Progress 2023: Health

River Valley Regional YMCA services impact community

The River Valley Regional YMCA is more than a place to exercise or swim. It’s also a place for children, families, and seniors to make friends, have fun, and gain an additional support system. The Y offers programs and services that make your local community a better place.

One of these programs is LIVESTRONG at the YMCA which helps local cancer survivors reclaim their health and well-being following a diagnosis.

Participants can improve their strength and physical fitness, alleviate therapy side effects, develop supportive relationships, and improve their quality of life.

Linell Stabler, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA graduate shared, “I was very hesitant at first, but Nikki Fiel, (wellness director), was awesome! My energy level was down when I started and Nikki really pushed me. I could feel myself getting stronger each week. Now I’m stronger than before my diagnosis,” said Stabler. “I tried different things the Y has to offer and still come twice a week.”

The Superstars Program, free to participants, offers opportunities including all-inclusive Drums Alive movement classes that help those with diverse abilities to be active and have fun. It helps participants build friendships, especially those who may have a hard time feeling like they belong.

Ben Sprunger has been a part of Superstars for about 10 years and goes five days a week to classes at the Williamsport and Eastern Lycoming Branch YMCAs.

“I like the free dance part of class the best,” he said.

“I’ve seen Ben grow so much over the years. He’s gained confidence, friendship, and brings so much joy to class,” said Diana Logan, Drums Alive instructor. These programs are made possible through community funding, donations, and grants. For more information visit rvrymca.org.

UPMC

Comprehensive orthopaedic services

available at UPMC

UPMC Orthopaedic Care offers comprehensive treatment for the full spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions at facilities across UPMC in North Central Pa. Advances are made every day helping to improve the patient experience and bring new technology, techniques, and treatments to the region.

Modernization of UPMC Rehabilitation Institute

One of the most noticeable service updates at UPMC in North Central Pa. is the completion of the first phase of a modernization project with the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute at Williamsport.

Seeing over 600 patients annually with an average length of stay of 12 days, the institute, which spans multiple floors at UPMC Williamsport, offer services for patients diagnosed with stroke, burn, fractures, multiple traumas, and other musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions. The newly renovated unit, Four West, opened January 2023 and features 15 private patient rooms with private bathrooms

(See COMPREHENSIVE, Page F4)

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Above, Chris Chiglinsky, left, and Ben Sprunger have become great friends through the Superstars Program at the River Valley Regional YMCA. Above right, Linell Stabler and Jillian Brooks, kneeling, and Christine Boyer, Instructor Brenda Larson, Deb Killheeney and Kristin Caringi celebrate the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program.

Nippenose Valley Village offers 24hour care for seniors and encourages their residents to take part in the community life the village offers.

Comprehensive orthopaedic services available at UPMC

(From Page F2)

and a new state-of-the-art rehabilitation gym. The entire project, which includes an additional 15 private rooms and another rehabilitation gym, is expected to be finished by early 2024. The project ensures the inpatient experience not only includes access to the best providers, the latest technology, and techniques, but also a healing environment.

Robotic Surgery Increases Precision and Improves Patient Outcomes

UPMC is among the world’s largest and most comprehensive centers for robotic surgery and locally, surgeons are using advances in robotic-assisted technology to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes for treatment.

Last fall, UPMC in North Central Pa. added the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution. This robotic system utilizes patient-specific data tailored to a patient’s anatomy alongside optical tracking technology and a robotic arm to increase the surgeon’s level of precision during the procedure as an option for patients requiring knee replacements.

“Using this new technology, we can precisely mimic the patient’s natural knee structure and reduce additional adjustments needed during and post-operation,” said John Bailey, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon. “Combining traditional methods of open surgery with the computer-assisted navigation allows the surgeon to make more accurate cuts and operate within smaller margins of error which improves soft tissue balance and ultimately improves outcomes.”

The technology uses pre-programed data and live tracking through an infrared camera and optical markers on the patient and medical equipment to guide the robotic arm during the procedure.

Total Joint Replacements Available

(See COMPREHENSIVE, Page F6)

Independent Living Apartments at

DAVE KENNEDY/ Sun-Gazette Virla Ocker, admissions and marketing director, and long time resident Dick Young are seen here recently at Nippenose Valley Village.

My situation all began with a stroke, then I was faced with a spinal fusion and eventually experienced another stroke. The therapy department at Valley View has helped me become stronger for my wife and walk longer distances to help with my independence. I think I began to feel stronger last week when it finally “clicked”, and I started doing more things on my own. They have a kitchen that is made to look like a little apartment, this helped me to see if I could be independent at home. At times therapy has been challenging to overcome. Sitting up and getting out of bed has been my biggest challenge and TODAY, I have overcome that challenge. My therapists have been with me every step of the way, they make me feel safe and secure.

I would recommend this facility to anyone who is recovering from a stroke or is struggling with walking. This is a good therapeutic program, designed for me by my therapists. It is not easier or harder than I expected. The nursing, activities, therapy staff are very kind. Each one, in their own way, has helped my recovery process. I thank each and every person who has helped me.

Dr. John Tartera

DAVE KENNEDY/ Sun-Gazette

PHOTOS PROVIDED

The Williamsport Home, 1900 Ravine Road, has served the community’s senior population for over 150 years now, providing housing, programming and rehabilitation.

Williamsport Home continues tradition of care

As Lycoming County’s premier Continuing Care Retirement Community, The Williamsport Home has provided health care services to the surrounding region since 1872. The Home’s tradition of caring is built on an understanding of the dignity and unique needs of every individual.

No matter how long or short the stay, dedicated and caring staff treats everyone like family.

A volunteer Board of Managers has guided the progress of The Home from its humble beginnings

as the Home for the Friendless to the current multifaceted campus. Dedicated and professional staff are committed to providing quality care and services to the residents we serve.

The Williamsport Home campus provides care and services for more than 300 seniors with varying levels of assistance. Independent living apartments provide active seniors with a comfortable, and secure environment.

A nutritious daily noon meal, is prepared by an executive chef and

Comprehensive orthopaedic services available at UPMC

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as Same-Day Procedure

Research shows that people who spend less time in the hospital after surgery have better results than those with longer post-op stays. They also recover faster.

The sooner a patient is home, the sooner they can get back to their normal routine. Same-day hip- or knee-replacement surgery has been a growing trend in the past five years, and it’s a service offered by UPMC surgeons in northcentral Pa.

“Patients who are healthy at baseline with reasonably high level of function and good mobility can be potential candidates,” stated Kyle Hubler, D.O., orthopaedic surgeon. “The outcomes for sameday discharge are every bit as good as they are for traditional surgery — patients who have same-day joint replacement surgery have low readmission rates and complication rates on par with traditional overnight-stay patients.”

As with all hip- and knee-replacement surgeries at UPMC, patients who are same-day discharge surgery candidates receive preoperative education, testing, and consultation with their orthopaedic surgeon. These patients also must complete standardized prehabilitation protocols before surgery and take part in the same amount of physical therapy and rehabilitation after surgery as other patients.

Experts at UPMC work with each patient to decide the right pathway for care tailored to their individual needs. The team is alongside the patient throughout the entire process, from first first consult all the way through rehab and follow-up care. The Best Care Close to Home

UPMC’s orthopaedic physicians, therapists, advance practice professionals, and support staff guide patients through diagnosis, surgery, rehabilitation, and aftercare.

dietary team. Each apartment building offers secure entrances, a store to purchase food and personal items, free washing machines and dryers, a library and lounges for visitation and fellowship. Coordinated wellness services are provided at no additional cost, and an outpatient therapy clinic is available in the apartments if needed.

Public bus service is available five times a day, Monday through Saturday.

Specialty services available in the region include physical medicine and rehabilitation, hand therapy, foot and ankle, podiatry, robotic surgery, same-day joint replacements, orthopaedic trauma, and sports medicine.

This unified system allows patients to receive complete care, from start to finish close to home. To learn more about UPMC Orthopaedic Care services offered in northcentral Pa., visit UPMC.com/OrthoNCPA.

“SERVING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ALL OF PENNSYLVANIA”

Valley View Rehab and Nursing Center is a fourstar facility — literally.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded Valley View Rehab and Nursing Center a four-star rating for its excellent quality, staffing and Department of Health Surveys. The facility, at 2140 Warrensville Road, Montoursville, is particularly proud of its rehabilitation services.

“We recognize that rehabilitation is an important part of an effective, caring nursing center,” the center’s website says. “Russell Rehab has an expansive gym with a mock home setting featuring a kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom, private treatment rooms, private conference room and private speech therapy room. Therapy services are available seven days per week.”

Valley View Rehab and Nursing Center offers physical, occupational and speech therapy among its many rehabilitative programs. The facility also offers restorative nursing and a shortterm rehab wing, Russell Rehab. The memory care unit, Sunrise Terrace, is a special place for those who have dementia and/ or Alzheimer’s.

Valley View Rehab and Nursing Center subscribes to the person-centered care model of living, which emphasizes a community-based, intergenerational, personal approach. Valley View Rehab and Nursing Center offers a variety of activities for its residents, including shopping trips, fishing trips, fall foliage rides, rides to see Christmas lights, trips to Little League Baseball and the Williamsport Crosscutters and more.

James A. Esposito, Jr. Proprietor/Owner

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Shown above are the Valentine’s Day King and Queen at Valley View Rehab & Nursing Center, Edith and Estro Volpe. Below, Dr. John Tartera engages in therapeutic exercises with a staff member at Valley View. After two strokes and a spinal fusion, Tartera turned to Valley View to regain his strength and hold onto his independence.

facility Large Tree Removal Stump Grinding Bucket Trucks Storm Damage Pruning Shearing • Member Better Business Bureau Serving the area for 40 Years! PA068758

Federation Valley View Rehab and Nursing Center is a not-for-profit, stand-alone Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Sunday, March 19, 2023 F7 Health 24 Hour Emergency Work • Free Estimates • Fully Insured 24 Hour Emergency Work Free Estimates Fully Insured

governed by a Board of Directors. This facility is not corporately owned.

VALLEY VIEW REHAB AND NURSING CENTER

Programs, services help seniors stay active, independent