‘Day Of Dance’ on Saturday

STROUDSBURG – Pocono Medical Center will host the second annual “Day of Dance,” an event that invites the entire community to celebrate their health and learn how to prevent cardiovascular disease. This is a free event that combines the fun of dancing to different genres with health screenings and education on heart disease for the entire family.

“Day of Dance” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Sherman Theater , 524 Main Street, Stroudsburg.

Activities will include interactive performances by Reach of the Stars Dance Studio, Pocono Conservatory for the Arts, McElligott School of Irish Dance, Pocono Dance Center, School of Visual and Performing Arts, FuSia Dance Company, Wellspring Holistic Center, Pocono Tango, PA Dance Network, NE Ballet Ensemble, and Dance Charisma. Pocono Medical Center staff will be providing blood pressure checks, BMI, and a cardiac risk assessment. Finally, for anyone interested in participating in the free screening, you will have a chance to win a prize.

Call (570) 476-3767 for more information.

Nursing Scholarships Available

EAST STROUDSBURG – The Pocono Health Foundation announces the offering of various healthcare-related scholarships.  The scholarships are awarded to students who exemplify academic excellence, compassion, and a desire for improving the quality of life in our community.

• R. Dale Hughes established the first scholarship in 1991, and it was named the R. Dale Hughes Nursing Scholarship Endowment.  This scholarship provides $4,000 to a student entering their final year of their nursing program.

• The Cramer Family established The Jennie Cramer Nursing Scholarship in 1992 to help recruit outstanding nursing students to Pocono Medical Center.  This scholarship provides $1,500 to a nursing student entering their final year of their nursing program.

• The final nursing scholarship is The Robert A. Gordon Memorial Nursing Scholarship, created by the Pocono Medical Center Board of Directors in 1991 in recognition of Mr. Gordon’s outstanding service as a Board member.  This scholarship provides $1,000 to a nursing student entering their final year of their nursing program.

In addition to the nursing scholarships, there is also a scholarship designed for future healthcare professionals who are currently Monroe County High School seniors accepted in a college or university program.  This $1,000 scholarship is made possible through the Dr. Elmo Lilli Memorial Healthcare Scholarship.  Dr. Lilli began serving as a family and geriatric physician in 1959 and also served as Chief of the Medical Staff at Pocono Medical Center from 1978 to 1980.

In conjunction with these four scholarships, the Pocono Health Foundation invites community organizations to apply for a grant through the Dr. Alberta Finch Children’s Health Endowment or the Dr. Claus G. Jordan Endowment Fund.  Anyone interested in learning more about these grant and scholarship opportunities is encouraged to visit the Pocono Health Foundation website at www.poconohealthfoundation.org.  The applications for all of the scholarships will be accepted through March 31, 2010.

Pocono Medical Center Ranks High

EAST STROUDSBURG – HealthGrades, an independent healthcare ratings organization that analyzes patient outcomes at each of the nation’s 5,000 non-federal hospitals, this week announced that Pocono Medical Center is being recognized as among the top 5 percent in the nation for outstanding clinical performance.  In addition to the Distinguished Hospital Award, HealthGrades will also recognize Pocono Medical Center with the HealthGrades Excellence Awards for its Cardiac, Surgery, Stroke, Prostatectomy, Gastroenterology and Critical Care services.

This is the eighth year that HealthGrades has independently analyzed the clinical quality performance of all non-federal hospitals across the country in 26 procedures and diagnoses.  In the study, the company reviewed approximately 40 million hospitalization records from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.  All hospitals that participate in the Medicare program were part of the independent study. Hospitals that receive the HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence are those hospitals that rank in the top 5 percent when all 26 individual scores are aggregated into an overall score.

New Cancer Center In Design

EAST STROUDSBURG – EwingCole, a Philadelphia-based architecture, engineering and interior design firms, is designing a new, 59,000 square foot Cancer Center for Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg.

“This project further enables Pocono Medical Center’s cancer program to become recognized as the regional leader in oncology care,” said Andy Jarvis, EwingCole’s Healthcare Practice Leader, “just as Pocono Medical Center is renowned for its cardiovascular care.”

The new two-story facility consolidates and expands the services currently offered at the Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center including hematology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, oncology surgeons, and all ancillary support services.

“We are designing this building to be a welcoming, tranquil place,” said Saul Jabbawy, EwingCole’s lead healthcare designer. “It is a healing environment that reflects Pocono Medical Center’s commitment to human-centered care.”

EwingCole has special expertise in the design of cancer care centers, and has completed projects at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, AtlantiCare Cancer Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Greenfield Cancer Center, Loma Linda University Medical Center, North Shore – LIJ Health System, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, among others.

Pocono Medical Center Lifts Visitor Restrictions

EAST STROUDSBURG – Due to reported decreases in influenza cases, Pocono Medical Center (PMC) has lifted its temporary visitor restrictions policy, which was established in response to the region’s surge in influenza-like illnesses last October.  Healthy individuals, including those under the age of 18, may now visit patients in the hospital.  However, PMC strongly encourages anyone with flu-like symptoms to refrain from visiting patients.

In addition, restrictions placed yearly on visitors to the mother/baby and pediatric units still remain in effect due to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) season.  This policy restricts children under the age of two from visiting the mother/baby and pediatric units at PMC from November through April.  Dr. Susheer Gandotra, Director of Infectious Diseases at PMC, explains that while the visitor restriction policy has been lifted, it is still important for all visitors to take steps to protect themselves.  “I would strongly encourage anyone in our community who falls into one of the high-risk groups to get the H1N1 vaccine and everyone to get a seasonal flu shot as medically appropriate,” he states.

Although the visitation policy has been lifted, we would like to remind everyone to take the following steps to protect themselves against influenza:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
• If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and have to go out in public, please consider wearing a facemask to protect others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 30 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Visitors entering PMC can still expect to see boxes of facemasks and hand sanitizer, which are for public use.  For further information, PMC encourages you to visit www.h1n1inpa.com or www.flu.gov.

Leadership Pocono Program Continues

Television News Host George Roberts interviewed Pocono Medical Center CEO Kathleen Kuck as part of the most recent Leadership Pocono program.

STROUDSBURG - Local leadership program participants learn insights into successful public speaking skills from key community leaders and then saw public speaking in action by a historic presentation of Monroe County and the city of Stroudsburg.

The 2009-2010 class of Leadership Pocono just completed their fourth session of a ten session Leadership Program which was hosted by Kathleen E. Kuch, President & CEO of Pocono Medical Center, George Roberts of George Roberts Production, Amy Leiser of Monroe County Historical Association, and Phyllis H. Gibson.

This month’s curriculum was focused on Media and Public Speaking.  Kuch and Roberts lead a mock ‘hardball press conference’ which prepared participants for dealing with media in press conferences, live interviews and similar public communication forums.   Gibson presented Public Speaking skills and Leiser covered the historical aspect of Monroe County and presented information about previous leaders who developed the Monroe County area.

“The Leadership Pocono Program is designed to help participants develop the skills and abilities to develop professionally as well as move into future community leadership roles.” says Victoria Mavis, LP Coordinator.  The class is part of an annual program that meets monthly from September through June.

“This month’s curriculum was extremely beneficial to the class as the participants not only learned critical insights to deal with the media, but also were given the chance to hone their skills by giving speeches in front of a group of other professionals.”

Summarized by one of the presenters, “As a leader, you have to be ready to deal with whatever public concern comes your way.  The key is to determine ahead of time what information will benefit your message and to make sure that message gets told.”

Leadership Pocono, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, was established in 1997.  More than 165 community members have completed the program.

Local Swine Flu Vaccine Clinic Set

EAST STROUDSBURG - Pocono Medical Center staff will administer the H1N1 vaccine to individuals who fall into the following groups:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

Where: Mountain Healthcare Center, 100 Community Drive, Tobyhanna.

When: December 19, 2009 and December 20 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Additional Information: Individuals who fall into the high-risk categories that are interested in receiving the H1N1 vaccine must make an appointment by calling (570) 422-8281 on Friday, December 18 from 8:30 am to noon.  We would like to remind you that you must make an appointment by speaking with one of our staff members and urge you to not leave a message on the voicemail.  Please know that we are expecting a high number of calls and would appreciate your patience and understanding.  All individuals will be required to complete an H1N1 Consent Form (child and adult) and a Vaccine Record Form for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Pocono Medical Center Tree-Lighting Dec. 1

EAST STROUDSBURG – Pocono Medical Center and the Rotary Club of the Smithfields are partnering to brighten the holiday season with the 18^th annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1 outside the D Wing entrance of Pocono Medical Center.  This year’s celebration will feature caroling by area schools students, ornaments decorated by area Girl Scouts, food and refreshments, grant presentations to local children-focused United Way community agencies, and of course, an opportunity to take a photo with Santa Claus.

The Pocono Health Foundation will award $7,000 in grants to six different United Way agencies that provide programs for children in our community.  The Foundation’s Grant Committee selected this year’s recipients based on need, determined by a formal grant submission and review process.  Last year’s recipients include the American Red Cross of Monroe County, The Follow Me Foundation, Pocono Services for Families and Children, and Equi-librium.  Sue Reynolds, director of The Follow Me Foundation comments, “We have been very fortunate to receive very generous grants for the past few years and these grants have truly been a blessing as we work to address the growing concern of childhood obesity.  We are very grateful as are the children we serve.”

Grant funds are raised by the Pocono Health Foundation and the Rotary Club of the Smithfields through the sale of red, white, and green bulbs purchased in honor or in memory of a loved one.  The bulbs can be purchased by calling the Pocono Health Foundation at (570) 476-3530.

Iraq War Veteran Receives Facial Reconstructive Surgery By Dr. Charles K. Herman

Charles K. Herman, M.D. F.A.C.S., Medical Director of Plastic Surgery successfully performed reconstructive surgery on a 45-year-old male Iraq war veteran who sustained disfiguring injuries to his face and nose.  Tim Juliano was flown from Tonawanda, New York to Pocono Medical Center and was referred to Dr. Herman by the Iraq Star Foundation in California.  The entire sequence of the consultation, surgery, and recovery was filmed by American Chopper for the cable reality television series Orange County Choppers.

The star of the show, Paul Teutul, Sr., actress Kristy Swanson, and the entire television production crew spent two days with Dr. Herman and Mr. Juliano, attending the office visits and observing the entire operation.  During the surgery, Dr. Herman revised an extensive scar along Tim’s cheek and implanted an Alloderm dermal skin graft to augment his depressed left cheek.  He also removed several plates and screws from the forehead, nose, and cheeks that were loose and causing pain.  Dr. Herman also used a special chisel, or osteotome, to cut the nasal and cheek bones and then had to reset them in the correct orientation with plates and screws.  Finally, he revised the scar on the patient’s nose.

Dr. Herman is pleased with the results of the surgery.  “The surgery achieved all of our immediate goals and I am confident that the result will provide significant benefit to the patient in terms of not only his physical health but also his emotional and psychological well-being, as these injuries were stark reminders of his wartime experience.”  Dr. Herman stated.  The television episode will air on national cable television during the month of November 2009.

The surgery was made possible by charitable support from the Iraq Star Foundation in California, Pocono Medical Center, and the North American Partners in Anesthesia.  American Chopper has donated a $40,000 custom motorcycle to the foundation to be auctioned at their October gala to raise funds for this cause.  Dr. Herman and Pocono Medical Center joined with Iraq Star Foundation in 2007 to provide charitable care to soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pocono Medical Center Care Lacking When Pike Man Slices Fingers

James LoBianco

By Susan Koomar

EAST STROUDSBURG – A Pike County man in urgent need of plastic surgery wasn’t looking for a nose job or a tummy tuck.

James LoBianco of Birchwood Lakes was working with a table saw when he sliced three fingertips on his left hand – through tendons and down to the bone – in May. He sought treatment in Pocono Medical Center’s emergency room, but the plastic surgeon on call, Dr. Bastidas, did not respond to two pages. In fact, he was in surgery at another hospital, according to a letter to LoBianco from Dr. Howard Z. Davis, PMC’s senior vice president of medical affairs.

PMC officials say LoBianco’s experience was an unfortunate but isolated incident. They said they will monitor the response time of specialists to see if patient care can be improved.

LoBianco wrote to hospital officials on May 27 asking them to find out why Bastidas did not respond. The patient’s plastic surgery was delayed a week, risking infection and other complications in his damaged hand.

“I hope you will look into this matter so future patients will not be treated in the same manner,” he wrote.

Davis responded two months later in a letter dated July 30, writing that it wasn’t until then that all of the physicians involved and the department chairman could be convened to review the case. Dr. Bastidas was paged at 4:53 p.m. and again within an hour. He told PMC officials that his answering service has no record of receiving the pages nor did he receive any messages on his cell phone.

“Dr. Bastidas usually responds promptly to calls from the emergency department. It appears that you were the victim of an unusual breakdown of communication,” wrote Davis.

LoBianco said that beyond the delay in surgery, the ER staff “did an excellent job.” But he estimates that he waited five to six hours for the surgeon who was on call.

LoBianco was referred to Dr. Charles Herman, a highly-regarded plastic surgeon with offices in both East Stroudsburg and New York City. Herman met with the patient two days after the table saw accident and performed surgery the following Friday. But LoBianco had to drive to East Stroudsburg twice in the meantime for blood work, X-rays and a medical release from his family doctor.

“It was a very traumatic week for me,” he said.

About 14 weeks after his accident, LoBianco’s fingertips are wrapped in Band-Aids as they continue to heal. He won’t be able to bend his fingers at the first joint, but otherwise he has full use of his hand.