New adult patients accepted at Honesdale Behavioral Health and more

What's new for healthcare in the Upper Delaware region, March 3 to 9

Posted 3/3/22

What's new for healthcare in the Upper Delaware region, March 3 to 9

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New adult patients accepted at Honesdale Behavioral Health and more

What's new for healthcare in the Upper Delaware region, March 3 to 9

Posted

‘Vision of Hope’ award for Garnet Health

MIDDLETOWN, NY — Garnet Health hospital was one of 10 area facilities presented with a “Vision of Hope” award by the Lions Eye Bank.

The ceremony took place on National Donor Day, February 14, in Albany, NY.

The hospital received the award for helping to initiate, facilitate and support eye tissue donations to the eye bank.

National Donor Day educates and informs the public about organ, eye and tissue donation, and recognizes donors.

For more information on donation, or to register as a potential donor, visit the Lions Eye Bank website at https://www.lionseyebankalbany.org.

Garnet Health is honored for its work on eye-tissue donations. Pictured are Justine Mantello, left, and Victoria Adler from the Lions Eye Bank; Garnet Health CEO Al Pilong; and Debora Snyder, Kathy Bermo and Linda Curiale, also from Garnet Health.

Dr. Leroy Floyd is the new chief medical officer at Garnet Health—Catskills.
Dr. Leroy Floyd is the new chief medical officer at Garnet Health—Catskills.

Dr. Leroy Floyd is CMO at Garnet Health Medical Center—Catskills

HARRIS, NY — Dr. Leroy Floyd has been named the chief medical officer (CMO) at Garnet Health Medical Center—Catskills.

Dr. Floyd will oversee all medical care provided at the hospital, and continue to serve as the medical director of hospitalist services for Garnet Health System and as vice-president of medical staff for Garnet Health Medical Center.

“We are excited to have Dr. Floyd serve as chief medical officer at our hospital,” said Jonathan Schiller, CEO at Garnet Health—Catskills. “He is very well respected and will play a big role in helping us advance high-quality, compassionate care for our community.”

Dr. Floyd is board-certified in internal medicine. He received his medical degree from Florida State University and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

For more information, visit https://www.garnethealth.org.

‘Luck of the Draw’ blood drive at Honesdale armory

HONESDALE, PA — The Honesdale Rotary and Bold Gold Media will hold a joint blood drive on Tuesday, March 8 at the Lemnitzer armory.

The “Luck of the Draw” blood drive will last from 12 noon to 6 p.m. It comes in the midst of the American Red Cross’ worst shortage in over a decade, a spokesperson said.

“This year we are truly imploring people who are able to donate to please do so,” said Bob Schwartz, Rotary co-president. He noted that three major American healthcare organizations—the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association—are all urgently calling for more donations to ensure that “caregivers can continue to perform scheduled procedures, treat trauma injuries, and deliver care to patients who require transfusions,” he said.

Healthy adults who are at least 17 years old, and at least 110 pounds may donate a pint of blood every 56 days, or every two months.

The armory is located at 232 Tryon St. in Honesdale. Visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ and enter Lemnitzer to schedule an appointment or find a more convenient time or place to give.

“After donating,” said Emily Grillo, general manager of Bold Gold Media/PLR Office, “most people tell us they walk away with a really good feeling. One pint of blood can save up to three lives.”

Addiction medicine a focus at the Wright Center

SCRANTON, PA — The “other pandemic” continues to rage in northeast PA.

The Wright Center helps individuals in recovery reshape their lifestyles in their own communities. Patients visit any of the Wright Center’s primary care practices to connect with certified recovery specialists, case managers, social workers and medical providers who collectively help them break the cycle of substance use disorders and addiction involving opioid, alcohol, cocaine and other substances.

The team of providers offers physical and behavioral health, self-help, pain management and medication-assisted treatment care, as well as referrals for social supports such as housing, job training and life skills.

The Wright Center is able to provide recovery services in rural and urban communities at its eight primary-care health clinics in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties.

Dr. Karen Arscott has become board-certified in addiction medicine. She practices with the Wright Center in Hawley and in other locations.
Dr. Karen Arscott has become board-certified in addiction medicine. She practices with the Wright Center in Hawley and in other locations.

Dr. Karen Arscott, a board-certified primary care physician and an addiction medicine specialist at the Wright Center for Community Health’s Hawley and mid-valley practices, recently became board-certified in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

Physicians trained and certified as addiction medicine specialists provide comprehensive care for addiction and substance-use disorders. That care includes prevention, screening, intervention and treatment with education, experience and examination.

A graduate of Dunmore High School, Arscott earned her Doctor of Osteopathy and a clinical master’s degree in osteopathic manipulative medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

To schedule an appointment at the Hawley practice call 570/576-8081. For the mid-valley practice call 570/230-0019 or go to https://TheWrightCenter.org.

For more information about The Wright Center’s Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence, go to https://TheWrightCenter.org/services.

Rob Brzuchalski, imaging services manager; Sandi Skrobiszewski, cardiovascular care coordinator; Kristen Schmale and Cassidy Cohen remind all about the importance of cardiac care.
Rob Brzuchalski, imaging services manager; Sandi Skrobiszewski, cardiovascular care coordinator; Kristen Schmale and Cassidy Cohen remind all about …

Getting to the heart of the matter

HONESDALE, PA — Mid-February marked Cardiovascular Professionals Week. These are the folks who will spot a problem before it kills you.

If you have ever had an EKG, echocardiogram, stress test, cardiac catheterization or cardiac rehabilitation at Wayne Memorial Hospital you were treated by a cardiovascular professional.

Cardiovascular Professionals Week recognized non-physician professionals who provide cardiovascular care, including testing/screening, diagnosis and treatment.

The year’s theme, “Heart and Soul,” refers to the passion and commitment these professionals provide, sometimes in the “dark of night” when they are called in for an emergency, said a hospital spokeswoman.

Wayne Memorial Hospital provides cardiovascular services for both emergent and routine care. Its cardiac catheterization laboratory—the Heart and Vascular Center, which launched in 2016—has seen close to 2,000 patients come through its doors.

Cath lab staff manned a display at the hospital on February 17, handing out information and other items to patients to raise awareness of Cardiovascular Professionals Week.

For more information about all of Wayne Memorial Hospital’s services visit https://www.wmh.org.

Go back to school for a healthcare career

SCRANTON, PA — The nation is facing a shortage of medical staff. A new Wright Center for Community Health (WCCH) initiative hopes to fill that gap.

Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, March 14 for a 29-week program that will train students to become certified clinical medical assistants.

Classes begin in the fall of 2022.

The Wright Center is working with the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA) on the program. The classes combine flexible online learning with a paid internship at one of the WCCH health practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne or Wayne counties.

Federal financial aid is available for students who qualify.

A medical assistant helps doctors and nurses provide care to patients in hospitals, doctor’s offices and other health care facilities. Duties include recording and updating medical histories and contact information in patient files, scheduling patient appointments and performing standard care procedures, such as taking blood samples, measuring and recording vital signs, and more.

The employment outlook for medical assistants is projected to grow 18 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 104,400 openings are projected annually on average over the decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Applications are being accepted through Sunday, May 29, but space is limited.

For more information, contact Carla Blakeslee, coordinator of clerkships at the Wright Center, at 570/591-1511, email her at  blakesleec@thewrightcenter.org or apply directly at https://www.nimaa.edu/admissions.

New adult patients accepted at Honesdale Behavioral Health

HONESDALE, PA — Citing demand for services from the community, Honesdale Behavioral Health Center, which is part of Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (WMCHC), has recruited two additional psychiatric/mental health nurse-practitioners.

Joseph Ungvarsky and Kathryn Plotkin are both accepting new adult patients for evaluation, diagnosis and medical management of mental health disorders.

The need for psychiatric services versus availability of qualified providers has been challenging,” said Dr. Michael C. Campbell, behavioral health director at WMCHC. “This is the first time in three years we have had the capacity to open our practice to new patients beyond our direct referral sources.”

People can be referred to the Behavioral Health Center by their primary care physician or be self-referred.

Ungvarsky treats patients age 18 and older who suffer from conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia and addiction.

Plotkin will see adult patients for a range of emotional and mental health disorders.

WMCHC has been offering outpatient behavioral health services to adults, adolescents and children since 2008. The center also provides medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders.

For information on all of WMCHC services, visit https://www.wmchc.net or call 570/253-8390.

The Honesdale Behavioral Health Center is located at 600 Maple Ave. in Honesdale. For more information, call 570/253-8219.

Grant helps create airborne-virus safety measures at the Center for Discovery

HARRIS, NY — The Center for Discovery (CFD), working with Sullivan County, has received a $2 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to improve COVID-19 safety for all residents and staff.

The grant will support air-quality improvements.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for safety upgrades in the CFD’s nearly 50 residential homes and dozens of other school and supporting buildings, particularly in the area of air filtration. The  grant will outfit each structure with state-of-the-art hospital-grade air filtration units and specialized filters.

“The diffuse airborne nature of the COVID-19 virus made it clear that we need to focus attention  on our air quality, not only for this continuing pandemic, but for general health and the prevention of  other viruses to come,” said CFD CEO Patrick H. Dollard. “We are so grateful to Sullivan County for understanding the medical frailties of the 350 children and adults in our residential community. This  grant will also be vital in keeping our 1,700 staff members and their families safe.”

“Sullivan County is proud to be the home of the Center for Discovery, a world-class leader in providing  care and services to people who are often medically fragile,” said county legislator Ira Steingart,  who chairs the legislature’s planning committee and represents the district in which the center is headquartered. “COVID-19 is a particularly dangerous threat to the health of their residents and  employees.”

For more information about The Center for Discovery email Michael Rosen at Mrosen@tcfd.org.  

Documentary on aging well at Rosendale Theatre

ROSENDALE, NY — If you could see 30 years into the future, would you change anything?

“Fast-Forward,” a documentary about successful aging, will be shown at the Rosendale Theatre on Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. It is part of the Celebrating Aging series at the theatre.

Donations are requested for admission. Reservations and seat selection are available online and at the box office, which opens 45 minutes before showtime.  

The plot follows four families as they travel through time to learn the secret to aging well together, and highlights the importance of communication when it comes to planning for the future.

The film is narrated by Rosario Dawson and is supported by commentary by experts in aging.   

There will be a post-screening discussion with director/producer, Michael Eric Hurtig.

Now in its fourth season, Celebrating Aging explores cultural narratives through a creative lens. Programs include conversations and experts from the arts, culture, gerontology, social sciences, and academia.

The Rosendale Theatre requires proof of vaccination for entry for patrons over five. Masks must be worn inside unless eating and drinking at your seat.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.rosendaletheatre.org/series/celebrating-aging-series/.

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