Geisinger Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Scranton Recognized by Patient Safety Authority Geisinger Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Scranton was honored with a 2024 I AM Patient Safety achievement award from the Patient Safety Authority. The award recognizes advancements, outcomes and commitment to patient safety across Pennsylvania and the nation. The doctors and their team were selected from more than 125 nominations, foremost for their impact on patient care. The team at Geisinger Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Scranton — led by Mohamed Shitia, D.O.; Kevin Colleran, M.D.; and Aaron Wey, M.D. — was nominated for the I AM Patient Safety award by the Krevey family of Pittston, whose teenage daughter Emily had multiple sports-related injuries over a five-year span. From eighth grade through her senior year of high school, Emily had fractures, tendon and ligament tears and an injury to the bone and cartilage in her ankle. Each time, the orthopaedic physicians’ care and expertise allowed her to heal and continue to play — helping Emily’s team win conference and district titles for three straight years. “The Scranton orthopaedics team members were incredible beyond words,” said Emily’s mother, Terri Lee Krevey. “The future is hers to take, thanks to this group of physicians.” Since their inception in 2013, the I AM Patient Safety achievement awards have honored hundreds of programs and people who positively impact patient safety. The awards are judged by a cross-section of national and regional health care executives; patient safety advocates; and government, university and patient representatives. The Patient Safety Authority is an independent state agency that collects and analyzes patient safety data to improve safety outcomes and help prevent patient harm.
Geisinger Allergist and Immunologist Shares Allergy Tips for 2024 Season Geisinger’s Dr. Neil Baman, allergist/immunologist at Geisinger Scenery Park, State College, shares tips to help this year’s allergy season. As the temperature outside starts to climb above 50 degrees, people start peeking their heads outside. But once it hits 60, people throw open their windows to start spring cleaning with a rush of fresh air. If you’re a spring allergy sufferer, think before you open that window. People aren’t the only ones reacting to the warm weather—pollen is, too.As the weather warms up, trees start producing pollen that can end up in our nose and eyes and cause allergic symptoms. If you get spring allergies, it’s better to be proactive than reactive—prepare for spring allergies long before it’s warm enough to open those windows.The best way to prepare for spring allergies is to understand your personal triggers, start medications, monitor pollen levels and consider alternative treatments.Stock up your medicine cabinet.There are various medications that will help you through allergy season: antihistamines, decongestants, steroidal nasal sprays and eye drops. All of these medications can be used together or separately to reduce symptoms. Antihistamines reduce your body’s allergic response. Antihistamines are available over the counter. A word of caution, though — some antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so be sure you know how the medication affects you before operating any heavy machinery, including driving your car. Steroidal nasal sprays can reduce nasal inflammation and allergy symptoms. Most allergy nasal sprays are available over the counter and are usually used for one to two sprays per day, per nostril. Steroid nasal sprays are not the same as decongestant nasal sprays as they can be used longer than decongestants. There are also antihistamine nasal sprays available, but these require a prescription from your physician.Eye drops can help with reducing itchy and watery eye sensations. Make sure you remove your contacts lenses before using them. Some eyes drops are available over the counter, and some require a prescription from your doctor. Keep an eye on pollen countsMany weather and air quality news organizations report on allergen levels. Check these sites to keep track of the allergens that irritate you. If you notice that pollen counts are high, consider making adjustments to your schedule. To avoid pollen, be careful about opening windows in your house and in your car. It can let a lot of pollen in that you may not even see with your eyes. When you come home at the end of the day, change into different clothes. This can help you avoid tracking pollen into your house. In addition, before you go to bed, make sure to take a shower to wash off the pollen from the day. Thoroughly vacuum and clean your house to lower indoor pollen levels. Clean or change your air filters to make sure they aren’t full of pollen.When you spend time outside, consider wearing sunglasses to stop pollen from getting into your eyes. If you’re doing something that would make you come in contact with a lot of pollen—like gardening or mowing the grass—wearing a special filter mask can help keep pollen out of your lungs. Wear gloves when handling things that may have pollen on them. Consider alternative treatmentsWhen your hands are dirty, you wash them. This allergy season, consider doing the same for your nose. Tools like neti pots and sinus rinses can flush out the pollens that are stuck in your nose, irritating your sinuses. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions on a neti pot or sinus rinse to avoid discomfort and potentially dangerous side effects.Neti pots are a great way to flush out pollen and get rid of mucus. If you use a neti pot, make sure that you’re using purified or distilled water. Using tap water increases the risk of life-threatening infections. See an allergistWhen they’re sick, people go see a doctor. But for allergies, some people choose to suffer and wait it out. Ultimately, this doesn’t get to the root of the problem, so allergies affect you each and every year. An allergist can give you insights into what’s causing your allergies and even help cure them.When you go to an allergist, they will test you for common indoor and outdoor allergens. Based on your reactions, your doctor can tell what you’re allergic to. Next, the allergist has the ability to create personalized immunotherapy injections to help decrease your allergy symptoms. These shots contain small doses of the allergens to help you build up immunity.If your allergies are particularly uncomfortable or making breathing difficult, talk to your doctor about other ways you can lessen your symptoms. For the latest health and wellness tips and advice, visit geisinger.org/balance.
Surgeon General of the United States to Deliver Keynote Address at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) announced that Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the Surgeon General of the United States, will deliver the keynote address at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s 12th annual commencement ceremony scheduled for Sunday, May 5 at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. “We are honored to welcome Dr. Murthy,” said Julie Byerley, MD, MPH, GCSOM’s president and dean. “He has used his far-reaching platform as Surgeon General to advocate for population health issues that Geisinger has made central to our mission, like greater access to care, addressing loneliness, and healthcare worker well-being. We look forward his remarks as we celebrate the graduation of our twelfth class of physicians, now totaling more than one thousand doctors, from our medical school.” Jaewon Ryu, MD, JD, president and CEO of Geisinger, noted that Dr. Murthy has long championed a comprehensive approach to medicine that prioritizes mental health and wellness. “As a national leader in value-based care, Geisinger is proud that Dr. Murthy will encourage our graduates to pursue our shared vision of medicine. He knows well what Geisinger means when we say our mission is to make better health easier and I know he will inspire the class of 2024 to dedicate their careers to doing just that.” Dr. Murthy was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States. As the nation’s top doctor, Dr. Vivek Murthy helps to advance the health and well-being of all Americans and has worked to address critical public health issues. He has issued Surgeon General Advisories on the youth mental health crisis and social media’s impact on youth mental health, the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and on burnout in the health worker community. Dr. Murthy also issued a Surgeon General’s Framework on mental health in the workplace and he is the first Surgeon General to host a podcast, House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy, where he invites guests and listeners to explore how we can all build more connected and meaningful lives. As Vice Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Dr. Murthy oversees more than 6,000 dedicated public health officers serving underserved and vulnerable populations. Dr. Murthy previously served as the 19th Surgeon General under President Obama. Raised in Miami, Dr. Murthy received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard, his medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine, and his master’s in business administration from the Yale School of Management.
Risant Health Completes Acquisition of Geisinger Risant Health has announced the completion of its acquisition of Geisinger as its first health system dedicated to increasing access to value-based care and coverage. Together, the organizations will create a new value-based care platform that includes best practices, tools, technology and services to support leading community-based health systems. Risant Health’s goal is to expand and accelerate the adoption of value-based care in diverse, multipayer, multiprovider, community-based health system environments and improve the health of millions of people in communities across the country. Through this first acquisition, Risant Health brings together Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care and coverage expertise and Geisinger’s experience in advancing value-based care in a model that includes various payers and a broad network of providers, while serving some of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. With the close of the Risant Health and Geisinger transaction, Jaewon Ryu, M.D., J.D., who has served as Geisinger’s president and CEO since 2019, will become the first CEO of Risant Health. As announced in March 2024, Terry Gilliland, M.D., will assume the role of president and CEO of Geisinger once Dr. Ryu’s transition to Risant Health is complete. “Risant Health and Geisinger share a vision for the future of health care. Through Risant Health, we will leverage our industry-leading expertise and innovation to increase the country’s access to high-quality and evidence-based health care, which we know improves care quality and the patient and member experience,” said Risant Health’s board chair, Greg A. Adams. “We will also learn and benefit from Geisinger and the additional health systems that become part of Risant Health in the future, to help them grow in new ways, be more affordable and bring value-based care to more people.” As its inaugural health system, Geisinger will play an important role in shaping Risant Health’s strategy, platform and operational model. Geisinger will maintain its name and mission, continue accepting patients covered by other health plans and continue offering its members a broad network of care providers in addition to Geisinger. “Geisinger is proud to formally join Risant Health as its inaugural health system, which will accelerate our vision to make better health easier, more affordable and more accessible for the communities we serve,” said Dr. Ryu. “Geisinger now can extend its vision, strategy and impact to more Pennsylvanians because of the access to an expanded set of tools, expertise and capital that joining Risant Health provides.” As a part of Risant Health, Geisinger will build on its 109-year mission to care for rural and urban communities across Pennsylvania. Geisinger will have access to capital, technology and resources to fuel improvements in facilities, drive innovation and investment in patient care, and continue the expansion of Geisinger Health Plan. In the future, Risant Health’s investments to advance value-based care will accelerate Geisinger’s journey to make better health easier by offering Geisinger members enhanced health insurance options and offering patients easier access to Geisinger’s high-quality, innovative clinical programs and more robust health management technology, tools and programs. Risant Health expects to acquire 4 to 5 additional leading community-based health systems over the next 4 to 5 years. Risant Health’s value-based platform will support its health systems with a set of technology, services and capabilities designed to deliver superior health outcomes and a lower total cost of care, in diverse business models. Initial platform solutions will aid Risant Health organizations in delivering evidence-based care everywhere — the “best-of” knowledge to provide high-value, effective care at the right time. Additionally, Risant Health will help health systems and their patients know how to easily understand, access and navigate to the right care at the right time and place. Risant Health’s acquisition of Geisinger Health was reviewed and approved by the appropriate federal and state agencies and the transaction closed on March 31, 2024.
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine to Host Black Ties for White Coats Gala Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, with learning venues throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania, will host its Black Ties for White Coats gala on Saturday, April 20, at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre to benefit medical student scholarships. Prominent community members who embody aspects of the school’s founding principles, community service and well-being will also be honored. When: Saturday, April 20, 6 – 11 p.m. Where: Mohegan Pennsylvania 1280 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre This year’s honorees are: Community Honoree:The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children Well-being Honoree:Shubhra Shetty, MD Founders Honoree:Tom Churilla, MD ’13
LIFE Geisinger Hosting Open Houses Across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania LIFE Geisinger locations are hosting open houses for employees and the community this spring. The open houses will feature tours of the facility, giveaways, refreshments and informal ways to learn about the LIFE Geisinger program. “We’re looking forward to opening our doors to our community members,” said Teena Kubasti, director of LIFE Geisinger. “Here at LIFE, we build stronger seniors — and these events let us showcase how our participants benefit. Guests will be able to meet our compassionate, experienced team members who coordinate care for those we serve, offering caregivers relief and support.” Join us at a LIFE Geisinger open house near you: Wednesday, April 10, 4 – 6 p.m. at LIFE Geisinger Schuylkill, 2 Lewis St., Minersville Wednesday, April 17, 4 – 6 p.m. at LIFE Geisinger Lewistown, 106 Derry Heights Blvd., Yeagertown Wednesday, April 24, 4 – 6 p.m. at LIFE Geisinger Wilkes-Barre, 592 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre Thursday, May 16, 4 – 6 p.m. at LIFE Geisinger Scranton, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton Geisinger Kulpmont will host an open house at a later time. A program for adults age 55 and older, LIFE Geisinger is designed to give seniors the support they need to live at home. You or your loved one can keep living independently while using our comprehensive daily living and health services. To RSVP for the event or to ask questions, call 800-395-8759.
Geisinger Places Pinwheels to Raise Awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, staff members from the Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center in Sunbury planted dozens of blue mylar pinwheels in the entrance of Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. The pinwheels symbolize the positive childhood every kid deserves. They serve as a reminder to protect and nurture our children and that prevention is possible if we are brave enough to intervene. Pinwheels for Prevention is a national campaign for child abuse prevention. “More than 600,000 children are abused in the U.S. each year. Educating our communities and raising awareness on child abuse can help to protect children who are at risk,” said Melissa Wagner, program director of child safety and advocacy at Geisinger. “We hope the pinwheel garden reminds people that if they suspect abuse, they should report it. You just never know when you might save a child’s life.”
Four Geisinger Hospitals Recognized as Leaders in Caring for People with Diabetes Four Geisinger hospitals have been named Recognized Leaders in Caring for People Living with Diabetes, a designation bestowed by The Leapfrog Group in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association. The recognition means that Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre and Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital met the most rigorous standards for delivering safe, high-quality care to patients with diabetes. Geisinger’s hospitals were among 17 to achieve the distinction across the country. With four hospitals recognized, Geisinger has the most recognized facilities in the country. “This recognition highlights our decade-long and systemwide multidisciplinary approach to helping our patients with diabetes manage their disease, reach their personal treatment goals and avoid complications,” said Brian Jameson, D.O., Geisinger director of endocrinology. “A big thank you to all our colleagues in nursing, pharmacy, primary care, endocrinology and information technology who made the programs and practices to improve diabetes care part of the Geisinger culture. We look forward to the future and continuing our efforts to improve the lives of our patients with diabetes.” Hospitals were assessed based on key indicators that demonstrate the highest level of training on caring for diabetic patients, including: Evaluating policies and protocols that support patient-centered care Adherence to evidence-based guidelines in preparing patients for surgery as well as managing all diabetic patients in the hospital Implementation of robust planning for high-risk diabetes patients from the day of admission to discharge and facilitating a seamless transition from hospital to home. Robert Gabbay, M.D., chief scientific and medical officer at the American Diabetes Association, emphasized the importance of this recognition. “There is an immense need to ensure hospitals provide safe, patient-centered care for all people who live with diabetes,” he said. “Hospitals recognized through this program are leading the way.” “Eight million people living with diabetes are hospitalized each year in the United States, and a disturbing number of them experience safety breakdowns due to preventable medical errors,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “This program is a powerful tool to promote facilities that can appropriately accommodate and safely manage care for these at-risk patients.”
Geisinger to Host Free Community Shred Events across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania In observance of Earth Day, Geisinger will host free community shred events across northeastern and central Pennsylvania throughout the month of April. Employees and members of the public are invited to bring any personal or professional confidential documents — such as bank statements, credit card bills and tax forms — to be securely shredded on-site and recycled. Each person is limited to three boxes. Do not use bins for non-paper waste or garbage. For more information, call 570-271-6030. Community shred events: Monday, April 8 – Geisinger Mt. Pleasant, 531 Mt. Pleasant Drive, Scranton, 7 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 9 – Geisinger Healthplex State College, 132 Abigail Lane, Port Matilda, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 12 – Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 1175 E. Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, 7 – 11 a.m. Monday, April 15 – Geisinger Health Plan Hughes Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville, 7 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 16 – Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, 1020 Thompson St., Jersey Shore, 7 – 11 a.m. Thursday, April 18 – Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, 400 Highland Ave., Lewistown, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 19 – Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital, 4200 Hospital Road, Coal Township, 7 – 11 a.m. Monday, April 22 – Geisinger Medical Center Muncy, 255 Route 220, Muncy, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 23 – Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, 549 Fair St., Bloomsburg, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 26 – Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 1175 East Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Noon – 4 p.m. Monday, April 29 – Geisinger Health Plan Hughes Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville, Noon – 4 p.m.
