Western Pennsylvania Healthcare News

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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’s Center for Children’s Rehabilitation Services Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

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Monongahela Valley Hospital’s (MVH) Center for Children’s Rehabilitation (CCR) Services is celebrating 10 years of helping children in the Mon Valley.

During that time, the MVH CCR has treated hundreds of children from birth to age 21 for conditions such as apraxia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, developmental delays, Down syndrome, fine and gross motor skill delays, neuromuscular and neurological conditions, orthopedic disorders, pervasive developmental disabilities, sensory integration disorders, speech/language delays and disorders as well as swallowing disorders.

The MVH CCR has active patients from Washington, Fayette, Westmoreland, and Allegheny counties, among others. Services include speech, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Patients must have a prescription from a physician to receive service and most insurances are accepted. [Read more…]

Monongahela Valley Hospital Makes the Quality Achievement Grade Again

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Monongahela Valley Hospital achieved the Healthgrades® Outstanding Patient Experience Award™, ranking it among the top 10 percent of all hospitals evaluated. Bob Donahue, director of Quality Services and Client Development of Healthgrades, presented MVH with a trophy for this national recognition at the hospital’s 26th Annual Gala fundraiser on Saturday, May 17, at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh. Mr. Donahue is shown with Donna Ramusivich, MVH senior vice president and Louis J. Panza Jr., MVH president and CEO.

Monongahela Valley Hospital achieved the Healthgrades® Outstanding Patient Experience Award™, ranking it among the top 10 percent of all hospitals evaluated. Bob Donahue, director of Quality Services and Client Development of Healthgrades, presented MVH with a trophy for this national recognition at the hospital’s 26th Annual Gala fundraiser on Saturday, May 17, at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh. Mr. Donahue is shown with Donna Ramusivich, MVH senior vice president and Louis J. Panza Jr., MVH president and CEO.

For the second consecutive year, Monongahela Valley Hospital (MVH) has achieved the Healthgrades® Outstanding Patient Experience Award™, ranking MVH among the top 10 percent of all hospitals evaluated.

Healthgrades, the leading online resource that helps consumers search, evaluate, compare and connect with physicians and hospitals, recognized MVH in its most recent report, “Patient Experience 2014: Identifying What Matters Most.” The report names the hospitals that have achieved the 2014 Outstanding Patient Experience Award from the 3,939 hospitals analyzed in the United States.

Bob Donahue, director of Quality Services and Client Development of Healthgrades, presented the hospital with a trophy for this national recognition at the 26th Annual Gala fundraiser on Saturday, May 17, at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

[Read more…]

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.

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 To Host Seminar on Hospice and Palliative Care

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Hospice and Palliative Care will be the topic of a free seminar Thursday, Nov. 14, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Monongahela Valley Hospital (MVH).

The program will include two distinguished speakers in the fields of palliative care followed by a panel discussion. Daniel A. Iracki, M.D., whose specialties include palliative care, internal medicine and pulmonary medicine, will discuss “Ethical Conversations Between Patients, Families and Physicians About Hospice: How and When to Have Them.”  Vickie Carolla, director of operations for Amedisys Home Health Care, will address “Myths, Facts and Tips for Hospice.” The panel will include Dr. Iracki and Ms. Carolla as well as Father John Fiero, from the True Vine Anglican Church and coordinator of the MVH On-Call Chaplains Program and families of patients who have experienced palliative care and/or hospice.

[Read more…]

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.

[Read more…]

Monongahela Valley Hospital Hosts Symposium on Chronic Lung Diseases

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Experts from noted medical centers in the Pennsylvania and Maryland will discuss “Advances in Pulmonary Medicine” during the 2013 Medical Staff Symposium Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., at Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Anthony M. Lombardi Education and Conference Center.

This annual medical education event is designed as an update for physicians, nurses and other health care professionals in the prevention, diagnosis and management of sleep disorders and chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its goal is to improve patient outcomes.
[Read more…]

Monongahela Valley Hospital and Fitness Center Present Annual Living Well Event

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As the fall days provide less and less sunlight, and food-laden, sometimes stressful holidays loom on the horizon, many people may be concerned about gaining weight and managing their health in general.

The Nutrition and Food Service staff from Monongahela Valley Hospital and staff from the Center for Fitness and Health have teamed up to provide some free, expert guidance.

Called “Living Well Through the Seasons,” this annual event exploring nutrition and fitness will be held Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 1 p.m., at the Mon-Vale HealthPLEX in WillowPointe Plaza in Rostraver.

The event is free and open to the public. Experts will discuss simple ways to achieve fitness and health benefits such as low-fat nutrition tips, stress management and healthy holiday eating. Cooking demonstrations will also be included as part of the presentations.
[Read more…]

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 Cancer Program Accredited by ACoS

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Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Charles L. and Rose Sweeney Melenyzer Pavilion and Regional Cancer Center earned a Three-Year National Accreditation from the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS).

Only 30 percent of the hospitals in the United States and Puerto Rico meet these guidelines and are accredited. CoC-accredited facilities diagnose and/or treat more than 70 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer patients and ACS estimates that more than 1.6 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2013.  When cancer patients choose to seek care locally at a CoC-accredited cancer center, they are gaining access to comprehensive, state-of-the-art cancer care in their own communities.
[Read more…]