Main Line Health (MLH) President and CEO Jack Lynch, was recently recognized by the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) for his leadership in health care advocacy for the Philadelphia region. President and CEO of HAP, Andy Carter, presented the award to Lynch for his influential role in successfully advancing the hospital and health system community’s state and federal agenda, and for being an active leader in reaching out to his colleagues in the Southeast Pennsylvania region to encourage their support.   

“Decisions made by our elected officials affect the way health care is delivered, and also impact health care jobs,” explained Carter. “During the next several years, health care issues will continue to be at the forefront of both national and state political agendas. Hospital priorities must be clearly focused and the hospital community voice must be strong and vigilant in both Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. Mr. Lynch serves as a primary example that strong leaders can ensure the future well-being of our hospital and health system community.”

HAP, based in Harrisburg, PA, is a statewide membership service organization that advocates for nearly 240 Pennsylvania acute and specialty care, primary care, subacute care, long-term care, home health, and hospice providers, as well as the patients and communities they serve.

Main Line HealthCare (MLHC) is pleased to announce that on July 1st, 2014, MLHC Pediatrics Plus, Jeffrey Bomze, MD, Gilda Johnson, CRNP, and Lauren Skiff, CRNP are joining the Bryn Mawr Family Practice and Residency Program.  The physicians and staff are energized by this merger, knowing that it offers increased access to the quality health care services provided by Main Line Health.  

Board certified in Pediatrics, Dr. Bomze is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has been practicing pediatrics for 35 years. He earned his medical degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia and completed his pediatrics residency at North Carolina Memorial Hospital-University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Additionally, he completed a Fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and a Non-surgical Sports Medicine Fellowship at Graduate Hospital’s Human Performance & Sports Medicine Center in Wayne, PA. Dr. Bomze is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the Sections on Sports Medicine & Fitness and Adolescent Health with the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is on staff at Main Line Health Hospitals: Bryn Mawr, Paoli, and Riddle Hospitals and Lankenau Medical Center.    

MLHC Pediatrics Plus and Bryn Mawr Family Practice are located in Suite 300 of the Main Line Health Center in Broomall at 1991 Sproul Road in the Lawrence Park Shopping Center. Dr. Bomze sees patients newborn through age 23, he accepts most insurance plans including HMOs and PPOs, and welcomes new patients to his practice. To schedule an appointment, call 610-325-1390.  

On June 8, Bryn Mawr Hospital Nursing Director Joan Gibson, presented a $1,000 check to the Narberth Ambulance Company in Ardmore during its Welcome Back Block Party. The donation will aid in the company’s high insurance deductible from its March 28 fire. Narberth Ambulance has been involved in Bryn Mawr Hospital’s stroke and cardiac accreditations for over a decade and continues to handle a large volume of emergencies.

The Volunteer Medical Service Corps (VMSC) returned to its headquarters on June 8, in the aftermath of a fire that resulted in the complete loss of one ambulance and substantial fire, smoke, and water damage to the station’s bay and administrative areas. Since then, they have received remarkable assistance from the community including local EMS departments, police and the general public.

Gladwyne Fire Company was able to host Narberth’s operations during the five weeks of damage clean-up. Their dedicated service has also allowed Bryn Mawr Hospital to return the favor and provide a generous offering.

The Block Party consisted of family-fun with crafts, food trucks, raffles and carnival rides. Children explored the VMSC ambulances, police cars and fire trucks with a photo. Paramedics joined in lego-building and assisted with face painting. Moon bounces were an additional feature to the event which made for a jam-packed day of entertainment.

Main Line Health (MLH) has named Howard Cutler to the position of Vice President, Payor Strategies, effective June 23, 2014.  Mr. Cutler most recently served as Assistant Vice President, Managed Care, at Tenet Healthcare Corporation overseeing regional payer relations for 30 hospitals in 8 Tenet markets, including two in Philadelphia. Mr. Cutler will strategically lead all of MLH’s payor relationships. Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Cutler will play a key role in the creation and implementation of an organization-wide strategic approach to current and future health reform payment initiatives. 

 “Defining new payor strategies will be a critically important role in shaping the future of Main Line Health as we assess the impact of health care reform,” said Mike Buongiorno, MLH Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.“We are thrilled that Howard will be joining Main Line Health and leading our team to participate proactively in new and alternative payor relationships and contracting strategies.”

Cutler has extensive experience in managed care contracting and health care financing, including as Vice President of Network Development for Coventry’s Pennsylvania subsidiary, HealthAmerica, and Regional Head of Medical Economics for Aetna’s Mid-Atlantic Region (which included Pennsylvania). He earned a MBA and law degree, cum laude, from Temple University and dual undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania. He was also selected by the Philadelphia Business Journal among its“40 Under 40” Class of 2008.  He is active as a board member of several civic not-for-profit organizations in the Delaware Valley.

The Payor Strategies Division was recently established by Main Line Health as a result of the restructuring of Jefferson Health System (JHS), which had previously provided several overarching business management functions, including contracting with payors and management of provider network relationships, for Main Line Health and its other affiliates. 

Veterans in the family of Lankenau Medical Center, part of Main Line Health, were honored at a luncheon on June 6, the 70th anniversary of D-Day, as the first step in a program aimed at enhancing services for area veterans.  Among the attendees were veterans of Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea and World War II, as well as the Cold War. Hospital President Phil Robinson said the purpose of the event was to both honor veterans and begin to identify how LMC could respond to veterans’ current priorities.

William Lewis, MD, System division chief of Otolaryngology Surgery, said the next step would be to conduct a series of focus groups and activities to determine how to best serve the needs of veterans in the community as well as in medical care.

Also participating in the event were representatives from the Delaware County Department of Veterans Affairs and the Delaware County Veterans’ Memorial.

(Bryn Mawr, PA – June 11, 2014)– Three Main Line Health (MLH) hospitals have recently received the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Mission: Lifeline^® Receiving Quality Achievement Award. Bryn Mawr Hospital received the Silver Plus award, Lankenau Medical Center received the Silver award, and Paoli Hospital was awarded the Bronze. Each award acknowledges the implementation of specific quality improvement measures outlined by the AHA for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

Each year in the United States, approximately 250,000 people have a STEMI, or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to immediately restore blood flow, either by surgically opening the blocked vessel or by giving clot-busting medication.

“Main Line Health is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our patients who suffer a heart attack, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is helping us accomplish that goal through internationally respected clinical guidelines,” says Peter Kowey, MD, System Division Chief, Cardiovascular Diseases, Main Line Health. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in cardiac care, and I am very proud of our team. With the implementation of the Lankenau Heart Institute, our physicians and clinical staff across the System provide world-class, innovative care to patients with heart disease at every stage.”

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps hospitals, emergency medical services and communities improve response times so people who suffer from a STEMI receive prompt, appropriate treatment. The program’s goal is to streamline systems of care to quickly get heart attack patients from the first 9-1-1 call to hospital treatment.

“We commend Main Line Health for this achievement award, which reflects a significant institutional commitment to improve the quality of care for their heart attack patients,” said A. Gray Ellrodt, MD, Chair of the Mission: Lifeline committee and Chief of Medicine at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Mass. “All too many heart attack patients in the United States still fail to receive appropriate treatment for their life-threatening condition within the recommended timeframes. We must all continue this important work to streamline and coordinate regional systems of care to save lives and prevent complications.”

MLH Hospitals earned the award by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for the quick and appropriate treatment of STEMI patients to open the blocked artery. Before patients are discharged, they are started on aggressive risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, aspirin, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, and they receive smoking cessation counseling if needed. Eligible hospitals must adhere to these measures at a set level for a designated period to receive the awards.

About the Lankenau Heart Institute
The Lankenau Heart Institute is Main Line Health System’s premier, comprehensive cardiovascular medicine and surgery program. The Lankenau Heart Institute brings together the clinical expertise of all four Main Line Health acute care hospitals and community cardiology practices to ensure that patients receive a level of quality, service, and experience that is unprecedented in the region. Through the coordination of services, system wide, the Lankenau Heart Institute delivers preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative cardiovascular services at each of our locations including Lankenau Medical Center and Bryn Mawr, Paoli and Riddle Hospitals.  

With a collaborative team of expert consultative cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiovascular surgeon and specially trained nurses and technologists, the Lankenau Heart Institute is dedicated to managing and treating patients with heart failure, coronary and peripheral vascular disease, heart rhythm disorders and valve disease. Our team of cardiologists and cardiac specialists provide patients and their families with expert cardiac care, close to home.

About Main Line Health
Founded in 1985, Main Line Health (MLH) is a not-for-profit health system serving portions of Philadelphia and its western suburbs. At its core are four of the region’s respected acute care hospitals—Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital—as well as one of the nation’s premier facilities for rehabilitative medicine, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital; Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol recovery; and the Home Care Network, a home health service. Main Line Health also consists of Main Line HealthCare, one of the region’s largest multi-specialty physician networks, and the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a non-profit biomedical research organization located on the campus of Lankenau Medical Center. Main Line Health also consists of four outpatient health centers located in Broomall, Collegeville, Exton and Newtown Square. Main Line Health hospitals, with more than 10,000 employees and 2,000 physicians, are the recipients of numerous awards for quality care and service, including recognition among Truven Health Analytics’ list of Top 100 Hospitals and top 20% of health systems in the nation, and Magnet®, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence. Main Line Health is among the area’s leaders in medicine, providing advanced patient-centered care, education and research to help our community stay healthy.

(L-R) American Red Cross CEO Robert Kessler; Paul Olson, who
donated his 500th pint of blood to the Red Cross; and
Matthew Goldstein, MD, Lankenau Heart Institute cardiologist.

(Bryn Mawr, PA – June 16, 2014)– On Thursday, June 12, war veteran and Paoli Hospital patient Paul Olson, 82, reached a milestone blood donation after recovering from heart surgery. Olson donated his 500th pint of blood to the American Red Cross Center.

Olson suffered from tachycardia, which is a fast heart rate caused by electricity in the heart beginning to short-circuit. Olson learned that due to his condition, he might not be able to reach his goal. He sought help from Lankenau Heart Institute cardiologist, Matthew Goldstein, M.D., who was able to perform a cardiac ablation to correct the problem. Olson was able to make a comeback. “His only goal was to be able to continue to help other people,” said Dr. Goldstein.

Olson began donating blood at the age of 18 and it has now become routine for he and his wife, Andrea. Every other Sunday, the couple will drive from Devon into Philadelphia so Olson can donate his blood platelets. This two-hour process serves a meaningful purpose for Olson and those involved in receiving the platelets.

Cancer caused a great deal of loss of friends and loved ones in Olson’s early life. In experiencing those illnesses, he wanted to give back. Platelets are vital in cancer treatments and for those with rare blood diseases. “I encourage all my friends that it's a very worthwhile thing to do,” he said.

According to the Red Cross, there is a great need for this type of blood donation. One single platelet can provide enough platelets for a patient’s full therapeutic dose, and in some cases, even two or three doses. Regular donors, such as Olson, aid in the supply. Dr. Goldstein was present among others to congratulate Olson on his great success.

About the Lankenau Heart Institute
The Lankenau Heart Institute is Main Line Health System’s premier, comprehensive cardiovascular medicine and surgery program. The Lankenau Heart Institute brings together the clinical expertise of all four Main Line Health acute care hospitals and community cardiology practices to ensure that patients receive a level of quality, service, and experience that is unprecedented in the region. Through the coordination of services, system wide, the Lankenau Heart Institute delivers preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative cardiovascular services at each of our locations including Lankenau Medical Center and Bryn Mawr, Paoli and Riddle Hospitals.

With a collaborative team of expert consultative cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiovascular surgeon and specially trained nurses and technologists, the Lankenau Heart Institute is dedicated to managing and treating patients with heart failure, coronary and peripheral vascular disease, heart rhythm disorders and valve disease. Our team of cardiologists and cardiac specialists provide patients and their families with expert cardiac care, close to home.

(Paoli, PA – June 11, 2014) – Premier, Inc. has recognized Paoli Hospital, part of Main Line Health, with the QUEST® Award for High-value Healthcare for delivering high-quality, cost-effective health care. Lankenau Medical Center, also part of Main Health, was named one of the award finalists.

Only 18 hospitals received the award for achieving top performance in all six of the areas measured in Premier’s QUEST collaborative, including harm, mortality, readmissions, costs, patient experience and evidence-based care, and Paoli Hospital was the only hospital in the Philadelphia region to receive this award. Paoli Hospital was honored during Premier’s annual Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio.

“Participation in this collaborative reinforces our commitment to deliver safe and superior care to the communities we serve,” said Jim Paradis, president, Paoli Hospital. “We’re proud to receive the QUEST Award as we continue down our path of improving patient outcomes.”

Specifically, Paoli Hospital is being recognized for:

• Obtaining a mortality rate at least 15 percent less than expected;
• Reducing the average cost of care to less than $5,690 per discharge;
• Reliably delivering all evidence-based care measures to patients in the areas of heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care at least 95 percent of the time;
• Improving the hospital experience so that patients favorably rate their stay and would recommend the facility to others at least 73 percent of the time;
• Reducing preventable harm events; and
• Obtaining a readmissions rate at least 11% less than expected.

QUEST is a performance improvement collaborative of approximately 350 hospitals working to make healthcare safer, more efficient and consistently effective. Approximately 330 QUEST hospitals were eligible for the QUEST Award for High-value Healthcare.

Susan DeVore, Premier president and CEO said, “QUEST hospitals have a really fresh perspective on the state of healthcare today, which they’re using to rethink the way care is provided and design innovative changes that impact our future. It’s no easy task for health systems to do this on their own, so they work together to capitalize on the power of information. Our vision is to outperform this industry together, on our own terms, which is exactly what Paoli Hospital is doing. Premier congratulates them for the fantastic achievements they’ve made.”

The nation’s leading hospitals created QUEST to set new standards in healthcare that ensure the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective care. In five and a half years, they have saved more than 136,000 lives and $11.6 billion.

Top performance thresholds were established at the top quartile of performance from a baseline period in all measures except cost of care, which was based on the median of the total inpatient cost per case-mix-adjusted discharge. Top performance methodology for each dimension varied depending on the unique measure calculation and methodology.

(L-R) Joseph M. DiMino, DO; Bill Lewis, MD; Paul M. Coady, MD; Deebeanne M. Tavani, DO, PhD; Darlene Gaynor-Krupnick, DO; Firas Saidi, MD; James “Skip” Oliver, Esq.; John H. Marks, MD

(Plymouth Meeting, PA – June 12, 2014)– On Wednesday, June 4, members of the community gathered together for “What’s Hot in Healthcare? A Conversation about Prevention, New Treatments and Technology.” Lankenau Medical Center, part of Main Line Health (MLH), donor and Club Secretary/Treasurer, James “Skip” Oliver, Esq., generously hosted the presentation and dinner, held at Plymouth Country Club.

This was the third “conversation-style” event that gives attendees open access to an expert panel of physicians. Joseph M. DiMino, Director of Health/Medical Director at Montgomery County Health Department, moderated the panel. The panel members consisted of Paul M. Coady, MD, Interventional Cardiologist at Lankenau Heart Institute; Darlene Gaynor-Krupnick, DO, urology/pelvic medicine and reconstruction at Lankenau Medical Center; John H. Marks, MD, Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Lankenau Medical Center; Firas A. Saidi, MD, Internal Medicine/Geriatrics at Lankenau Medical Center; and Deebeanne M. Tavani, DO, PhD, Chief of Endocrinology at Main Line Health.

More than 120 members of the community attended the program to find answers to their questions about cardiovascular care, cancer treatments, new technologies, procedures and disease prevention.

For information about programs and services offered at Lankenau Medical Center and across Main Line Health, please visit mainlinehealth.org or call 1.866.CALL.MLH.

On Wednesday, June 4, members of the community gathered together for“What’s Hot in Healthcare? A Conversation about Prevention, New Treatments and Technology.” Lankenau Medical Center, part of Main Line Health (MLH), donor and Club Secretary/Treasurer, James “Skip” Oliver, Esq., generously hosted the presentation and dinner, held at Plymouth Country Club.

This was the third “conversation-style” event that gives attendees open access to an expert panel of physicians. Joseph M. DiMino, Director of Health/Medical Director at Montgomery County Health Department, moderated the panel. The panel members consisted of Paul M. Coady, MD, Interventional Cardiologist at Lankenau Heart Institute; Darlene Gaynor-Krupnick, DO, urology/pelvic medicine and reconstruction at Lankenau Medical Center; John H. Marks, MD, Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Lankenau Medical Center; Firas A. Saidi, MD, Internal Medicine/Geriatrics at Lankenau Medical Center; and Deebeanne M. Tavani, DO, PhD, Chief of Endocrinology at Main Line Health.

More than 120 members of the community attended the program to find answers to their questions about cardiovascular care, cancer treatments, new technologies, procedures and disease prevention.

For information about programs and services offered at Lankenau Medical Center and across Main Line Health, visit mainlinehealth.org or call 1.866.CALL.MLH.

Three Main Line Health (MLH) hospitals have recently received the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Mission: Lifeline® Receiving Quality Achievement Award. Bryn Mawr Hospital received the Silver Plus award, Lankenau Medical Center received the Silver award, and Paoli Hospital was awarded the Bronze. Each award acknowledges the implementation of specific quality improvement measures outlined by the AHA for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

Each year in the United States, approximately 250,000 people have a STEMI, or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to immediately restore blood flow, either by surgically opening the blocked vessel or by giving clot-busting medication.

“Main Line Health is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our patients who suffer a heart attack, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is helping us accomplish that goal through internationally respected clinical guidelines,” says Peter Kowey, MD, System Division Chief, Cardiovascular Diseases, Main Line Health. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in cardiac care, and I am very proud of our team. With the implementation of the Lankenau Heart Institute, our physicians and clinical staff across the System provide world-class, innovative care to patients with heart disease at every stage.”

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps hospitals, emergency medical services and communities improve response times so people who suffer from a STEMI receive prompt, appropriate treatment. The program’s goal is to streamline systems of care to quickly get heart attack patients from the first 9-1-1 call to hospital treatment.

“We commend Main Line Health for this achievement award, which reflects a significant institutional commitment to improve the quality of care for their heart attack patients,” said A. Gray Ellrodt, MD, Chair of the Mission: Lifeline committee and Chief of Medicine at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Mass. “All too many heart attack patients in the United States still fail to receive appropriate treatment for their life-threatening condition within the recommended timeframes. We must all continue this important work to streamline and coordinate regional systems of care to save lives and prevent complications.”

MLH Hospitals earned the award by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for the quick and appropriate treatment of STEMI patients to open the blocked artery. Before patients are discharged, they are started on aggressive risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, aspirin, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, and they receive smoking cessation counseling if needed. Eligible hospitals must adhere to these measures at a set level for a designated period to receive the awards.

Premier, Inc. has recognized Paoli Hospital, part of Main Line Health, with the QUEST® Award for High-value Healthcare for delivering high-quality, cost-effective health care. Lankenau Medical Center, also part of Main Health, was named one of the award finalists.

Only 18 hospitals received the award for achieving top performance in all six of the areas measured in Premier’s QUEST collaborative, including harm, mortality, readmissions, costs, patient experience and evidence-based care, and Paoli Hospital was the only hospital in the Philadelphia region to receive this award. Paoli Hospital was honored during Premier’s annual Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio.

“Participation in this collaborative reinforces our commitment to deliver safe and superior care to the communities we serve,” said Jim Paradis, president, Paoli Hospital. “We’re proud to receive the QUEST Award as we continue down our path of improving patient outcomes.”

Specifically, Paoli Hospital is being recognized for:
•    Obtaining a mortality rate at least 15 percent less than expected;
•    Reducing the average cost of care to less than $5,690 per discharge;
•    Reliably delivering all evidence-based care measures to patients in the areas of heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care at least 95 percent of the time;
•    Improving the hospital experience so that patients favorably rate their stay and would recommend the facility to others at least 73 percent of the time;
•    Reducing preventable harm events; and
•    Obtaining a readmissions rate at least 11% less than expected.

QUEST is a performance improvement collaborative of approximately 350 hospitals working to make healthcare safer, more efficient and consistently effective. Approximately 330 QUEST hospitals were eligible for the QUEST Award for High-value Healthcare.

Susan DeVore, Premier president and CEO said, “QUEST hospitals have a really fresh perspective on the state of healthcare today, which they’re using to rethink the way care is provided and design innovative changes that impact our future. It’s no easy task for health systems to do this on their own, so they work together to capitalize on the power of information. Our vision is to outperform this industry together, on our own terms, which is exactly what Paoli Hospital is doing. Premier congratulates them for the fantastic achievements they’ve made.”

The nation’s leading hospitals created QUEST to set new standards in healthcare that ensure the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective care. In five and a half years, they have saved more than 136,000 lives and $11.6 billion.

Top performance thresholds were established at the top quartile of performance from a baseline period in all measures except cost of care, which was based on the median of the total inpatient cost per case-mix-adjusted discharge. Top performance methodology for each dimension varied depending on the unique measure calculation and methodology.

Riddle Hospital’s Cancer Center, part of Main Line Health, has been granted The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award. The award is presented to a select group of 74 accredited cancer programs throughout the United States. Criteria were based on qualitative and quantitative surveys conducted in 2013. Riddle is one of two hospitals in Pennsylvania to receive this distinction.

“This award reflects the dedicated staff who deliver a superior patient experience,” said Gary Perecko, president, Riddle Hospital. “Each day our cancer experts focus on ensuring patients receive the most appropriate, comprehensive care with the goal of improving outcomes and saving lives. The recognition further assures our patients that they have access to advanced care and technology in their community.”

The purpose of the award is to raise the bar on quality cancer care, with the ultimate goal of increasing awareness about comprehensive cancer care choices among cancer patients and their loved ones. In addition, the award is intended to:
•    Recognize those cancer programs that achieve excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients.
•    Motivate other cancer programs to work toward improving their level of care.
•    Facilitate dialogue between award recipients and health care professionals at other cancer facilities for the purpose of sharing best practices.
•    Encourage honorees to serve as quality-care resources to other cancer programs.

“More and more, we’re finding that patients and their families want to know how the health care institutions in their communities compare with one another,” said Daniel P. McKellar, MD, FACS, Chair of the CoC. “They want access to information in terms of who’s providing the best quality of care, and they want to know about overall patient outcomes. Through this recognition program, I’d like to think we’re playing a small, but vital role, in helping them make informed decisions on their cancer care.”

The 74 award-winning, cancer-care programs represent approximately 14 percent of programs surveyed by the CoC in 2013. Main Line Health has four cancer centers that serve Philadelphia and its western suburbs. Each one is accredited by the CoC and fall into the following categories: Bryn Mawr and Paoli Hospital: Comprehensive Community Care Program (CCCP); Lankenau Medical Center: Academic Comprehensive Care Program (ACAD); and Riddle Hospital: Community Cancer Program (CCP). For a list of the award winning cancer programs visit: www.facs.org/cancer/coc/outstandingachievement2013list.html

Francis J. (Frank) Leto has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the Bryn Mawr Hospital Foundation. Leto is president and CEO of the Bryn Mawr Trust Company and its parent, Bryn Mawr Bank Corporation. Before assuming his current position, Leto managed the Wealth Management Division of the Bank and served as general counsel of the Corporation and the Bank. Prior to Bryn Mawr Trust, Leto was an attorney in private practice. He is a graduate of Episcopal Academy, St. Joseph's University and Widener Law School. He and his wife Anita reside in Haverford.

The Bryn Mawr Hospital Foundation Board is responsible for developing and strengthening philanthropic support for the hospital and increasing public awareness about its programs and services. In addition, the Foundation Board focuses on establishing effective communications between the hospital and the community. The Foundation Board has raised $21 million over the past five years to fund highest priority needs, purchase advanced technology and equipment, train the next generation of surgeons and family practice physicians and provide a range of community health services.

On June 12, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital’s Foundation Board hosted An Evening of Appreciation and Art for its Benjamin Rush Society members at the Waynesborough Country Club. Established in 2010 to coincide with the hospital’s 40th anniversary, the Society recognizes and honors donors who contribute $1,000 or more annually in support of BMRH programs and events.

The event was a kick-off to the campaign to raise an endowment for Art Ability, a year-long program which serves as a showcase for, and celebration of, artists with disabilities. At the event, it was announced that $230,000 has been raised to launch the campaign, with a goal of $2 million.

The annual Art Ability exhibition is free and open to the public beginning Sunday, November 2, 2014 through Sunday, January 25, 2015.  Opening preview reception is Saturday, November 1, 2014.

For more information go to www.mainlinehealth.org/artability.

With warm weather and the summer season in full swing, it’s time for the 4th of July festivities—especially fireworks! Before you begin your patriotic celebrations, make sure you learn about fireworks safety.

“Fireworks can be extremely dangerous if not used safely and appropriately,” says Steven Gamburg, MD, FACEP, Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Main Line Health. “Parents need to be especially vigilant in supervising their children. Each year around this time, we see many burn injuries—most often with children and teens—from improper fireworks usage. It’s important to follow proper precautions to avoid serious injuries and burns.”

In 2013, fireworks were involved in an estimated 11,400 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Sixty-five percent of those injuries occurred from June 21-July 21 (during most summer/July 4th celebrations). Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for approximately 40 percent of the estimated 2013 injuries, and more than half of the estimated emergency department–treated, fireworks-related injuries were to individuals younger than 20 years of age.

Follow these safety tips when using fireworks (CPSC, 2014):
1.    Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, even sparklers.
2.    Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents may not realize that young children can also suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot        enough to melt some metals.
3.    Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
4.    Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
5.    Light fireworks one at a time, then move away quickly.
6.    Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
7.    Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

All fireworks can be dangerous, including sparklers. Because of the risk, families are encouraged to attend a public fireworks display instead. Enjoy yourself and leave it to the professionals to make the celebration a safe and relaxing event for all.

For information about Emergency Medicine services at Main Line Health, please visit mainlinehealth.org or call 1.866.CALL.MLH.

Steven Nichtberger, MD, Chairman and CEO of ControlRad Systems, Inc. has been appointed to the Main Line Health Board of Governors effective July 1, 2014.  Dr. Nichtberger has spent the last 20 years focused on developing and commercializing breakthrough medical advances.  Currently, in his role as chairman of ControlRad Systems, Inc., Dr. Nichtberger leads the organizations’ efforts in developing products to dramatically reduce the dose of medical radiation needed for diagnostic and interventional procedures.

Dr. Nichtberger’s broad experience includes global pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and devices across commercial, business development, manufacturing, regulatory, clinical and research domains.
As a senior fellow and adjunct professor at the Wharton School, Dr. Nichtberger leads the Life Sciences & Management capstone course on healthcare company formation, financing and leadership.  Dr. Nichtberger also serves as Managing Partner of GBF, providing advisory services to healthcare companies, investors and leading academic scientists to maximize the value of breakthrough advances.  

“I am pleased to welcome Steven to the Board,” George W. Gephart, Jr., Board Chair said. “Steven’s keen interest in advancing human health and well being fits so nicely with Main Line Health’s mission, and his insights and broad experience will add depth to our research mission.”  

“We are honored to have Steven join our Board of Governors and believe that his business acumen combined with his extraordinary commitment to the field of life sciences will make him an asset to our organization, “said Jack Lynch, president and CEO of Main Line Health.  “He is a proven visionary leader in the healthcare field and we are confident that his considerable talents will equip him to successfully fulfill his responsibilities as a Trustee of the Main Line Health Board of Governors.”

Dr. Nichtberger’s memberships include the Board of Overseers of the School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania and past member of the national BIO Association Board as well as past chairman of PA BIO.  Dr. Nichtberger holds a BS in Economics from the Wharton School and earned his MD from the School of Medicine and Biosciences, SUNY at Buffalo.  He is a board certified internist and cardiologist trained at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Steven and his family reside in Villanova, PA.

Heat exhaustion and dehydration issues are serious concerns for emergency medical service personnel whenever summer temperatures and humidity skyrocket. Even in this extreme heat, these first responders are working hard delivering care to our community, often without a water break. Concerned about their health and safety, Riddle Hospital set up a cooler with bottled water for all EMS workers to take in hopes of avoiding dehydration. Michael Goodyear, DO, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Riddle Hospital, a part of Main Line Health, urges everyone, “Drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel thirsty to avoid heat-related health complications.”

Caption: Michael Goodyear, DO (L) and Meghan Snyder, BSN, Emergency Department nurse, hand Vasili Tachony of Lifestart Response a bottle of water.

Steven Nichtberger, MD, Chairman and CEO of ControlRad Systems, Inc. and Adjunct Professor of Healthcare Management at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, has been appointed to the Main Line Health Board of Governors effective July 1, 2014.  Dr. Nichtberger has spent the last 20 years focused on developing and commercializing breakthrough medical advances.  In his current role as chairman of ControlRad Systems, Inc., Dr. Nichtberger leads the organization’s development and commercialization of products to dramatically reduce the dose and risk associated with medical radiation required for diagnostic and interventional procedures.

Dr. Nichtberger’s broad experience as past head of Marketing at Merck and subsequently as a serial entrepreneur, spans global pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and devices across commercial and scientific domains.  As a senior fellow and adjunct professor at Penn, Dr. Nichtberger leads the Vagelos Life Sciences & Management capstone course on healthcare company formation, financing and leadership.  Dr. Nichtberger also serves as Managing Partner of GBF, providing advisory services to healthcare companies, investors and leading academic scientists to maximize the value of breakthrough advances. 

“I am pleased to welcome Steven to the Board,” George W. Gephart, Jr., Board Chair said. “Steven’s keen interest in advancing human health and well being supports Main Line Health’s mission, and his insights and expertise will add depth to our research mission.”  

“We are honored to have Steven join our Board of Governors and believe that his business acumen combined with his extraordinary commitment to the field of life sciences will make him an asset to our organization,” said Jack Lynch, president and CEO of Main Line Health.  “He is a visionary leader in the healthcare field and we are confident that his considerable talents will equip him to successfully fulfill his responsibilities as a Trustee of the Main Line Health Board of Governors.”

Dr. Nichtberger is a long time member of the Board of Overseers of the School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania as well as a member of the Board of Directors of BioAdvance, the biotechnology greenhouse for southeastern PA.  Selected past board memberships include the national BIO Association Board as well as the PA BIO board, where he was chairman.  Dr. Nichtberger holds a BS in Economics from the Wharton School and a BA in Biology from the School of Arts& Sciences, both at the University of Pennsylvania.  He earned his MD from the School of Medicine and Biosciences, SUNY at Buffalo.  He is also a board certified internist and cardiologist trained at Mount Sinai Medical Center, in New York.

Steven and his family reside in Villanova, PA.

Lankenau Heart Institute cardiologist Maribel Hernández, MD, received the American Heart Association (AHA) Philadelphia Chapter’s 2014 Por Tu Corazón Ambassador Award at the chapter’s luncheon on June 14. This award was presented in recognition of extraordinary commitment and dedication to the AHA in the fight to build healthier lives free of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in the Latino Community. Go Red Por Tu Corazón promotes a heart-healthy lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity for Hispanic women, building on Latinas strong ties to family and cultural traditions. Research suggests that even without any other risk factors, Hispanic women may have an increased risk of heart disease.

“It is vitally important that we spread the word that heart disease is the number one killer in Hispanic women,” said Dr. Hernández.  “As an ambassador of the Por Tu Corazón program, I am able to reach Latino women right here in our community and help them learn how to reduce their risk of heart disease. I want to thank the AHA for allowing me to use my knowledge and passion to make a difference in the lives of these women. This award is a true honor.”

In late June, Dr. Hernández participated on a health panel with other Spanish speaking physicians in Washington, DC, for an educational program supporting the Hispanic community, sponsored by AmeriHealth-Caritas. She was also recently honored as the 2013 Woman of the Heart at the AHA’s Go Red for Women luncheon for her tireless work to promote awareness of heart disease in women. In 2012, she received the Hero of the Community award presented by radio station El Zol, 1340 AM, during Hispanic Heritage Month. She was also a speaker at the 2012 and 2013 Hispanic Choice Awards held at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.