Pride in Our People

Sharing Secrets of Our Success
When personnel from hospitals nationwide wanted to learn how to accommodate more patients, they attended our hospital capacity seminar, “Strategies to Manage and Maximize Capacity.” More than 90 participants from 12 states spent two days at LVH–Muhlenberg (far right) listening to presenters such as emergency services director Charlotte Buckenmyer, R.N. (right), discuss ways we’ve increased our capacity through network-wide initiatives like Growing Organizational Capacity. Among the items discussed: our PACU Alert System that quickly locates available beds for patients recovering from surgery.

LVH–Muhlenberg’s Stroke Care: Joint Commission Approved
LVH–Muhlenberg recently received Joint Commission certification as a Primary Stroke Center, joining LVH–Cedar Crest and 17th and Chew as the only such stroke centers in our region. “This certification lets the community know it will receive the same standard of care at any of our hospitals,” says stroke program coordinator Claranne Mathiesen, R.N. Colleagues from emergency services, neurology, intensive care, 4T and radiology collaborate to ensure the fastest and most effective stroke care, including from left to right: John Castaldo, M.D., Dave Richardson, M.D., Diana Haines, R.N., Claranne Mathiesen, R.N., Kate Wentzell, R.N., and Mary McGeer, R.N.

A Strengthened Commitment to Education
Internal medicine resident Tyler Fugate, D.O. (left), learns about computerized orders from hospitalist John Davidyock M.D. Residents like Fugate will have plenty of company this year; our program is growing by 25 percent, meaning we will educate 40 additional residents. These new positions in neurology, cardiology, geriatrics, emergency medicine, OB/GYN and surgery mean LVHHN ranks in the top 10 percent of residency programs nationally in terms of size. “This will help us continue to recruit physicians and keep them here to care for the people of our community.” says Sara Viessman, M.D., director, division of education.

Sharing Our Magnet Journey
About 100 nurses from across the country came here to learn how to create a Magnet environment—the ideal practice environment for nurses. LVHHN and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which oversees the Magnet recognition program, co-hosted “Journey to Nursing Excellence and Magnet Recognition Workshop.” Nurses heard from our clinicians and ANCC consultants on how to build a professional culture, formulate programs and reach better patient outcomes. Among LVHHN’s speakers were (from left) director of health care research Joanna Bokovoy, Dr.PH, R.N.; director of LVH–Muhlenberg’s critical care units and Regional Heart Center Georgiann Morgan, R.N.; and vice president of patient care services Molly Sebastian, R.N.

Bike Patrol
Have you seen a security officer on a Trek mountain bike? It’s Brad Fulmer, who began patrolling LVH–Cedar Crest and Muhlenberg on two wheels in December. “This is a quicker way to patrol our expanding network,” Fulmer says. “I can get around traffic and go through parking lots to get a tighter view on the campus.” You’ll see Fulmer on his bike year-round.

Our Little Angels
Lindsey, 5 (left), and Raniya, 3, students at our Early Care and Education Center, got creative to help other children during the holidays. As part of The Morning Call’s Be an Angel campaign, the center’s pre-school and pre-kindergarten students, with help from center director Nikki Leonzi (right), decorated activity boxes for use by children in our emergency department waiting rooms. Betty Anton, director of volunteering, also received several anonymous donations to support the project.

Be an LVHHN Advocate
Inpatient cardiac rehabilitation coordinator Cathy Odom (right) and executive secretary Marion Nole are spreading LVHHN’s quality care message to people outside our area.

While Odom’s 6-year-old niece was visiting from Alabama, she needed care at LVH–Muhlenberg’s emergency department for an infection near her tonsils. “My brother tells everyone he knows in Alabama how great our hospital is,” Odom says. Nole helped friends from Dunmore make arrangements for their 17-year-old daughter to receive care here for a spreading skin infection. “They can’t say enough about the care they received,” Nole says. “They are amazed at the difference in the level of care provided just an hour’s drive from their home.”

Are you telling friends and family about the quality of care at LVHHN? If so, call 610-402-3175 or e-mail Richard.Martuscelli@lvh.com and share your story in CheckUp.

This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM

February

For the 13th year, we are listed among nation's best by U.S. News & World Report

Stroke Centers Earn National Certification from JCAHO

We are a Magnet hospital that provides top quality nursing care for you.

©2008 Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network
LVH Info Line: 610-402-CARE
Cedar Crest & I-78, P.O. Box 689, Allentown, PA 18105-1556

Lehigh Valley Hospital has campuses in Allentown and Bethlehem, Pa. and serves the Pennsylvania communities of Easton, Doylestown, Quakertown, Hazelton, Lehighton, Perkasie, Pottstown, Pottsville, Reading, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, Stroudsburg, and the Poconos and also Phillipsburg and Flemington, N.J., and western New Jersey. You don't have to travel to Philadelphia or New York for quality health care.