Pittsburgh Healthcare Report

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Monongahela Valley Hospital (MVH) is a 226-bed, full-service health care facility with a 220-member medical staff representing more than 40 medical specialties.

Services include:

—Occupational health
—Psychiatric care
—Critical and cardiac care
—Emergency care
—Rehabilitation
—Comprehensive oncology services, including a regional cancer center for radiation therapy and chemotherapy and an inpatient unit.
—Cardiac Catheterization and Angioplasty: Cardiac Catheterization including balloon angioplasty to provide quicker management and treatment of heart attacks.
—IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), a highly-advanced cancer treatment method.
—A SameDay Surgery Center
—A Women's Health Center

Additionally, MVH's Education Conference Center is a source of resources and support to the community. With more than 1,100 employees, MVH is the largest employer in the mid-Monongahela Valley and the third largest employer in Washington County. As such, the health care system plays a vital and viable role in strengthening the area's economy by generating revenue into the community through the purchase of products and services.

History
The 100th anniversary was celebrated in December 2002. The health care system traces its heritage to the turn of the century when its predecessor facilities, Charleroi-Monessen Hospital and Memorial Hospital of Monongahela, were founded. The two hospitals consolidated on July 1, 1972, forming what is now Monongahela Valley Hospital. The current facility in Carroll Township opened in September 1978.

For more information, visit us at www.monvalleyhospital.com.

Monongahela Valley Hospital to Educate Community on Chronic Kidney Disease

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The professional staff of Fresenius Medical Care will present a program called, “How to Know if You Have Chronic Kidney Disease,” on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. in the Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. The free program will explain chronic kidney disease (CKD), its risk factors, symptoms and treatment options.

CKD, also called renal failure or chronic kidney failure, describes the gradual loss of kidney function. In the early stages of CKD, signs and symptoms may be few. If CKD reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes can build up in the body. If untreated, it can progress to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal without dialysis or a transplant. Fresenius Medical Care provides renal dialysis services and related products.

For more information or to register, call 855-233-2248.

Mon Valley Hospital February 2014 Calendar of Events

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Monongahela Valley Hospital is sponsoring a variety of informative programs this month. Many of the events will be held in the hospital’s Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center (ECC) unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, Feb. 1 – Friday, Feb. 28 – Coming Attractions: Mamm & Glamm

On Saturday, March 1, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., HealthPLEX Imaging is making the process of getting a mammogram a little more comfortable at the Mon-Vale HealthPLEX at WillowPointe Plaza in Rostraver. The event offers women who have prescriptions for mammograms the opportunity to have their screenings in a relaxing atmosphere and then enjoy free pampering. A variety of indulgent services will be offered along with light refreshments. Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 724-379-1911.

Monday, Feb. 3 – Gene and Boots Candies Valentine’s Day Candy Sale

9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Hospital Lobby. Treat yourself or your loved ones to local chocolate and candy delights. Sponsored by the Auxiliary of Mon-Vale Health Resources, Inc.  Proceeds from the event will be used to enhance services for patients and visitors at Monongahela Valley Hospital. For more information, call 724-258-1167. 

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Monongahela Valley Hospital Joint Replacement Patients Receive Holiday Cheer

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Patients spending the holiday at Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Orthopedic Institute will receive a special gift wishing them quick recoveries, thanks to the generosity of three local stores and one assistant manager, who feels like MVH is “her family.”

Brittany Fagioletti, 23, of Belle Vernon, convinced her colleagues at Aéropostale stores — Washington Tanger Outlets, Pittsburgh’s Robinson Town Center and Greensburg’s Westmoreland Mall — to each give 48 plush Christmas Gund teddy bears to MVH’s Orthopedic Institute joint replacement patients this holiday. Miss Fagioletti’s mother Kim is the nurse manager for the Orthopedic Institute and her sister Erika works in the Gift Shop.

“I know how hard my mom works here and how much she cares for her patients,” said Miss Fagioletti, who also once worked in the hospital’s Gift Shop. “I wanted to do something special for the patients; it feels like family here.”

Senior Vice President of Nursing Mary Lou Murt said the hospital will also use a few of the bears to comfort any children who might come to the Emergency Department during Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

This is the first time the Aéropostale stores donated the bears to the hospital’s patients. Many of the hospital’s departments have special holiday treats and traditions to lighten a holiday hospital stay.

Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Orthopedic Institute Coordinator Lorraine Damich, RN, BSN, CPAN, (left) and donation coordinator Brittany Fagioletti, (right) deliver bears to the hospital’s Orthopedic Institute joint replacement patients. Barb Duranti, of Donora, is recovering from double-knee replacement surgery and said she was surprised with the Gund bear gift. It was one of 144 donated by Aéropostale stores in Washington, Greensburg and Pittsburgh.

Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Orthopedic Institute Coordinator Lorraine Damich, RN, BSN, CPAN, (left) and donation coordinator Brittany Fagioletti, (right) deliver bears to the hospital’s Orthopedic Institute joint replacement patients. Barb Duranti, of Donora, is recovering from double-knee replacement surgery and said she was surprised with the Gund bear gift. It was one of 144 donated by Aéropostale stores in Washington, Greensburg and Pittsburgh.

Monongahela Valley Hospital January 2014 Calendar of Events

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Monongahela Valley Hospital is sponsoring a variety of informative programs this month. Many of the events will be held in the hospital’s Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center (ECC) unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, Jan. 7 – Thursday, Jan. 9 – Managing Your Diabetes

8:30 – 11:30 a.m., ECC. This session builds on the education received in the “Managing Your Diabetes” program. Learn more about food choices, dining out, and how your eating habits affect your blood glucose control. Completion of the three-day “Diabetes Self Management Training” is required prior to attending this class. Registration is required at least one week prior to the start of the class. For more information and to register, call 724-258-1483.

Tuesday, Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28 – Smoking Cessation Program

6 – 8 p.m., Monongahela Valley Hospital. Classes are offered at no charge to Primary Care Resource Center (PCRC) patients, MVH employees and anyone with a referral from an MVH-affiliated primary care physician. For all others, the cost for the complete program is $20. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, call 724-258-1932.
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Monongahela Valley Hospital’s December Calendar of Events

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Monongahela Valley Hospital is sponsoring a variety of informative programs this month. Many of the events will be held in the hospital’s Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center (ECC) unless otherwise noted.

Monday, Dec. 2 – Breast Cancer Support Group
2 – 4 p.m., Hospital, 7-East Family Room. This support group is free and open to all breast cancer patients and their families. The group meets the first Monday of each month. For more information, call 724-258-1704.

Monday, Dec. 2 – Innovations – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
6 p.m., ECC, Daniel T. Stewart, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand surgery, will present a free program to discuss the causes and treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome. This program is part of MVH’s Innovations in Medicine series featuring physician guest speakers providing medical information to the community. Light refreshments will be served and parking is free. To register, call 724-258-1333.

Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Bone Density Screening
1 – 3 p.m., Healthy Directions at the Finleyville Giant Eagle. Do you have brittle bones? Have you ever had a bone density test? This free, painless screening will indicate if you need a more extensive test and if you have osteoporosis. No appointments necessary. For more information, call 724-348-6699.
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Annual Breast Cancer Walk Celebrates Survivors, Remembers Loved Ones

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More than 400 participants — including these breast cancer survivors — filled the Charleroi Market House earlier this month for the 10th Annual MVH/Lois Orange Ducoeur Breast Cancer Walk.

“It’s more than just a walk now, people really look forward to this event,” said MVH Director of Fund Development, Melissa Marion, who led the committee organizing the event. “People come to honor their loved ones, they come to walk in support of survivors and each other; they walk as co-workers and families, plus they get more and more creative with their pink outfits. I think there is a real sense of community here.”

Proceeds from the annual one- or two-mile fun walk benefit Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Charles L. & Rose Sweeney Melenyzer Pavilion and Regional Cancer Center. The event raised more than $14,000.

The Breast Cancer Walk was created to honor the memory of Lois Orange Ducoeur, who lost her battle with cancer in 1965 at age 54. The Ducoeur family operated two stores in Charleroi for 118 years.

To view photos from the event, visit http://mvhwalk.shutterfly.com.

10-13MVHSurvivor Pic

Monongahela Valley Hospital Offers Easy Disposal for Unused Drugs Oct. 26

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Monongahela Valley Hospital staff and Carroll Township Police will work together on the 7th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a convenient and safe way for residents to remove unused drugs from their medicine cabinets, on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will be held on the hospital campus at the circular driveway area outside of the Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center. Participants can again remain in their cars and hand unwanted drugs to the police officers through their windows.

Carroll Township Police Chief Paul Brand said at the last collection in April, people were very willing to share their stories with him.

“One woman told us that she was dropping off the unused pills of her deceased husband; while another man told us that he was glad to give us his cancer meds because he was in remission and no longer needed them,” said Chief Brand.

Carroll Twp. Police Chief Paul Brand and Officer Ryan Brand of Charleroi display one of the bags of drugs donated to the 6th National Drug Take Back Day in April.

Carroll Twp. Police Chief Paul Brand and Officer Ryan Brand of Charleroi display one of the bags of drugs donated to the 6th National Drug Take Back Day in April.

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Free Program Offers Information on Breast Cancer Screenings, Mammograms

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Monongahela Valley Hospital’s physicians and staff are doing their part to help women of all ages during Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

MVH and its Regional Cancer Center will present a free Breast Cancer Education and Screening Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. in the hospital’s Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center.

The event is free to all women who register and will feature a light lunch, two guest speakers, information regarding early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer as well as optional breast examinations.

From left, MVH Director of Medical Records Lauren Altemera, RHIA, of Rostraver Township, with Rostraver residents Bill and Linda Horrell, owners of MarBill Diamonds & Jewelry in Belle Vernon, who are supporting Monongahela Valley Hospital’s free Breast Cancer Education Screening and Luncheon Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. at the hospital. Also with them are Jamie Fedorchak, RN, of Fallowfield Township, Nurse Manager of 7-East Oncology; MVH Assistant Director of Medical Records Angel Swab, of Smithton, and Andrew J. Zahalsky, M.D., of Venetia, MVH director of Medical Oncology.

From left, MVH Director of Medical Records Lauren Altemera, RHIA, of Rostraver Township, with Rostraver residents Bill and Linda Horrell, owners of MarBill Diamonds & Jewelry in Belle Vernon, who are supporting Monongahela Valley Hospital’s free Breast Cancer Education Screening and Luncheon Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. at the hospital. Also with them are Jamie Fedorchak, RN, of Fallowfield Township, Nurse Manager of 7-East Oncology; MVH Assistant Director of Medical Records Angel Swab, of Smithton, and Andrew J. Zahalsky, M.D., of Venetia, MVH director of Medical Oncology.

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VH Auxiliary to Hold Apple/Fall Festival

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A festive mood will prevail as the Auxiliary of Mon-Vale Health Resources, Inc. presents its annual Apple/Fall Festival on Friday, October 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center and the Central Plaza at Monongahela Valley Hospital.

This year’s festival will feature a variety of delicious foods including chili, hot dogs, pizza, apple dumplings, baked goods as well as other decorative fall items and crafts for sale.

Proceeds from the Auxiliary’s festival are used to benefit the Hospital’s patients and visitors. For more information about this event, contact the Gift Shop at 724-258-1167.

Preparing for the Auxiliary’s Apple/Fall Festival: From left to right: Auxilian Kay Blair; MVH Executive Chef Phoebe Seiverling; and Auxiliary President Ruth Antonelli.

Preparing for the Auxiliary’s Apple/Fall Festival: From left to right: Auxilian Kay Blair; MVH Executive Chef Phoebe Seiverling; and Auxiliary President Ruth Antonelli.

Monongahela Valley Hospital to Coordinate Popular Annual Breast Cancer Walk

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It will remain an exceedingly pink, family-oriented and fun event that raises money for local breast cancer patients, but there are a few subtle changes in the 10th Annual MVH/Lois Orange Ducoeur Breast Cancer Walk on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Along with a new logo, local cancer patients at Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Charles L. & Rose Sweeney Melenyzer Pavilion and Regional Cancer Center will now benefit from all the money raised from the popular annual pink fun walk.

After nine years of planning the annual event, the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce staff has handed over leadership of the walk to the hospital’s Office of Fund Development staff with the hopes of growing the event even larger than its present size.
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