Mike McBiles, M.D., elected chief of staff at Nathan Littauer Hospital Posted on February 21, 2012August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeSlate of medical leaders elected to lead hospital The physicians at Nathan Littauer Hospital elected Mike McBiles MD, as the new chief of staff of the 74-bed facility. McBiles took over as head of the physician team on Jan. 1, 2012. During his two-year term, he will serve as medical staff liaison to hospital administrative staff and its board of directors. In doing so, he will be playing a key role in directing health care services improvements to the thousands of patients cared for annually at the hospital.Dr. McBiles elected Chief of StaffDr. McBiles said he plans to continue the good work of the previous Chief of Staff, Dr. Paul Perrault. Dr. McBiles said, “One of my top priorities is to improve physician communications.” He added, “I am thrilled to be working with such an outstanding roster of physicians during such a pivotal time for the hospital.” Dr. McBiles noted that he will provide medical staff input into the many expansion and renovation projects under way on the hospital’s campus and in their primary care network.The following medical personnel were also elected to the following chairs: Vice Chief of Staff ~ Robert Brandis, MD, Secretary/Treasurer ~ Richard Solby, DO, Credentials Chairperson ~ Todd Duthaler, DO; Lab Director ~ Jungeun Lee, MD MD; Chief of OB-GYN ~ Andrew Samach, MD; Chief of Medicine- Shriraj Shah, MD; Chief of Surgery ~ Nicholas Filippone, MD Diagnostic Imaging Director: Mike McBiles, MD and Chief of Pediatrics- Lawrence Horowitz, DO.In particular, Dr. McBiles has been a member of the medical staff at Nathan Littauer Hospital since 2005 and has held numerous medical staff leadership positions throughout the nation. Most notably he served as the Chief of Radiology for the country’s largest military base, Brooke Army Medical Center. He attended New York Medical College and the United States Military Academy at West Point. He completed an Internal Medicine Residency and Nuclear Medicine Residency at Letterman Army Medical Center, Radiology Residency at Brooke Army Medical Center. He is Board Certified by American Boards of Internal Medicine, Nuclear Medicine and Radiology. “Dr. McBiles’ strong leadership skills and vision make him an excellent choice to be Chief of Staff,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Frederick Goldberg. “The hospital and the medical staff will be positioned to work more effectively together with Dr. McBiles serving in this pivotal role,” Dr. Goldberg remarked.He began his military career as a member of a highly- elite nuclear response team. It was there where he developed a keen respect for the science of nuclear and radiological technologies. He explained that after seeing the devastation of nuclear accidents he wanted to use the same technology to heal people. And “healing” is how many of his co-workers and patients describe him. Vice President of Development Susan Kiernan knows first-hand about his caring demeanor and his medical expertise having been under his care. She explains, “Dr. McBiles is highly approachable and knowledgeable- it is a very wonderful mix of talents.” She added, “Simply put, he is a huge asset to our community.”In his spare time, Dr. McBiles enjoys music, hiking, gardening, woodworking and church activities.
Wellness Words February 2012 Posted on February 17, 2012August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator THE SIMPLE 7 HEART HEALTH FACTORSHeart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. The best tool in fighting heart disease is prevention, and the American Heart Association has provided The Simple 7 Heart Health Factors to help guide individuals to a healthier heart lifestyle.1. GET ACTIVEThe AHA suggests at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise. Physical activity is anything that makes you move your body and burns calories. Aerobic exercises benefit your heart, such as walking, jogging or swimming. Strength and stretching exercise are best for overall stamina and flexibility. The simplest, positive change you can make to effectively improve your heart health is to start walking. It’s enjoyable, free, easy, social and great exercise.2. CONTROL CHOLESTEROLIt’s important for all people to know their cholesterol level. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dl or higher puts you in a higher-risk category. To keep your cholesterol under control, the AHA recommends you schedule a screening, eat foods low in cholesterol and saturated fat and free of trans fat, maintain a healthy weight, and stay physically active.3. EAT BETTEREating a variety of fruits and vegetables may help you control your weight and blood pressure. Unrefined whole-grain foods contain fiber that can help lower your blood cholesterol and help you feel full, which may help you manage your weight. Eat fish at least twice a week. Eating oily fish containing omega-3 fatty acids may help lower your risk of death from coronary artery disease. Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without saturated and trans fat. Select fat-free, 1% fat or low-fat dairy products.4. MANAGE BLOOD PRESSUREHigh blood pressure, or hypertension, is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease. A normal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80mm Hg diastolic. Eating a heart-healthy diet, enjoying regular activity, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco smoke will all help manage your blood pressure.5. LOSE WEIGHT145 million Americans are overweight or obese (BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 and higher). Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease. You can reduce this risk by maintaining a healthy weight through fitness and a good nutrition plan. It is crucial to understand your recommended calorie intake and the amount of calories you consume verses the calories you’re brining off with different levels of physical activity.6. REDUCE BLOOD SUGARAdults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes. Healthy eating habits, weight control, exercise and medication can help keep it in check. It is important to work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes.7. STOP SMOKINGBy itself, smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease. When it acts with the other factors, it greatly increases your risk from those factors. Smoking decreases your tolerance for physical activity and increases the tendency for blood to clot. It decreases HDL (good) cholesterol. Smoking also creates a higher risk for peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysm. It increases the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease after bypass surgery.For more information, contact your health care provider, American Heart Association at 800-242-8721 (www.americanheart.org) or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Medical technology professionals from across the nation converge to learn new advancements in medical technology from Nathan Littauer Hospital Posted on January 30, 2012 by Dakota PikePeer-to-peer medical information technology meetingDate: Thursday, February 2, 2012Place: Nathan Littauer HospitalNathan Littauer has been chosen to host and teach at a gathering of national medical technologists at an upcoming MUSE International event. Littauer staff will be addressing pertinent issues affecting both clinical and financial operations relating to Medical Information Technology. Electronic medical records and MEDITECH is the standard most hospitals use in their medical information systems and it is used in health care organizations throughout the world. This enables health care providers to track a patient’s history and/or monitor ongoing treatment of chronic health problems. Providers are afforded immediate access to patients’ medical records, which can be used to devise treatments. Moshgan Jones, an International Board Member of MUSE International and Littauer’s Senior Clinical Analyst states, “Meetings like this allow us to exchange information and ideas from peers from around the nation.” She added, “It is all about better patient care.”The presentations at Littauer will feature a unique ‘hands-on’ experience that begins by registering a test patient and then following it through the multiple steps and how interdepartmental communications have been solved. Alicia Roberts, Director of Education and Marketing at MUSE explains, “We’re so thrilled that Nathan Littauer is hosting this unique event. It provides a wonderful opportunity for our members to interact and share tips, tricks and experiences with one another. As healthcare IT improvement has become a top priority during the last few years, it’s even more valuable to be able to provide this program.”Two tracks are being offered. Track One will be Healthcare Trends and the Revenue Cycle and the second will address The Fully Integrated EMR (Electronic Medical Record). The session will also include roundtable discussions. Facilitated by Littauer’s staff Ron Kilmer, Patient Services Manager and Moshgan Jones, Senior Clinical Analyst Nathan Littauer presenters will include:Dr. Todd Duthaler, Chief of Emergency MedicineRobert Stankes, Chief PharmacistDiane Graudons, MIS MEDITECH support of financialStacey Palmer, Registration manager, ADM & SCHJudy Cetnar, Manager HIM, ABSGus Sacerio, Manager PFS, BARMartin Brown, Chief Information OfficerTara Kean, Director Blood BankGeorgeanna Dubois, Clinical Application CoordinatorThe organization presenting the conference is the Medical Users Software Exchange (MUSE). The group is a community of MEDITECH users and related professionals who interact to learn and share their knowledge and experience. Through MUSE, members network, solve problems, identify best practices, and improve performance for their organizations. They endeavor to be the leading source of networking and education for professionals using the MEDITECH system. In 1983, a small group of users met to discuss issues related to their MEDITECH healthcare information system. The meeting was productive and it was determined that the creation of a user group, – and regular meetings – would be beneficial. So began the Medical Users Software Exchange, or MUSE. Now with hundreds of hospitals worldwide, MUSE is growing. xxx
Wellness Words January 2012 Posted on January 11, 2012August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator HELPFUL TIPS FOR SUCCESSFULNEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS Keeping New Year’s resolutions can be a struggle for anyone, including older adults. However, it does not have to be this way. If goals are simplified and mindsets altered, older adults should have no problems with keeping their resolutions past January!Keep your resolutions to a minimum: Having too many resolutions can lead to discouragement when all goals are not met. Try to only make one or two resolutions for the New Year.Set realistic goals: Start with small resolutions and make sure they are attainable. It is great to push yourself, but you don’t want to set goals that can not be reached.Be patient: Correcting bad habits and making positive changes is not an easy process. It takes time and there will be setbacks. Try not to get discouraged or punish yourself.Be proud: Be proud of your accomplishments and reward yourself. This will give you incentive to keep up with your resolutions.The American Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging has provided the following top 10 New Year’s resolutions for older adults:Eat a healthy diet – Experts recommend eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables. Choose fiber-rich whole grain bread, rice and pasta. Pick less fatty meat, like chicken. Shoot for heart-healthy fish, like tuna or salmon, twice a week. To help keep your bones strong, include sources of calcium and Vitamin D in your diet. Use healthier fats, such as olive and canola oils, instead of butter or lard.Take a multivitamin-mineral – Check labels and choose one that includes 100% of the “Daily Value” for most vitamins and minerals.See your doctor or healthcare provider regularly – That means at least once a year, unless he or she says you should come in more often. At each visit, talk to your provider about the medications you’re taking and any health concerns you may have.Exercise – Exercise is safe and healthy for older people…even older people with illness like heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis. Many of these conditions actually improve with exercise. Consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program.Toast New Year’s Day with a smaller glass – According to experts, moderate drinking means just 1 drink per day for older men and ½ a drink daily for older women. Since alcohol can interact with certain drugs, ask your healthcare provider whether even this much is safe for you.Prevent falls – Falls are a leading cause of injuries and deaths among seniors. Exercises can boost your strength, balance, and flexibility, and help you avoid falls.Workout your brain – The more you use your mind, the better it will work. Reading, crossword puzzles and socializing give your brain a boost.Get help quitting – You can lower your risks of many health problems, breathe easier, enjoy more energy, and better sleep if you quit smoking…no matter how long ago you started.Guard against feeling down or anxious – Lingering sadness, tiredness, loss of appetite or pleasure from things you once enjoyed, difficultly sleeping, worry, irritability, and wanting to be alone most of the time can all be signs that you need help. Tell your healthcare provider right away.Get a good night’s sleep – Get at least 7 to 8 hours each night. Avoid daytime naps, which can keep you up in the evening.For more information, contact your health care provider or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Littauer announces first baby of the year Posted on January 6, 2012August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer announced today that Baby Janessa Rose Richards was the first baby born at Nathan Littauer Hospital in the New Year. Mother Miranda Cooper welcomed little Janessa on January 5, 2012 at 4:56pm. She weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces and was 20 inches from head to toe. Dr. Samach delivered baby Janessa. This is Miranda’s first child.Littauer welcomed the first baby of 2012 today. The Auxiliary presented mom with a huge gift basket to mark the occasion.Littauer’s Auxiliary presented the mother with a huge basket, adorned with baby gifts- from handmade blankets to gift certificates. “The Auxiliary puts a tremendous amount of thought into the Baby New Year Basket. Co-Chairs Anita Moore and Anita Beck love doing this project and they even include a special gift for Mom, too. What the mother leaves with is really a gift of the heart while being extremely practical as well.” stated Sue McNeil, Director of Volunteer Services at Nathan Littauer.Both Mom and baby are resting comfortably at the Birthing Center. xxxCaption for photo:The Auxiliary presents Littauer’s New Years Baby with a basket. From left to right: Anita Moore, Jeanne Wilkinson, and Susan McNeil Director of Volunteer Services, Grace Naselli, Anita Beck and Patty Franco. Mother Miranda Richards hold baby Janessa.
