February 2016 LifeLines

LifeLines
A newsletter for employees of Millcreek Community Hospital
February 2016
5515 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16509 • Phone: (814) 864-4031 • LECOMHealth.com
Reception Set for New Physicians
February is Heart Month
This American Heart Month, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and Million Hearts®–a national effort to prevent 1
million heart attacks and strokes in the United States by 2017–are
encouraging Americans to know their blood pressure, and if it’s high, to
make control their goal.
Michael Gary Allison, DO
Chevelta Bostick-Smith, DO
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and
stroke. In fact, more than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure.
People with high blood pressure are four times more likely to die from a
stroke and three times more likely to die from heart disease, compared to
those with normal blood pressure.
High blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why
having your blood pressure checked regularly is important.
Allan Evangelista, DPM
Ryan Lynch, DO
Gary Ritten, MD
MCH physicians, house staff and employees are invited to a breakfast
reception to welcome new physicians on Thursday, February 11 from 8:15 to
9:15 a.m. in the employee dining room.
Present will be new physicians: Michael Gary Allison, DO; Chevelta A.
Bostick-Smith, DO; Allan Evangelista, DPM; Ryan J. Lynch, DO; and Gary
M. Ritten, MD. Dr. Allison is an anesthesiologist employed by Millcreek
Community Hospital. Doctors Evangelista (podiatry), Bostick-Smith
(OB/GYN), Lynch (neurology) and Ritten (OB/GYN) have joined Medical
Associates of Erie, the clinical practices of LECOM.
LECOM Health Physicians
See Patients in Corry
Rodolfo Arreola, MD and Brian Viviano, DO are now seeing patients at Corry
Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Arreola is a board-certified general surgeon with more than 25 years
of experience. He specializes in bariatric weight loss surgery, hernia repair,
and gallbladder removal.
Dr. Viviano is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine.
He specializes in digestive disorders and gastrointestinal care including
colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy.
For appointments, call (814) 664-4641, ext. 1088.
If you need a primary care physician, please visit
LECOMHealth.com/physicians.
Health Happenings
Thursday, February 11, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m.
Breakfast reception for new physicians in the MCH employee dining room.
Friday, February 12
Feb. 12 is the pickup date for a Valentine’s Day pasta dinner offered as a LECOM
Student Scholarship Fundraiser. Dinner for 4 includes pasta and meatballs,
salad, Italian bread and dessert for $30. Order at the Healthy Living Café at
the Wellness Center or by e-mail to ammccray@lecom.edu. Proceeds support
scholarship funds for LECOM medical, pharmacy and dental students.
Relax
We Have the Perfect
Valentine’s Day Gift
The Spa at the LECOM Medical Fitness
& Wellness Center is offering three speciallypriced packages, including massage, the
Spa signature facial and mani/pedi services. Call The Spa at 868-2130
for details and prices.
You Can See the
Doctor Now
Q & A with Dr. Gary Ritten
LECOMMUNICATIONS
LECOM Senior Living Center recognizes Melissa Traylor for turning 110 on
February 6! A resident of Parkside North East, she operated a hair salon while
living in Detroit and attended dinners with Harry Truman due to her husband’s
union work and involvement in politics.
Gary M. Ritten, MD
This is the first in a series of physician profiles – information about LECOM Health
doctors employed by Millcreek Community Hospital who are members of Medical
Associates of Erie or who admit patients primarily to MCH. For employees of
MCH or other LECOM Health organizations who receive health insurance benefits
through MCH or LECOM Health entities, there are no co-payments and no
deductibles for services provided by LECOM Health physicians.
What is your medical specialty and what are the most common illnesses or
conditions you treat?
As an OB/GYN, I practice general obstetrics as well as obstetrics for women with medical
conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. For gynecology, I provide medical and surgical
treatment for symptoms and conditions from pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse and irregular
or heavy menses to menopause and contraception services.
What has been your education and training?
I completed my undergraduate and medical school education at Wayne State University in
Detroit and my obstetrics and gynecology residency at Providence Hospital in Southfield,
Michigan. I am a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the
American College of Surgeons.
LECOM Medical Fitness & Wellness Center is offering yoga workshops once
a month beginning Saturday, February 6 from noon until 2 p.m. Cost for each
is $25. Ballroom dance classes begin February 15 and will take place Monday
evenings through April 4. To register, call 868-7800.
Lifeworks Erie, 406 Peach Street, Erie, is offering the class, Why is This Art? on
Wednesdays at 6 p.m. from February 24 to March 16. $25 members/$35 nonmembers. Students will learn about art genres and visit the Erie Art Museum.
Savory Simple Soups will take place Thursday, February 25 at 1 p.m. $15
members/$20 non-members. Dinner Along the Italian Coast is Monday, February
29 at 5:30 p.m. $45 members/$55 non-members. Call 453-5072 to register.
HCAHPS Update
(Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems)
This monthly update highlights questions that deal with physician care from HCAHPS
surveys that are sent to patients discharged from MCH. Questions pertaining to
doctors are:
1. During this hospital stay, how often did doctors treat you with courtesy and
respect? ___ Never ___Sometimes ___ Usually ___ Always
Why did you choose this specialty? What do you enjoy most about it?
What I like most about obstetrics is helping to bring new lives into the world. Delivering
babies is a high point in patients’ lives; it’s fun to be part of that experience. In gynecology,
it’s rewarding in that so many conditions can be treated now with excellent results.
HCAHPS advice: Introduce yourself by using your first and last name as well as your role
in their care. Maintain eye contact and sit down whenever possible. Make kind gestures
such as smiling, making eye contact and waving good-bye when you leave.
Why should a prospective patient choose a LECOM Health physician such as yourself?
I believe we can give more personal care and personal attention in an office or hospital that’s
not so big that you’re just a number but where you still receive quality, state-of-the-art care.
And it’s good for our patients that we also have the opportunity to teach young doctors at
LECOM.
___ Never ___ Sometimes ___ Usually ___ Always
What are some of your personal interests or hobbies?
I swim several miles every day, enjoy skiing and playing with my granddaughter and
pet yorkies.
___ Never ___ Sometimes ___ Usually ___ Always
2. During this hospital stay, how often did doctors listen carefully to you?
HCAHPS advice: Don’t interrupt or change the subject. Listen carefully to the patient’s
story and use language the patient can understand when describing the treatment plan.
3. During this hospital stay, how often did doctors explain things in a way you
could understand?
HCAHPS advice: Convey a helpful attitude so patients feel comfortable asking questions.
Provide patients with a rationale for tests, treatments or medications. End your
conversation by summarizing their care plan and asking “what questions do you have?”
Here are patient comments about MCH.
“The stay was excellent. I would highly recommend anybody to go there. I was
so impressed that I even wrote to the Times-News praising Millcreek Community
Hospital because their care was excellent in my eyes.”
What is your contact information for new patients?
I have office hours every day at the LECOM Medical Fitness & Wellness Center. I also see
patients at the Northwestern Health Center in Albion on Monday afternoons and in Corry at
75 West Columbus Avenue on Thursday afternoons. New patients can make appointments in
Erie by calling 868-7830, Corry at 664-3984, and Albion at 756-3434.
Any comments about living and working here?
Erie is a great town with lots to do. People are very nice and helpful; it’s been a very good
experience so far!
“The nursing staff and the doctor staff were excellent. I would recommend
them to everyone. It was quiet at night so that we could sleep. I would strongly
recommend this hospital to anyone.”
“I don’t think they could’ve done anything better. The nurses who took care of
me on Unit 3 were all great. They explained everything. I felt that I was their
highest concern. They were kind; they were giving. When I asked for extra pop or
ice or anything, they were more than glad to help me. It made it, altogether, a
pleasant experience considering that I was sick.”
LECOM Health Millcreek Community Hospital is a suburban, osteopathic, teaching institution providing a wide range of health care services.
LECOM
H E A LTH
MILLCREEK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL