Saturday Nov 13, 2010 6:30 - Midnight VF Outlet Center, Designer's Place

Charity Ball Invitation • Charity Ball Gift Form • Sponsorship Opportunities • Charity Ball Silent Auction Items

2010 Charity Ball Sponsor List

 

Diamond Sponsor

Giorgio Foods, Inc. www.giorgiofoods.com

Carole and Ray Neag

 

Sapphire Sponsor

Fox Rothschild LLP

J.M. Winston Radiology Associates

Respiratory Specialists

VF Outlet Center

 

Ruby Sponsor

Berks Pathology Associates

Lehigh Cement Company

 

Emerald Sponsor

Fulton Bank - Great Valley Division

Land Displays

Lillibridge

Sweet Street Desserts

Wachovia/Wells Fargo

Wyomissing Optometric Center
Susan E.B. Frankowski, Esq.

 

Wine Sponsor

St. Joseph Medical Center Medical Staff

Doctors and clinical staff from St. Joseph Medical Center have planned the following talks as part of the medical center's fall lecture series.  All programs are open to the public and free of charge.  Each begins at 7 p.m. in the Franciscan Room at the hospital's Bern Campus unless otherwise noted below:

click here for more information

Wednesday, October 20
Putting Hearts in Perfect Rhythm – Dealing with Palpitations...The best treatment for you.  Presented by Electrophysiologist and Cardiologist Christopher Rogers, DO

Wednesday, October 20 @1 PM 
NOTE:  (This a Webinar, an on-line presentation that people can log on to from a home or office computer)
It’s a Women’s Thing: Breast Cancer, Osteoporosis and Menopause
Presented by Gynecologist Christie Ganas, MD; To register call 800-278-7837.

Tuesday, October 26 @1 PM 
Could you be at Risk for Diabetes? Preventions and lifestyle changes.
Presented by Angela Serafin, RN, MSN, CDE, Certified Diabetic Educator

Wednesday, November 3
Cardiac Disease:  Are you at Risk?
Presented by Cardiologist Ronald Polinsky, Jr., MD

Thursday, November 18
Strategies to Help Heart Failure Patients Enjoy Holiday Fun and Food
Presented by Cardiologist Mayank Modi, MD

Wednesday, December 1 @ 1 PM 
Understanding Your Heart Medications – What You Should Know.
Presented by Pharmacist Jill Kennedy, PharmD

New St. Joseph Route 222 Walk-In facility to expand; already offers outpatient lab and radiology services.
 
Reading, Pa., Sept 17, 2010 -- St. Joseph Regional Health Network will open an Urgent Care service within its Maidencreek Outpatient facility located off of Route 222 and Tamarack Boulevard (across from the CVS) on Monday, September 20th at 4 p.m.
 
The Urgent Care will be staffed by doctors and nurses.  It will offer evening and weekend hours for walk-in, no appointment, treatment for conditions that require prompt attention but do not pose an immediate health threat, including: Bad Colds/Flu, Cough, Earache, Headache, Insect bite, Skin irritation, Nausea/vomiting, Sinus infection, Sore throat, Sprains, Strains, Minor fractures, Cuts requiring stitches, and Bruises.
 
Urgent Care hours are Monday to Friday 4 PM to 9 PM; Saturday 8 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 4:00 PM.
 
The Maidencreek facility also houses other St. Joseph services including: CT Scan, X-Ray, Lab, Mammography, Physical Therapy, and EKG.

St. Joseph Regional Health Network’s leadership – its Board of Directors and its management – take great delight in knowing that the former property of St. Joseph Medical Center has been repurposed and reimagined in a way that gives back to the community – and will do so for generations.

Our collaboration with the Reading School District’s Board and its Administration has resulted in the creation and construction of one of the state’s newest and most architecturally-stunning academic facilities. The Citadel also is a wonderful tribute to the twin legacies of St. Joseph and that of our founders, The Sisters of St. Francis. We look forward to continuing to work together to advance the common good of our entire community.

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.
read more...

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.
read more...

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.
read more...

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.
read more...

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."
read more...

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.”
read more...

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.