Vol. 10
2013
Issue 1
January 2013
A New Era for Surgery
at Jefferson Regional
A year ago, Jefferson Regional Medical Center officials were putting the
final touches on a $17.5 million construction and renovation project to bring
expanded and modernized surgical facilities to the residents of Pittsburgh’s
South Hills. Chong Park, MD, chairperson, department of surgery, said the
new state-of-the-art facility was being built “with the future in mind.”
As 2013 begins, at Jefferson Regional, the future is now. The strategic partnership
with Highmark is heralding a new era of confidence in the future of the Medical
Center. As part of Highmark’s integrated delivery system in the southern service
region, Jefferson Regional Medical Center will be able to offer our patients new
and expanded services.
Charles Cline, MD, a Jefferson Regional general surgeon affiliated with Jefferson
Hills Surgical Specialists, said major growth continues in the areas of minimally
invasive and outpatient procedures. “We are doing more advanced laparoscopic
procedures on a daily basis in the areas of lower esophageal and gastric surgeries
as well as emergency surgeries,” Dr. Cline said.
Jefferson Regional will continue to offer patients advanced technology,
compassionate care and a convenient location. “The patients in our area who
choose Jefferson for their health care needs love the fact that they get to see their
own doctors in a very accessible setting that is convenient and easy for them
and their families when circumstances arise,” he said.
Ready for a New You?
Hope Can Help.
If you’ve struggled to lose the excess weight that has your doctor
concerned and your loved ones worried, this could be the year for
a new path to a healthier, happier you: bariatric surgery.
Hope Bariatrics, which brought its Centers of Excellence bariatrics
program to Jefferson Regional in 2011, has helped more than 60
patients on their way to a more active and fulfilling way of life.
Under the direction of Michael Felix, MD; Geoffrey Wilcox, MD;
and Tunc Aksehirli, MD, Jefferson Regional has established a new
Bariatric Care Center on the hospital’s fourth floor. This updated unit
combines state-of-the-art safety features and comfortable, spacious
private rooms.
One patient with a new outlook on life following her bariatric surgery
with Dr. Felix is Lisa English, an office manager for McCormick
Medical Associates in Brentwood.
In March 2011, I attended Hope Bariatrics’ weight loss
seminar at Jefferson Regional. Little did I know that this
would be the step that would change the rest of my life.”
A year after her surgery, Lisa has lost 130 pounds, and is feeling great.
The knowledge and support she found with Dr. Felix and the bariatrics
staff has been critical to her success, she said. “For me, gastric bypass
was the answer. But now, I know
that a healthy diet and living an
active lifestyle are still the keys
to weight loss success in the
long run.”
Monthly seminars with Hope
Bariatrics surgeons are offered
to answer questions about weight
loss surgery. Seminars are held
in the Bibro Pavilion at Jefferson
Regional Medical Center.
Check the calendar of events on the reverse side or visit our website
at jeffersonregional.com for dates and times, or call 412-741-8862 to
register for a seminar, or for more information.
Surgical Services for Patients
with Spine Disorders Expands
In the New Year, Jefferson
Regional Medical Center is
enhancing its existing team
of specialists who focus on
providing treatment for spinal
injuries, spinal diseases and
back pain in partnership
with neurosurgeons from
West Penn Allegheny Health
System Neuroscience
Institute: Parviz Baghai, MD;
Nestor D. Tomycz, MD, and
Khaled Aziz, MD. Residents
of Pittsburgh’s South Hills and surrounding communities Nestor D. Tomycz, MD
will now have expanded
access close to home to the latest techniques and advanced
technology for a full range of surgical treatment and procedures
related to the spinal cord and peripheral nervous systems.
In addition to orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons already
performing spine surgeries at Jefferson Regional, including
Eric Chamberlin, MD, and Alexander Kandabarow, MD, Dr. Tomycz
and his associates will be on-site for consultations and
appointments with an office located in the South Hills Medical
Building, Jefferson Hills. Spinal surgeries are performed by
both orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons.
Typical spine patients often experience chronic back pain due to
degenerative disc disease or arthritis. Medication and physical therapy
may be prescribed to relieve the pain, but when pain becomes severe
and is unrelieved, or if a patient experiences weakness in the arm
or leg, surgery is a viable option. — Dr. Tomycz
Jefferson Regional has a dedicated Spine Unit where our
patients are cared for by a team of experts, including experienced
physicians, therapists and nurses.
For more information on whether neurosurgery is right for
you, please call 412-469-5000.
Jefferson Regional Physician Referral will help you choose from 400 physicians in 40 specialties and 100 primary care physicians. Call 412-469-7000.
Surgery Center Coming to Bethel Park
Plans are underway for a 35,000-square-foot addition that will
accommodate new and expanded services – including a surgery
center and office space for physicians – at Jefferson Regional
Bethel Park Campus, 1000 Higbee Drive, Bethel Park.
Al Ragan, vice president, diagnostic services and business
development, said that Pittsburgh-based Astorino has been
selected as architect for the major expansion project to bring
additional services for residents in Bethel Park, South Park and
neighboring communities. The expansion is being made possible
as a result of Jefferson Regional’s partnership with Highmark as
part of its southern strategy.
STROKE AND HEART TEAMS SHINE WITH
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION AWARDS
“Our medical staff and employees are committed to achieving excellence
in patient care. The results of these and other recent awards reaffirm that
commitment and dedication to the families we serve,” said John Dempster,
President and CEO, Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
Get With The Guidelines is a quality improvement initiative of the American
Heart Association/American Stroke Association that provides tools to improve
outcomes, prevent future hospitalizations and prolong lives of patients.
Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus
Quality Achievement Award for 85 percent or
higher adherence to all Quality Achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month intervals
and 75 percent or higher compliance with five of
eight Stroke Quality Measures to improve quality of
patient care and outcomes. Additionally recognized
on Target: Stroke Honor Roll for at least 50 percent
compliance of eligible ischemic stroke patients
receiving tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA,
within one hour of arriving at the hospital.
Bethel Park Campus already has a variety of patient care services,
offering residents a choice for quick and reliable diagnostic imaging,
cardiac testing, women’s services, orthopedic care, laboratory and
other specialty services, including virtual colonoscopy. Other services
at Bethel Park include physical and aquatic therapy, hand and
upper extremity therapy, occupational therapy, wound care and
hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Get With The Guidelines® Heart Failure Silver Plus
Quality Achievement Award for accomplishing at
least 12 consecutive months of 85 percent or higher
adherence to all Quality Achievement indicators and
at least 12 consecutive months of 75 percent or higher
compliance with four of nine Heart Failure Quality
Measures.
The awards validate Jefferson Regional’s commitment to implementing
standards of care that exceed the minimum requirements for recognition
according to evidence-based guidelines and recommendations.
Community Education And Events
Health And Wellness Classes
HIGHMARK PREVENTIVE HEALTH PROGRAMS
Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease:
Year-long program combining stress management, exercise, group
support and nutrition to slow or reverse the progression of coronary
artery disease. New session begins Jan. 15, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the
Squirrel Hill location. To register, call 1-888-676-4744.
*Eat Well for Life I: Four-week program designed to promote
wellness and long-term weight management through good nutrition,
exercise and stress management. Starts Jan. 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m.,
Cardiac Rehab, Jefferson Hills.
*Eat Well for Life II: Four-week program designed to pro-
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jeffersonregional.com/events
Alleviating Depression and Anxiety, Jan. 14
Psychological Methods for Weight Management and
Smoking Cessation, Feb. 11
Free seminars from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with Joseph
Cvitkovic, PhD, director, Behavioral Health. To register, call
412-469-7100.
• COUNSELING CENTER
Caste Village Mall, Suite M123, Whitehall
Nutritional Counseling: Individualized nutritional counseling
by appointment with a registered dietitian, including Highmark’s
Personal Nutrition Coaching. Locations include Jefferson Regional
Medical Center, Jefferson Regional Wellness Center and
Brentwood Professional Plaza. Call 412-469-5935 to register.
Diabetes Education: Take Control of your Diabetes,
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Events
Weight Loss Surgery Seminar: Learn how weight loss
surgery can help achieve significant, long-term weight loss and
improvement in health. Jan. 14 or Feb. 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m.,
Bibro Pavilion. Call Hope Bariatrics at 412-741-8862 to register.
• JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
565 Coal Valley Road, Jefferson Hills
Community Blood Drive: Co-sponsored by Central Blood
Bank and Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Jan. 4, noon to
6 p.m., Jefferson Room, Bibro Pavilion. All registered donors
on Jan. 4 will receive 2 Carmike movie tickets. Call 412-469-5933
to schedule an appointment, or visit www.centralbloodbank.org
and enter sponsor code W0200002. Also on Jan. 29, noon to
6 p.m., Bethel Park Campus. Each time you donate, you earn
points that can be redeemed for gift cards and merchandise.
To schedule an appointment, call 412-209-7622 or go to centralbloodbank.org and use sponsor code W370.
mote wellness and long-term weight management through
good nutrition,exercise and stress management. Prerequisite:
completion of Eat Well for Life I. Starts Feb. 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m.,
Cardiac Rehab, Jefferson Hills.
Four-part series with a diabetes educator. Physician referral and
registration required. There is a fee to attend. Check with your
insurance provider regarding coverage. Call 412-469-5400.
*Daily Steps to Less Stress: New 6-week program designed
Brentwood Professional Plaza: Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30, 5:30 to
7:30 p.m.; also, Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Curry Hollow Outpatient Center: Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29,
10 a.m. to noon.
• JEFFERSON REGIONAL BETHEL PARK CAMPUS
1000 Higbee Drive, Bethel Park
to identify and reduce personal stress through practical relaxation
techniques and innovative stress management strategies. Starts
Jan. 15, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cardiac Rehab, Jefferson Hills.
*The Spectrum: Six-week group-based program offers a per-
sonalized approach to a healthy way of eating, managing stress,
exercising and being socially connected, based on the research of
Dr. Dean Ornish; starts Jan. 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Squirrel Hill.
Another session starts Jan. 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Cardiac
Rehab, Jefferson Hills.
*Drop 10 in 10: 10-week weight management program designed
to help participants lose 10 pounds or 10 percent of their body
weight through intensive program of good nutrition, exercise and
behavior change. Starts Jan. 17, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bibro Pavilion,
2nd floor, Jefferson Hills.
• JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
565 Coal Valley Road, Jefferson Hills
• JEFFERSON REGIONAL WELLNESS CENTER
ROUTE 51 (K-Mart Plaza)
712 Clairton Boulevard, Pleasant Hills
• THE WALNUT PLACE AT SUMMERSET
4584 Browns Hill Road, Squirrel Hill
*Call 412-469-7100 to register.
Free for Highmark insurance members; costs range
from $80 to $115 for non-Highmark members.
Health for Her: Will You Live to be 100 Years Old? Shari
Rozen, MD speaks about how your lifespan is affected by heredity
and lifestyle. Jan. 15, 5 to 7 p.m. Seating is limited. Bibro Pavilion,
2nd floor, Jefferson Hills. To register, call 412-469-7100.
Health for Her: Listen to your Heart, Mitsuko Takahashi, DO,
MPH, warning signs women shouldn’t ignore and the tender loving
care you need to care for your heart. Feb. 25, 5 to 7 p.m. Seating
is limited. Bibro Pavilion, 2nd floor, Jefferson Hills. To register,
call 412-469-7100.
Look Good…Feel Better: Free workshop facilitated by
trained cosmetologists who teach women with cancer how to
understand and care for the changes in skin and hair that may
occur during treatments. Co-sponsored by Jefferson Regional
Medical Center and the American Cancer Society. Classes held
every other month in the Bibro Pavilion. The next class is in
January; call for details and to register. Pre-registration required;
call 1-800-227-2345.
• JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
565 Coal Valley Road, Jefferson Hills
565 Coal Valley Road, Jefferson Hills
Jefferson Regional Medical Center: Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 6
to 8 p.m., Bibro Pavilion
General Interest
Jefferson Regional Wellness Center: Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1 to
3 p.m.; also Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, 1 to 3 p.m. • BRENTWOOD PROFESSIONAL PLAZA
3720 Brownsville Road, Brentwood
• CURRY HOLLOW OUTPATIENT CENTER
140 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills
• JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
565 Coal Valley Road, Jefferson Hills
• JEFFERSON REGIONAL WELLNESS CENTER
ROUTE 51 (K-Mart Plaza)
712 Clairton Boulevard, Pleasant Hills
Support Groups
Bariatrics Support Group: Co-sponsored by Jefferson
Regional and Hope Bariatrics, this group teaches pre- and postoperative Hope Bariatrics patients about topics relevant to weight
loss surgery. Patients share their successes and challenges. The
group meets the 4th Monday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
in the Bibro Pavilion. Sessions are scheduled Jan. 28 and Feb.
25. No registration is required.
Cancer Support Group: Co-sponsored by Jefferson
Regional Medical Center and Cancer Caring Center, this group
helps patients and their families cope with a cancer diagnosis.
Meetings are 7 to 8:30 p.m. the 2nd Tuesday of each month,
in the J Café, 2nd floor. Call 412-622-1212 to register.
Kidney Support Group: Co-sponsored by Jefferson Regional
Medical Center and Western PA Kidney Support Groups, a
monthly support group for patients with kidney disease and their
families meets the second Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to noon.
Bibro Pavilion. New participants should call 724-292-9318 or
email [email protected] to confirm meeting date and time.
AARP Driver Safety: Seniors can brush up on their driving
skills and possibly qualify for a discount on insurance rates by
completing the AARP driver safety program, for those who have
attended a beginners course within 3 years; one-day course.
Feb. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: $12, AARP members; $14, nonmembers. To register, call 412-469-7099.
Senior Services Tax Aide: AARP Foundation program provided in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. Trained
volunteer will counsel and prepare federal and state tax returns
for low to moderate income seniors ages 60 and older. There
is no charge for tax preparation services, and returns are filed
electronically. Call Senior Services at 412-469-7099 beginning
Jan. 15 to schedule an appointment.
• JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
565 Coal Valley Road, Jefferson Hills
Save the Date: April 20
APRIL 2013
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Jefferson Regional 3rd annual Boston Trail
Half-Marathon and 5K Run/Walk.
Boston Trail Head, Elizabeth Township
Details to come at jeffersonregional.com.
Coming Soon . . .
survivors and their caregivers, for socialization, education and
exercise, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, 3-East Patient Lounge.
Call 412-469-5868 for details or to register.
Your Health Matters is getting a spring makeover! In an
effort to keep you connected to the latest developments
from Jefferson Regional, we are redesigning our community
newsletter. The new format will feature:
• Details about our latest programs and services.
• Wellness tips to keep you and your family in the best of health.
• Feature articles about your neighbors whose lives
improved with help from our healthcare providers.
• JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
565 Coal Valley Road, Jefferson Hills
Our new publication will be mailed directly to you on a quarterly basis. Visit jeffersonregional.com soon to learn more.
Stroke Survivor Support Group: Meetings open to stroke