July 2011

was involved. He is a Fountain Hill native, and in fact, the Yasso family once lived next door to Repasch’s family.

After the 2003 Mayor’s Cup was held, Bart’s brother, George Yasso, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and died at age 52. Steve and Bart decided the Fountain Hill race again needed a new name, and the George Yasso Memorial 5k Run and Walk was created.

George was an accomplished rugby and football player, and he was instrumental in developing the “Little Hurricanes” youth basketball program in Bethlehem into the successful program it is today.

Runners leaving the start line at the 2010 George Yasso Memorial Run/Walk.

This year, the run was held at 8:30 am on Saturday, July 23, starting and ending at the Fountain Hill Community Pool at the Stanley Avenue Playground, with St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network returning as the major sponsor. More than 200 runners were expected, and about $4,000 in scholarship prizes were given away. Age-group awards were presented and participants were eligible to win all kinds of donated merchandise prizes, too. Steve says the course had been changed to eliminate some hills and to make it faster.

Bart is a columnist and chief running officer for Runner’s World Magazine and his autobiography, “My Life on the Run,” published in 2009, is a favorite of runners worldwide. He has written on his blog — bartyasso.com — that while he’s helped to organize races around the world, the George Yasso Memorial 5K Run and Walk is his favorite. In recent years, more than a dozen members of the Yasso family have turned out to participate and serve as volunteers.

Jennifer Hetrick, an RN at the Bethlehem Campus, was the overall women’s winner of the 2010 race.

Steve left the mayor’s office in 2007 when he became executive director of the Bethlehem Authority. As for St. Luke’s sponsorship of the race, he says, “Without St. Luke’s, we wouldn’t have a race.”

Riverside cont. knowledge and experience will be invaluable a the new Radiology Department is established.

Dr. Jay Riccardi is joining St. Luke’s Riverside at the Anderson Campus as the clinical site director for Radiology.

Dr. Riccardi has also been asked to serve as President of the hospital medical staff.

He has been a radiologist at St. Luke’s since 2006, where he currently serves as the clinical site director for the St. Luke’s Allentown Campus. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Allentown Campus.

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Network

Our Mission:

The mission of St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network is to provide compassionate, excellent quality and cost-effective health care to residents of the communities we serve regardless of their ability to pay.

Our Strategic Focus: People and Relationships • Physicians, Employees and Volunteers — our most important assets.

• We will be the region’s health care employer of choice.

Simplicity • Continue to simplify management structure.

• Promote efficiency and effectiveness.

Integrity • Transparent, accountable management.

• Ongoing adherence to our Management Philosophy.

Quality • Focus on clinical process improvements using national benchmarks and appropriately share the outcomes of our ongoing focus on quality.

• Perform in the top decile in national pay-for-performance programs.

“Run with the Heroes” combines fun, fitness and “Celebration of Life” For the sixth year, St. Luke’s Adult Level I Trauma Center is sponsoring “Run with the Heroes,” a 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) run and walk for Network staff, former patients and anyone in the community who wants to have fun on a course of gentle inclines near Nazareth. This year’s event will begin at 8:30 am on Saturday, September 10.

Ann Marie Szoke, nurse practitioner for trauma who serves as race director, says the run and walk is unique because former trauma patients return to participate with trauma doctors and other staff. She says it is rewarding to see patients who suffered brain injuries, amputations and other trauma to “celebrate life” by joining in, year after year. For this year’s event, John Gillard, a trauma physicians’s assistant, will co-direct the race.

Ann Marie estimates that half of the participants are “Network people” and about half are runners and walkers from the community. There is a wide age range of participants including one 11- year-old boy, who has run every year since he was five. A few dogs cover the course with their owners every year. In 2010, about 100 people participated, the biggest field so far, Ann Marie says.

Everyone who crosses the finish line gets a medal, and there are trophies for first and second place finishers in various age groups. In addition, participants can win gift certificates and other donated prizes during an auction.

Police and fire police from Upper and Lower Nazareth Townships monitor and patrol the 3.1 mile loop, which starts on the grounds of Gracedale, the Northampton County home for the aged.

Ann Marie says proceeds from the event benefit trauma program research and education.

Cost • Perform in the top decile in Thomson criteria for cost-effective management.

• Continue to be the region’s low-cost tertiary hospital.

Network Pulse is a periodic publication for the employees of St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network.

Ken Szydlow Vice President, Marketing and Public Relations Executive Editor: Stephen Andrews Network Director, Marketing and Public Relations Contributing Writers: Glenn Kranzley Design Supervision: Lori Diehl Network Director of Graphic Design Photography: Joseph Klepeiss Director, Media Production Services Betsy Toole • Anne Kemp

St. Luke’s strives to be the region’s health care employer of choice.

Above: “Run with the Heroes” participants.

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July 2011