July 2021
CONNECTING YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR 22 YEARS
Providing optimal medical care during a healthcare pandemic Also... Health & Wellness | Home Guide Support Our Troops | Sun-Sational Summer Trivia
www.northernconnectionmag.com | JULY 2021
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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
July
NORTHERN CONNECTION 12
NC Features 8 Whom Do We Trust and Believe? Ron Eichner 9 Eichner’s Whole Farm & Greenhouses 27 Home Guide
Health & Wellness 12
Cover Story: Genesis Medical Associates: Providing optimal medical care during a healthcare pandemic 14 Genesis Medical Physicians 18 Ahh...Summertime. It’s All About Flowering Plants, Butterflies and Sunshine, Right? Think Again! Belinda Burchick, RPh, BPharm 22 Physicians and Specialists
Kids & Education 24 School Movers & Shakers
Advertorials 6 11
Dornish Law Offices, PC Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers Have Hope Dr. Shawn Richey
P.O. Box 425 Mars, Pa. 16046
Phone: 724-940-2444 ncmagazine@northernconnectionmag.com www.northernconnectionmag.com President & Publisher
Marion Swanson Piotrowski Executive Editor
Janice Lane Palko Managing Editor/Public Relations Coordinator
Paula M. Green Marketing & Account Executive and Office Coordinator
Laura Lyn Arnold Marketing & Account Executive
Mary L. Simpson Design & Production
Kostilnik & Associates Graphics, Inc. Web Master
In Every Issue... 4 5 7 8 10 26
Movers & Shakers Mover & Shaker of the Month: Sydney Komoroski Trivia Connection: Sun-Sational Summer Trivia Paula Green July Events From the Editor: United We Stand Janice Lane Palko Support Our Troops: Julia Parsons; USS Requin Visit Paula Green
Welcome to the July issue of Northern Connection Magazine! We are now in our 22nd year of connecting you to the community. We would like to thank all our advertisers and readers for your support. Together we continue to make our community an outstanding place to live and work. Enjoy reading our July issue! Marion Piotrowski, President & Publisher
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Swanson Publishing Company Core Writers
Belinda Burchick Ron Eichner Paula M. Green Janice Lane Palko Northern Connection is published twelve times a year by Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. (P.O. Box 425, Mars, PA 16046, 724-940-2444) and is distributed free of charge to the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Subscription can be purchased from the publisher at $25 for one year. The mission of the Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. is to connect the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh by publishing the area’s finest community publication, Northern Connection. The publication is dedicated to the people, communities, educational, religious, travel, and recreational needs of the area. The contents of Northern Connection magazine may not be reproduced or copied in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Northern Connection magazine reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertisements that do not meet the standards of this publication.
ADVERTORIAL
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Foundation, hospital and community leaders, including Senator James R. Brewster, Representative Carrie DelRosso and New Kensington Mayor Thomas Guzzo, gathered on June 4 to celebrate the newly opened UPMC St. Margaret New Kensington Family Health Center with a ribboncutting and facility tours. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center will be the first cancer center in the eastern United States, and one of just a handful in the country, to offer the most advanced radiotherapy system for treating patients. The RefleXion™X1 is the world’s first biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) machine that’s expected to improve treatment and expand options for patients with metastatic disease.
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The Scouts of Troop 243 in Sewickley recently enjoyed trips via bike, known as “Bike Shakedowns.” The Scouts rode along the Montour Trail. They also combined their skills of biking and camping along the Youghiogheny River Trail. The scouts participated in a High Adventure Bike Trip in mid-June which took the boys 187 miles along the Chesapeake and Ohio Trail from Cumberland, Md. to Washington, D.C. Along the way, they toured historical landmarks. They rode a train back to Pittsburgh. For information on Troop 243, email Collette at csemonik@verizon.net. At its June board of trustees meeting, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh elected Geovette E. Washington chair of its board of trustees. Geovette
The Pennsylvania Historical and Washington Museum Commission (PHMC) awarded a $100,000 grant to the Mooncrest Historic District in Moon Township, announced Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny).
Mover & Shaker of the Month
Passavant Memorial Homes Foundation Awards $10,000 Community Service Scholarship to Sydney Komoroski
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assavant Memorial Homes Foundation (PMHF) is proud to announce the recipient of its 2021 Community Service Scholarship. This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Jamie Ellenberger, an individual served by Passavant Memorial Homes Family of Services (PMHFOS) and who was an active member in the community. The principle of community is central to PMHFOS’s mission, including efforts to engage in community initiatives and to be involved in community improvements. PMHF aimed to award this scholarship to a student in the region who brings that same understanding of the value of community service. Sydney Komoroski of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School (OLSH) in Allegheny County, was bestowed with this honor. Her lengthy and impressive resume of community service began in 2014 when she hosted her birthday party where, instead of gifts, she asked guests to bring Easter baskets for the children of North Hills Community Outreach. In addition to hosting a party like that each year thereafter, Sydney has volunteered for Saint Alexis, Aquinas Academy and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She has also completed various service projects for the Little Sisters of the Poor, Satchels of Caring, Light of Life Missions, Yellow Ribbon Girls and Vincentian Home. She is a member of LeadersNow International and the Girls Scouts of America, where she is working to earn her Gold Award. Sydney hosted a five-week long Peanut Butter and Jelly Food Drive for North Hills Community Outreach, and she has helped at her high school with Open Houses, Galas, Freshman Foundation Day, and Transfer Student Welcome Day. She has baked cookies for the troops, served meals at soup kitchens, and built a Free Little Library for North Hills Community Outreach in their outdoor vegetable garden. In addition to many other examples of community service activities, Sydney has also helped rescue sea turtles, volunteered at her local library and made seatbelt pillows for cancer patients with ports. In addition to her community involvement, Sydney has been involved in several extracurricular activities. She was a member of her high school bowling team, was in the OLSH concert choir, was an OLSH Ambassador, and was part of the OLSH theatre program where she participated in 17 productions. She is also a member of the OLSH Honor Roll. “We are so proud of Sydney and all of the great work she has done in the community. Her involvement in service is done for all the right reasons, and she understands the importance of helping others. As a sponsored ministry of the Felician Sisters, our school shares the Felician Core Values, which include Respect for Human Dignity, Compassion, and Solidarity with the Poor, and Sydney stands out as a young woman who represents these values, and our school, remarkably well,” said OLSH principal Tim Plocinik. Sydney will be attending Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, in the fall where she will be studying nursing. n
www.northernconnectionmag.com | JULY 2021
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ADVERTORIAL
Perfect Timing to Move to the North I moved my office with five lawyers and four support staff from downtown Pittsburgh to Wexford in March of 2019 after practicing law downtown from 1984 to 2019. I was concerned when I made the move that I might lose clients from the east and the south by relocating to the North, but I wanted to be closer to my home and to many of my employees’ homes, saving commute time, gas and parking expenses.
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ith an active litigation practice handling business, real estate and construction litigation matters in Allegheny County courts and Federal Courts in Pittsburgh, I was also concerned that we might lose a lot of time going to and from Pittsburgh for court. Since we also appear regularly in courts in Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties, I decided that the shorter times to and from all those courts would balance out the longer trip to courts in Pittsburgh and made the move to Wexford. After we moved, I was happily surprised that clients from south, west and even east of Pittsburgh were happy to come to our Wexford office. Route 79 works from south and west, the Turnpike works from the east. Of course, our existing clients in the north appreciated our move, and everyone appreciates plenty of free parking right outside the building for visits to the office. Once COVID hit and riots erupted in Pittsburgh last summer, I watched on TV as a police SUV burned a block from my old office. Downtown law offices largely remained at least partially closed for over a year, while my Wexford office has been fully open since last summer. My staff all drive to the office and can walk up the stairs instead of using an elevator. Courts in which we appear, as well as most mediations of real estate contract disputes and AAA construction arbitrations have also been largely virtual, so we have not had to drive to Pittsburgh much. Even many of our free initial consults with clients can be done on Zoom or Microsoft Teams, so fewer clients travel to our office than ever before. All of this has made my decision in late 2018 to move north look brilliant, when it was only lucky timing. As a result of our move, we have also seen growth in our title insurance and real estate closing practice, with many more commercial and residential real estate closings scheduled in our office, since buyers in the North Hills are looking for convenient closing attorneys. Several of our attorneys are also e-notaries, so we can notarize Pennsylvania deeds and other documents for closings remotely from anywhere in the country for those who have access to computers with cameras. This makes many closings much more convenient.
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New laws also allow us to record deeds, mortgages and powers of attorney electronically in any county in Pennsylvania. We even had a buyer recently show up for a closing without her husband, who was many miles away. The lender wanted his signature on certain documents for closing but had not told us or the borrower in advance. Instead Brad Dornish of postponing the closing, the lender agreed to accept the husband’s electronic power of attorney to his wife, which we had him sign remotely, and we notarized and recorded instantly. She was then able to use the power to sign the other documents for him. Other new laws allow the same process for remote signing and notarization of wills, powers of attorney and health care declarations by our clients, so many of them never have to come to the office to complete their estate plans. During the last year, COVID has caused many more people to think about their estate plans, and we have been able to help most people meet their needs quickly and remotely or in person, with simple packages of wills, health care declarations and powers of attorney for both spouses for under $500 and for unmarried individuals for even less. All these changes are likely to become permanent and cause many other law firms to follow us to the north. I do look forward to returning to the courtroom in person for trials Dornish Law Offices, PC and arbitrations, since a 2500 Brooktree Road lawyer just cannot examSuite 301 ine a witness as well or Wexford PA 15090 see the reactions of judges 412-567-5957 and jurors the same way www.dornish.net when we are not in person. Fortunately, courts are reopening as of July 6, and we can get back to the courtroom for those events where it makes a difference.
TRIVIA CONNECTION
Sun-Sational Summer Trivia By Paula Green
Since we have surfed through this tropical season, we must now fan our thoughts on this summer query. Get set to soak-up the answers because it’s time to get a little trivial. 1. The term SPF is seen on all sunscreen bottles. What does it stand for? 2. Every July 4th, Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y., holds a hot dog eating contest. What brand of hot dogs do they eat? 3. June’s birthstone is pearl and August is peridot, what is July’s birthstone? 4. Which British rock band had a debut single called In the Summertime? 5. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as the national month of which summer food? 6. What vitamin can you get from direct sunlight? 7. The “boys of summer” refers to what sport? 8. What year was the summer blockbuster Jaws released? 9. Which is the longest continuous beach in America? 10. This historic European landmark grows in the summer (by 6 inches); it is made out of metal which expands in the heat. 11. Which three months do you find summer in the southern hemisphere? 12. In 1966 this pop band released the season hit Summer in the City. 13. This was invented as a pie plate in 1870s, but in the 1940s college students started throwing it around. 14. Where in Europe do thousands of people gather to celebrate the summer solstice? 15. What was the name of the popular album that the Beach Boys released in 1974? n Sources: https://linqatnorthsprings.com/20-fun-facts-about-summer-summertimeis-here/, https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-summer-summer-solstice, https://kidadl.com/articles/summer-trivia-questions-and-answers-to-brighten-yourday Answers: 1. Sun Protection Factor 2. Nathan’s 3. Ruby 4. Mungo Jerry 5. Ice cream 6. Vitamin D 7. baseball 8. 1975 9. Long Beach, Wash. 10. The Eiffel Tower 11. December, January & February 12. The Lovin’ Spoonful 13. Frisbee 14. Stonehenge 15. Endless Summer
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ummer has arrived, and it is the most popular of the four seasons. The first day of the summer solstice occurs annually between June 20 and June 22. This year, it arrives on June 20 at 11:32 p.m. It is the longest day of the year. The last day of summer is September 20. The phrase “dog days” refers to the hottest time of the year, which is the 40 days that span from July 3 through August 11. Humans are scientifically proven to be happier in the summer. More babies are born in the summer than any other time of year. There is a lot to love about summer, such as extra sunlight, grilling season, ice cream, cool drinks, fireworks, swimming pools, amusement parks and vacations. You can’t help but love “summer cuisine” of grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, steaks and other barbecued delights. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council – Americans eat enough hot dogs on the 4th of July to stretch from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles five times; that’s more than 150 million hot dogs! Don’t forget about the side dishes of potato salad, baked beans, macaroni salad and pasta salad. It is the best time to take advantage of fresh fruits and vegetables like corn on the cob, tomatoes, watermelon, peaches and berries. Be sure to visit your local farms and farm markets to get your homegrown produce. Most folks know that a tomato is a fruit and not a vegetable, but did you know that watermelon is a member of the cucumber family? There are over 300 different types of watermelon. These tasty summer treats consist of 92% water. An 11-year old boy accidentally invented ice pops, now called popsicles, in San Francisco in 1905. Another way to cool off in the summer is with a nice swim. The first women’s bathing suit was created in the 1800s, and it came with a pair of bloomers. Summer months have some interesting origins. June is named after the Roman goddess Juno. July acquired its name from Julius Caesar and August after Emperor Augustus. The zodiac signs for the summer are Cancer, Leo and Virgo. As lovely as this sunny season is, pests and some harsh weather, unfortunately, accompany it. Mosquitos are most prevalent during summer months. These intrusive insects have been on earth for more than 30 million years. More thunderstorms occur in the summer as opposed to any other time of the year.
www.northernconnectionmag.com | JULY 2021
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HAPPENINGS
July Events Alzheimer’s Support Group, instructor Erin McMaster. Meet 10:30 a.m.-noon, on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1719 Mt Royal Blvd in Glenshaw. For details, call (412) 369-7887 or email erin.barefoot@ hcr.manorcare.org The Block Northway Farmer’s Market runs every Friday 3-6 p.m., thru Oct. 29 between DSW and Land’s End. North Allegheny Kennywood Day will be held on Saturday, August 14. Northland Library is offering various classes and events. For info, visit www.northlandlibrary.org or call (412) 366-8100. Oldies Dance, 7-10 p.m., 3rd Saturday of every month, St Peter & Paul’s Ukrainian Hall, 10 Arbor St, Lyndora. $9 per person. Golden Oldies D.J. Marty Tack (724) 2831867. B.Y.O.B. and bring your own snacks. Saint Aidan Parish Over 50 Club Seneca Casino and River Cruise Trip, Oct. 13-15. Cost $404 pp dbl occupancy, $591 pp single occupancy. For details, call Dave at (412) 719-3172 or Lois at (412) 400-4516. The Sisters of Divine Providence 2021 Super Sweeps. the grand prize $5,000 cash prize 2nd place $500, 3rd place $100. Sweepstakes ends July 30. To enter, visit cdpsisters.org/SistersSweeps or call 412.635.5401. Proceeds benefit the Sweepstakes ends July 30. Sojourner House Victorian Tea, 2-4 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 15, at the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. Social hour 1-2 p.m. Attend in-person or virtually. For info, visit www.sojournerhousepa.org. Zelienople-Harmony Farmer’s Market is located at the Zelienople Community Park on Beaver St. in Zelienople. Every Monday 3:30 – 7 p.m. rain or shine. Visit Facebook @ZelieHarmonyFarmersMarket 8
JULY 2021 | www.northernconnectionmag.com
FA C T S F R O M T H E FA R M
Whom Do We Trust and Believe? By Ron Eichner Hi folks, COVID-19 and the last year, 2020, were something we all could live without. One phrase echoed was to “follow the experts and science.” So, it kindled my mind to share a story with you about what all those experts and science has also supported. Looking back in the 1960s, we were told by the experts that a high-carb, low-fat diet was the best for us, and it turned into a full-fledged attack on the incredible-edible egg and raw milk. We were told that both are unhealthy and should be avoided. Interestingly, eggs and raw milk were, and still are, the number one and two sources for complete protein. Eggs are a complete protein source; they have all the vitamins from A to Z, except vitamin C, 14 minerals, and antioxidants. Heck, God created the original multi-vitamin encapsulated in a shell. Fertilized eggs have all the nutritional values needed to have a chick fully develop and the energy to peck out of their eggshells in 21 days. Also, when a cow has a calf, her raw milk is all the calf needs to develop in their early stage of growth. If you give a calf processed milk, the calf isn’t long for this world. As a family farm, we were up to 7,000 laying hens producing our eggs in the mid1960s. The high-carb, low-fat diet was encouraged to open the door for processed cereals and suggested eggs don’t support our health. The untruths cast on eggs forced us to match our retail demands for eggs. Our laying hens count dropped to 2,000 hens, and we have been at that count for the last 50 years. At the same time, the banning of selling raw milk, forced us to sell our milk cows. Just think of all the family farms that were producing eggs and raw milk for decades when the assault by experts and science put a lot of farms in a negative way. Now the experts with science support nutritional facts that show a diet of low-carbs and good fats can improve our health in several ways including promoting weight loss and decreasing body fat. Also, it benefits many health conditions including diabetes, heart disease and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. This should resurrect eggs and raw milk back to where they rightly belong as number one and number two. The medical schools are like our Ag schools, not educating the students about the importance of nutrition. We have been told for decades that eggs should be avoided to manage our cholesterol levels. Fortunately, this claim is untrue! Although white eggs are high in dietary cholesterol, the effects on blood cholesterol levels are minimal. My grandfather and dad instilled in me “that if you want to eat nutritionally smart it has to be grown nutritionally smart.” It all starts with our soils where our crops are grown. If our Ag schools are paying attention to the nutritional blights of our fruits and vegetables as nutritionists are reporting, there would be corrections on how crops are grown. Sadly, the focus is on crop growth, production and yield. Recent science has developed GMO seeds, and GMOs have been a three-letter buzzword that stirs attention. I have never made a good follower. Always question the experts and science behind the agenda. But from time to time, asking God if I need inspiration I would welcome it, and inspiration always comes. I hope you all have a safe July 4th, and if you want to talk about experts and science, you are welcome to stop by Eichner’s Whole Farm & Greenhouses and experience “Farm Fresh” at 285 Richard Road, Wexford, and get “the rest of the story.” n
Eichner’s Whole Farm & Greenhouses
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s a multi-generation family farm since 1897, Eichner’s Whole Farm & Greenhouses are nestled in a Wexford valley off of Richard Road. Ron and his dad, Dick, have always seeded out what else can be nutritionally added to the laying feed for the hens to produce their exclusive high-energy eggs. For example, an average whole egg has 14 minerals, and with the addition of ground kelp, the mineral count increases to 80 minerals. Eggs are a nutrient-dense food packed with complete proteins, good fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that protect the eyes. In 21-days, a fertilized egg can be developed into a little chick. Recently studies show that eating a couple of eggs per day doesn’t seem to change cholesterol levels on heart disease risk factors. The attacks on the incredible edible egg started in the 1960s with the encouragement of a high carb, low-fat diet that led to putting processed cereals on the breakfast table, which now is being challenged nutritionally. We are now told that low carb and good fats can improve health in a number of ways, promoting weight loss and decreasing body fat. Also, it benefits many health conditions including diabetes, heart disease and neurological condition like Alzheimer’s. If you want to step up and support our laying hens, come by our farm market to purchase and enjoy the high-energy eggs and add some of our lean homemade sausages and a sliced slab of Canadian bacon, which can be a “breakfast for champions!” We are open seven days a week. Amish donuts are available every Saturday. Bring a friend and be a friend. Our family farm supports our community, and we welcome your community support. n
www.northernconnectionmag.com | JULY 2021
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FROM THE EDITOR
United We Stand By Janice Lane Palko
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t’s vacation season, and I’ve found myself reflecting on some of the vacations I’ve been fortunate to take over the years. If you are going on a group tour, one of the pleasures of traveling is meeting others in the group. Since the tours we embarked on were geared for English speakers, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting a few Aussies, Brits, Canadians and Kiwis along the way, but most of our fellow travelers were compatriots. According to the World Atlas, the United States has a landmass of 3.8 million square miles while Europe has 1.7 million. The Europe Union has 28 member countries, while we are one big country with 50 states. As such, not only have I met Europeans while traveling, but I’ve also enjoyed meeting people from all over the U.S. with vastly different lives. I’ve met potato farmers from Minnesota, a mom/daughter duo who owned a miniature golf course in Florida and sisters from Kansas who had a pet buffalo. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Esther and Leo, a married couple we met on our first trip to Europe. Both had parents who emigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines, bringing them to America when they were children. We arrived in Paris on their 40th wedding anniversary and cried along with Esther as we stood on the illuminated Champs Elysees at midnight as she exclaimed to her husband, “Oh daddy, (she called her husband daddy) you promised me when we got married that someday you would take me to Paris, and you did! You’ve made all my dreams come true!” In Venice, we shared a gondola ride with another couple whose grown daughters had taken them on the tour to celebrate their parents’ 50th wedding anniversary and their father’s 80th birthday. Their parents came to New York from Puerto Rico, and though they spoke little English, we all beamed as the gondolier serenaded them on their big day. In Galway, the retired police officer from South Central Los Angeles and his wife helped us navigate the confusing Medieval streets. Did I mention he and his wife were Hispanic? We also toured Ireland with several single women traveling alone including a Midwestern social worker and a stockbroker whose family came from the Dominican Republic. We hung out together and watched out for each other, walking back to the hotel at night after spending an evening with them in the pub. In Aruba, we met a retired woman in her 70s from Chicago who was traveling alone because none of her friends wanted to accompany her. She used a cane, and we treated her to a bottle of water when it proved to be a chore for her to exit the tour bus and get one. Oh, and by the way, she was black. All we hear about on the news is strife and division among Americans. It’s sad that you must leave the country to realize that most Americans don’t care about each other’s races, heritages, religions, or backgrounds. What I’ve experienced is that no matter what we looked like or where we came from, we were all Americans, and we looked out for one another. The experts keep telling us that diversity is our strength. Sure, diversity is interesting. But it’s not what makes us strong. Our strength is our unity. When touring the Tower of London, one of the Aussies (we’ll excuse her lack of knowledge of American history) was marveling over the Crown Jewels and asked Esther, the Filipino immigrant to America, where the U.S. kept its Crown Jewels? I marveled when Esther, replied, “We don’t have Crown Jewels. We don’t have a ruler. We got rid of that a long time ago. We are free!” Americans are different from other people I’ve encountered abroad. No matter what we looked like, where we came from, what we did, we looked out for each other and united under the banner of American ideals, freedom and liberty. Unity is what makes us strong; don’t let anyone divide us. Have a Happy Independence Day! n
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ADVERTORIAL
Frank S.
Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers Have
HOPE Don’t GIVE UP!
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Peripheral Neuropathy occurs when nerves are damaged or destroyed and can’t send messages to the muscles, skin and other parts of the body. Peripheral nerves go from the brain and spinal cord to the arms, hands, legs and feet. When damage to the nerves takes place, numbness and pain in these areas may occur. A specialized treatment protocol utilizing brand new technologies is available at the Neuropathy Treatment Centers of PGH. It includes the combination of very specific, non-invasive, FDA approved and painless treatments that are designed to heal rather than just deal with the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
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Dr. Shawn’s SUPERVISED, MONITORED and IN OFFICE program has a 90 percent satisfaction rate. With the experience of seeing over 5000 patients, he is able to tailor a specific and successful treatment plan for each individual to provide maximum results.
Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms can include: • Sharp Pains or Cramps in the Feet or Legs • Burning Pain in the Legs, Feet or Hands Take • Extreme Sensitivity to Touch PREQU our ALIFY ING • Loss of Balance or Coordination www.M SURVEY at aryDa ncedIn • Feelings of Walking on Pins and Needles .com • Weakness in the Arms and Legs • Numbness and Tingling or Pain in the Toes, Feet, Hands, Arms and Fingers • Dependency on Medications If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait till they get worse. Call today to schedule your FREE consultation.
Ten years ago, I hurt my foot, and it continued to get worse over the years. It got to the point that my feet were so sore and cold constantly and with no relief. I had lots of pain walking and was always trying to get my feet warm. In November, I made an appointment with the podiatrist and explained my symptoms and that my balance was affected causing me to have difficulty walking on uneven surfaces. He stated my neuropathy was due to my age and would have to live with it. Outdoor activities are very important to me, and I was losing the ability to do them. I felt there was no hope. A friend of mine learned of Tri-State Neuropathy Centers, and I made an appointment. The results have been unbelievable. The treatments are painless, easy and effective. I have no more pain and my feet are no longer cold. My range of motion is so much better, and my balance is back. I am now enjoying all the outdoor activities I used to and am nearly 100% better.
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MaryDancedIn.com (724) 940-9000 www.northernconnectionmag.com | JULY 2021
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COVER STORY
Genesis Medical Associates: Providing optimal medical care during a healthcare pandemic
Genesis Medical Associates is an independent group of primary care physicians with practices located throughout the North Hills of Pittsburgh. The organization was founded in 1995, when six independent primary care practices came together with a singular vision of providing the highest quality healthcare.
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wenty six years later, they have flourished to include more than 20 physicians across eight practices. In addition to providing excellent primary care, Genesis offers laboratory, chiropractic, women’s health, cardiovascular, preventive medicine and pain management services. Genesis physicians are committed to upholding their motto, “A Tradition of Quality Healthcare.” In spite of their busy schedules, they meet every Friday morning at 7 a.m. for several hours to discuss novel practices to improve healthcare outcomes of their patients. “We strive to keep our patients healthy by providing modern, preventive and cutting-edge medicine while still maintaining the traditional family physician feel and connection” says their President, Dr. Tad Scheri. Their success in this approach to family medicine is attested by the recent accolades of seven Genesis physicians in Pittsburgh magazine’s “Top Doctors” 2021 issue. However, this past year has also had great struggles spawned by COVID-19. Genesis has navigated this pandemic using every resource at their disposal. Their providers tallied more than 180,000 total patient encounters in 2020. These encounters occurred not just in their medical offices but also in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, personal care homes, inpa-
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tient rehabilitation centers and even at patients’ residences. Caring for patients in whichever location they might find themselves in is a hallmark of Genesis patient care.
COVID-19 – Unforgettable
As for every person in the world, this year has been unlike any other for Genesis Medical Associates. The global healthcare pandemic has forced every business to reassess their model. Genesis is no different. Western Pennsylvania has seen over 200,000 cases of COVID. Although more than 90% of those affected have successfully recovered, we have been ravaged by the deaths of over four thousand residents of Western Pennsylvania. COVID has unfortunately targeted senior care facilities. As medical directors at more than ten senior facilities in Western Pennsylvania, Genesis has been forced to take the pandemic head on with innovative COVID management strategies. People have needed to stay home to minimize the spread of the virus, but the need for essential medical care remains. Thankfully, telemedicine has helped bridge this void. Genesis has been on the forefront of telemedicine in Western Pennsylvania by being amongst the first to offer this service.
Telemedicine provides a novel and safe way to care for those socially distanced due to medical illness or COVID mandates.
What is quality care?
Quality in healthcare can be defined in many ways. Genesis defines it as improving the quality of life of patients and their families at any status of health. From simple lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to more complex age appropriate cancer screenings or ongoing chronic disease state management – every measure that helps to prevent disease and stop disease progression is included in quality. “It is a daunting task even for the most engaged patients to keep track of all the screenings and preventive measures that they are due for, and Genesis physicians are there to help them through every step of the way to ensure that they always stay compliant,” says Dr. Louis Heyl, one of the founding physicians of Genesis. Genesis is one of the very few groups of primary care physicians which has a dedicated quality department consisting of nurses, pharmacists, health coordinators and quality advocates, who utilize modern healthcare tools like population health management and clinical data analytics software to make sure that every Genesis patient is up to date with all recommended screenings and receive the highest standard of quality care.
Accepting all medical insurances
The western Pennsylvania health care landscape has several dominant insurance companies including UPMC, Aetna, Highmark, Cigna and Medicare. Caring for patients across all medical insurance carriers is fundamental to Genesis. A job change may often mean a different insurance carrier – but it doesn’t have to involve breaking an established relationship with your primary care doctor, if your doctor’s office accepts all insurances.
Physician recognition
Genesis physicians have been recognized by UPMC, United Healthcare and Highmark for being among top 5% performers in overall quality in 2020.
Additionally, seven Genesis physicians were recognized by Castle Conolly and Pittsburgh magazine for their outstanding performance in the areas of Family Medicine and Internal Medicine, including Daniel Grob MD, Barbara Fardo DO, Kurt Heil MD, Christopher Koman MD, Karen Schogel MD and Donald Shoenthal, MD. Scott Heyl, MD Mark Woodburn, MD and Eric Griffin, DO have been previously included in the “Top 40 physicians under the age of 40” in the state of PA. These accolades are a testament to the high level of patient care provided by Genesis physicians.
The future of medicine
The COVID-19 pandemic, despite its devastation, has definitely fast tracked the widespread use of telemedicine. Telemedicine has made healthcare accessible to patients who may not have ready access to transportation or are physically home-bound. This population of patients are amongst those that are most in need of care. Increased access to timely care is just one of the many advantages of telemedicine, which indicates that it is here to stay. Genesis anticipates new challenges in 2021 and will face them head on just as they have for more than 25 years. The increasing vaccinations and decreasing numbers of active COVID-19 cases provides great hope for our society’s impending triumph over this catastrophe. Genesis and their doctors are eager and ready for this transition. n www.northernconnectionmag.com | JULY 2021
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COVER STORY
Genesis Medical Physicians Jeffrey Bentz, DC is a national board certified chiropractor with an additional license in adjunctive procedures. In the past twelve years he has successfully treated patients with complex musculoskeletal conditions where multi-doctoral co-management is the standard of patient care. He has spent time in the operating room with neurosurgeons furthering his education of corrective treatment for complex spinal conditions. Dr. Bentz offers three chiropractic techniques with focus on spinal disc herniation and rehabilitation of muscular imbalances. He has been published in Dynamic Chiropractic Journal and Chiropractic Economics. Dr. Bentz is married to his beautiful wife, Janeen, and has two children, Ellie and Austin. Karen Bucher, DO is a Pittsburgh native and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Allegheny College. She attended medical school at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV and completed her Family Medicine Residency training with the U.S. Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. She is board certified in Family Medicine and has a special interest in women’s health, but is also passionate about treating the whole family and patients of all ages. Dr. Bucher worked as a staff physician and medical director of the 19th Medical Group, Family Health Clinic on Little Rock Air Force Base, AR and served active duty in the U.S. Air Force for 7 years. Dr. Bucher is on the medical staff at UPMC Passavant and Kane-Ross Nursing Home. She prides herself on individualized, high quality and evidence-based patient care, as well as authentic collaboration with each patient regarding their medical care. Dr. Bucher resides with her husband, Jonathan and their son in Mars, PA. Matthew G. Cook, DC is a Pittsburgh native and a graduate of North Hills High School, Duquesne University and Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Corissa, and his two boys, Dominick and Nicholas. In addition to treating patients in his office he is active in outdoor activities, coaching and playing soccer. Dr. Cook has been a practicing chiropractor and a part of Genesis Medical Associates since 2007 and treats athletes and patients of all ages. His services in his office include chiropractic manipulations, rehabilitation, extremity adjustments, medical massage therapy, decompression therapies and physiotherapies. He is proud to be serving the community and city he was born and raised in and strives for excellence through superior patient treatment, education and working collaboratively with medical, neuro and orthopedic physicians. He believes that a multi-disciplinary team approach assures the highest quality of care and outcomes for patients. Joshua Dalessio, MD is new to Genesis Medical Associates and is Board Certified in Family Medicine. He was born and raised in NJ where he did his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University with a major in Chemistry and a minor in music. He then attended Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (then part of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ). He completed his Family Medicine residency at Hunterdon Medical Center, whereupon he finally moved out of NJ to Pittsburgh and has been here ever since. He worked as a hospitalist at UPMC Passavant for 12 years but wanted to get back to his Family Medicine roots and was excited to have the opportunity to join Northern Area Family Medicine, a division of Genesis Medical Associates. He is on the medical staff at UPMC Passavant and Kane-Ross Nursing
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Home. He also serves as the Medical Director for the new Physician Assistant program at Carlow University. Outside of medicine he enjoys learning about history of many different eras, particularly because of what we can learn about human nature and the nature of causality. He is married to his beautiful wife Samantha and is raising his three children to be Steeler’s fans. Ashim K. Dayalan, MD attended Bangalore University Medical College as well as St. Joseph’s College and graduated in 1988. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine and is currently a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the Allegheny County Medical Society. Dr. Dayalan is also certified by the American Academy of Addiction Society to treat patients in the throes of the opiate epidemic and drug addiction. Dr. Dayalan currently serves as a preceptor for both the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy and the Duquesne University School of Nursing, Graduate Program. He has also attained recognition in diabetic care and office systems under the “Bridges to Excellence” program. Services provided within his practice include primary care, wellness, chronic disease management, behavioral health, addiction treatment, osteoporosis management and joint injections. Dr. Dayalan is the proud father of his son Raj, and in his free time enjoys playing squash, cooking, and sports cars. Barbara Fardo, DO is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine who specializes in Family Medicine at Genesis Medical Associates in Cranberry Township, PA. Dr. Fardo is board certified by the American Academy of Family Medicine. Selected the Community Choice Award Winner – Best Physician Cranberry Eagle for 2013, 2014 and 2015. Voted Pittsburgh magazines’ Top Doctors in Family Medicine for 2021. Eric S. Griffin, DO, MPH was educated at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey) and completed his residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital. He is board certified in family medicine and has been a physician with Genesis Medical Associates since 2014. Before his doctorate, he served as a public health volunteer for the United States Peace Corps and earned his Master of Public Health degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Griffin realized medicine was his calling during his Peace Corps service where he created health programs for preventative care and traffic injury prevention in Kiribati. His experience during this formative period started him down the path to his medical career. Dr. Griffin is married with two children. When not working, he spends time with his family and enjoys hiking, swimming, and gardening as well as attending the theatre, a museum or sporting event. Dr. Griffin was previously recognized as one of the Top 40 Physicians Under 40 in the state by the PA Medical Society. When asked what keeps him motivated in his career he stated, “I am passionate about preventative health, immunizations and putting into practice the concept of Value and Quality Based Healthcare.” Daniel K. Grob, MD was educated at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital. He has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates for 23 years. Dr. Grob serves as Medical Director at Concordia at Rebecca Residence in Allison Park and is Board Certified in Family Medicine and a Certified Medical Director
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in Long Term Care. Dr. Grob is married to Carla, and they have three children who keep him busy, but he does find time to hunt and fish, often with one or another of his children joining in the fun. He sought opportunities in high school and college to learn more about medicine and at each step his passion for medicine was confirmed and grew. It was the director at St. Margaret’s Family Practice Residency, Dr. J. Ferrante, which showed him the rewards of long-term relationship caring for entire families across generations. Dr. Grob was recently selected as one of Pittsburgh magazine’s Top Doctors for 2021. Kurt Heil, MD is a Pittsburgh native. He attended high school at North Allegheny where he was part of the Western Pennsylvania championship wrestling team. Outside of school, he was an Eagle Scout and active leader in the Boy Scouts of America. This helped forge his love of the outdoors. He attended the University of Notre Dame, went on to Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and completed medical training at the Fairfax Family Practice residency program of Northern Virginia. He is proud to be part of Northern Area Family Medicine, a division of Genesis Medical Associates for over 20 years. He enjoys practicing family medicine for the great joy it brings him to care for multiple generations, seeing them through good times and bad. Medicine has gone through many tremendous changes lately, but the shift has favored primary care, allowing him to focus on preventive medicine and promote quality healthcare. Dr. Heil is on staff at UPMC Passavant and Allegheny General Hospitals, and Kane-Ross Regional Nursing Home. In 2021, Dr. Heil was named as a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh magazine for Family Medicine. Louis Heyl, MD is a second generation family practice physician at Heyl Family Practice. Beginning his career alongside his father, Dr. Frank Heyl, in 1982, Dr. Lou has spent nearly forty years providing care to local families in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Over the span of his career, Dr. Heyl has held many roles within the medical community including his position as past president of Genesis Medical Associates, Inc. Currently, Dr. Heyl serves as President of Family Medicine at UPMC and is an active member of the Allegheny County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the Pennsylvania Medical Society. In his free time, Dr. Heyl enjoys spending time with his wife (Mary), their two sons (Scott and Brad) and their three beautiful grandchildren. When he’s not working and spending time with his family, Dr. Heyl also enjoys traveling, golfing and fly fishing. Scott Heyl MD is a third-generation family practice physician, following his father and grandfather, at Heyl Family Practice. Dr. Heyl joined the practice in July 2016 following his Family Practice Residency at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. In 2019, Dr. Heyl has achieved some exemplary achievements over the last five years including a designation as a Top Physician Under 40 in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Best Family Physician (Pittsburgh North Region) in the TribLive “Best of the Best” Community Choice Awards for 2021. As a board certified family practice physician, he combines his passion for quality patient care with his focus on furthering effective patient care management. When he is not at the practice, Dr. Scott and his wife (Dr. Rachelle Atrasz) enjoy spending time with their two children..
Alka Kaushik, MD has been actively practicing medicine since 1979. In 1981 she came to the United States and completed an Internal Medicine residency at Lincoln Hospital, N.Y. She then completed a radiology residency at BronxLebanon Medical Center followed by an Anesthesiology residency at Methodist Hospital in N.Y. Upon relocating to Pittsburgh, she decided to specialize in Pain Management, completing a fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital in 1993. Dr. Kaushik provides full service pain management, from medication management up to and including interventional pain procedures. She holds certification from the American Board of Anesthesiology and has been a diplomate recognized by the American Academy of Pain Management. She is also a certified in acupuncture and has been certified in addiction management by the American Board of Addiction Psychiatry. Joseph Kimmell DO is a Family Medicine physician and is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. Dr. Kim mell has been with Genesis Medical Associates since 2007 and currently serves on its board of directors. Dr. Kimmell was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and is married with two children. Osteopathic medicine provides all the benefits of modern medicine including prescription drugs, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose disease and evaluate injury. It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention. DOs are trained to look at the whole person from their first days of medical school, which means they see each person as more than just a collec tion of organ systems and body parts that may become injured or diseased. This holistic approach to patient care means that osteopathic doctors integrate the patient into the health care process as a partner. Christopher G. Koman, MD, CMD, FAAFP has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates since 1998 and is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his Residency in Family Medicine at UPMC Shadyside, is board certified and is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is a certified medical director in long-term care by the American Medical Directors Association and serves as the medical director of Vincentian Home and Vincentian Personal Care. His professional interests are in family medicine, geriatrics and healthcare quality. His practice is a Level III Patient-Centered Medical Home and he was selected as a 2021‘Top Doctor’ in Pittsburgh Magazine. Dr. Koman and his wife have four children and are active in their parish. He also enjoys outdoor activities, volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America and is a private pilot. Matthew Macken, M.D.joined the Heyl Family Practice and Genesis Medical Associates, Inc. in July 2017 after completing his Family Residency at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital. Dr. Macken is a member of the Allegheny County Medical Society, the Western Pennsylvania Geriatric Society, the American Society of Family Physicians and the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians. Additionally, Dr. Macken currently serves as the medical director of Reformed Presbyterian Home. His affiliation with these organizations further reinforces his dedication to patient care at every stage of life. By getting to know the needs and concerns of his patients and their families, he is
able to help them maintain a good quality of life through every stage. Dr. Macken and wife reside with their family in Wexford. Robert H. Potter, Jr. MD, has been taking care of patients and families for over 30 years. He joined his father’s medical practice after completing his training at the UPMC St. Margaret’s Family Medicine residency program. Dr. Potter graduated from Allegheny College and the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. Dr. Potter, a founding physician of Genesis Medical, is also trained in geriatric medicine, certified as a medical director in long term care, and serves as medical director for the Healthcare at Home Hospice and the Kane Nursing Facility. Dr. Potter provides consulting services for the Pirates and is the school physician for the North Allegheny and North Hills school districts. Dr. Potter was awarded the prestigious 2015 Allegheny County Medical Society Nathaniel Bedford Primary Care Award. Tad D. Scheri, MD was educated at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry at the University of Virginia. He completed his residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital. He has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates for 19 years and President of Genesis since 2019. Dr. Scheri serves as the Chair of Primary Care at UPMC Passavant Hospital, serves as the Medical Director at UPMC Cranberry Place, and is a Certified Medical Director in Long Term Care. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Scheri is married to Dedee and they have two children. He enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling and cooking. Karen L. Schogel, MD is a board certified internist who has practiced in the Cranberry area since 1994. She has cared for multiple generations of families over the years and finds this to be the most fulfilling part of her practice. She is currently serving Genesis Medical Associates as Chief Medical Information Officer and is an active member of UPMC Passavant medical leadership as an officer of the Medical Executive Committee. In the community, she serves as Medical Director of Choices Pregnancy Care Center and as a board member of Grace Community Church. She and her husband reside in Cranberry and have recently become grandparents. Donald Shoenthal, MD joined Dr. Louis Heyl at Heyl Family Practice as a family physician in 1990. Dr. Shoenthal holds many accolades, including his most recent designation as a Top Doctor on Castle Connelly’s Top Doctor List for 2021 and being a board-certified director through the American Board of Family Medicine. He is also a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the Allegheny County Medical Society. He currently serves as the medical director of Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community in Cranberry alongside his duties at the family practice. When Dr. Shoenthal is not helping patients, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, especially traveling and skiing. Prashan Thiagarajah, MD is a Boardcertified physician in internal medicine. Dr. Thiagarajah joined Genesis Medical in 2019 after working within the Allegheny Hospital Network for 10 years. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Yale, followed by graduate studies at Columbia University, he received his medical degree from the Ross
University School of Medicine. Dr. Thiagarajah has a strong background in patient education, preventative medicine and continuity of care. He is a strong proponent of patients being engaged with their healthcare. Outside of medicine, Prashan enjoys walking his two dogs, being outdoors, playing squash, home improvement projects and spending time with family and friends.. Nicole Waltrip, MD was educated at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD after graduating as valedictorian at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. She then completed her residency at Magee-Women’s Hospital in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Waltrip is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been practicing gynecology In the Pittsburgh region for the last 21 years. She has a true passion for providing quality patient care and actively involving patients in decision making. Dr. Waltrip is married to Robert Waltrip, MD who practices orthopedic surgery and they have three children in high school and college. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, water skiing, and activities with her family and church. Mark Woodburn, MD solidified his desire to enter medicine when his mother passed away of breast cancer at age 43 (when he was nine). Born and raised in Pittsburgh, he graduated from North Allegheny High School. The first one to go to college in his family, he received a full scholarship to attend Denison University in Ohio, then went on to attend Drexel University College of Medicine. He returned to Pittsburgh and completed family medicine residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s. Board certified in family medicine; he enjoys caring for patients of all ages including geriatrics. He has a special interest in dermatology and sports medicine and injections. He currently lives at home with his wife Kiley (whom has a harder job than he does as a stay-at-home-mom) in Wexford, where his children are in the Pine Richland School District (Izzy - 9, Evvy - 6, Greta - 3). Mark currently is the medical director at both Manor Care North Hills and Arden Courts North Hills. Recently voted as the top medical provider in Wexford by the Cranberry Eagle and recognized previously as one of the Top 40 Physicians Under 40 in the state by the PA Medical Society, he carries his motto “treat every patient as how you would want your own family treated” wherever he goes. William Zillweger, MD, a native of Pittsburgh, specializes in Internal Medicine. He has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates since 2000 and maintains his office on the McCandless campus of UPMC Passavant. He is board-certified as a Diplomate in Internal Medicine by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons and has been appointed to Fellow status by the American College of Physicians. His clinical focus includes comprehensive primary-ambulatory care, gerontology, hypertensive diseases and addiction-recovery medicine. He serves as medical director of the Genesis Medical Laboratory and has recently been named the Medical Director of the St. Barnabas Health System. Dr. Z and staff are dedicated to providing quality, personalized healthcare. Communication, understanding and trust are the basis of his professional relationships. He continues to welcome new patients to the practice. The convenience of participating in Telehealth virtual office visits with Dr. Z and Mary Kate Wray, his physician assistant, is now available.
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H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S
Ahh… Summertime. It’s All About Flowering Plants, Butterflies and Sunshine, Right? Think Again! By Belinda Burchick, RPh, BPharm As the summer heats up and we are outdoors longer, there is a natural rise in bug bites, poisonous plant encounters, scrapes, skin rashes and sun-related conditions. Among the many skin-related risks in the summer, the three most common are tick bites, poison ivy rashes, and blistering sunburn.
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o keep having fun in the sun during the summertime, it’s all about avoidance. Sunburns can be avoided by limiting your exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., since the sun’s rays are at their strongest then. Wear a hat, protective clothing and sunglasses. Also, use sunscreen for skin and lips with SPF 30 or higher. If you get a sunburn, take a cool bath or shower and use a cold compress. Keep skin moist with a soothing cream. Using aloe vera oil or gel several times a day may promote healing. If you experience fever, severe blistering or dehydration, seek medical attention.
Poison ivy can be avoided by identifying the plant and staying away. This three-leafed plant can be found anywhere from wooded areas to your yard. The oil resin, called urushiol, from the poison ivy plant is the cause of the allergic reaction, causing a red, blistering rash in 12 to 48 hours. It is unbearably itchy. If you do come in contact with a poison ivy plant, immediately wash your skin in warm water and use a degreasing product such as detergent dish soap. Even scrub under your fingernails. Wash your clothes in hot water and detergent to remove the oil because this oil has been known to last a year on clothes and shoes. Once you get the itchy rash, it can last about one to two weeks. During this time, you can find comfort with cold compresses, cool water oatmeal bath and using calamine lotion. Hydrocortisone cream may help. Seek medical attention if you get the rash near eyes or lips or if the rash gets infected. Tick bites can be avoided by staying out of high grass or dense brush or by wearing long pants and sleeves. Use EPAregistered insect repellent but read label for safe use and do not use for child under 3 years of age. Spray your clothes and shoes with product containing 0.5% permethrin before going on a hike or walk in wooded or grassy areas. Routinely check for ticks after you have been outdoors. Check your pets too. If you are bitten, follow safe removal of the tick immediately and treat. Apply cold compresses to help prevent swelling. Seek medical attention if you suspect a tick-related illness with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, joint pain or muscle aches. An indication of Lyme disease may present as a bullseye around the bite. Go to CDC.gov (Centers for Disease Control) and do a search on tick bites, poison ivy and sunburn to find additional information on prevention, symptoms and first aid. You can further your search on other skin-related risks. Call 911 or go to emergency room if you have a severe reaction, such as difficulty breathing, or have a known allergy. Summertime is truly filled with beauty, so stop and enjoy those non-poisonous flowering plants, butterflies, and especially, the warmth of the sun. n Belinda Burchick, RPh, BPharm, has focused her career on geriatric pharmacy and automated dispensing systems to promote patient safety and improve health outcomes. For the last 10 years, she has served as Chief Pharmacy Officer (CPO) for a long-term care pharmacy, servicing the geriatric population in nursing homes, assisted living, independent living, and the senior day programs, such as, Pennsylvania’s LIFE programs and the PACE programs in multiple states. Belinda oversees the pharmacy operations in three pharmacies, located in Denver, Philadelphia and headquarters in Pittsburgh.
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Physicians & Specialists Debra Swift, B.C., H.I.S Owner and President (412) 851-6497 | www.SwiftAudiology.com Debra Swift, founder and owner of Swift Audiology, opened her full-service audiology & hearing care practice in 1987. Her mission is to help people who are having hearing difficulties to hear better with the assistance of hearing devices. The practice has four locations – North Hills, Allison Park, South Hills, and Washington, PA. Choice is in the patient’s hands - we help educate our patients on the options by taking into account their needs, lifestyle, budget and hearing profile. Her diverse staff includes Doctors of Audiology and Board-Certified Hearing Instrument Specialists who make it their mission to help those in our community hear better and continue enjoying life. To learn more, visit our website at www.swiftaudiology.com.
Brad Levinson, M.D. Board Certified Colon and Rectal Surgeon (724) 741-6020 I am a Board-Certified Colon and Rectal surgeon. Although trained in New York City in general surgery and at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit in my specialty, I have been practicing only in Pittsburgh and western PA for the last 30 years. Over the years, the experience of contributing to new innovations has and continues to be extremely fulfilling. Some of the procedures I perform can be life-saving, such as a colonoscopy, which is a quick and painless way of preventing colon cancer. Some of the rectal procedures I perform are best done by specialists, like myself, in order to offer patients their best results and full rectal control after surgery. Ultimately, as in all of medicine, my personal interaction with so many patients I have helped is what makes my work a lasting inspiration.
Dr. Shawn Richey Tri-State Neuropathy Center (724) 940-9000 | www.MaryDancedIn.com Is there a more discouraging phrase than, “Nothing can be done for you?” Many of Dr. Shawn Richey’s patients have heard those exact words before when seeking relief from their peripheral neuropathy. Now Dr. Shawn and Tri-State Neuropathy Centers offer a specialized treatment that provides hope to not just manage symptoms, but to heal them as well. “Until I started seeing patients with peripheral neuropathy, I didn’t realize what a devastating, life-stealing condition it is,” said Dr. Shawn. Approximately 30 million Americans suffer from it and experience symptoms of painful cramping, burning and tingling, difficulty walking, numbness and even interruption of sleep. The specialized treatment protocol at Tri-State Neuropathy Centers consists of multiple treatment elements including Infrared Therapy, Photomodulation and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Therapy. Since 2013, Dr. Shawn’s program has had a 90% satisfaction rate, and in addition to the Wexford location, he has opened locations in Monroeville, Washington, Boardman, Ohio, and Weirton, WV. “We are now able to help many more people. Some were unable to travel to Wexford,” said Dr. Shawn. “When you’re helping people get their lives back, it doesn’t seem like work.”
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K I D S & E D U C AT I O N
School Movers & Shakers Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center announced the winners of their virtual Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair (PRSEF) on March 24. The local honorees that were selected to represent the region at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) were: Andrew Ni, PineRichland High School; Zoe Lakkis, Fox Chapel Area High School; Rajan Reddy, Winchester Thurston School; and Arvind Seshan, Fox Chapel Area High School.
Pine-Richland Pine-Richland 8th grader Henry Buka will participate in the Pittsburgh Penguins first Willie O’Ree Academy at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. O’Ree became the NHL’s first Black player in 1958 and worked as an Ambassador for the NHL’s Youth Diversity Program. He was invited to participate in the 2021 USHL Player Development Camp on July 22-25 in Green Bay, Wisc. Henry plays for the PineRichland Middle School Hockey Team 1 and the 14U PHA Icemen.
Mars Area Middle School eighth-graders William Wilson and Reagan Connelly were selected to receive The American Legion Award for the 20202021 School Year. Mars Area High School sophomore Blake Bertolo earned first place in the Isaly’s Tri-State Junior PGA Tournament.
Blake Bertolo
Mars Area Mars Area School District has welcomed Christine Smith as the District’s next Director of Transportation.
Christine Smith
Mars Area Elementary School was selected to receive the inaugural Mars Planet Foundation “Walk Around Mars” trophy. The virtual “Walk Around Mars,” March 29-May 10, raised a total of $36,247.09. Mars Area Centennial School fifthgrader Sage Mahan was named a finalist in the 2021 PBS KIDS Writers Contest.
Sage Mahan
Fox Chapel Fox Chapel Area High School sophomore Elijah Conklin will be part of Team USA in the International Geography Olympiad. The top four students in the country make up Team USA.
Elijah Conklin
Fox Chapel Area High School 2020-2021 junior Patrick Alexander was a quarterfinalist in Student Congress at the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Championship Tournament. This accomplishment places Patrick in the top 20-25% of the students in the nation. Four Fairview Elementary School students placed in the top 10 at the 2021 Children’s Choice Awards “Battle of the Books” competition, sponsored by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the Allegheny County Library Association. Corinne Sample placed first overall, other winners were Maya Vyas, Addison Sacco and Felicity Anderson.
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Aquinas Academy Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh’s middle school students performed three Narnia plays from the works of C.S. Lewis.The eighth grade students performed The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Seventh graders presented Prince Caspian; and the sixth grade students performed The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Mike Flynn directed; senior Benjamin Stalder was the music director. Maria Taglianetti and Brady Buchanan did set design, and Rosemary Meland provided costume design.
A team of Fox Chapel Area High School students was named the grand champion in the eighth annual Governor’s Janise STEM Competition. Kim Janise Kim, Arvind Seshan and Prajval Sreenivas developed a product called CITISYNC, a highly accurate occupancy tracking system that revolutionizes social distancing practices.
Seneca Valley
BC3
Arvind Seshan
Prajval Sreenivas
Seneca Valley juniors Veronica Pimenova and Daniel Spear were recognized by the National Center for Veronica Daniel Women and Information Pimenova Spear Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing. Veronica was selected as a 2021 Central and Western Pennsylvania Affiliate winner and Daniel was chosen as a 2021 Central and Western Pennsylvania Affiliate Honorable Mention recipient.
Butler County Community College student, Hope Miller, 19, of Butler, a biological science major, is one of 10 students nationwide to be chosen by James Madison University in Harrisonburg for its inaugural research experience for undergraduates. Taiwan native Victor Lee earned an associate’s degree during Butler County Community College’s commencement which was held May 19. BC3 awarded 436 associate degrees and 46 certificates or workplace certificates. Eligible sophomores through seniors from any high school this fall can earn affordable, transferrable college credits through remote-instruction courses offered by a Butler County Community College program. BC3’s College Within the High School program will offer five three-credit courses during afternoons and evenings. Visit bc3.edu/cwhs for more information and steps to enroll.
Two Seneca Valley video production students brought home awards from Robert Morris’s Digital Media Arts Consortium (DMAC) video contest. The honorees were Evelyn Vogel and Ethan Bannon.
Shady Side Academy Shady Side Academy has received the largest programmatic gift in its history, an anonymous $2 million donation dedicated to the academic and social support of talented students of promise, whose enrollment at Shady Side presents a uniquely challenging educational or cultural transition.
Saint Joseph High School (Natrona Heights) Principal: Beverly K. Kaniecki (724) 224-5552 www.SaintJosephHS.com
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SSUUPPPPOORRTT OOUURR TTRROOOOPPSS
Julia Parsons By Paula Green
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Photos courtesy of Veterans Breakfast Club and Veteran Voices of Pittsburgh Oral History Initiative (Farkas Collection)
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atriotism is prevalent in July since we commemorate the birthday of our nation. This month, we’ll introduce you to a local woman who did her patriotic duty and served in the Navy during World War II. Julia Parsons of Forest Hills, who turned 100 on March 2, held a vital position. Julia was 21 years old when she graduated from Carnegie Tech. She was searching for a job when she read about the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). She volunteered for this military unit and was sent to the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School at Smith College. “I went unknowing to D.C. and was thrilled to land in a great job,” Julia said. Since Julia took two years of German in high school, she was placed in a sector to decipher enemy codes. Julia ended up earning the rank of LTJG (Lieutenant junior grade). She was assigned to work on one of the first computers called the “Bombe.” Julia’s job was of critical importance. “We had to decode radio traffic messages that were sent from German U-Boats. There were numerous operative messages that were transmitted daily; we used an Enigma machine for the decoding process,” said Julia. Essential operations, such as decoding and trying to stay one step ahead of the Germans, played a pivotal role in helping the Allies win the war. “I loved my job! I liked the uniforms, the work was exciting, and I enjoyed being in Washington. It was such a satisfying time in my life,” Julia said. While Julia was in the service, she met her husband, Donald, who was serving in the Army. Even though he was in the military as well, Julia never discussed her classified information with him or anyone else. “The Enigma was declassified in the 60s. I did not know that until I visited the NSA (National Security Agency) Museum in the late 90s. I saw the Enigma machines on display, and then I told my husband about it,” noted Julia. When the war ended in 1945, Julia found herself out of a top-secret position and right back into the kitchen. She and Donald eventually ended up back in Pittsburgh, where they had three children, Bruce, Margaret, and Barbara. Julia is a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She enjoyed staying in touch with others. Julia is a member of the Veterans Breakfast Club (VBC) of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit dedicated to sharing veteran’s stories. The pandemic did not stop Julia or her fellow members from sharing their stories. VBC had Zoom calls which Julia attended and kept up with the accounts from other veterans. Northern Connection magazine salutes Julia Parsons for her years of naval service during World War II. n
USS Requin Visit
he USS Requin Submarine hosted a visit on May 30 for Memorial Day. It was moored along the Ohio River at Carnegie Science Center. Approximately 40 submarine veterans of USS VI Requin Base hosted a special memorial ceremony aboard the Cold War-era submarine. They tolled a bell once in memory of each submarine on “Eternal Patrol” and cast flower petals on the water so that they would “travel down the rivers of this great nation to the oceans” where fellow submarines are at rest. The Marine Color Guard from Three Rivers Leatherneck Detachment 310 and the VFW Post 9199 Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute. The USS Requin was inducted into the Submarine Hall of Fame on May 21, 2017. The Hall of Fame recognizes post-WWII submarines that made significant contributions to submarine tactics and technology. Requin was nominated for her use as the first Radar Picket submarine and service protecting the East Coast during the Cold War. n
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