Local Community Health Leader Passes Away
Wilford “Will” A. Payne spent his life providing medical care to the less fortunate, those the system left behind. On Saturday, July 2, when that system could no longer care for him, the man the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called the “Johnny Appleseed of Local Health Centers” passed away at the age of 71.
He did not leave empty-handed. The fruits of Will’s labor can be seen in the thousands of Western Pennsylvania residents who owe their lives to the clinics he built in the region’s poorest neighborhoods. Will’s Primary Care Health Services Inc. treats more than 20,000 patients a year in Allegheny County and the model he developed as a pioneer in community health is employed in cities across the country.
Conemaugh Welcomes New OB/GYN Physician
Conemaugh Physician Group recently welcomed Dr. Jihad Azar to the practice of Conemaugh OB/GYN. Dr. Azar is a graduate of Lebanese University-Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanon. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Medical College at Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Paterson, New Jersey.
“I lived in Johnstown for three years and really loved the people and the community,” says Dr. Azar. “I am glad to have this opportunity to come back to Conemaugh to practice obstetrics and gynecology.”
Dr. Azar has a special interest and training in minimally invasive gynecology surgery. He chose obstetrics and gynecology because it is a broad field and includes both medicine and surgery. “I love helping to bring new life into the world, it is a blessing to share this special moment with my patients,” says Dr. Azar. “I also like being in the operating room and helping people in the office setting. The variety is amazing and I enjoy all aspects of this field.”
When he is not working, Dr. Azar loves to be outdoors, biking, hiking, swimming, listening to music and working out. “This region is very beautiful and a perfect fit for my personality. I enjoy the quality of life and the variety of four seasons. This is also a very friendly region and I have always felt welcome and at home here.”
Conemaugh Physician Group (CPG), a member of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, is a growing multi-specialty group, physician-led and professionally managed with more than 120 primary care and physician specialists dedicated to outstanding patient care and clinical outcomes. Conemaugh Physician Group proudly cares for patients in more than 40 locations throughout a five-county region. To learn more, visit www.conemaugh.org.
5 Ways Medical Professionals Can Engage Their Patients in Weight Loss
By David Roddenberry
Despite the advancements in research, updated recommendations and guidelines for the general population, and a deeper understanding of the impact of poor lifestyle choices on our long term health, rates of overweight and obesity continue to be on the rise. Healthcare providers continue to struggle with supporting the overweight and obese population for any number of organizational and societal reasons. Here are five ways medical professionals can better support and engage their patients in weight loss:
Be informed. Few healthcare professionals receive formal training in weight loss, weight management or even nutrition. Fewer are aware of all of the tools and resources available to help their patients, which makes discussing the issue with patients even more difficult. Take the time to locate reputable dietitians, gyms, university programs, counseling options, support groups, or any other number of tools and resources that may be of help to your patients. Even better – partner with them! Providing resources rather than just making blanket recommendations helps your patients feel supported rather than judged.
Be realistic. This may come down to training again, but making recommendations for weight loss that are not realistic for your patients can serve to further the problem. They may feel they’ve failed yet another attempt, and be unwilling to return for additional support or advice. Take the time to find out one or two small changes a patient may be able to easily implement, and build on those successes. It’s also important to remember that even slight lifestyle changes and small amounts of weight loss lead to very positive changes in health outcomes. [Read more…]
Randy Tewksbury Promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Mount Nittany Health
Mount Nittany Health is pleased to announce the promotion of Randy Tewksbury, MBA, FHFMA, as senior vice president and chief financial officer of the health system.
Joining Mount Nittany Health in July 2015 as vice president of finance, Tewksbury previously served for 20 years in finance administration roles at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, including controller and vice president for finance/chief financial officer.
“We are truly fortunate to have someone of Randy’s caliber as an integral part of the Mount Nittany Health family,” said Steve Brown, FACHE, president and CEO. “Randy brings more than 35 years of financial service in progressively-responsible managerial positions, and has extensive experience in all aspects of healthcare financial management.” [Read more…]