Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health

A patient, who wanted as little medical intervention as safely possible, had been in labor at our Women & Babies Hospital for about 36 hours when Eden Germer, BSN, RN, came on shift and began caring for her. "Knowing that I sought to deliver without an epidural, and that I was experiencing almost exclusively back labor, Eden immediately began giving me suggestions on different positions to be in during contractions to turn my sweet baby boy to a better position to ease his delivery," said the patient. "For every single contraction, and I mean every single one, Eden coached me through it. As labor intensified, she didn't second guess my decision to birth without an epidural a single time. I know Eden's shift ended at 7pm, but she stayed until I delivered at 7:46pm. I honestly don't know if I could have gone through with an unmedicated birth without Eden, even though I had three other support people with me." "In the days after my baby's birth, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and patience as I held and cared for my baby," she added. "I credit Eden with giving me one of the most beautiful experiences I can have as a woman; a peaceful, supported, empowered birthing experience." Congratulations, Eden, on receiving The DAISY Foundation Award for extraordinary nurses, a nationwide program that rewards and celebrates the clinical skill and compassion nurses provide to patients and families.

Yesterday Ibrahim Omeis, MD, chief of neurosurgery at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, spoke with an engaged group at Willow Valley Communities on the back pain and spine problems that affect many older adults. Dr. Omeis explained why spine issues occur and treatments that can give people the best quality of life possible. Dr. Omeis specializes in complex spine surgery and sees patients in Lancaster at the NeuroScience & Spine Associates practice, 1671 Crooked Oak Drive. http://spr.ly/6042qnnmo

Carbohydrates are often misunderstood and are, in fact, essential to a healthy diet. Penn Medicine sports dietitian and exercise physiologist McKenna Welshans shares how to choose the best carbs for weight loss, athletic performance, digestive health, and more. http://spr.ly/6046oryZK.

Join Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s thoracic surgery team for a seminar on lung health, Thursday, October 17, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lancaster General Health Lebanon. Enjoy light refreshments and learn about: ➡️ What to do if you have an abnormal chest x-ray ➡️ Lung disease symptoms ➡️ CT lung screening: Are you a candidate? ➡️ Radon and lung disease risk ➡️ State-of-the-art lung cancer treatments Team members, from left, David Cziperle, MD, Kelly Hikes, MHS, PA-C, and Abby White, DO, will lead the discussion and be available to answer your questions. All attendees will receive a free radon detection kit. Register here: http://spr.ly/6048UQl9o

You may be surprised to learn that in the U.S., 1 in 5 women between ages 55 and 75 will have a stroke. Today our Stroke Team is at the Lancaster County Women's Expo talking about prevention and how to #BEFAST and get care as soon as you notice stroke symptoms. http://spr.ly/6042Uhsna

This week we were excited to again welcome local high school students with an interest in medicine to Lancaster General Hospital for our Day in the Life career exploration program. More than 180 students took part in hands-on activities in physical medicine and rehab, radiology, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, cardiology, laboratory services, nursing, and surgical services. They also had the opportunity to shadow in an area of their choice. We had a great time getting to know these future health-care providers!

For years, the Healing Arts program at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health has been bringing the therapeutic power of art to patients, visitors, and staff throughout the health system. But recently, one piece of art on display in our Emergency Department, was in need of its own healing after suffering some minor damage. Thank you to Lancaster artist Freiman Stoltzfus for stopping by this week to repair your painting, "Seasons of Lancaster." The 48x60 mixed media on canvas--featuring an early 1950s map of Lancaster City--is part of his "Cartography" series. "I find maps to be a historic, poetic record, especially poignant with our current dependence on GPS navigation," said Stoltzfus. "I added trees to symbolize rootedness and seasonal continuity, and a series was born. I think of these paintings as visual prayers: a deep wish for the healing and flourishing of our towns, cities, and landscapes..with trees expressing the change of seasons as we remember our own place in the ever-revolving cycle of life." Stoltzfus is pictured with Karen Heinle, LG Health healing arts integration specialist.

Her sister’s death from breast cancer at age 34, opened one woman’s eyes “to advocate for myself and find practitioners wiling to advocate for me to prevent the same outcome.” She says she’s been fortunate to have diligent and concerned practitioners who educate her on the benefits of high risk monitoring, genetic counseling, early detection, and risk-lowering measures. One of those measures is annual bilateral breast MRI. This is how she met MRI Group nurse Amanda Newell, BSN, RN, who she nominated for a The DAISY Foundation Award for extraordinary nursing care. Here’s how she describes Amanda: “Over the nine years I have been having my MRI, I have gone through five MRI-guided biopsies. Amanda has been there to support me every time. She educates and explains what to expect with each visit. When I arrive for my appointment, Amanda greets me with a hug as she takes me back to review my history. She walks me through the process, listens, and we exchange stories of our families which eases my worry. She jokes with me and reassures me when I experience discomfort. Not only that, but she teaches me how to care for myself following the biopsies and makes me feel confident that no matter what the result, everything will be ok, because I have early detection on my side. I depart with an Amanda farewell hug. While I know her experience and knowledge are critical, her personal approach to myself and all of her patients is what sets her apart. She goes above and beyond each and every time. As much as I wish I weren’t in the position I am, I am grateful that I have a ‘breast’ friend like Amanda to support me along the way.” Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health partners with the MRI Group to provide screening and diagnostic MRI for breast cancer. Learn more about breast cancer screening: http://spr.ly/6040UQqR2 #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

Congratulations to the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health 2024 Physicians of the Year Award winners. Join us in celebrating these outstanding physicians, selected by nursing colleagues across the health system for their commitment to high-quality patient care and staff support: 🩺 Zackary A. Chancer, MD, Anesthesiology 🩺 Arwa M. El Sayed, DPM, Podiatry 🩺 Geoffrey S. Gaunay, MD, Urology 🩺 Alina Ivashchuk, DO, Neonatology 🩺 Ami P. Jhaveri MD, Hematology/Oncology 🩺 Brendan A. Mulcahy, DO, Emergency Medicine 🩺 Katherine O’Connell, DO, Neurology 🩺 Nitin B. Patel, MD, Infectious Diseases 🩺 Edward J. Skicki, DO, General and Trauma Surgery 🩺 Andrea L. Stern, MD, Family Medicine 🩺 Sriram Venigalla, MD, Radiation Oncology 🩺 Lauren Witmer, DO, Urogynecology

For people with breast cancer, there are important and sometimes confusing decisions to make at every juncture along your treatment journey. Good nutritional choices are among them. Hematologist-oncologist Ami Jhaveri, MD, says eating the right foods while fighting breast cancer can help you feel better, maintain your energy, heal faster, and better tolerate side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Check out the tips she shares with patients: http://spr.ly/6040ouHg6 #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth Jhaveri.png Template name: Post