Commonwealth Health’s Moses Taylor Hospital Reopens Pharmacy, Launches Meds-to-Beds Program Moses Taylor Hospital is taking another step in its campus revitalization with the reopening of its hospital pharmacy, The Apothecary, and launch of a new Meds-to-Beds program. The program allows eligible patients to have their prescriptions filled before leaving the hospital, providing greater convenience and helping ensure they have the medications they need when they return home. “Reopening our pharmacy and launching Meds-to-Beds is another meaningful investment in our patients and our campus,” said Patrick D. Conaboy MD, CEO, Regional Hospital of Scranton. “It’s about making healthcare more convenient while continuing to build momentum for the future of Commonwealth Health’s Scranton hospitals.” The pharmacy and Meds-to-Beds program are part of a broader effort to revitalize the Moses Taylor campus, enhance the patient experience, and strengthen healthcare services for the Scranton community. The Meds-to-Beds program is available at Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital.
Regional Hospital of Scranton Expands Access to Colorectal and General Surgery Services Commonwealth Health Physician Network is pleased to announce that William Auriemma, M.D., FACS, FASCRS,has joined its provider team and is now accepting new patients in Scranton. Dr. Auriemma is also a member of the medical staff at Regional Hospital of Scranton. A board-certified colorectal and general surgeon, Dr. Auriemma provides comprehensive surgical care for a wide range of conditions, including colon and rectal disorders, hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, and more. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal conditions such as colon cancer, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and hemorrhoids. Dr. Auriemma is experienced in both traditional and minimally invasive surgical techniques and offers advanced robotic-assisted surgery to help improve precision, reduce recovery times, and enhance patient outcomes. With two da Vinci Xi robotic surgical systems, Regional Hospital of Scranton provides patients with timely access to advanced, minimally invasive surgical options. Dr. Auriemma earned his medical degree from Hahnemann University Medical School. He completed his residency in general surgery at Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia and a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. He is board certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Services include: Robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery Colonoscopy Colon and rectal surgery Bowel resections for colon cancer, diverticular disease, and inflammatory bowel disease Hernia surgery Gallbladder surgery Medical and surgical treatment of hemorrhoids Appendectomy Dr. Auriemma practices at: Commonwealth Health Physician Network – Colorectal and General Surgery743 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 203Scranton, PA 18510570-344-9457 Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Geisinger Health Plan. To schedule an appointment or learn more, call 570-344-9457.
Are You Taking Full Advantage of Your Health Insurance Coverage? Now is a good time to review health insurance policies to ensure you will get the most out of plan benefits, especially if you have already met the annual deductible. Many insurance plans will cover most, if not all, costs for eligible medical procedures and treatments once an individual meets the deductible and out of pocket maximum, making the second half of the year an opportune time to schedule any necessary or elective medical procedures that may have been postponed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. We encourage everyone to take full advantage of the preventative care and medical services available through their health plans,” said Michael Curran, CEO of Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton. “If you’re contributing toward your premium, it’s a ‘use it or lose it’ situation, so make sure to utilize all of the benefits you’re entitled to before the year ends and deductible and out-of-pocket payment responsibilities reset.” For example, someone who has a $2,000 deductible and a $4,000 out-of-pocket maximum is responsible for paying for many medical expenses until they reach the $2,000 threshold. Once they pass this mark, the insurer begins paying a larger portion of the cost of services eligible through in-network providers. And when they reach the $4,000 out-of-pocket maximum, insurers will pay the total cost for eligible services. Remember, monthly premium payments do not count towards deductibles, and in most cases, copays do not count either. And once a new policy year begins, both deductible and out-of-pocket maximum contributions return back to zero. Dr. Rourke Decker, Family Medicine with Commonwealth Health Physician Network highlights another critical aspect of leveraging health insurance benefits: preventative care. “Regardless of whether your health insurance is through an employer, the Marketplace, or Medicare, preventative care is generally covered—including annual wellness appointments and immunizations,” said Dr. Decker. “Many people skip an annual physical because they ‘feel’ healthy, but these appointments can reveal underlying issues that might not yet show symptoms, when they’re easier to treat.” Key screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, and elective surgeries, such as joint replacements and hysterectomies, may also be less expensive once you’ve reached your deductible. But, plan early since sometimes these services can be harder to schedule during the second half of the year as more people catch up on their healthcare needs. And, in the case of surgeries, there may be a process that takes time before the procedure can be scheduled. To check off one or more of these procedures from your to-do list, request an appointment today with your primary care physician. You deserve the best care.
Commonwealth Health Welcomes Surgeon Specializing in Minimally Invasive Techniques and Robotic Technology Commonwealth Health Physician Network is always looking for ways to improve local access to advanced treatment options across a wide range of surgery specialties. So we are excited to introduce a new member of our surgical team that has over a decade of experience and has trained at several renowned academic institutions. John Pepen, M.D., FACS, graduated from Columbia University and completed fellowship-training in surgical critical care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Pepen is board-certified in general surgery and surgical critical care. He is experienced in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery for a range of health issues including appendicitis, hernia repair, gastrointestinal surgery, colorectal disease, and gallbladder disease. Dr. Pepen is a member of the medical staff at Regional Hospital of Scranton and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Dr. Pepen is accepting new patients at Commonwealth Physician Network’s office located at 743 Jefferson Ave. To schedule a consult or request a second opinion for surgery, call 570-207-0433. Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Geisinger Health Plan.
Commonwealth Health Fights Hunger with Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive To help address hunger in our community, and in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2, the employees, volunteers and medical staff of Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital donated jars of peanut butter during their second annual Jars of Love drive to Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, Bread Basket of NEPA, and St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen. In addition to hospital-based donations, community partners, including individuals and businesses, pitched in this year with their contributions to the peanut butter drive bringing the total contributed Jars of Love to 2,220. Peanut butter is one of the most requested items for food banks because it is highly nutritious and has a long shelf life. Unfortunately, many food banks in America report it is also one of the least donated food items. Other foods needed by food banks include pasta, canned goods, butter, grits, beef broth, diapers, toothpaste, and deodorant.
Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton Celebrates Doctor’s Day with Donations This Doctors’ Day, Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton is honoring their physicians by donating $6,000 to local charities selected by the medical staff. The physicians voted earlier this month and selected St. Joseph’s Center and St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen. “On Doctors’ Day, and every day, we are thankful to work with skilled and compassionate providers.” said Michael Curran, CEO of Regional Hospital of Scranton. “We are grateful for their contributions, sacrifices, and unwavering care provided to the patients our hospitals and clinics treat each year throughout the community.” St. Joseph’s Center received a donation of $3,000. Rooted in the core values of care, concern, compassion and commitment, the Saint Joseph’s Center humbly serves people who are diagnosed with intellectual disability and those who seek pregnancy support, adoption assistance, outpatient therapy or medical day care services. St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen received a donation of $3,000. Their mission is rooted in the Catholic tradition and the spirit of its patron, St. Francis of Assisi, the hungry are fed in collaboration with volunteers and donors from all faith communities. The Kitchen provides a free, hot, nutritious meal every day of the year. On Wednesday, March 27, hospital leadership and medical staff members from Regional Hospital of Scranton presented checks to St. Joseph’s Center and St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen in honor of Doctors’ Day on March 30.
Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton Recognized for Excellence in Patient Safety Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton has received statewide recognition for its outstanding performance in patient safety. The Hospital and Health system Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) is recognizing Regional Hospital of Scranton through its 2023 Excellence in Patient Safety Recognition program. The recognition honors Pennsylvania’s top-performing hospitals that have demonstrated low rates of health care-associated infections. HAP is recognizing 29 hospitals this year based on their performance during 2022. HAP identifies top-performing hospitals using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network. To be recognized, hospitals must perform better than the mean standardized infection ratio in three key measures: central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridioides difficile infections. “HAP is proud to recognize the hospital teams with exemplary results from their efforts to continuously improve the quality and safety of patient care,” HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings said. “This year, more hospitals met the criteria to be recognized than any other year since this program began. This speaks to the Pennsylvania hospital community’s strong commitment to patient safety.”
Commonwealth Health Physician Network Welcomes New Surgeon to Scranton Scranton, Pa. (October, 2023) – General Surgeon Christine Holloway, M.D., recently joined Commonwealth Health Physician Network at our office located in downtown Scranton. Dr. Holloway is a board-certified general surgeon that is fellowship trained in minimally invasive surgery. She provides surgical treatment for a wide range of illnesses and injuries including appendicitis, hernias, acid reflux disease, gallbladder disease and thyroid disease. She earned her medical degree at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and followed that with a residency in Mercy Catholic Medical Center. Dr. Holloway recently completed a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at Jackson South Medical Center. Dr. Holloway sees patients at Commonwealth Physician Network’s office located at 743 Jefferson Ave. To refer a patient or to schedule a consult call 570-207-0433.
Commonwealth Health Tips to Prevent Type-2 Diabetes Over 30 million Americans have Type-2 diabetes. If left untreated or unmanaged, the disease can damage all aspects of the cardiovascular system, cause blindness, heart disease, loss of limbs and other serious conditions. While Type-2 diabetes is most often diagnosed in adults 45 and older with a family history of the disease or in those who are overweight or obese, the condition is now becoming more prevalent in children, teens and young adults. Fortunately, there are small lifestyle changes and habits that can help prevent this chronic condition in people of all ages while also improving overall health. As the most common type of diabetes, Type-2 diabetes is when the body creates too much insulin or resists it, which causes blood sugar levels to rise. “The reality is that there is no cure for Type-2 diabetes, so taking steps to prevent this disease is your best course of action,” says Neda Danniel, M.D., family medicine physician with Commonwealth Health Physician Network. “Even small changes in lifestyle like taking a daily walk or drinking water instead of juice can help ward off a diagnosis and make a big impact on your health.” Dr. Danniel suggests four ways to prevent Type-2 diabetes. Manage weight and belly fat: Excess weight in the abdomen and obesity are main causes of Type-2 diabetes. Experts recommend maintaining a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 and a waistline of less than 35 inches for women and less than 40 inches for men.Exercise regularly: Daily exercise can help avoid heart disease, reduce stress and Type-2 diabetes. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, like walking or biking, and two strength workouts each week.Move more: Additional movement beyond exercise can also help keep off weight. Consider taking the stairs rather than an elevator or standing during work meetings to add more movement into daily life.Eat fresh food: Avoid overly processed foods like chips, candy and deli meats, and focus on foods rich in fiber and nutrients like fruits, vegetables and lean protein. Unfortunately, Type-2 diabetes could take years to develop and symptoms are often hard to detect. If you experience extreme fatigue, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet or blurred vision, it is important to get tested. To learn more about preventing Type-2 diabetes, or to schedule a wellness exam, visit https://www.commonwealthhealth.net/.
Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton Receives Award Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability, and accelerating recovery times. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home. “We are incredibly pleased to recognize Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.” Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: StrokeSM Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster alteplase.
