Construction at Elk Regional Continues

We are pleased to announce that our construction project remains on-time and on-budget!

On our new floor, construction workers are fireproofing the inside and will soon be framing out the walls. Exterior brickwork on the new floor is nearly complete. One floor below the new construction, workers are putting up walls in the new Maternity Unit. Fixtures are arriving on a regular basis. We are on schedule to open the new Maternity Unit this summer!

We took advantage of this beautiful weather and got some pictures of the exterior of the hospital. To see them, visit us on Facebook and click through our photo album! Keep checking back -- we hope to be able to share  pictures of the inside of the new Maternity Unit very soon!

Elk Regional Announces 110th Anniversary Art Contest

This year, Elk Regional Health System is celebrating 110 years of service to the residents of Elk and Cameron counties and the surrounding region. As part of the Health System’s year-long anniversary celebration, student artists from each of the area high schools have been invited to participate in Elk Regional’s 110th Anniversary Art Contest.

Entries must represent the importance of health care in our region or illustrate some portion of the history of Elk Regional Health System. Entries must be photographs, paintings, drawings, or sculptures.

Works of art must be original works created by the student and may not contain any copyrighted, registered, or trademarked material. In addition, entries may not contain or allude to nudity.

In order for their entry to be accepted into the contest, artists must also write a statement of originality of no more than 200 words in length describing the inspiration for the piece.

The deadline for students to submit their entries to high school art teachers is Thursday, March 29. Entries will be picked up from the schools on Friday, March 30.

One winner from each participating high school will be selected by a panel of judges whose members will be named at a later date. 

All entries will be featured in an Art Gallery Open House that will be held at Elk Regional Health Center in May. In addition, each winner will receive a $100 prize.

Photographs of the winning entries will be published in the July 2012 edition of Elk Regional’s community newsletter, “We Are Elk Regional,” which is sent to 22,000 households throughout the region. Winning entries will also be featured on the Health System’s social media profiles, including its Facebook page, its Twitter profile, and its official blog.

“Students often surprise everyone with their creativity and unique way of looking at things,” said Charlotte Floravit, the Public Relations Director at Elk Regional. “We look forward to seeing how the students represent Elk Regional’s rich history.”

Come to Work and Make A Difference

Are you, or is someone you know, looking for a new job? Our employees make a positive difference in the lives of our patients, every single day. We have openings in a variety of departments for qualified individuals. Check out our online list of current job openings to see if one is right for you! You can apply and submit your resume and a cover letter online as well.

Just One Week Left ...

If you want a chance to win one of six $20 Sheetz gas cards, you've only got a week to enter!

All you have to do is take a quick survey to tell us how we can improve upon the free, public educational seminars that we hold regularly throughout the year. Public education is a very important part of what we do. It's our goal to provide information that is accurate, timely, useful and presented in a location and at a time that is most convenient for people. This survey will help us do that.

Click here to take the survey and enter yourself in the gas card drawing:

Elk Regional’s Ultrasound Department Earns ACR Re-Accreditation

Elk Regional Health Center has been awarded accreditation renewal in ultrasound as the result of an extensive review by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

Ultrasound imaging, also known as sonography, uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of internal body parts to help providers diagnose illness, injury, or other medical problems.

The accreditation renewal is good for a three-year period.

“We have a very dedicated team of individuals who focus on our patients and strive to provide the best possible care they can,” said Lisa Housler, Elk Regional’s Ancillary Services Director. “Earning a perfect accreditation score is very much a team effort, and we certainly have a great team in Radiology.”

The ACR’s Gold Seal of Accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities that meet ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards, following a peer-review evaluation by Board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

Elk Regional’s Radiology Department carries ACR or ICAEL accreditation in every modality, or category, of service.  Accredited modalities include Obstetrical, Gynecological, General and Vascular Ultrasound; Digital Mammography; CT scanning; MRI; Nuclear Medicine; Echocardiography; and PET/CT.

In recent years, Elk Regional’s Radiology Department has made important technological advances. In 2009, Elk Regional became the first facility in the region to offer state-of-the-art digital mammography. Then in 2011, the Health Center began offering cutting-edge 3D and 4D ultrasound and low-dose, digital general Radiographic imaging.

Since 1987, the American College of Radiology (ACR) has accredited more than 20,000 facilities, including more than 10,000 practices in 10 different imaging modalities. The ACR offers programs in all modalities now mandated for accreditation under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) – which includes CT, MRI, breast MRI, nuclear medicine and PET scanning – as well as under the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). For more information about the ACR and their accreditation process, visit them online.

Elk Regional Will Hold Patient Appreciation Day at the 2012 Business Expo

Come see us tomorrow, Feb. 18, at the 2012 Business Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Red Fern! We'll be in the back room holding a HUGE celebration of the people who mean the most to us: you, our valued patients.

We will offer a variety of free screenings, along with free information about preventative health services, job openings, and information about our Rehabilitation services and Generations Unit. Community Nurses, Inc., an affiliate of the Health System, will offer information about advance directives and its telehealth services.

“It’s important to us to offer easy access to free health screenings and information about the services available in our community,” said Charlotte Floravit, the Director of Public Relations at Elk Regional. “The Business Expo is the perfect place to do it. We had a great turn out last year and we’re looking forward to another great event this year.”

At Patient Appreciation Day, we'll offer a variety of free health screenings, including blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol tests, pulse ox, heart rate, heel bone density scans, hand massages, and grip strength tests designed to test the strength of muscles in the hands and forearms.

From 11 a.m. to noon, Dr. K.C. Joseph, one of our general surgeons, will provide free mole checks designed to determine whether suspicious moles are benign or whether they signal the start of melanoma.

Paulette Schreiber, one of our women’s health providers, will provide free information designed to help smokers break the habit. She will also be available to answer questions about the heel bone density scans.

Free information about a variety of programs and services will also be available. Participants can learn about mammograms, our physical and occupational therapy services, preventative health services, and nutrition and healthy eating tips.

A representative from our Human Resources Department will showcase job openings, and representatives from Community Nurses, Inc. will provide free information about advance directives and telehealth services.

The 2012 Business Expo is sponsored by the St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce and The River, 98.9 FM. For more information, visit the Chamber online.


For additional details, visit Elk Regional on Facebook!

Elk Regional Giving Away Six Gas Cards

Elk Regional Health System has introduced the first in a series of online surveys designed to gather feedback and improve upon the programs and services offered by the Health System.

The survey will gather feedback about Health System’s free, public educational seminars. Held regularly throughout the year at several different locations, the seminars focus upon a variety of health-related topics and information about the Health System and its affiliates. During the seminars, attendees enjoy one-on-one interaction with a health provider or Health System official during a question-and-answer period.

“Public education is a very important part of what we do,” said Gregory P. Bauer, the President and CEO of Elk Regional Health System. “It is our goal to provide information that is accurate, timely, useful and presented in a location and at a time that is most convenient for people. This survey will help us do that.”

As a token of appreciation for those who take the time to fill out the survey, Elk Regional and Community Nurses are giving away six $20 Sheetz gas cards. To enter the drawing, those filling out the survey have the option of leaving their name, telephone number and email address. Surveys can be submitted without entering the drawing.

Gas card winners will be notified via email or telephone on or about March 1, 2012.

To take the survey, click here!

Pinecrest Manor Residents Celebrate Purchase of New Televisions

Pinecrest Manor residents recently celebrated the purchase of seven new flat screen televisions. A 60-inch flat-screen television was purchased for the multi-purpose room. Six 32-inch televisions were also purchased for each of the solariums. The televisions were purchased with proceeds from Pinecrest Manor’s Annual Christmas Bazaar, which was held in November 2011.

Pictured in the front row, from left, are residents Nancy Snyder, Freda Dunworth, Arlene Samick and Hy Dauer. In the back row, from left, are Judy Wilhelm, the Activities Coordinator at Pinecrest; Mary Ehrensberger, the Director of Pinecrest’s Christmas Workshop Elves program; Colette Herzing, an Activities Aide at Pinecrest; Dorothy Cardoni, an Activities Aide at Pinecrest; and David Wolfe, NHA, the Administrator at Pinecrest Manor.

Elk Regional's Family Unit Announces 2012 Childbirth Class Schedule

The Family Unit at Elk Regional Health Center has announced its schedule of childbirth classes for 2012.

This year, The Family Unit will offer Lamaze classes, prenatal classes, and hypnobirthing classes designed to help pregnant women give birth with confidence. These classes will provide the most benefit to women who are approximately seven months along.

“It’s important to us to provide soon-to-be parents with the tools they need to calm their worries,” said Sara Myers, RN, the nurse manager of Elk Regional’s Family Unit. “We’ve found that when soon-to-be parents know what to expect, they are able to approach the birthing experience with more confidence.”

Lamaze recognizes childbirth as a normal, natural, healthy process and will provide women with the knowledge and skills they need to give birth.

The Family Unit will offer two six-week series of Lamaze classes beginning in March and August. The first series will be offered on March 8, 15, 22, 29, and on April 5 and 12. The second series will be offered on August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and Sept. 6.

Prenatal classes offer attendees the opportunity to learn about the labor and delivery process, as well as newborn and postpartum care.

The Family Unit will also offer four four-week series of prenatal classes in May, June, October and November. The first series will be offered on May 3, 10, 17, and 24. The second series will be offered on June 7, 14, 21, and 28. The third series will be offered on Oct. 4, 11, 18, and 25. The final series will be offered on Nov. 1, 8, 15, and 29.

All classes are offered from 7-9 p.m. in the Education Center at Elk Regional Health Center’s St. Marys campus, located at 763 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys.

Hypnobirthing classes provide pregnant women with the opportunity to learn relaxation techniques designed to eliminate fear, tension, and pain that can be experienced during birth. Attendees will also learn how to care for their newborns and themselves and will also learn about the labor and delivery process.

Hypnobirthing classes are taught by Linda Stewart, RNC, and are offered by appointment.

For more information, or to make an appointment for a hypnobirthing class, call The Family Unit at (814) 788-8558.

Susan Baird Joins Practice of Dr. Christopher Colosimo

Elk Regional Health System has announced that Susan Baird, a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, joined the practice of Christopher Colosimo, M.D., on Jan. 3. Dr. Colosimo maintains an active practice at Elk Regional’s Ridgway campus.

"It is my pleasure to welcome Susan to the practice,” Dr. Colosimo said. “Her experience and lifelong connection to the Ridgway community will enhance the care we provide here every day.”

Mrs. Baird, who has worked for Elk Regional for the last seven years, has 14 years of experience as a Registered Nurse. She first worked as a nurse in the Emergency Department at Elk Regional Health Center before moving to the Health Center’s Wound Clinic. In July 2011, she began working for the practice of Dennis Parlavecchio, M.D., and John Lacorazza, D.O.

In December 2009, Mrs. Baird earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Carlow University in Pittsburgh. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing in July 2011 from that same institution and has become a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner.

“I was raised in Ridgway and live here now with my family,” Mrs. Baird said. “When the position in Dr. Colosimo’s office opened up, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for me. I’ve been very excited about this. There is such a need for people to have access to their primary health provider. As a CRNP, I can help expand the availability of the practice, and that’s something I find rewarding.”

Mrs. Baird and her husband, Jeff, have two children and live in Ridgway.

Elk Regional Announces Change to Patient Satisfaction Surveys

Elk Regional Health Center has announced that patient satisfaction surveys are now being conducted via telephone for patients admitted to the hospital for inpatient care.

Patients treated on an outpatient basis will continue to receive paper surveys in the mail.

The new telephone surveys, which some patients began receiving on Feb. 6, are being conducted by HealthStream Research, an independent research firm based in Nashville, Tenn. To compile patient satisfaction data, HealthStream interviews a random sample of the patients treated at Elk Regional Health Center.

“Our partnership with HealthStream enables us to evaluate the patient experience on a day-to-day basis,” said Charlotte Floravit, the Director of Public Relations at Elk Regional. “The move to telephone surveys also allows us to address any negative experiences more quickly than the mail-based surveys we previously sent to our patients.”

Patients can expect to receive a telephone call approximately one week after they have been discharged. The telephone number for HealthStream Research will appear on caller ID as (301) 575-9366. That number is registered to the Baltimore, Md. area, where HealthStream’s executive interviewing center is located.

The survey takes less than eight minutes to complete. Patients will be asked questions on topics ranging from staff communication to the cleanliness and quietness of the hospital environment.

“Responses to these surveys are shared only with Elk Regional personnel for the purpose of improving the quality of care we provide,” Mrs. Floravit said. “Elk Regional will not be told which patients provided information for these surveys unless our patients specifically request that HealthStream reveal their names to us.”

At no time will personal information about Elk Regional’s patients, their medical status, or treatments be provided to HealthStream, Mrs. Floravit said. When the interview process is completed, patient lists are destroyed.

Questions about the process Elk Regional uses to monitor patient satisfaction may be directed to the Public Relations Department at (814) 788-8532 or (814) 788-8832.


HealthStream is a leading provider of learning and research solutions for the health care industry, transforming insight into action to deliver outcome-based results for health care organizations. Based in Nashville, Tenn., HealthStream helped approximately 1,100 health care organizations gain valuable insight about patient experiences. For more information, visit them online.

Elk Regional Employee is the Region’s Only Certified Lactation Consultant

Elk Regional Health Center is proud to announce that it is home to the only International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in at least three counties.

Diane Young, RN, BS, IBCLC, an employee of The Family Unit at Elk Regional, recently passed the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant examination and renewed her certification.

“In The Family Unit, we are very big proponents of breast-feeding,” said Sara Myers, RN, the nurse manager of Elk Regional’s Family Unit. “As we tell our patients, ‘breast is best.’ Being able to rely upon Diane’s expertise when it comes to breast feeding offers our patients peace of mind, and that’s important for new mothers. We are all very proud of Diane. It has taken a lot of effort on her part to earn this re-certification.”

Nurses hoping to earn IBCLC certification must undergo a rigorous process that includes degrees in nursing, hundreds of hours of continuing education and hands-on training, and a passing grade on a five-hour examination.

Ms. Young first earned IBCLC certification in 2001. Before Ms. Young was allowed to take the initial IBCLC examination, she was first required to earn a nursing degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in a related field. She was also required to undergo 90 hours of continuing education about human lactation and breast feeding and earn several hundred hours of clinical experience working with breast feeding mothers.

“When I was notified that my exam results were available, I actually had to work up to it before I could open them up on the computer,” Ms. Young said. “I cried when I found out I had passed.”

In five years, Ms. Young must either earn her IBCLC certification again by passing the five-hour examination or complete an additional 75 hours of continuing education related to breast feeding. She is required to take the five-hour examination every 10 years.

As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Ms. Young works to correct any problems encountered by new mothers who are breast feeding. Five nurses in The Family Unit who are certified lactation counselors are able to provide follow-up care to patients who have already met with Ms. Young.

“It’s very important to us that we are able to provide the full spectrum of care to new mothers who are breast feeding,” Ms. Young said. “We’re available to help even after our patients leave the hospital with their newborns.”

Ms. Young earned her nursing degree in 1973 from the School of Nursing at the Ohio Valley Hospital in Steubenville, OH. In 1987, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in individual and family studies from Penn State University.

She is the only International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in Elk, Cameron and McKean counties.


The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is a non-profit organization established to develop and administer the certification examination for lactation consultants. Founded in 1985, IBLCE administers annual examinations, in multiple languages and at numerous sites around the world. For more information, visit them online.

"Women Who Care" Supports Women's Imaging at Elk Regional

Elk Regional Health Center’s Women’s Imaging Department was recently the grateful recipient of a donation from Women Who Care, a local non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of women and families throughout Elk County.

The donation was made through Women Who Care by Christine Bohley, who made the donation in honor of her sister who is fighting breast cancer. Mrs. Bohley’s donation will be used in Elk Regional’s Women’s Imaging Department, which offers digital mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, 3D and 4D ultrasound and bone density scans.

From left are Paula Fritz Eddy, the Executive Director of the Elk County Community Foundation; Mrs. Bohley; and Charlotte Floravit, the Public Relations Director of Elk Regional Health Center.

Elk Regional Gives Back to Wreaths Across America

Elk Regional Health System employees recently made a donation to the local chapter of Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization that coordinates veteran services and recognition. The donation was made through the Elk Regional Gives Back program, through which employees pay a small fee to wear jeans to work on some Fridays. Each month, the funds raised are collected and given to a local charity.

From left are Maggie Simchick, Jan Armanini, and Amy Jones of Elk Regional’s Registration Department, Dolly Wehler and Jeanne Coppolo of Helping Hands of St. Marys, and Alicia Chicola of Elk Regional’s Registration Department.

It's American Heart Month!

February is American Heart Month, and we'd like you to take a moment and think about this: You're an amazing parent. You put your family first, every single day. But are you taking the time to care for yourself? This eye-opening video from the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign puts a spotlight on just how important it is to care for yourself.




For more information, visit the American Heart Association or visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Heart Health page.

Serious Blood Shortage Affecting Elk Regional

Right now, there is a MAJOR shortage of O Positive blood at the Community Blood Bank. This is affecting Elk Regional!

Did you know it takes 800 blood donors every week to maintain a safe supply of blood, plasma and platelets for Elk Regional Health Center and seven other local hospitals who rely upon the Community Blood Bank of Northwestern Pennsylvania for blood?

Please, if you can, consider donating blood:


Community Blood Drive
Tuesday, Feb. 7
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Education Center at Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys campus

You can sign up for a drawing for a $20 Sheetz card!

The Community Blood Bank of Northwestern Pennsylvania is the exclusive provider of blood for ALL HOSPITALS in Elk, Erie, Warren, McKean and Tioga counties. It is also the preferred provider of blood products to hospitals in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Potter and Allegany counties. It supplies about 40,000 units of blood to these hospitals each year, which helps save lives right here in our region.

Those who donate ...

• Must be in general good health
• Must weigh at least 110 pounds
• Must have no new tattoos or piercings within the last year
• Must be at least 17 yrs of age
• Have a photo I.D.

Please come and save a life!