`Someone you can count on`

Specialized
teleconsults for
moms-to-be
New
technology
offers faster
cancer
treatment
Page 5
Page 4
Page 6
‘Someone you can count on’
Primary care means
lifelong care
Page 3
News and
information to
help you get and
stay healthy
Healthy Living
Winter 2 016
Urologist
brings
minimally
invasive
options
Winter 2 016
© 2016 UPMC
Beyond
Healthy
Living
the scale
M a g a z i n e
UPMC Altoona’s Healthy Living Magazine is published
four times a year by
the Marketing and
Communications
Department.
President
Jerry Murray
Chief Operating Officer
Ronald J. McConnell
Staff Writers
Jamie Baser
Patt Keith
Contributing Writer
Mary Haley
Intern
Allison Koehle
Monica Richers-Kelly,
registered dietitian,
leads the first session of
Real Solutions for Success,
a class for people who
want to get fit.
Fitness class focuses on individual goals
Editor
Tracey Dooms
Designer
Chip Mock
Mock Creations LLC
For more information, please contact:
UPMC Altoona
Marketing & Communications
620 Howard Ave.
Altoona, PA 16601-4899
814-889-2271
[email protected]
If you are not receiving
Healthy Living Magazine
in the mail and would
like to, you need to join
the Healthy Living Club.
It’s free, and the
magazine is just one of
the many benefits!
Join online at
UPMCAltoona.org
or call 814-889-2630
or 1-888-313-4665.
Sometimes your fitness goal isn’t as much about numbers on
a scale as it is about playing more with your grandchildren.
If that sounds like you, then a new 10-week class offered
by UPMC Altoona may be what you’re looking for, says
Monica Richers-Kelly, registered dietitian. Until now, people
could meet individually with a dietitian at the hospital if they
needed help. But Real Solutions for Success is the first time
UPMC Altoona has offered a class for people who want to
get fit, she says.
The idea came from her boss, Brenda Ridgway, also a
registered dietitian and clinical manager of nutritional
services. Brenda had taught the course when she worked at
another hospital and wanted to bring it to UPMC Altoona,
Monica says.
“We didn’t even know if we’d get 15 people, but we got more
than that, so we’re already planning our next class,” she says.
Specific goals
Although participants get weighed before each class, Monica emphasizes that the class isn’t as much about weight loss as it is about fitness. Each participant has a
different goal, which could be anything from learning how to eat healthier to getting in better shape.
One person’s goal is simply to be able to walk across the
living room, she says. That’s part of the program — to choose
specific fitness goals tailored for each member of the class,
Monica says. “We want them to say exactly what kind of
exercise or fitness goal they have, what specifically they’re
going to do, how long are they going to do it, and where will
they do it,” she says. “We want them to be as specific as
possible so that they’re more likely to do it.”
Participants are asked to keep a record of the food they eat
during the week and also to do activities in a workbook. If
they keep the food logs, record how much exercise they do
during the week, and attend eight out of the 10 classes, they
get back half of the $60 class fee. Hospital employees can
also earn “Take a Healthy Step” credit to reduce their medical
plan deductible if they complete the course requirements.
2
Participant Jeanine Chestney,
a UPMC Altoona nurse, lost 10 pounds
but says the real change for her
has been in her outlook.
Looking inward
Class members make their way through the workbook
learning things about eating and exercising, gaining
knowledge about themselves at the same time. For
example, they examine issues such as emotional eating,
binge eating, cravings, and support systems.
Participants, who include both hospital employees and
the general public, also learn how to make smart choices
when dining out, how to determine proper portion sizes,
how to pick healthy foods when shopping, and other tips.
The benefits of the class extend beyond just getting in
shape. By getting fit, class participants also can manage
or decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high
blood pressure, and heart disease, Monica says.
Participant Jeanine Chestney, a UPMC Altoona nurse, lost
10 pounds but says the real change for her has been in her
outlook.
“I’ve just embraced the idea of being more healthy instead
of looking at this as being on a diet for a short period
of time, and to me, that’s huge, because I’ve tried diets
before and they just didn’t work,” Jeanine says. “But this is
working. And this is for a lifetime.”
The next class
starts in JANUARY.
See calendar insert
for details, dates,
and times.
UPMC
Altoona
Primary
Care
UPMC
Altoona
Blair
Medical
Associates
Not pictured:
Angela D. Gregg, MD
Niyaz M. Azad, MD
Anthony J. Bartkowiak, MD
Janelle L. Brumbaugh, DO
Regino J. Flores, MD
Ronald W. Gregory, DO
Megan L. Hess, MD
Natasha M. Karanjia, DO
Anthony J. Maniglia, MD
Thomas M. Mextorf, DO
Andy J. Mulhollen, DO
‘We know
our patients’
Daniel Delp, MD
UPMC
Huntingdon
healthcare
Jennifer Murnyack-Garner, DO
Michael J. Schlechter, MD
Primary care physicians coordinate lifelong care
Jenna C. Stokes, DO
Amy E. Swindell, DO
Gregory A. Strunk, DO
William J. Olstein Jr., DO
UPMC
Huntingdon
Family
Physicians
Stephanie S. Young, DO
Brett L. Scharf, DO
Dawn M. Repko, MD
Michael A. Pedone, DO
Christine V. Pascual, DO
Captains of the ship, directors of the play, and coaches of
the team — these are just a few analogies used to describe
primary care physicians (PCPs). They are the coordinators
of care for most U.S. patients.
provide OB care, and perform gynecological procedures,”
says Dr. Beckstead.
“I think of us as gatekeepers,” says Christine Pascual, DO,
physician at UPMC Altoona Mainline Medical Associates.
“Patients often come to us initially, and their relationship will be established with us first. It’s our responsibility to do
for them whatever we can within the scope of our practice
and if anything goes beyond that scope, then we help direct them to the best specialists.”
Preventive medicine includes educating patients on healthy
living, making sure they get necessary immunizations and
tests, and preventing or catching problems in advance
before they turn into an expensive trip to the Emergency
Department.
Dr. Brumbaugh says primary care focuses on three areas of
medicine — preventive, chronic, and acute care.
“We provide OB care to expectant mothers,
which means we sometimes have literally been
treating our youngest patients since before their
birth,” says Donald Beckstead, MD, director of
UPMC Altoona Family Physicians (AFP). “Our
patients are babies, children, teens, adults, and
the elderly, and we also provide end of life care.”
Kelly A. Kane, DO
Patient advocates
“We know our patients, we know their detailed
medical history, their allergies, and their
medications, which helps us to order only the
most appropriate and necessary tests and prescribe the
right medications to treat problems as they arise,”
Dr. Brumbaugh says.
Janelle Brumbaugh, DO, of UPMC Altoona Blair
Medical Associates (BMA), agrees. “We have
formed a bond with each patient, and they trust
us and count on us,” she says. “They know if they
need something or are having an acute problem that
they can call us and they can see us.”
Kerry L. Matthew, DO
UPMC
Altoona
Family
Physicians
“You need an advocate, someone who will be honest with
you, know your history, know your medical problems —
someone you can count on.”
For all providers, communication is key to providing
the most thorough care for their patients and ensuring
continuity of care. The coordination of electronic medical
record (EMR) systems by the UPMC system has made
this easier, allowing medical records and provider notes
to be shared across UPMC primary care offices, specialty
practices, and hospitals, both locally and in Pittsburgh.
“If a specialist has ordered a CAT scan, bloodwork, or an
MRI, we can pull those up, view the information, and also
see what the specialist said about the results,”
Dr. Brumbaugh says. “Having this information helps us
to help patients track when tests are due and answer
questions they have about medications or treatment plans.”
“Patients are often surprised to learn that their PCP may
be able to administer joint injections, remove skin lesions,
Rebecca L. DelBaggio, MD
PCPs also provide acute care, and Dr. Brumbaugh stresses
the importance of seeing your PCP when you are ill or
injured rather than visiting an urgent care center or the
emergency department, unless it is a true
emergency. The physicians, along with
physician assistants and nurse practitioners,
make every effort to provide same-day
appointments to those who need them.
Continuity of care
But a visit to a specialist is not always necessary.
Aslam M. Azad, MD
Treatment for chronic diseases, such as hypertension or
diabetes, can sometimes involve coordinating care with
specialists, but the PCP can see patients through the
process from diagnosis to helping them manage and live
with their condition.
Primary care encompasses family medicine, internal
medicine, and pediatrics — those specializing in family
practice are trained to treat infants through the elderly, while internists typically only see adults, and pediatricians
care for children from birth to adolescence.
Wide range of care
Children’s
Community
Pediatrics Altoona
UPMC Altoona Blair Medical Associates
Altoona • 1414 9th Ave. • 814-946-1655
Duncansville • 149 Deville Dr. • 814-693-0628
Hollidaysburg • 721 N. Juniata St. • 814-695-5591
Bellwood • 503 Main St. • 814-742-8400
Tyrone • 1400 Pennsylvania Ave. • 814-684-2100
Children’s Community Pediatrics - Altoona
Altoona • 1414 9th Ave. • 814-946-7568
UPMC Altoona Family Physicians
Altoona • 501 Howard Ave. , Suite F-2 • 814-889-2701
Williamsburg • 306 Plum St. • 814-832-3405
UPMC Altoona Mainline Medical Associates
Altoona • 1400 9th Ave. • 814-941-8811
Cresson • 792 Gallitzin Rd. • 814-886-8161
UPMC Huntingdon Family Physicians
Huntingdon • 9498 William Penn Hwy. • 814-643-0461
UPMC Huntingdon Healthcare
Alexandria • 846 Medical Center Dr. • 814-669-4444
Huntingdon • 814 Washington St. • 814-643-4415
Brittany E. Barker, DO
Donald M. Beckstead, MD
Jacqulin A. Fabina, DO
3
Joseph L. Hines, MD
Larry McAleer, MD
UPMC
Altoona
MAINLINE
MEDICAL
ASSOCIATES
Patrick K. Lenz, MD
Mitchell W. Joseph, DO
Tanya L. Holsopple, MD
Penne H. Edgell, MD
Amanda L. Cattoi, MD
Kathleen E. Sweeney, DO
Laura J. Siems, MD
Terry S. Ruhl, MD
Patrick D. Rice, MD
Arthur W. Morrow, DO
Fiona J. McLellan, MD
Sabesan Karuppiah, MD
‘Much-needed expertise’
Urologist brings new treatment options
Urologist Debby Chuang,
MD, of UPMC Altoona Blair
Medical Associates Urology,
brings to the practice
new minimally invasive
treatment options for men,
women, and children with
urinary tract conditions,
such as kidney stones,
kidney/bladder/prostate
cancers, urination issues,
and erectile dysfunction.
She is in practice with
Theodore Belis, MD, who
has been a urologist for 33
years and with Blair Medical
for nearly three years.
“We are very, very fortunate
to have Dr. Chuang with us,”
he says. “Urologists are in
great demand, not only here
but nationwide. It is difficult
to recruit urologists, and
she brings much-needed
expertise in robotic and
minimally invasive surgery
techniques. For a patient in
need of a kidney removal
due to cancer, her being
here means excellent care
without having to travel to
Pittsburgh.”
Dr. Chuang sees patients
across the age spectrum
and treats children with
congenital conditions of the
kidney, bladder, or ureter,
as well as other conditions,
such as chronic urinary tract
infections. (See sidebar for
list of services she offers.)
Kidney stones common
Each week more than five
new adult patients suffering
from kidney stones come to
see the urologists. The high
numbers of these patients
may result from the area’s
aging population and reflect
the average resident’s
preference for red meat,
red and black tea drinks,
and not drinking enough
water, which are common
trends seen nationwide,
Dr. Chuang says. Obesity
and family history of kidney
stones may also be risk
factors for likelihood of
kidney stone formation.
enough,” Dr. Chuang
says. “In general, if
you are drinking
enough water, your
urine should be
almost colorless.”
“Kidney stones form when
the urine contains more
crystal-forming substances
— such as calcium, oxalate,
and uric acid — than the
kidney can remove,” Dr.
Chuang explains. “At the
same time, a patient’s
urine may lack enough
substances that can prevent
crystals from sticking
together, creating an ideal
environment for stone
formation.”
Individualized
treatment
One way to tell if the body
is well-hydrated: Check the
color of your urine.
“Urine that is dark or
amber in color may be very
concentrated and show
that a patient isn’t hydrated
While some stones
may pass on
their own through
the urinary tract
system, others,
especially large stones,
may need to be broken
into smaller pieces through
shockwave lithotripsy, or
dissolved with medication.
Some stones may need
to be broken down with
other minimally invasive
and endoscopic techniques
that use laser or ultrasound
technologies.
“Often times,” Dr. Chuang
says, “a patient who
undergoes surgeries
using minimally invasive
techniques has smaller
incisions, less blood loss,
and shorter hospital stays.
However, treatment is very
individualized. Treatment
decisions often involve
careful discussions between
the doctor and the patient
to determine the best
way to manage a patient’s
condition so that the patient
can not only get better, but
also return to his or her daily
routine quickly and safely,
with good quality of life.”
Contact:
UPMC Altoona Blair Medical Associates Urology
1414 9th Ave., Altoona
814-946-1655
About Dr. Chuang
Urologist Debby Chuang, MD, who practices with Theodore Belis, MD, of UPMC Altoona Blair
Medical Associates, provides a spectrum of urologic services for adults and children, including:
• Kidney stone laser/shockwave treatments
• Endoscopic removal of bladder tumors
• Endoscopic resection of enlarged prostates
• Robotic/laparoscopic kidney and prostate cancer surgery
• Surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction
• Surgical treatment for incontinence
Dr. Chuang completed her residency in urology at Case Western Reserve University/University
Hospitals of Cleveland, where she also received her medical degree.
She is a resident/fellow member of the American Urological Association (AUA), and previously
served as a representative in the Ohio Urological Society. She also has various publications and
received the 2013 Urology Research Award from the Urology Institute at University Hospitals of
Cleveland.
Her research and clinical special interests include:
• Minimally invasive treatment of genitourinary cancers and stone disease
• Urologic oncology (treatment for bladder, kidney, and urinary tract cancer)
• Adult and pediatric genitourinary reconstruction
4
New
obstetric
telemedicine
services
Station Medical Center offers
four new telemedicine services,
in addition to existing services
in breast cancer genetic
counseling and breast cancer
second opinions:
Close
to
home
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
(MFM) Outpatient
Consultation: State-ofthe-art HIPAA-secure
teleconferencing technology
connects patients in Altoona
with Magee’s maternalfetal medicine specialists
in Pittsburgh who address
serious health conditions
related to high-risk
pregnancies.
Jamie Bergstein, center, accessed advanced specialty care
in Pittsburgh via telemedicine during her pregnancy.
With her are daughter Leah and husband Adam.
Teleconsult Center offers world-class expertise…no travel required
When high blood glucose levels were found during a routine
blood screening done on all pregnant mothers, Altoona
resident Jamie Bergstein’s local obstetrician referred her
to specialists at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC in
Pittsburgh.
Together, a dietitian and maternal-fetal-medicine physician
at Magee worked with Jamie and her local physician to
devise a plan to keep her and her baby healthy until delivery.
Jamie didn’t even have to leave town to access these
specialty services. She received care via UPMC Altoona’s
new Teleconsult Center, at Station Medical Center.
“Within a week, I met with a dietitian via telemedicine who
helped me understand the changes in my diet that were
needed,” Jamie says. “They also helped me learn how to test
my glucose by pricking my finger. A nurse was in the room
with me to answer any questions and to demonstrate in
person how to operate the glucose monitoring equipment.
They spent an hour with me and were very thorough. The
appointment was timely. The technology worked and, if I
had to wait a few moments, it was still less than waiting in a
doctor’s office.”
Convenient consults
Historically, women in central Pennsylvania who encounter
medical conditions during pregnancy and those who are
struggling with infertility often face the cost and logistical
inconvenience of frequent travel to Magee-Womens
Hospital of UPMC in Pittsburgh. UPMC Altoona, in
collaboration with Magee, is working to change that with
four new telemedicine service lines. UPMC Altoona’s new
Teleconsult Center expands clinical specialty services
via telemedicine. The telemedicine services connect
world-class obstetric (OB) and gynecologic specialists in
Pittsburgh with the UPMC Altoona community.
“The launch of these telemedicine services highlights
the availability of new models of care, bringing specialty
physicians from Pittsburgh closer to home by live audioand video-enabled teleconferencing technology,” explains
Debra Pike, MD, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology at UPMC Altoona. “The patient and the expert
physician in Pittsburgh can see and hear each other during
the consultation, and our medical staff at UPMC Altoona
can perform an exam and share their findings in real time
with the Pittsburgh physician.”
“We are pleased to bring the expertise of our MFM
specialists to the UPMC Altoona community. Extending
world-class care to patients close to home is a big part of
UPMC’s mission in all of the regions we serve. We expect
that this program will help optimize pregnancy care in
the community,” says Hyagriv N. Simhan, MD, professor
and chief of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
and vice chair, Obstetrical Services, for the Department
of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences,
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
“We are looking forward to providing state-of-the-art
fertility services directly to couples in the Altoona area who
want to build a family,” explains Scott Kauma, MD, clinical
director of the Fertility Preservation Program at Magee.
“The comfort and care of our patients is our top priority,
and the benefit of being able to remain close to family and
friends cannot be underestimated for these women.”
• Diabetes Education for
Obstetrics: Professionals
at Magee offer pregnant
patients access to expert
specialty care in diabetes
education, nutritional
counseling, and blood
glucose meter education.
• Obstetric (OB) Ultrasound:
Advanced technology is used
to transmit images from
UPMC Altoona to Magee
to be read and interpreted
by board-certified MFM
physicians.
• Center for Fertility and
Reproductive Endocrinology
(CFRE): CFRE provides
patients with personalized
reproductive health care,
including evaluation,
diagnosis, treatment, and
access to Magee’s in vitro
fertilization techniques.
Hyagriv Simhan, MD
Division Chief
‘Easy and helpful’
Timothy Canavan, MD
Director, Division of Ultrasound
For Jamie, telemedicine provided the care she needed.
“I left feeling like I had more people in my corner when
it came to my health and my baby’s health,” Jamie says.
“I was also able to email that doctor via MyUPMC and
received very quick feedback. The process has been
surprisingly easy and helpful.”
Scott Kauma, MD
Clinical Director of
Fertility Preservation
Program
5
Faster cancer treatment
New technology means less time lying still
By the end of the year, many people with lung cancer will get faster, highly focused
radiation treatments at UPMC Altoona, thanks to new technology.
Currently, some cancer patients receive very precise radiation treatment in a procedure
called stereotactic body radiotherapy. While this therapy is extremely effective in treating
early stage lung cancer, treatments can take up to an hour. In order for the radiation to kill
the cancer cells but not healthy ones, patients must remain still once they are in position,
which can be uncomfortable.
In addition, many of the patients who have this type of treatment are elderly or have other medical issues that also make the treatments challenging, says Dr. Joshua Siglin, a radiation oncologist at UPMC Altoona.
The new technology will address both of those issues by getting patients out of the
treatment room faster. The hospital has upgraded its linear accelerator, which is the
machine used to deliver the radiation. This upgrade allows for much quicker — and in
some cases more effective — therapy, Dr. Siglin says.
“Decreasing the treatment time will help patients remain much more comfortable,” he
says, “and will have the added benefit of improving the accuracy of the treatment and
possibly improving treatment outcome.”
More comfortable for patients
Less time on the treatment table means less opportunity for the patient to move away
from the most accurate treatment position, increasing effectiveness. The treatment
process is constantly monitored by physicists such as Jared Hoover, who agrees with
Dr. Siglin that the new technology will increase treatment accuracy and patient comfort.
“In the past, we have unfortunately had eligible patients who have been unable to tolerate
this procedure because of the length of time required to lie very still,” he says. “Our new
upgrade should make this effective treatment more accessible to patients.”
Dr. Jack Schocker and Dr. Siglin are the two radiation oncologists at UPMC Altoona who
currently perform stereotactic body radiation therapy. Dr. Siglin hopes people with other
types of cancer may soon benefit from the same treatment.
Jack Schocker, MD, (left) and
Joshua Siglin, MD, with the
Elekta Infinity™ linear accelerator.
“Lung cancer remains quite challenging,” he says. “But especially if we can start screening people early and catching these tumors, we can treat them non-surgically in the early stages.”
Employees give back
Many UPMC Altoona
employees spend a lot of their
own time giving back to the
community.
Deb Semanchik (left), manager, and
Annamarie Hamilton, insurance
analyst and data coordinator, UPMC
Altoona CancerCenter Radiation
Oncology, with a basket they raffled
to raise funds for the Making Strides
Against Breast Cancer walk.
6
Nowhere is that more visible
than in the activities the
hospital has sponsored to
promote awareness about
cancer, says Deborah
Semanchik, radiation therapist.
Most recently, she served as
the hospital’s team captain for
the American Cancer Society’s
Making Strides Against Breast
Cancer Walk in Blair County
last October.
Despite their busy schedules,
hospital employees like Deb
take time to show people in the
community that the hospital
is so much more than just a
big building in Altoona. She
and other hospital employees
also take part in the annual
American Cancer Society’s
Relay For Life.
“We’re people, not just a
facility,” Deb says. “We think
it’s important to do things for
the community and for our
patients.”
‘We can all do our part’
They’re also health care
workers very familiar with the
real implications of cancer,
and they’ve seen first-hand
how the disease impacts all
aspects of people’s lives, Deb says.
“Everyone these days seems
to be touched by cancer, and
we see that every day through
our work,” she says. “Whether
it happens to you, a family
member, or a friend, it affects
you, so this is a way we can all
do our part to fight back.”
In addition to the Making
Strides Walk, hospital
employees also have
participated in events
such as a picnic for cancer
survivors, family, and friends
at DelGrosso’s Amusement
Park in Tipton earlier this
year. Sponsored by the UPMC
Altoona Foundation, the event
drew thousands not only for
fellowship but also for cancer
awareness.
“It was wonderful to see so
many families come together
and have a great time, just
celebrating life,” Deb says.
Ann Miller and Sue Wertz of
Radiology were among 170 UPMC
walkers in Making Strides Against
Breast Cancer Walk.
News from the
Foundation funds digital x-ray
equipment for adult dental clinic
Donald Betar Jr., DMD Daniel Novak, DMD
Chalmer Lykens of Tyrone celebrated surviving his battle with cancer along
with his family, Rhonda Lykens of Altoona and Diana Lykens and Melissa
Dinges, both of Tyrone, at the Cancer Survivor Appreciation Picnic in
September at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park.
More than 1,200 attend Cancer
Survivors Appreciation Picnic
The first UPMC Altoona Cancer Survivors Appreciation event
drew more than 1,200 cancer survivors and their families to
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park on Sept. 19. The celebration
featured bingo, a picnic dinner, face painting, and discount ride
passes to the park. Music was provided by Steve Summerhill.
“It was very touching to see many of our patients interact with
their caregivers from the UPMC Altoona Cancer Center,” says
Mike Corso, director of Radiation Oncology, Imaging Services,
and Cardiology.
Haley Holt, DMD
Partnering for Dental Services Adult Clinic will provide the latest
digital dental x-ray imaging services to patients thanks to a grant
from the UPMC Altoona Foundation.
“This new equipment will reduce radiation levels by over 90
percent per procedure, making it safer for both patients and staff,”
Daniel Novak, DMD, says. “Additionally, all images will be stored
digitally, enhancing diagnostic work and eliminating the costs
associated with x-ray film and chemicals for developing.”
Donald Betar Jr., DMD, director of dental services, says the
foundation grant enables the adult dental clinic to provide the
same digital imaging services as the pediatric dental clinic, run by
Dr. Haley Holt.
Partnering for Dental Services is a cooperative effort of UPMC Altoona, Partnership for a Healthy Community, and
GACTC Dental Assistant Program. The adult and pediatric clinics treat more than 5,000 income-eligible patients each year.
“The clinic would not be able to afford this equipment without the Foundation’s support,” says Michelle Adams, RN, clinic director.
C.A.R.E. Team
Breast Health
Center capital
campaign
reaches
$300,000
The UPMC Altoona Breast
Health Center has received a $50,000 gift from Blue Knob
Auto Sales, bringing its capital
campaign total to $300,000.
“Our deepest thanks go to
all the ownership partners
and employees at Blue Knob
Auto,” says Karen Pfeffer, Esq.,
chairperson of the campaign
to support the Breast Health
Center.
The campaign goal is $1 million. Please contact Tim
Balconi at 814-889-6744 or
[email protected] for more
information.
Founders Club members enjoy fall reception
A relaxing evening was enjoyed by nearly 80 guests at the
Founders Club reception held Oct. 9 at the Blairmont Club in
Hollidaysburg.
The Founders Club fosters a culture of philanthropy throughout UPMC Altoona and emphasizes the important role staff and volunteers play in providing patient-centered care. The club is composed of major donors to the Foundation who give $1,000 or more per year.
Dave Burwell, MD,
and his wife, Cristin,
are new Founders Club
members. They joined at the event.
Foundation grant funds training to
encourage workplace peer support
The newly formed C.A.R.E. Team is a workplace peer support
team that fosters a healthier and safer work environment by
helping employees who have been affected by a traumatic event
or critical incident, whether work-related or personal. The C.A.R.E.
Team encourages co-workers to seek help, including professional
counseling if necessary, through Life Solutions.
More than 30 hours of training were provided to 20 employees
drawn from the Emergency Department, Behavioral Health, Case
Management, Human Resources, Partnering for Health Services,
Nutritional Services, Respiratory Services, Tower 9, and Pastoral
Care. The training, provided by Jeff Magill and Robert Fonte of the
Crisis Training Institute of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
of UPMC, was funded by the UPMC Altoona Foundation.
UPMC Altoona Foundation’s Winter Splendor event is Jan. 15 at the Blair County Convention Center. This annual event is a fun-filled, relaxing evening to
raise funds for patient care items at UPMC Altoona.
Attire is business casual. Tickets are $45 per
person and may be purchased online by visiting
UPMCAltoona.org and selecting “Give a Gift” from the menu options, or by calling Michelle Dodson
at the Foundation office at 814-889-6740.
Ralph McKibbin, MD, and his wife, Cindy,
are serving as honorary co-chairs of Winter Splendor 2016.
7
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
UPMC Altoona
UPMC Altoona
620 Howard Avenue
Altoona, PA 16601
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Ask the specialist
and
James Klena, MD, is a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon who recently
transferred from another UPMC hospital to work with the UPMC Altoona Heart and Vascular Institute team. He specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery techniques.
Dr. Klena brings his skills and experience to central Pennsylvania, performing surgeries for which patients previously may have had to travel outside of the area.
Appointments can be made by calling 814-889-2328.
P ro f i le
What types of cases
are you treating at UPMC Altoona?
I am providing treatment for
cardiovascular problems,
specializing in pulmonary
and chest surgery. I’ve
been working closely with
the pulmonologists from
our region, providing a lot
of support in pulmonary
surgeries as well as seeing
vascular patients along with
Dr. Arthur DeMarsico. I am
trained in robotic thoracic
surgery, and we plan to begin offering that service
here in the near future. I anticipate working with a
lot of lung cancer patients
and treating conditions such
as sarcoidosis, mediastinal
problems, and complicated
lung infections.
What has been an advantage in
transferring from
another UPMC
hospital?
I have been working in the UPMC system
for the last 10 years, so
in addition to my clinical
experience, I’m also well
trained in using the health
information technology
systems used in other
UPMC hospitals which were
only introduced at UPMC
Altoona within the last year.
My familiarity with the
electronic medical record
system and the programs
used for placing orders for
testing, medication, etc.
has allowed me to hit the
ground running at UPMC
Altoona.
Why are you excited about
practicing at
UPMC Altoona?
UPMC Altoona is
a great hospital —
there are so many talented
specialists, resources, and
services available right here,
allowing patients to receive
the advanced care they need
without having to travel for
treatment. I’m excited to be
contributing to that list and
hope that I can save some
people time and money by
offering additional surgery
services in Altoona.
I look forward to taking good care of patients from
this area.
Dr. Klena is a cardiothoracic
surgeon with considerable training
and experience in performing
minimally invasive thoracic
surgeries.
Originally from the State College
area of Pennsylvania, he served
as a U.S. Merchant Marine before
obtaining his medical degree
from Temple University School
of Medicine, Philadelphia. Dr. Klena completed his internship
and a residency in general surgery
at Geisinger Medical Center,
Danville, and received fellowship
training in cardiothoracic surgery
at the University of Missouri,
Columbia.
Dr. Klena is a lieutenant
commander in the U.S. Navy
Reserves Medical Corps and
served active duty during
Operation Enduring Freedom. In addition to practicing medicine,
he also spent nearly 10 years
teaching it as an assistant
professor of surgery in the
Department of Cardiothoracic
Surgery, UPMC University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center system.
He is certified by the American
Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.