Thursday, September 27, 2012

Elk Regional Welcomes New Physician Assistant

Matthew D. Stoltz, PA-C
Elk Regional Health Center officials have announced that Matthew D. Stoltz, PA-C, has joined the staff at the Health Center, where he has begun seeing patients in the Emergency Department.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Matt to Elk Regional,” said George Castellano, M.D., the Emergency Department Medical Director. “Matt is a very driven individual, and I think he will be a strong addition to the Emergency Department team.”

“I am very excited about the opportunity to work in the Elk Regional Emergency Department,” Mr. Stoltz said. “The experienced physicians and staff have been exceptional in welcoming me to the team. I look forward to my future at Elk Regional.”

Mr. Stoltz has been a member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard since 2006. He now serves as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Squadron and has previously served as a Staff Sergeant in the Logistics Readiness Squadron.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa. He also earned an Associate degree in Applied Science from the Community College of the Air Force in Montgomery, Ala.

Mr. Stoltz has performed clinical rotations in family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and general surgery at several different hospitals in Pennsylvania.

Prior to coming to Elk Regional, Mr. Stoltz worked as a care companion at DuBois Village in DuBois, Pa. He has also worked as a Physician Assistant at Laurel Eye Clinic in Brookville, Pa.

Mr. Stoltz is certified in advanced cardiovascular life support, pediatric advanced life support, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

He resides in the DuBois area and is the son of Mark and Sharon Stoltz.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Experienced, Board-Certified Anesthesiologist Joins Elk Regional

Elk Regional Health System officials have announced that Sharon M. Lombard, M.D., has joined the medical staff at Elk Regional Health Center. Dr. Lombard brings to Elk Regional 25 years of experience in her field.

“Elk Regional sets high goals and standards when it comes to physician recruitment. We strive to bring the best physicians, specialists, and surgeons to the area because we feel strongly that our communities deserve it,” said Gregory P. Bauer, the President and CEO of Elk Regional Health System.

“I am very excited to be part of the anesthesia and surgical team at Elk Regional,” Dr. Lombard said.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., Dr. Lombard earned her medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, N.H. In 2005, she received certification in holistic healing from the Barbara Brennan School of Healing in Miami, Fla.

Dr. Lombard performed her internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology and her residency in Anesthesiology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md. She is fellowship-trained in clinical anesthesia and obstetrics anesthesia by the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Before coming to Elk Regional, Dr. Lombard worked at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa. She served as the Director of Obstetrical Anesthesia at Geisinger Wyoming Valley in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. for 10 years. Between 1995 and 2000, she was the Vice-Chairman of Anesthesiology there. She has served as the Director of Anesthesia at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, Pa. and as the Chief Anesthesiologist at surgery centers in Kingston, Pa., Forty-Fort, Pa., and Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Dr. Lombard is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiologists.

She and her husband, J. Ronald McRipley, M.D., an emergency medicine physician, have two daughters: Veronica, who lives in New York City and Alyson, who is pursuing a degree at the Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pa.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Elk Regional Welcomes Award-Winning Family Practitioner

Gregory S. Little, M.D.
Elk Regional Health System officials have announced that Gregory S. Little, M.D., has joined the staff at Elk Regional Health Center.

Dr. Little will begin seeing patients on Monday, September 3 in the office formerly occupied by Christopher Colosimo, M.D. at Elk Regional’s Ridgway campus. Dr. Colosimo has joined Elk Regional’s Hospitalist program and is no longer seeing patients on an outpatient basis.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Little to the region,” said Gregory P. Bauer, the President and CEO of Elk Regional Health System. “It is our highest priority to remain proactive and ensure that our patients have close-to-home access to the healthcare services they need. While we will miss having Dr. Colosimo in the office setting, I feel confident that Dr. Little will be a good fit for the practice and its patients.”

“I am excited to begin practicing in Ridgway,” Dr. Little said. “I look forward to getting to know the many patients served by this office.”

Dr. Little specializes in preventive medicine and focuses on the aggressive treatment of diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and heart disease. He also works with patients who would like to stop smoking.

He earned his medical degree from the Michigan State College of Human Medicine in East Lansing, Mich. He conducted an internship at the Saginaw Area Hospital in Saginaw, Mich. and performed a residency at Latrobe Area Hospital in Latrobe, Pa.

For the last eight years, Dr. Little has been in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pa. He has previously worked as a hospitalist at UPMC Braddock Hospital and Forbes Regional Hospital. He has also served as the Medical Director of the Rehabilitation Unit in the Progressive Care Center at UPMC Braddock Hospital in Pittsburgh and as an urgent care physician at Saint Vincent Health System in Erie, Pa.

Dr. Little is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Diabetes Program.

In 1996, Dr. Little was presented with a Community Leadership Award. In 2010, he was named one of America’s Top Family Physicians. In 2012, he was named one of America’s Top Doctors in Family Practice for Western Pennsylvania. He has also been recognized by the NCQA diabetes physician recognition program.
   

Monday, September 24, 2012

Elk Regional Announces New Board Members

New members have been added to the Boards of Directors of Elk Regional Health System and ELCO Housing, Inc.

“I am pleased to announce that we have added several civic-minded individuals to our organization,” said Gregory P. Bauer, the President and CEO of Elk Regional Health System. “They are generously volunteering their time to ensure that Elk Regional Health System remains a strong, vibrant community asset. We are grateful for their time and expertise.”

Elk Regional Health System
David A. Nedzinski and John Piccolo were recently added to the Elk Regional Health System Board of Directors. The 18-member Board oversees the operation of the Health System and its affiliates.

Mr. Nedzinski is retired from Elk Regional Health Center, where he worked for 35 years. While at the Health Center, he was the Director of Pharmacy and Professional Services and also served as a member of the senior management team. Mr. Nedzinski is a member of the City of St. Marys Board of Health. He also serves as the secretary of the Alpine Meadows Association Board of Directors and is the chairman of its construction committee. Mr. Nedzinski’s wife, Lois, is a retired elementary school teacher. They have two grown children and two grandsons.

Mr. Nedzinski is a member of the ELCO Housing, Inc. Board of Directors. His term on the Health System Board of Directors expires in 2016.

Mr. Piccolo is the Director of Continuing Education at Penn State University at DuBois, where he manages the campus outreach functions with the primary mission of helping individuals, organizations, and communities obtain a competitive workforce advantage through education and training. Mr. Piccolo also works with organizations to conduct Return on Investment studies to illustrate the value of training and education. In April, he was named an American Council on Education Fellow for academic year 2012-2013. He and his wife, Becky, have three boys.

His term on the Health System Board of Directors expires in 2016.

ELCO Housing, Inc.
Steve Stoltz was added to the ELCO Housing, Inc. Board of Directors. The board oversees the operation of the ELCO Glen housing complex, a 32-unit, multi-tenant, independent living facility for low-income elderly, handicapped or disabled individuals.

Mr. Stoltz is an owner of Stoltz of St. Marys. He is currently a member of the Queen of the World Church Finance Council and is a soccer coach for the soccer league in Fox Township. He and his wife, Billie Jo, have four children: Madison, Peyton, Rhett, and Flynn.

His term expires in 2015.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Elk Regional, Penn Highlands Healthcare Prepare for Next Steps in Linkage Process

Last week, the Elk Regional Health System Board of Directors gave approval for an affiliation agreement between Elk Regional and Penn Highlands Healthcare to be signed, an important milestone in the process to form a partnership between the region’s largest health care providers.

“It is exciting that this important milestone has been achieved,” said Robert W. O’Leary, Chairman of the Elk Regional Health System Board of Directors. “After several months of discussion and negotiation, there is little doubt that the benefits of a partnership between Elk Regional and Penn Highlands are numerous. We believe that coming together will elevate patient care and will be a win-win situation for the residents of this region.”

Now that an affiliation agreement has been signed by officials at both organizations, the regulatory approval process can move forward. The partnership between Elk Regional and Penn Highlands is expected to win regulatory approval by the end of 2012.

The affiliation process has been ongoing since late 2011. In early April 2012, the Boards of Directors for each organization ratified a letter of intent that allowed the organizations to move forward with the creation of a partnership.

The letter of intent was an important milestone in the affiliation process because it allowed Elk Regional and Penn Highlands to begin discussing a partnership. In addition, the letter of intent began the “due diligence” process, a formality that requires that each organization fully disclose its financial, operational, and contractual activities and obligations to the other.

“On behalf of the Board of Penn Highlands, I welcome the addition of Elk Regional to the group,” said Dennis L. Merrey, Chairman of the Penn Highlands Board of Directors. “We believe that the combined strength of our organizations will provide many benefits to the communities we serve. We look forward to working together with our colleagues following the regulatory approval process.”

Penn Highlands Healthcare is a parent corporation that includes DuBois Regional Medical Center; Brookville Hospital, a subsidiary of DRMC; and Clearfield Hospital.

The Penn Highlands Board of Directors is made up of representatives, including physicians, from each of the member hospitals. Each member hospital retains its name, community base, medical staff, and Board of Directors. Past and future community donations designated for each hospital remain in the control of that organization and are used according to the donor’s wishes.

As a parent corporation, Penn Highlands oversees joint efforts in areas such as the expansion of services, the acquisition of resources, and operational efficiencies.


Elk Regional Health System includes a fully-accredited, not-for-profit, 80-bed general acute care institution; an extended care facility; an independent living facility; a home health agency, an ambulatory surgery center; and an employed physician group that serves Elk and Cameron counties. With campuses in St. Marys and Ridgway and physician offices in a number of locations throughout the region, Elk Regional proudly serves the residents of Elk and Cameron counties. It is Elk Regional’s ongoing mission to provide premier healthcare services to our patients through our commitments to service, quality, people, finance and growth, while maintaining economic viability and keeping an eye on the future. For more information, visit us online or visit our Facebook page.

Penn Highlands Healthcare is a parent corporation that includes DuBois Regional Medical Center; Brookville Hospital, a subsidiary of DRMC; and Clearfield Hospital. It is the ongoing mission of Penn Highlands Healthcare to provide exceptional quality, safety and service through an integrated health care delivery system that provides premier care with a personal touch. For more information, visit them online.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Medicine Drop Off Day Helps You Dispose of Old Medications Safely

If you've got old prescription medications you don't know how to dispose of properly, you won't want to miss the Medicine Drop Off Day we're holding on Sept. 29!

On that day, bring your old medications to the Education Center at Elk Regional Health Center between 8 a.m. and noon. Our pharmacists, working with the Elk County Recycling Center, will take your old medications and ensure that they are safely and properly disposed of ... free of charge!

We will accept and dispose of: prescription medications, including controlled substances; over-the-counter medications; vitamins and nutritional supplements; veterinary medications; and epi-pens and inhalers.

Please follow these guidelines when you bring your medication in:
  • all medicines should be in their original container;
  • the name of the medication must be visible on the label; and 
  • you must use a permanent marker to black out your personal information, such as your name, address, or account number.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Elk Regional Announces Prostate Screening

Did you know that men over the age of 40 should have an annual prostate exam to screen for prostate cancer? To make this important screening convenient for our patients, we are offering $15 blood draws and FREE follow-up appointments with Donald Rudick, M.D., one of our urologic specialists!

To set up your appointments, call us at 1 (800) 370-9640, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Blood draw appointments are available on Sept. 25, 26, and 27, and FREE follow-up appointments are available on Oct. 2 and 3.

It's easy to put off preventive health screenings, but they're important. Don't put this one off ... call us today!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Register Today for Our Stroke Prevention Screening

Time is running out to register for our Stroke Prevention Screening, which will be held Saturday here at Elk Regional! We are offering several inexpensive screenings to members of our community, all of which are designed to help assess your risk of stroke. For information about the tests and more details, click here.

Strokes can cause paralysis, speech and vision disabilities, depression or even death. That's why minimizing your risk is so important! 


To register, give us a call at (800) 370-9640 Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Let us help keep you healthy!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Elk Regional Raises Awareness During Child Passenger Safety Week

Elk Regional Health Center has joined the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT) to promote Child Passenger Safety Week, which this year falls between Sept. 16 and Sept. 22.

The theme for the 2012 Child Passenger Safety Week encourages parents and caregivers to “put them in the right seat at the right time and use it the right way” and raises awareness about the proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts for children from birth through age 12.

“The importance of properly securing your child in a vehicle cannot be understated,” said Charlotte Floravit, Elk Regional’s Public Relations Director. “Using the correct car seat for infants and toddlers sharply reduces the chance of fatal injury as a result of a car accident.”

According to the state DOT, there are more than 340 crashes on state highways on an average day in Pennsylvania. And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children between the ages of one and 12.

According to the NHTSA, 75 percent of children are not as secure in the car as they should be because their car seats are not being used correctly. Ensuring that children are properly buckled into a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt is the single most effective way to protect vehicle occupants and to reduce child fatalities in a crash.

Parents and caregivers should use the best safety restraint for the child’s size, taking into account the child’s age, height, weight, physical development, and behavioral needs.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has made the following recommendations to ensure that child safety restraints are being used properly:
  • All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat until they are two years of age or until they reach the maximum height and weight allowed by the manufacturer of the car safety seat.
  • All children who are two years of age or older, and those younger than two years who have outgrown the rear-facing car safety seat should use a forward-facing car safety seat with a harness until they reach the maximum height and weight allowed by the manufacturer of the car safety seat.
  • All children whose height or weight exceeds the maximums allowed by the manufacturer of the car safety seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s lap-and-shoulder seat belt fits properly.
  • Children between the ages of eight and 12 who have reached a height of four feet nine inches are able to use the vehicle’s lap-and-shoulder seat belt. The lap-and-shoulder seat belt should be used every time the child is in the vehicle.

Under Pennsylvania’s child passenger safety law, all drivers are responsible for securing children in the appropriate child safety restraint system.

Those who are unable to afford a car seat can call 1 (800) 227-2358, or visit www.pakidstravelsafe.org to find the nearest car seat loan program, child safety seat inspection station, or car seat check event.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Elk Regional Announces Second Annual Move & Groove for a Cure

Registration is now open for the Second Annual Move & Groove for a Cure, a 5K Run/Walk and a four-hour Zumba Fitness Party that will be held at St. Marys Area High School on Saturday, Oct. 20.

Last year, we packed the gymnasium at St. Marys Area High School and raised $6,000 for women's health initiatives at Elk Regional! We're hoping to raise $10,000 this year -- and YOU can join us in the fight! Help us empower women and educate them so that they can take control of their health.

Online registration and payment is available here. Pre-register and get a T-Shirt! Registration forms will also be available in the local newspapers and in the upcoming edition of We Are Elk Regional, our popular community newsletter! Same-day registration is also available.

We all know someone whose life has been affected by cancer. This is a fight that everyone can take part in. Join us.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Elk Regional to Hold Stroke Prevention Screening

Strokes, commonly known as "brain attacks," affect millions of Americans every year. They can cause paralysis, speech and vision disabilities, depression or even death. That's why it's so important to minimize your risk!

To help assess your risk of stroke, Elk Regional will hold a Stroke Prevention Screening on Saturday, September 22 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Radiology Department at Elk Regional Health Center.

As part of the event, several inexpensive screenings will be available to members of the community:
  • Stroke and Carotid Artery Screening: This is an ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries that screens for fatty plaque buildup. Cost: $40
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening: This is an ultrasound scan that screens for an aneurysm in the aorta. Cost: $40
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening: This test screens for peripheral arterial disease in the lower extremities. Cost: $40.
Our radiologists will also offer Osteoporosis Screenings FREE with the purchase of any of the above screening tests.

The Complete Wellness Package, which includes all of the tests listed above, costs just $99.

All of these tests will be performed by qualified diagnostic medical sonographers. Your results will be read by Elk Regional's Board Certified Radiologists.

Registration is required. To register, please call (800) 370-9640 Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Let us help keep you healthy!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Pinecrest Manor Resident Celebrates Her 101st Birthday

On Aug. 17, surrounded by family and friends, Esther Piccirillo, a resident of Pinecrest Manor, celebrated her 101st birthday.

Pinecrest Manor residents gathered in the dining room at the facility to celebrate the occasion with a cake, provided by the facility’s dietary department, and music, provided by Blaine Stauffer.

Mrs. Piccirillo’s family – including her daughters Rose Bellotti and Sylvia Catalano, Mrs. Catalano’s daughter-in-law, Jennifer Catalano, and Mrs. Bellotti’s son Ray – celebrated the day with her. David Wolfe, the administrator at Pinecrest Manor, presented Mrs. Piccirillo with a corsage in honor of the occasion.

Mrs. Piccirillo was born in Ridgway on Aug. 17, 1911. She married Michael Piccirillo and had three children: Rose, Sylvia, and Ben, who is deceased. She has seven grand-children and nine great-grandchildren.

Before moving to Pinecrest Manor, Mrs. Piccirillo was active in the Jenny Lind Chorus and the church choir. She also enjoyed her flower garden and was an avid reader. Today, Mrs. Piccirillo is frequently seen enjoying a book.

Photo: Esther Piccirillo, seated, celebrated her 101st birthday on Aug. 17. With Mrs. Piccirillo are, from left, Jennifer Catalano; Ray Bellotti; David Wolfe, the administrator of Pinecrest Manor; and her daughters, Rose Bellotti and Sylvia Catalano.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Elk Regional Volunteers Make A Difference

Elk Regional Health System is proud to have a dedicated force of more than 200 volunteers, all giving the precious gift of their time to help make Elk Regional the best it can be. Last year alone, Elk Regional’s volunteers contributed 12,000 hours of their time.

Charlotte Floravit, the Health Center’s Director of Public Relations, oversees the Health System’s volunteers. She said the Health System is deeply appreciative of the contributions made by volunteers.

“To say that our volunteers are an important part of the Health System is an understatement,” Mrs. Floravit said. “They do so much for us in so many different areas of the Health System. Without their efforts, Elk Regional would be such a different place. You won’t find a more dedicated and helpful group of people. Our volunteers represent the spirit of Elk Regional. They enrich the lives of everyone they meet, and we are grateful for the generous gifts of their time and talents.”

Volunteering has been part of Peggy Whiteman’s routine for over 30 years. Mrs. Whiteman, who volunteers at Elk Regional Health Center and at the St. Marys Catholic Middle School, is one of Elk Regional’s volunteer patient transporters. When patients or visitors come in to the Health Center and are in need of assistance, Mrs. Whiteman escorts them to the department they need. She volunteers every Thursday for three hours.

“It was my mother-in-law, Winnie Whiteman, who got me started,” Mrs. Whiteman said. “All three of my girls were in school at the time Winnie and I talked about it. She volunteered for the Health Center as a mail messenger, and taught me the job so I could take over when she left. I shadowed her for awhile and just never left.”

Mrs. Whiteman also volunteered at the ReSale Shop before moving into patient transport.

“My favorite part about it is the people,” she said. “The people out at the hospital are just fantastic – both the employees and the people who come in as patients or as visitors. I enjoy being on the move and meeting people, and being a patient transporter allows me to do both.”

Mrs. Whiteman said she feels volunteering is important because at every organization, there is so much that needs to be done.

“People sit around and say, ‘What can I do?’ or they will say there’s nothing to do,” she said. “But there is always so much to be done. So many organizations can use a helping hand. You can volunteer around your schedule and they’re happy to have you for as long as you can be there.

“Any time someone says they want something to do, or when they tell me they’re retired and bored, I bring up the hospital,” she continued. “When your children are all in school, that’s when you can give back. That’s what I did, and I enjoy it. I just feel like I’m part of the family there.”

Aggie Schade, who has volunteered at Elk Regional for 17 years, is another of Elk Regional’s volunteer patient transporters. She retired from the Stackpole Carbon Company after 44 years and said she volunteers as a way to stay active. Not only does she volunteer at Elk Regional, but she also volunteers at the food bank and at Elk County Catholic Middle School. She has also volunteered at Pinecrest Manor, where she spent time visiting residents.

“People say they don’t have time to volunteer, but then they retire and complain that they don’t have anything to do,” she said. “You have to keep busy and active when you retire. You can’t sit at home and do nothing. Think of all the time you spend watching television. You could spend that time being up and active and doing something positive.”

Mrs. Schade said her favorite part about volunteering is the people she meets on a daily basis.

“I enjoy the people the most,” she said. “If you’re just sitting at home, you’re not getting out and meeting people. You’re just wasting your time, and your time on Earth is too precious to do nothing and complain. Get out and volunteer. Do something worthwhile.”

Elk Regional volunteers work in the Health System’s Mailroom, in Patient Transport, in the Health System Auxiliary’s ReSale Shop, and in the Peppermint Stick Gift Shop. Volunteers also provide clerical support to several departments at the Health Center and work in Resident Activities at Pinecrest Manor.

To become a volunteer, call the Volunteer Office (814) 788-8534 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Volunteers should be over the age of 13.

Remember: nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something. It's never too late to make a difference!

Photos: At top is Aggie Schade. At bottom is Peggy Whiteman. Mrs. Schade and Mrs. Whiteman are both patient transport volunteers at Elk Regional.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Elk Regional Supports 20-Year Cancer Study

Elk Regional is proud to support the American Cancer Society's 20-year cancer prevention study! We're holding sign-up days at the Health Center for our employees and are encouraging people in our community to sign up as well.

We all know someone whose life has been touched by cancer. This is your chance to be part of something big. 


To learn more and find out how you can enroll in the study, visit www.cancer.org/cps3. There, you'll find information about the study, FAQs, and a contact form you can use to enroll. Questions about the study can be sent via email to cps3@cancer.org or answered by calling the American Cancer Society toll-free at 1 (888) 604-5888.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Give Blood Today at Elk Regional

Check out the Tweet to the right, which is from the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania (@OurDonorsSave).

Stories like this are why we work with them to hold blood drives at Elk Regional Heath Center every month. If you have a free half-hour today, Sept. 4, come out and see us between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Give blood and make more family outings possible.

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 CBB for blood. The CBB 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 (or 16 yrs of age with a signed parental consent form from the Community Blood Bank)
  • Have a photo I.D.

For more information about the Community Blood Bank, visit them online.