January 2012

A ria
january 2012
Aria Health
Organizational
Town Hall Meetings –
January 24-26
All Aria Health team members
are invited to attend one of our
upcoming organizational Town
Hall meetings, scheduled at each
campus. We hope you can join
us to receive the latest Aria-related
news and program updates.
Campus Schedules:
Bucks County Campus
Tuesday, January 24
Cafeteria
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Frankford Campus
Wednesday, January 25
Cafeteria
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Torresdale Campus
Thursday, January 26
Church Building
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
All sessions will be video-recorded
and uploaded to the employee
intranet following the meetings.
A complimentary lunch will be
served for all who attend!
An “Epoch” Day for the Aria Health
Arrhythmia Center
Epoch, the latest generation of the Stereotaxis
Magnetic Navigation System, is now available at
Aria’s Torresdale Campus.
inside this issue
On January 18, the Pennsylvania Department of Health
approved use of the Epoch system at Aria Health –
Torresdale which will allow electrophysiologists to perform
robotic-driven catheter ablation procedures to treat many
types of arrhythmias or heart rhythm disorders.
With this approval, Aria becomes the first health
system on the East Coast to utilize Epoch which offers
major advantages over conventional treatment methods.
The new system slashes patients’ radiation exposure by
two-thirds, and is effective for treating ventricular arrhythmias
as well as other types of abnormal heart rhythms. And even
though the technology is based on magnets, patients with
metal in their bodies—for example screws or plates—can be
treated safely.
Stay tuned to the Pulse and the Aria Team Blog
(www.ARIAHEALTHEXCHANGE.org) to learn more about
the new Epoch system at Aria Health – Torresdale.
Article and photo ideas, contact: Maria Cerceo Slade mcerceo@ariahealth.org Michael Hagarty
michaelhagarty@ariahealth.org
Maria Battaglia
mbattaglia@ariahealth.org
215-612-4952
215-612-5647
215-612-2617 Town Hall Meeting.................... 1
Arrhythmia Center.................... 1
Senior Wellness Wednesdays.... 2
Children’s Choice Party............. 2
Caring Neighbors Campaign..... 3
Aria Launches Magazine.......... 3
Free Barriatric Seminar............. 4
Site Hawk® Select.................... 4
Frankford CDC Computer Lab.....5
HIPEC Procedure.........................5
“Top Docs”..................................6
Senior SAfety............................ 6
Employee Spotlight................... 7
IT Update.................................. 7
Human Resources Section........ 7
Program Spotlights................... 8
A r i a H e a lt h . o r g
Aria School of Nursing
Faculty & Students
Spread Holiday Cheer
COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPOTLIGHT
Aria Health and its employees are dedicated to the neighbors and neighborhoods
we serve. This section highlights a small portion of the recent outreach and
volunteer efforts that have been spearheaded by Aria employees.
Torresdale Campus Carolers
Seniors packed the Aria Health-Torresdale cafeteria for the 1st installment of
the campus’ monthly Senior Wellness Wednesdays.
Frankford Campus Carolers
On December 20th faculty and
students from the Aria Health School
of Nursing caroled through the hallways of the Frankford and Torresdale
campuses. Special thanks to all the
carolers who brought our patients
and staff some holiday cheer!
Holiday Drive
Benefits Residents
of Chapel Manor
Senior Wellness Wednesdays at Aria Health –Torresdale
Aria Health’s Torresdale Campus hosted nearly 75 attendees at its first Senior
Wellness Wednesday event on January 18. These monthly events will feature
insightful, senior-focused wellness tips and information presented by Aria Health.
January’s Senior Wellness Wednesday event focused on: “Walking in a Winter
Wonderland – Learning How To Safely Maneuver Through Winter Weather” and featured presentations by Sharon Clark, RN, Aria Health – Torresdale Trauma Program
and a Q&A session with orthopedic surgeon, Christopher E. Selgrath, DO.
Next month’s Senior Wellness Wednesday event will be held on Wednesday,
February 15 and will focus on heart health. To learn more or to reserve a seat, call
1-877-808-ARIA (2742) today.
Children’s Choice Hosts Another Successful Holiday
Party and Toy Drive at Aria Health-Frankford
Aria Health’s Care Management, Lab
and Volunteer Departments led a
Holiday drive to collect much-needed
items (handmade lap-robe, cookies,
candies, toiletries, and puzzle books)
to those who couldn’t get out this
Holiday Season. 40 bags were
delivered to Chapel Manor nursing
home residents in Northeast
Philadelphia, which brought joy to
many of their faces.
Thank you to everyone who
participated!
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180 presents were collected and donated to
Children’s Choice at the event.
Aria Health’s Frankford Campus once
again hosted the Children’s ChoiceOxford Avenue Branch Holiday Party
on December 15.
Founded in 1982, Children’s Choice
is a non-profit organization that
provides foster care and adoption
services for children in Pennsylvania,
Delaware and Maryland.
With the help of Aria’s Nurse
Champions and Sodexo, 180
presents were collected at this
event and delivered to 60 children at
Children’s Choice, just in time for the holidays.
Special thanks go to toy drive co-chairs Susan Shotzbarger and Kass Milligan, John
Quinn, Betzy Cruz, Karen Sobczak and the many employees from all Aria campuses
that assisted with coordinating the drive.
To learn more about Children’s Choice, please call 610-521-6270 or visit
ChildrensChoice.org.
Aria Unveils “Caring Neighbors” Advertising Campaign
Congratulations to our
Apple iPad2 Winner!
New “Caring Neighbors Through the Years” photo gallery has also been uploaded to
YourAriaHealth.
Aria Health has recently launched a “Caring Neighbors” advertising campaign that will
highlight the pivotal role our organization has played in shaping the history of Northeast
Philadelphia and Bucks County for more than a century. You can see the campaign on
billboards in movie theaters, malls and in print advertisements, among other outlets.
In addition to Aria’s three hospital campuses, other Frankford, Torresdale, and
Bucks County area “Caring Neighbors” highlighted in the campaign include:
Frankford Campus Neighbors
Torresdale Campus Neighbors
• Mayfair Diner • Holy Family University
• Spanish Island restaurant • Chickie’s and Pete’s Café
• Lorenzo’s Barbershop • Holmesburg Bakery
Bucks County Campus Neighbors
• Oxford Valley Mall
• Fritz’s Bakery
Other neighborhood landmarks highlighted in the campaign include: the MarketFrankford El, Crispin Field in Northeast Philadelphia, the Langhorne Train Station, and
historic Newtown homes.
As part of the campaign, a “Caring Neighbors through the Years” feature has been
added to YourAriaHealth, Aria’s newly launched social media site that features
Philadelphia and Bucks County photographs from years past. To view the galleries,
simply visit YourAriaHealth.org.
In September, Aria Health became
the first health system in Northeast
Philadelphia and Bucks County to offer
a content-rich, mobile website for our
community members on the go.
And as part of the mobile website
promotion, everyone that registered
to receive Aria’s electronic newsletter,
ePulse, by November 30, 2011 was
entered into a raffle to win an iPAD2.
Congratulations to our winner,
Patrick O’Brien, RN, of Aria HealthTorresdale!
Myth or Fact –
Aria Launched a Web
Video Series Named
“Medical MythBusters”
Aria Launches
New Magazine
Quarterly publication will be
delivered to 75,000 homes
in the area.
Aria Health was proud to distribute its first issue of Aria magazine in December. This quarterly
publication will be delivered to 75,000 homes and is designed to share helpful health and
wellness information with our Northeast Philadelphia and Bucks County neighbors.
In the current issue, you’ll learn more about Aria’s approach to “advanced medicine”
as we highlight:
• Robotic-assisted surgery
• Orthopedics
• Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias
• Bariatric surgery
• Multidisciplinary lung program
The Winter 2012 issue of Aria also highlights the expansion of our Emergency
Departments at the Frankford and Torresdale Campuses, as well as the community
outreach efforts at each Aria campus.
We hope you’ll enjoy reading about our many programs and services, and what to
expect from us in the years ahead. If you would like to join the mailing list for Aria, email
mcerceo@ariahealth.org and mention that you would like to be added to the list.
To view a digital version of the magazine, visit ARIAHEALTH.org.
If you said “fact,” you’re right!
Join Dr. Rob Danoff on Aria’s newly
launched web video series Medical
MythBusters as he explores everyday
health and wellness questions, concerns,
and old wives’ tales to find out whether
they are fact or myth, including:
• Is it true that cooking spray can help your back this winter?
• Is showering in the morning really
better for your skin than showering at
night?
• Is drinking juice better for you than
drinking soda?
To learn more about Aria’s Medical
MythBusters, or to view the series,
visit YourAriaHealth.org.
Aria
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FREE Bariatrics Seminar at Aria Health in February
Are you considering weight loss surgery? Learn about the multidisciplinary approach
offered by Aria Health’s Comprehensive Center for Bariatric Surgery at our FREE
seminar. This informative lecture will be led by fellowship-trained and board
certified minimally invasive surgeons, Luca Giordano, MD, FACS, and Elizabeth
Renza-Stingone, MD, FACS, who will discuss the role of minimally invasive bariatric
surgery in a weight loss program. In addition, the Center’s registered dietitian and
clinical psychologist will review diet and psychological factors affecting weight loss.
The presentations will explain how Aria’s Center works with patients to carefully
evaluate each individual’s history, experience, condition, and objectives to find a
customized solution that more effectively controls
weight. Following the lectures, the panel will be
available for a question and answer session.
Date: Time: Place: CULTURE OF
SAFETY UPDATE
Culture of Safety Video
Library Now Available
on the Team Blog
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Aria Health – Bucks County
Main Conference Room
380 North Oxford Valley Road
Langhorne, PA 19047
To register for the seminar,
please call 1-877-808-ARIA (2742).
Aria Health Unveils a New Web-Based MSDS System,
SiteHawk® Select
As part of Aria’s goal of providing safe,
quality care to every patient, every
time, instructional videos developed
by the Culture of Safety team have
been uploaded to the Aria Team Blog
and organized in the “Culture of Safety
Videos” category.
Log on to
www.ARIAHEALTHEXCHANGE.org
to learn more about translation/
interpreter services, falls prevention,
near misses, and patient identification.
Aria Health has selected a new vendor to provide information related to access of
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Access to MSDS information specific to Aria is
in the process of being implemented, as our hard copies are being converted to an
electronic database. In the interim you will be able to access the master database of
SiteHawk for an MSDS inquiry.
SiteHawk® Select offers all of the following features and more:
• 24/7, 365 day access to MSDSs;
• Search parameters including material name, synonyms, vendor/distributor,
product codes, and more
• The ability to quickly locate MSDSs by a specific site/location, or print a material report to reduce the time spent during a physical inventory;
• Material specific secondary labeling;
• Creation of NFPA, HMIS, and WHMIS labels on preprinted or standard label stock;
• Creation of reports using Excel, Word, PDF or HTML formats;
• Help, Glossary and on-line tutorials are available under support;
• The ability to view, search, and/or report on over 100+ indexed fields;
• Up to date regulatory links and cross references.
When searching for an MSDS, go to the Hospital Intranet, as was done in the past and
click on the MSDS Icon. You will then be connected to the site. Additional information will
be passed on as the Aria Health specific database is fully implemented.
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Aria
School of Nursing
Banquet Coming in May
Calling All School of
Nursing Alums!
Are you a Frankford Hospital or Aria
Health School of Nursing Alumni?
If so, mark your calendars for our
annual Aria Health Nurses’ Alumni
Association Banquet that will be held
on Thursday, May 10, 2012. You will
have the opportunity to catch up with
former classmates in person as well
share your favorite memories. For
further information, please contact
Anne Curran at 215-612-4836.
We hope to see everyone there!
Aria’s Community Partner, Frankford CDC,
Opens Community Computer Lab
Do You Have a
“Good Catch” Story
that You Want to Share?
We encourage all Aria Health
team members to email their
“good catch” stories to
EveryPatient-EveryTime@ariahealth.org.
It will be reviewed for future posting
to the team blog. A “good catch”
is defined as an event or circumstance
that has the potential to cause a
minor or serious incident,
but that did not actually occur
due to corrective action and/or
timely intervention.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter helps the Frankford CDC open the computer lab.
Congratulations to the Frankford CDC on the opening of their new community computer lab at 4900 Griscom Street in Frankford!
The Frankford CDC – one of Aria Health’s longstanding community partners – rents
their facility from Aria at a discounted rate.
The lab can be used for financial aid and college applications, resume building and
job searches, small business startups (advertising, pr, business plan development,
social networking and more), homework, online bill paying, and much more.
Public hours are: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
and Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Or you can call 215-743-6580
to make an appointment.
Bucks County Employees,
Come Out and Celebrate
Your “Best of Bucks”
Nomination
HIPEC Procedure Now Available at Aria Health
Aria Health Surgeon Dr.
Jeffrey Brodsky performs
the HIPEC procedure at
Aria’s Torresdale Campus.
Aria Health Surgical Oncologist Dr. Jeffrey Brodsky has
recently begun performing a new procedure treating
difficult-to-reach cancers that have spread to the lining
surfaces of the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity.
How does the procedure work? Well, during the
surgery, Dr. Brodsky continuously circulates a heated
sterile solution—containing a chemotherapeutic agent—
throughout the peritoneal cavity, for a maximum of
two hours.
While the aim of the procedure is to kill difficult-toreach cancer cells, it also improves drug absorption
and effect with minimal exposure to the rest of the
body. In this way, the normal side effects of chemotherapy can be avoided.
To learn more about the HIPEC procedure, visit
HipecTreatment.com or call Dr. Brodsky’s office at
215 612-5630.
All Aria Health-Bucks County
employees are invited to celebrate
their recent “Best of Bucks”
nomination by readers of the
Bucks County Courier Times at a
celebration on Thursday, February 2
in the cafeteria. Come out and enjoy
food, refreshments and celebrate this
prestigious nomination with your
co-workers. For event times check the
Aria Team Blog or contact Clinical
Director Ann Marie Reid at 7-5207.
We hope to see you there!
Aria
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Eat Out and Your Heart
Will Thank You
“Top Docs”
Voting Ends Jan. 27
Gary Aaronson, DO, FCCP
Pulmonary Medicine
Richard S. Chang, MD
Thoracic Surgery
Ronald C. Goren, MD
Infectious Diseases
David J. Kraman, MD, FACS
Urology
Voting is now open to nominate Aria physicians for
Philadelphia Magzine’s “Top Docs”! All licensed
physicians are eligible to vote. They must cast their
vote(s) between now and close of business Friday,
January 27, 2012. Please encourage your physician
colleagues to take advantage of this opportunity.
Please share with physicians in your individual
departments and units. Voting is easy and only takes
a few minutes. A few tips:
• All licensed physicians are eligible to vote. Nominations of outstanding physicians in primary, specialty, and subspecialty areas of medicine are encouraged. Self-nominations are not permitted.
• A bit of campaigning can help...you and your
physician colleagues can spread the word in your
divisions and departments to encourage voting!
• Nominations are submitted online at:
http://www.castleconnolly.com/nominations
This link will also be available with one-click access
from Aria’s Intranet home page later today.
• Nominating physicians will be required to provide
their NPI numbers and a valid email address as
part of the Web link nomination process.
Thank you for your support of Aria’s Top Docs
campaign! In 2011, Aria had five (5) physicians named
as Philadelphia Magazine “Top Docs” – including
Drs. Gary Aaronson, Richard Chang, Ronald Goren,
David Kraman, and Steven Nagelberg. Help us grow
this list by encouraging voting among your physician
colleagues!
Steven Nagelberg, MD, FACE
Endocrinology
It’s important to understand what’s on
the menu when you eat out. The good
news: You can eat heart-healthy if you
know what to look for.
Many restaurants offer delicious
meals that are low in saturated fats,
trans fats and cholesterol, or will prepare your food to order. With a little
bit of effort, you can ensure that the
meals you eat away from home are
part of a healthy diet.
When choosing a restaurant, follow
these tips:
• Try to avoid restaurants that
offer all-you-can-eat buffets or specials, because you’re more likely to eat more food (and more calories) than you need.
• If you’re familiar with a restaurant’s menu, decide what you’re going to order before you go. That will help you avoid the temptation of ordering meals high in fat.
Source: American Heart Association
Seniors and Home Heating Safety
More home fires happen during the winter months than any other time of the year mainly due
to home heating devices and people age 65 and older are three times more likely to die or be
injured in a home fire as those younger. In addition, heating devices and household appliances
that are fueled by gas, oil, kerosene or wood in a closed up house can also produce deadly
carbon monoxide gas. Some simple things seniors can do to protect themselves are:
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home and check the
batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
If you’re using a space heater remember that space heaters need space.
Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the heater, and if you’re looking
to by a new space heater get one that automatically shuts off if the heater falls over.
If you use a wood burning fire place make sure you have a glass front or screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling
logs and have chimney flue pipe checked once a year.
Get an ABC multipurpose fire extinguisher for the home; learn how to use it and check it yearly to be sure is working.
Courtesy of Jim Miller, editor of the magazine column, Savvy Senior
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT SECTION
IT UPDATE
Brian Hannah, MD, MS, Appointed Chief Medical
Information Officer for Aria Health
Wireless Web Access Now
Available at Aria Health –
Bucks County
Aria Health is pleased to announce that Brian A. Hannah, MD,
MS, has been named Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO)
at Aria Health.
In this role, Dr. Hannah will oversee physician adoption and
integration of health information technology throughout the
inpatient environment, as well as over thirty-five ambulatory
care sites.
Dr. Hannah is a board-certified internist with over twentythree years of clinical experience, and has been deeply involved
in the implementation and development of health information
technology in both the inpatient and ambulatory care environments for nearly ten years.
Early in his career, Dr. Hannah practiced as an emergency room physician and
was a founding member of the Aria Health Hospitalist Group. He also served as the
teaching attending of the Aria Health Center Clinic for 11 years and continues to
provide patient care as part of the hospitalist team.
Please join us in welcoming him to his new position.
Denise Reinholt, MSN, RN, Appointed Director of
Professional Home Health Services – the Home Care
Department of Aria Health
Aria Health is pleased to announce that Denise Reinholt, MSN,
RN, has been named Director of Professional Home Health
Services (PHHS), the Home Care Department of Aria Health.
In this role, Denise will oversee PHHS’ experienced team of
nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech
pathologists, medical social workers, and home health aides
that provide quality home health services to patients of all ages
living in Philadelphia, Lower Bucks, and Montgomery counties.
Denise most recently served as the Director of Lower Bucks
Hospital Homecare in Bristol, PA, and previously as Director
of Clinical Nursing Services and Home Care Administrator for Holy Redeemer Home
Health and Hospice Services in Philadelphia, PA.
Denise joined the Aria team effective December 29, filling the role vacated by Kathy
Troise, who will be retiring after 27 years of dedicated service to Aria. Kathy joined Aria
as a Nursing Supervisor in 1984 and has served as Director of PHHS since 1997.
Please join us in welcoming Denise to her new position, and in wishing Kathy welldeserved congratulations on her retirement.
Wireless will be available at
the Frankford and Torresdale
Campuses in the upcoming months
Aria’s IT Department is proud to
announce that the Bucks County campus
now offers patients and guests wireless
website access.
Anyone with a laptop at the Bucks
Campus will now be able to log onto
the internet.
In the next few months, wireless
web access will also be unveiled
at the Frankford and Torresdale
Campuses. Please stay tuned to
the Pulse and the Aria Team Blog
(www.ARIAHEALTHEXCHANGE.org)
to learn when wireless is available at
those locations.
New Hours at the
Aria Health Spa and
Aesthetic Center
The Aria Spa and Aesthetic Center now
has extended Saturday and late evening
hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Book your appointment today by calling
215-612-4576 for a facial, peel, waxing,
make-up or a massage session.
HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION
Aria Health Honors CAREPlus Employees of Month for July/August 2011
Aria Health recognizes one employee bi-monthly from each campus with the CAREPlus Award. CARE is an acronym for Courtesy,
A Positive Attitude, Respect, Enthusiasm, and Plus stands for attention paid to patient/physician satisfaction and cost savings.
Three employees are also selected on an annual basis as “CAREPlus Employees of the Year.” These are individuals who help Aria
Health provide high-quality service to our community. All Employees of the Year receive an extra week of vacation, $2,700 and a
plaque recognizing their accomplishment.
Congratulations to the July/August 2011 winners!
CAREPlus nominations can be submitted by
July/August 2011
logging on to the Aria Health intranet and
Bucks Campus: Julian Woolridge, 1 North
by clicking on the ribbon in the bottom-right
Torresdale Campus: Tiffany Springman, Cath Lab / Administration
corner of the homepage.
Aria
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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS
Teaming Up to Fight Lung Cancer
Dr. Richard S. Chang
Dr. Eric Gressen
Thanks to advances in how lung cancer is diagnosed and treated, the outlook for patients with the
disease is much better than it was even a few years ago.
And at Aria Health, lung cancer patients have access to leading-edge care from a multidisciplinary team
of cancer specialists, including thoracic surgeon Richard Chang, MD, one of the region’s leading experts on
robotic lung surgery.
Dr. Chang, named a Philadelphia Magazine “Top Doc” for 2011, performs nearly all of his thoracic
surgeries (operations on the chest area) robotically. He manipulates tiny tools within the patient’s body via a
“remote control” console, while observing the surgical area on a high definition video screen. This allows for
much more precise visualization of organs and tissues than is possible with standard surgery.
Lung cancer may be treated surgically, with radiation, with chemotherapy, or with various combinations
of these approaches. Identifying the best therapy for an individual lung cancer patient can be a complex
process, oncologists, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, and
radiologists work as a team to make that decision.
The team meets every Wednesday to discuss lung cancer patients, addressing five to 10 cases each
week. An oncologist will present the case to the group, discussing that patient’s history and physical
examination as well as important imaging and tissue diagnosis if available.
“Our approach to treatment offers patients personalized care as well as highly advanced technology,”
says Eric Gressen, MD, a Radiation Oncologist at Aria Health.
“After the presentation, we assist the physician of record in deciding the best treatment of that person,”
Dr. Gressen says.
Comprehensive Orthopedic Care with a Personal Touch
At the Aria Makefield Orthopedics and Spine Center,
patients in need of orthopedic care will find
comprehensive, leading-edge surgical and non-surgical
treatment in a comfortable, caring setting.
Patients who need hip or knee replacement can be
confident of receiving excellent care that begins well
before the surgery, and getting plenty of support through
the recovery process. Aria offers pre-surgery educational
sessions on joint replacement and postoperative
Stephen Cairone, DO
Stephen Lowe, MD
John Avallone, DO
rehabilitation to patients and their families. Joint
replacement coordinators, nurses specially trained in orthopedics, occupational therapists, and physical therapists conduct
the classes, which include information on pre- and post-operative exercises, post-operative pain control, and much more.
“Aria Health’s pre-surgery education program and our excellent nursing and physical therapy teams ensure that patients,
and their families, are well prepared for joint replacement surgery and the rehabilitation process,” says John Avallone, DO,
who specializes in joint replacement surgery.
Aria spine surgeon Stephen Cairone, DO, specializes in operative treatment of the spine, both degenerative and traumatic.
Surgeries he performs include treatment of fractures, herniated disc repair, spinal fusions, and kyphoplasty for treating
compression fractures. Dr. Cairone also performs general orthopedics, including arthroscopy and sports medicine. In addition,
he is one of several Aria orthopedists who work with local sports teams, directing injury prevention and risk management
for the Council Rock United Youth Soccer association.
“We offer comprehensive orthopedic care to help our patients return to normal activity as quickly, and safely as possible,”
says general orthopedist Stephen Lowe, MD. “And our team of specialists work closely together to identify patients’ needs
and the proper treatments.”
In addition to the orthopedic team at Aria Makefield Orthopedics and Spine Center, Aria also offers comprehensive
orthopedic services from sports medicine to joint replacement at its Bucks County, Torresdale and Frankford campuses.
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