Conemaugh School of Nursing receives award for aiding local family

The Conemaugh School of Nursing’s Chapter of the Student Nurses’ Association received the 2009 Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) Community Health Project Award for assisting a local family struggling with a debilitating disease.

Jamie Eckenrod, a Conemaugh School of Nursing student and President of the Conemaugh Chapter of the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania, headed up the fundraising project after learning about 15-year-old Jessica Ambroe of Johnstown, who suffers from an extremely rare and fatal neurogenerative epilepsy called Lafora Disease. Jessica’s mother, Michele, is a 2005 graduate of Conemaugh SON.

Eckenrod and her classmates initiated community awareness efforts and raised $1,500 for the Ambroe family to go toward Lafora Disease research.

“We were all so touched by Jessica’s story that we wanted to support their amazing family,” Eckenrod said. “As a community service organization at Conemaugh SON, we wanted to create local awareness about Lafora Disease, so we decided to hold a bake sale at Richland Fire Hall during Thunder in the Valley, where we raised funds while also passing out informational flyers on Lafora Disease.”

“Out of several nurses’ associations across the state, we are so proud that Conemaugh’s student nurses have been recognized for their community outreach initiative,” says Mark Dellett, RN, BSN, Advisor, Conemaugh Student Nurses’ Association. “This was a cause that they truly believed in and gave it their all, so we’re delighted that they not only helped this local family, but were also commended by SNAP for a job well done.”

According to SNAP, the goal of the Community Health Project Award is to encourage the development and implementation of nursing-related community service projects.

CAPTION: (left to right) Mark Dellett, RN, BSN, SNAP Advisor, with senior SON students Amanda Ream, Jamie Eckenrod and Rebecca Dumm.

Memorial Medical Center celebrates Brain Awareness Week with health fair

For the second year in a row, Memorial Medical Center (MMC) will celebrate Brain Awareness Week, March 15-24, by participating in a local Brain Awareness Health Fair.

The Fair, being held Wednesday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Memorial Medical Center’s Clinical Pavilion Atrium, will be in conjunction with an international Brain Awareness Week event hosted by the Dana Foundation. Organizations across Cambria County will join the Conemaugh Health System in promoting an array of topics pertaining to brain health. Professionals from the following will be on hand:


Crichton Rehabilitation Center

MMC’s Stroke Program

Brain Tumor Treatment Program

Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center

Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania

Unlimited Care Providers

John P. Murtha Neuroscience and Pain Institute

MMC’s General Surgery Residency Program


Interactive displays for all ages will be available as well as information on ways to keep your brain healthy. In addition, attendees can hear brain research success stories, participate in fun brainteasers and enjoy brain-healthy food giveaways. Free parking will be available in the parking garages on MMC’s Main Campus.


About the Dana Foundation

According to the Dana Foundation website, the Dana Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that supports brain research through grants and educates the public about the successes and potential of brain research. www.dana.org

HealthGrades Awards for Excellence-

Memorial Medical Center is proud to be the only hospital in Pennsylvania to receive both the HealthGrades Maternity Care and Women’s Excellence Award, and the only hospital in the region ranked among the Top 10% in the Nation for Maternity Care.

Memorial Medical Center has received the 2009/2010 Women’s Health Excellence Award™ and Maternity Care Excellence Award™ from HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings organization, based on a study of patient outcomes.

169 hospitals, which represent the top five percent of all hospitals in the U.S., were recognized with the Women’s Health Excellence Award™ and 145 were recognized with a Maternity Care Excellence Award™. Only 15 hospitals across the country received both prestigious awards and only one in the state of Pennsylvania was among this elite group - Conemaugh’s Memorial Medical Center.

“It’s quite an honor to be the only hospital in the state and one of just 15 in the country honored with HealthGrades Excellence Awards in both Maternity Care and Women’s Health,” says David Carlson, DO, Chief Medical Officer, Conemaugh Health System. “This latest recognition reinforces the fact that the care provided by our highly skilled and dedicated physicians, nurses and staff is not only improving, but saving numerous lives. We are very proud of each and every one of our employees for their commitment to ‘Excellence. Every patient. Every time.’”

The study, along with HealthGrades’ individual hospital ratings, can be viewed at the HealthGrades web site.

Honor a doctor who has touched your life, while raising money for a charitable cause

Conemaugh Health Foundation (CHF) is celebrating the National Doctor’s Day on March 30 by once again giving the community an opportunity to make donations in honor or memory of an outstanding physician.

Over the past three years, the Conemaugh Health Foundation has received donations honoring more than 170 physicians, approximately $18,500, which benefits the Greatest Patient Needs Fund.

The Greatest Patient Needs Fund provides patients who are underinsured or uninsured with things such as diabetic test strips, transportation and wigs for cancer patients. This fund also supports much needed technology and patient education.

Physicians are notified when a donation is made in their honor, however the amount is not disclosed.

Donations can be made in honor of your doctor online at www.conemaugh.org/foundation. Checks may be made payable to the Conemaugh Health Foundation and mailed to 1086 Franklin Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 15905, or contact the CHF at 814-534-3133.

The Origin of National Doctor’s Day
It was started by Eudora Brown Almond (wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond) of Winder, Georgia, to mark the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery. This took place on March 30, 1842, when Crawford W. Long, MD, of Jefferson, Georgia, administered the first ether anesthesia to James Venable and then operated to remove a tumor from the man's neck.

When Eudora Brown Almond and the Barrow County Medical Society Auxiliary were inspired to recognize this accomplishment, the result was a local community celebration on March 30, 1933, which was the first Doctors' Day. The occasion was celebrated by mailing cards to physicians and their wives, and by placing flowers on the graves of deceased doctors, including Dr. Long. His history-making achievement on that day, and the continuous efforts by physicians to alleviate human suffering in the 168 years since then, have become the basis for celebrating Doctors' Day each year.

The only Transitional Care Unit in region to add 12 beds

Leaders at Memorial Medical Center (MMC) are pleased to announce that the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) will be expanding. The only unit of its kind in the region, the TCU recently relocated to PC2 at MMC’s Lee Campus, which will allow the unit to gradually increase its census from 18 to 30 residents.

“We are very pleased with the move,” says Nancy Tyrrell, RN, MSN, MHA, Director, Long Term Care, MMC. “Right now we’re in the process of interviewing new staff members, but anticipate that we will be able to accept the full 30 residents by June 2010.”

The TCU provides care to those at all stages of illness or injury, including those who are recovering from major surgeries as well as joint replacements, fractures or other orthopedic conditions. Residents have recently spent three or more days in an acute care facility, such as Memorial, and are still in need of short-term skilled services as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These services include: Physical, Occupational or Speech Therapy; IV Therapy; Cardio and Respiratory Management; and Pain Management.

“The TCU provides a very important part of the healing process for patients who are not serious enough to remain as an inpatient, but are still in need of specialized care and rehabilitation before returning home,” says Dr. David Carlson, CMO, Conemaugh Health System. “There is a strong need for this kind of unit in our region, and we’re proud to be the only facility in a four-county area to offer this crucial step-down level of care.”

While in the TCU, a team of caregivers, including social workers, immediately begin working with patients and their families to develop a realistic “discharge plan.” This plan includes long and short-term goals as well as any additional needs that a patient may have upon leaving the TCU. Patients’ families also receive progress updates twice a week. The TCU is regulated by the Department of Health division of long-term care and accepts Medicare patients only.

Colorectal Cancer

Did you know that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.? It is recommended that everyone 50 and older have an annual screening! Get the facts about colorectal cancer- click here for a brochure on Colorectal Cancer.

Former Memorial Medical Center resident joins MedWELL

Memorial Medical Center (MMC) is pleased to announce the addition of Sahar Elias, MD, board certified in family medicine.

Dr. Elias, who graduated from MMC’s Family Medicine Residency program in 2008, will be seeing patients at MedWELL urgent care center located at 1450 Scalp Avenue in Johnstown.

“I enjoy family medicine because you get to see the entire gamut of cases and conditions, and your patients range in age from pediatrics to geriatrics,” says Dr. Elias. “MedWELL is a good fit for me because, in addition to the variety, I also enjoy the fast paced nature of the center and am very comfortable with the staff.”

In 1997, Dr. Elias received her medical doctorate from Aleppo University School of Medicine in Syria, where she graduated in the top five percent of her class. In addition to the residency program at Memorial, Dr. Elias also completed an Externship with Hematology Oncology Associates in Pittsburgh, where she served as an observer in the outpatient clinic at Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville.

Dr. Elias’s volunteer work over the years has earned her praise. In 2002, she received the “Most Compassionate Doctor Award” from the Orthodoxy Church Orphan’s House, where she provided free medical consultation one day a week from 2001-2003.

Dr. Elias resides in Johnstown with her husband, Samir Hadeed, MD, FACC, FSCAI, cardiologist, Conemaugh Physician Group, and their two children.

“This is a great place to raise a family,” says Dr. Elias. “I’m delighted to have the ability to live in a safe community and enjoy a wonderful quality of life, while also getting to do what I love as a physician.”

MedWELL is open to patients seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with limited laboratory and imaging services available on-site. For more information, call MedWELL at 814-269-5200.