It looks like an ordinary shuttle, but beneath the new green-and-white van at Lehigh Valley Hospital—Cedar Crest breathes the heart of a clean, green transport machine. It runs on hydrogen, an efficient, potentially renewable, clean-burning fuel. The new van, which shuttles patients and visitors to and from the hospital's parking lots, is the result of teamwork among local organizations, including DaVinci Science Center, Air Products and the hospital. Shuttle drivers James Wieder, left, and Vincent Herbert, right, say the van drives and fuels just like a diesel-powered van.

Surrounded by family, friends and caregivers, Fran Miller smiled as she watched her daughter's wedding from a hospital bed at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. She hoped to attend in person, but couldn’t after a setback in her recovery from several surgeries to correct an intestinal obstruction. Her husband, Ron, and several nurses worked feverishly during the days before the wedding so Fran could feel a part of the ceremony. Dressed in a sparkly top, her hair and nails expertly coiffed and painted by a hospital caregiver, Fran was able to witness the affair via streaming video in a hospital conference room.

Who eats chocolate pudding pie the fastest? The Pediatric Specialty Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg hosted its fifth annual talent show in September in honor of National Pediatric Cancer Awareness and National Sickle Cell Awareness month. Patients and families showcased their talents, including joke telling, hula dancing and violin playing, before a packed audience. Zach (second from left) was the fastest pie eater. His competition (l-r): Joe Konrath of Allentown, Brandon, Annmarie Steber, R.N., Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network CEO and President Elliot Sussman, M.D., and Moriah.

One in six women experiences an attempted or actual rape during their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's why a group of female Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network colleagues recently participated in a self defense course at the Cedar Crest campus. It was sponsored by the hospital's security department. The course, known as the Rape Aggression Defense System or R.A.D., is a national program that teaches women about awareness, prevention, risk reduction, risk avoidance and progresses to the basics of hands-on defense.

Healing dance sessions were a big hit with women who attended a recent breast cancer survivor event at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. The Kinnon Survivor and Celebration Workshop united local breast cancer survivors for a day of relaxation, education and festivities. During the event, Gregory Harper, M.D., Ph.D., above, spoke with women about treatment options and medical surveillance. Attendees also enjoyed massages, journaling classes, roundtable conversations and nutrition classes.

More than 280 of the 1,600 people who participated in the local American Heart Association’s Heart Walk were Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network colleagues. The Association’s largest fundraiser included 16 teams from the network, making the hospital the company with the highest number of participants. The annual event was held at Lehigh Valley Industrial Park in Bethlehem. Walkers trekked about two miles to raise money for American Heart Association services in the Lehigh Valley.

Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network’s 13th annual Nite Lites gala featured the theme “Some Like it Hot.” Nearly 1,400 guests attended the black tie event beneath several tents fashioned to represent New Orleans’s famous French Quarter. The generous support of donors and attendees totaled nearly $1.3 million for the benefit of the community through LVHHN. Those on hand for the hot, hot, hot dining and dancing included (seated left to right) Lauren Hart, Caroll Neubauer and Ellen Neubauer; standing (left to right) Todd Carmichael, Elliot J. Sussman, M.D., Nancy Cromer Grayson and U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent.

Residents from central and northeastern Pennsylvania were honored for acts of heroism or commitment to burn education at the third Valley Preferred Spirit of Courage Award Celebration, held at Lehigh Valley Hospital—Muhlenberg. One of the most touching moments of the night came during the presentation of the Fallen Hero Award to Captain James Robeson of the Scranton Fire Department. He died in the line of duty trying to prevent a fire from spreading to adjoining buildings. His wife, Linda, and son, Ryan, above, accepted the award from Pennsylvania fire commissioner Ed Mann, right.

With the long-awaited presidential election rapidly approaching, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network's government relations team is spreading the word. Coordinator Tracey Sechler, right, recently helped staff three voter registration events at each hospital campus. Nearly 80 patients, visitors and hospital colleagues, picked up registration forms and absentee ballot applications. Many, like Gloria Lotte, R.N., left, also tried out the new computerized voting booths used in some Pennsylvania counties. All voters must register by Monday, Oct. 6 to be eligible to vote in the November 4 election.

Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, in conjunction with Geisinger Community Health Services, has established two local retail health clinics. Called Careworks, the walk-in clinics are in the King’s Market at Cedar Crest and Hamilton boulevards, and Weis Markets on Rt. 873 in Schnecksville. Careworks provides affordable treatment for many minor, common illnesses and routine tests. The convenient hours create a quality healthcare option when care is needed quickly, but a trip to the emergency department is unnecessary and an appointment with a primary care provider is unavailable. Patients receive care from physician assistants like Dorothy Wheaton.

If you’re wondering where to go for the best heart attack care in the nation, look no further than Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH). According to data from Hospital Compare, a service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LVH’s heart attack care survival rates are the best in the country. Highlighting LVH and citing the Regional MI Alert program as a secret to our success, USA Today spotlighted the case of Richard Silverman of South Whitehall Township who suffered a heart attack in October 2007 while at work. Through quick action by a local ambulance crew and LVH’s emergency department and cardiac cath lab teams, Silverman, 63, survived a life-threatening, completely blocked coronary artery.

This child was all smiles as he played with a therapy dog at the first ever Chemo Circus at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg. Sponsored by the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley, the Chemo Circus provided a brief respite for parents and children who face the reality of cancer treatments. Amidst the clowns, puppies, crafts and more, children also received chemotherapy under the big tent.

Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network (LVHHN) and Proton Therapy, Inc. of Marlton, N.J., have signed a memorandum of understanding under which LVHHN would provide proton beam therapy for cancer treatment to the region. Proton beam therapy delivers protons instead of photons, which are used in conventional radiation therapy. A proton beam can be better controlled to limit the energy that affects the body's healthy tissue while maximizing the dose at the tumor site. Currently proton beam therapy is being offered at just six sites in the United States, including Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston (pictured).

The two newest buildings on Lehigh Valley Hospital's Cedar Crest campus are among the most environmentally-friendly buildings in the Lehigh Valley. The Kasych Family Pavilion and the Center for Advanced Health Care have earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the national benchmark for green buildings. The most visible "green" aspect of the buildings is the use of large windows to allow for natural light. Other features include the use of recyclable materials, energy efficient appliances, reflective roofing and smart water management.

The da Vinci^® S HD™ Surgical System takes innovations developed by NASA and applies them to the operating room. Guided by high-definition images, surgeons work a console to control four robotic arms that mimic the precise movement of a surgeon's hand. This technology is helping surgeons at Lehigh Valley Hospital perform laparoscopic hysterectomies, fertility-sparing cervical cancer surgery and surgeries for prostate cancer and other urologic procedures. "The system improves our visualization and dexterity and allows for a full range of motion within a confined area," says urologic oncology surgeon Joseph Trapasso, M.D., second from right.

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