St. Joseph Health Center at Shelbourne Square is offering a complimentary 10-week Walking Program in conjunction with the Medical Fitness Association and AARP for those 50+.

The kick-off for the 10-Week Walking Program is August 3, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, at Shelbourne. The first 100 participants will receive a free pedometer, which they may use to log their own steps. Participants meet weekly to hear various exercise tips from Shelbourne’s exercise physiologists, as well as have opportunity to ask questions. Progress charts will be posted at Shelbourne, as well, to encourage some healthy competition.
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St. Joe's Quality Medical Laboratory has been awarded an accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of an on-site inspection this week.

The Quality Medical Laboratory is one of the more than 6,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide, and the only CAP certified hospital in Berks County.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory's records and quality control procedures for the preceding two years, as well as staff qualifications, laboratory's equipment, facilities, the safety program and record, and the overall management of the laboratory.

PENN STATE HERSHEY AND ST. JOSEPH EXPAND CARE FOR CHILDREN AND CANCER PATIENTS IN BERKS COUNTY

Pediatric specialties services now open; radiation oncology service opens July 19

Reading, PA  -  Berks county children and families now have increased access to pediatric specialty care and enhanced cancer services through the growing partnership between St. Joseph Regional Health Network and Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Health System.

On Monday, July 5, Penn State Hershey opened the new Penn State Hershey Medical Group at St. Joseph Medical Center, located on the St. Joseph medical campus in Bern Township. By the fall, approximately two dozen Penn State Hershey Children‟s Hospital physicians in15 pediatric specialties and sub-specialties will see patients at the St. Joseph site Monday through Friday on a rotating basis.
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Governor Ed Rendell, pictured above, cited St. Joseph Medical Center as one of the top 16 hospitals in Pennsylvania in managing Hospital Acquired Infections earlier this week with the release of the Pennsylvania Department of Health 2009 Hospital Associated Infection (HAI) Report, which monitors infections patients get while being hospitalized.

“It is impressive news and true testimony to the efforts you all are making as we continue to establish St. Joseph's quality, patient satisfaction and clinical excellence credentials," Hospital President and CEO John Morahan said. "We are in the top 16 hospitals in the state and Pennsylvania has more than 250 hospitals. Well done St. Joe’s!"

“Instituting evidence-based practices for pneumonia treatment, Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections, isolation practices, environmental services (best cleaning practices), and Central Line placement procedures have all helped to reduce infections at the hospital,” stated Liz Clark, Director, Process and Outcomes Management.
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The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) welcomed this week’s 2010–2011 state budget deal between legislative leaders and the Governor.

"This budget is a ‘win-win-win’ for our patients, our hospitals, and the Commonwealth," said HAP President and CEO Carolyn F. Scanlan. "Better and more stable Medical Assistance funding for hospitals will help to preserve and enhance patient access to care, provide hospitals with additional funding needed to improve quality and safety for all patients, and contribute approximately $246 million in revenue to the state over the next three years."

The budget agreement includes a modernized Medical Assistance (MA) payment system that will improve and stabilize reimbursements to hospitals while simultaneously providing a stable source of funds to the Commonwealth.
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St. Joseph Medical Center's Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs, Dr. Samuel Alfano, has been selected as the Chairman of the 2010 Berks County Start! Heart Walk which will be held on the Bern Campus October 3rd.

"We look forward to celebrating a successful campaign of promoting more walking, changing lifestyles and raising funds for the American Heart Association," Dr. Alfano explained, reminding participants of the Heart Association's "2 for 1" message. "For every hour of vigorous exercise you get, you gain 2 hours of life expectancy."

Dr. Alfano thanked Monica Rush for her efforts in coordinating the hospital's participation in the walk in previous years and noted to all participants, past and present, "your support of this very important cause is appreciated. It is your participation in the fundraising that makes the life-changing and life-saving work of the American Heart Association possible."
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Reading, Pa., March 4, 2010 -- St. Joseph Medical Center has taken its place among the top hospitals in the country in treating chest pain.  The hospital was officially granted accreditation as a Certified Chest Pain Center with PCI by the Board of the Society of Chest Pain Centers, Columbus, OH.

“This accreditation reflects our commitment to a protocol-driven and systematic approach to reduce treatment time during the critical early stages of a heart attack,” said John R. Morahan, St. Joseph's President and Chief Executive Officer. “The additional designation ‘with PCI’ illustrates our commitment to conducting percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as catheterization and angioplasty, on patients suffering from heart attack well within the national standard of 90 minutes of arrival at our Emergency Department.”
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Reading, Pa., February 9, 2010 -- In anticipation of the impending snowstorm, all St. Joseph outpatient satellite facilities will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb,. 10th. St. Joseph's Bern Township Main Campus and the Downtown Reading Campus at 6th and Walnut Streets will be open.

The Urgent Care on the Downtown Campus at 6th and Walnut Sts., (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and Urgent Care in Elverson (7 a.m. to 9 p.m.) are scheduled to be open, but could be closed once more is known about the storm's track and intensity.

The public can call 610-378-2110 for updates on Urgent Care opening/hours.

Patient to pin Rottweiler/Rhodesian Ridgeback as hospital's first dog
"Guardian Angel"

Reading, PA, January 21, 2010 -- When Mary Meanen came to St. Joseph Medical Center, she expected the high-tech scanners, the newest medications, and an experienced and compassionate staff to help her. What she also found was a seven-year-old Rottweiler/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix named Buster who cozied up to her with his warm nose as she got the "cold" news that her cancer had spread.

And now, Buster, owned by the hospital's Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Daniel Woolley, MD, will officially become Meanen's Guardian Angel today as part of a pinning ceremony that is usually reserved for honoring hospital staff that go the extra mile to help patients.

In nominating Buster, Meanen wrote that after being hospitalized and learning that her cancer had spread "it was a God-send to have Buster. He knew I was sick and came to me."

Meanen, 71, of Mohrsville, met Buster after she received the news that she had developed a rare form of cancer, myoepithelial carcinoma.

Prior to their meeting, Meanen had spent five days in the critical care unit at St. Joe’s and had been in and out of the hospital numerous times over the past year. Upon meeting Buster, Meanen felt that he "sensed" her cancer and "gave all his love and support" to her when she needed it most.

"It was such tough, tough news to swallow, so it was great having him there." Meanen said. "His empathy in what he does is far and above anything I've ever seen."

Maureen Woolley, who takes Buster to visit with patients, and who works on the Bern Campus, said that Buster’s "touch offered more than words could express."

Buster is certified by Pet Therapy Inc. and is a Good Canine Citizen. He has been providing friendship and support for patients at St. Joe's since 2007.

The Guardian Angel program enables patients to nominate hospital staff for their exemplary performance in patient care and kindness throughout the patient’s time at the hospital.