Geisinger News

Geisinger Medical Center Performs 1000th TAVR Procedure

Geisinger Medical Center’s (GMC) structural heart disease team recently performed its 1000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at the hospital.

TAVR is a less-invasive approach to treating diseased and narrowed aortic valves (aortic stenosis). Physicians can replace a diseased valve without performing open-heart surgery. Instead, they insert a small, thin tube (catheter) into an artery in the groin and feed a new, collapsed valve to the heart where it is deployed to regulate blood flow.

Unlike traditional heart valve surgery, known as surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), TAVR requires only a small puncture and allows for quicker recovery and shorter hospital stays.

“We developed the first program in the region to offer TAVR, and we’ve been performing the procedure longer than any other health system in northeastern and central Pennsylvania,” said Shikhar Agarwal, M.D., interventional cardiologist at GMC. “Performing 1,000 procedures is an achievement that displays our deep experience and specialized expertise. We’re making better health easier by treating a wide range of patients with aortic stenosis and getting them back to their active lifestyles quickly.”

Geisinger began offering TAVR in 2011 when the procedure was approved for patients in need of valve replacement but at high risk for complication with SAVR. Since then, the treatment has been approved for patients at moderate and low risk, and the TAVR program has grown to care for patients at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre and Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton.

Patients with valve disease are evaluated by Geisinger’s heart valve team to determine the best therapy for each patient. For many patients, including those who have more than one damaged valve or coronary artery disease, SAVR is still the most appropriate and safest treatment. But TAVR is now a proven option, producing positive health outcomes in patients of all risk levels with the added benefits of faster healing and discharge processes.

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the proficiency our team has built over the last 11 years and the trust we’ve earned in the communities we serve,” said Dr. Agarwal. “I’m grateful for the hard work and compassionate care of every member of the structural heart disease team, past and present, whose dedication and service to our patients has led this program to where it is today.”

Geisinger to Open ConvenientCare and Lab Facility in South Abington

Geisinger is opening a new ConvenientCare and medical lab facility at 631 Northern Blvd. in South Abington Township. The new location, called ConvenientCare South Abington and Geisinger Medical Labs South Abington, will open to patients on Tuesday, July 5. Patients can expect the same high-quality care with improved access and more convenience.

The new opening will relocate the existing ConvenientCare Clarks Summit location from inside Weis Markets and the Clarks Summit Medical Labs location on State Street. Geisinger has invested approximately $1.1 million into the 6,000-square-foot facility and will occupy the entire first floor of the building. The location combines ConvenientCare and medical lab services in one place, expanding to six exam rooms and three draw stations.

“We are happy to announce the opening of this new location to better serve those that live in our community and come to Geisinger for care,” said Kathy Lloyd, associate vice president of regional operations and ConvenientCare. “It’s a new, larger and updated facility that’s easier to access. And by providing urgent care and lab services in one location, it’s making better health easier for our patients.”

ConvenientCare will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The medical lab will be open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 6:30 to 11 a.m. Geisinger’s ConvenientCare locations are walk-in clinics for family healthcare needs, including treatment of common illnesses, physicals and immunizations. No appointment is necessary, and care is available to anyone 12 months and older.

Patients can reach ConvenientCare South Abington at 570-587-2290 or by clicking here. To reach Geisinger Medical Labs South Abington, click here or call 570-587-1874.

Geisinger Specialist Recognized as “Everyday Hero”

Ami; Sharma; MD; Infectious; Desease; Hindi; Scranton

Geisinger physician Amit Munshi Sharma, M.D., an infectious diseases specialist at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) with its Everyday Hero award. This award, launched by PAMED in 2018, is designed to showcase physicians who exceed expectations in their profession and in providing patient care.

Dr. Sharma was nominated by his peers due to his clinical work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This work included effectively treating and managing more than 1,000 patients admitted to Geisinger Community Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the efficient use of the electronic medical record by designing specific smart phrases to improve work efficiency. He designed an infection control approved workflow document for obtaining consent from patients affected with COVID-19 who agreed to take convalescent plasma, while providing effective and continuous training and teaching of trainees (residents and students) about donning and doffing of personal protective gear during the pandemic. Dr. Sharma was also involved in international collaboration with researchers through webinars about various and aspects of COVID-19 treatment.

Upon receiving the award, Dr. Sharma was surprised and humbled. “I don’t like being singled out, but then I realized this is really a recognition for my entire team. We worked hard before COVID and even harder since, so it really means a lot to be recognized,” he said.

To his colleagues and team, he is known as the “meducator” for his love of education and “paying it forward” to the team around him.

Dr. Sharma was born in India, where he attended medical school at B.J. Medical College Pune. He completed his residency and a fellowship in infectious diseases at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University where he also earned his master’s degree in public health. When asked why he chose to focus on infectious diseases, Dr. Sharma said, “I love to solve puzzles and figure things out. That’s how infectious diseases is for me. When I can study something and come to a conclusion, that’s how I am rewarded.”

Patients and medical colleagues can nominate PAMED member physicians for this award at pamedsoc.org/everydayhero.

Geisinger Breaks Ground on Next Cancer Center in Dickson City

Geisinger broke ground on a state-of-the art cancer center today, expanding services in Lackawanna County. The center will offer more appointments in the community while keeping world-class cancer care closer to home.

The need for cancer care continues to grow in Lackawanna County and is expected to increase over the next four years. Currently, one-in-five patients leave the county to receive care. The planned 55,000-square-foot facility will provide a broader spectrum of services while opening up Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton for the hospital to explore more acute care options. 

“The expansion of cancer care into Lackawanna County allows us to provide more world-class cancer services and contribute to a healthier, more vibrant community,” said Ron Beer, chief administrative officer of Geisinger’s northeast region. “We have served northeastern Pennsylvania for 40 years, and this investment is further proof that we intend to care for and grow with our communities for many years to come.”

When the center opens in late 2023, it will be home to 22 infusion bays, three multidisciplinary spaces and a hematology and oncology clinic with 17 exam rooms. The Dickson City facility will also provide radiation oncology — a first for Geisinger in Lackawanna County — a pharmacy, laboratory services and palliative medicine. It will also be home to a variety of patient amenities including food services and a coffee bar, a specialty boutique and a courtyard with lush gardens and natural views.

The new cancer center will complement the care already offered at the recently expanded Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre and its capacity for inpatient care. It will give our patients and caregivers the option of staying in the area to receive the level of care found in any major hub city. At the Henry Cancer Center, patients can receive inpatient treatment for complex blood cancers like leukemia and aggressive lymphoma. Together, the centers house a regional cancer program that offers everything a patient needs right in NEPA.

“Adding this new facility is another step toward making sure patients never have to leave the region for outstanding care,” said Rajiv Panikkar, M.D., chair of the Geisinger Cancer Institute. “The cancer program at Geisinger features top-tier providers and comprehensive care teams, and allows for leading-edge treatment, advanced technologies and clinical trials.”

To learn more about cancer care in Lackawanna County, visit geisinger.org/cancercare.

Geisinger Named to Forbes List

Geisinger has been named to the 2022 Forbes list of Best Employers for New Graduates.

The rankings were selected based on Statista’s innovative methodology, guaranteeing unbiased results and providing reliable insights. More than 20,000 U.S. young professionals who work for companies that employ at least 1,000 people participated in the independent survey, which focused on work-related issues and their experiences in the workplace.

“It’s an honor to be recognized,” says Brion Lieberman, chief human resources officer. “We have a strong values-based culture rooted in our people and we want Geisinger to be a place where you can stay and build a rewarding career.”

“No matter what stage of your career, there’s something for everyone,” adds Julene Campion, vice president of recruitment and learning & development. “Whether you’re a new graduate or re-entering the workforce, a seasoned professional or looking for a career shift, we have services and programs to help you grow and achieve your goals.”

Participants were asked to rate the likelihood they would recommend their employer to family and friends. They also assessed their employers according to safety of work environment, competitiveness of compensation, opportunities for advancement, effectiveness of diversity and inclusion efforts and company image. Finally, participants were asked to evaluate other employers in their respective industries that stand out either positively or negatively.

You can view the full list here.

Geisinger offers benefits such as retirement programs, parental paid leave, tuition reimbursement and health insurance that starts on the first day of employment.

New jobseekers can turn to Geisinger’s Career Center for guidance on resume-building, interview coaching and one-on-one services. Free Wi-Fi and computers are available.
For more information, call 877-564-6447 or stop by 529 Mill St. in Danville.

Talking to Your Kids About Recent Tragedies

Tawnya Meadows, PhD, Geisinger director of pediatric primary care behavioral health

For the second time in two weeks, the nation is faced with a mass shooting, this time taking the lives of 19 fourth-graders and two teachers in Texas. It is easy to immerse ourselves in the media and get caught up in the emotions of the tragedy. But as parents, we should take time to understand the impact on our children and be prepared to talk about these events with them.

There is no parenting handbook for this type of discussion, but as a behavioral specialist with a focus on children, I hope I can provide some ways to help parents navigate these uncomfortable but important conversations.

The anxiety and stress we feel as parents can impact our children as well. Limiting media exposure and not immersing yourself in 24-hour coverage is the first step to reducing anxiety.

Be mindful of your conversations and the words you choose. Try not to project emotions of frustration or hate. Our children pick up on our moods and overhear conversations, and those can play a role in amplifying their anxiety or other negative feelings.

Second, make time to discuss your child’s feelings — from a developmentally appropriate perspective. For elementary or middle school children, you may want to have a conversation while doing a preferred activity, such as coloring, playing catch or kicking a soccer ball. This can help children feel relaxed and express their emotions.

Third, be a good listener. Find out what your child knows about the subject and their feelings on it. Don’t have these conversations right before bedtime, though, as it could cause kids to have trouble sleeping.

Finally, be reassuring. Let your child know that they are safe and that in general, schools are safe. Point out the security measures that their own school takes for visitors. Remind them about the adults that are around to keep them safe.

For kids of high school age, who are more aware of such situations, know that they will have conversations with their friends to find comfort and understanding. Remind them to me mindful of others when they discuss the events in public situations. They may inadvertently increase anxiety in a peer who they are not aware has a history of trauma. Furthermore, stress that if they see something they are uncomfortable with or that looks suspicious, they should say something.

Simply put, there is no easy way to discuss tragedies with children. But making time to listen to their feelings and understand their concerns can go a long way toward helping reassure your children and making them feel safe. And above all, trach your children to choose kindness and notice the kindness in others.

Geisinger Selects Cloud Provider

Geisinger, one of the country’s most well-established and innovative integrated health systems, has chosen Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its strategic cloud provider. As part of the agreement, the health system plans to transition its entire digital portfolio of more than 400 applications and numerous workflows to AWS.

Geisinger will be one of the largest electronic health records migrations to AWS to date and is planning to transition the majority of its systems and applications to AWS. The decision comes after a detailed multi-year review and selection process that identified transitioning to AWS will assist Geisinger in saving several million annually after implementation is completed – cost savings that can be used to make investments that support Geisinger’s mission to make better health easier.

In addition to the significant cost savings, Geisinger’s cloud migration to AWS will enable the healthcare system to develop new, innovative technological advancements in areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning and more that will help improve access to and quality of care. It will also enable teams to create workflow efficiencies for employees to increase productivity while streamlining and simplifying daily work.

“This is more than migrating applications to the cloud,” said John Kravitz, Geisinger’s chief information officer. “We know that rapidly evolving technology, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, can help save lives. Not to mention that this will make our staff more agile and responsive so they can spend more time at the bedside, where our patients need them most.”

As part of the effort, Geisinger has also committed to comprehensive cloud skills training for the vast majority of its 24,000 employees. Training is already underway with many Geisinger employees, and the training will be ongoing over the next five years.

“At the end of the day, everything we do at Geisinger is about making better health easier,” said Kravitz. “This effort is no different. Technology is something that enables us to carry out our vision. Migrating to AWS does just that. Being more nimble with technology development and deployment lets our teams focus on doing what they do best – providing compassionate, world-class, easily accessible healthcare to the communities we have the pleasure of serving.”

“AWS is thrilled to collaborate with Geisinger to support their mission ‘to make better health easier’ for their communities,” said Phoebe Yang, General Manager, Health at AWS. “It’s a privilege to enable their teams with power of the cloud to gain operational and clinical efficiencies, upskill their workforce, and ultimately enable the health and wellness of those they serve.”

Geisinger Fundraiser ‘Moves Mountains’ for Cancer

Geisinger will raise funds for cancer services during a night of fun, fine food and live music.

Moving Mountains for Cancer begins at 6:30 p.m. May 20 at Montage Mountain, 1000 Montage Mountain Road, and proceeds benefit the newly expanded Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

The Henry Cancer Center provides care for the whole person and includes the patient’s family and loved ones. The center provides all the services a patient needs under one roof, so no one has to leave northeastern Pennsylvania for world-class care.

By participating in Moving Mountains for Cancer, patrons can enable even more patients to get the care they need at the Henry Cancer Center.

The event will be held rain or shine, and the evening features:

  • Social hour and hors d’oeuvres
  • Welcome and dinner
  • Live music by the Elegance Quartet
  • Campfire and glow night activities
  • Fireworks

Tickets cost $150 and can be purchased at go.geisinger.org/MovingMountains or by calling 570-214-0400. Those who can’t participate in person can donate on the event page, and sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Geisinger Hosts Free, Virtual Lung Cancer Screening Information Session

Geisinger will host a free, virtual lung cancer screening information session from noon to 1 p.m. May 10.

For at-risk patients, lung cancer screening is quick, easy and painless and just as important to the early detection and treatment of cancer as regular mammograms and colonoscopies.

Patients may be eligible for lung cancer screening if they are:

  • Between the ages of 50 and 80
  • Have a 20-pack-year smoking history
  • Currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years

The event will be hosted by Matthew Facktor, M.D.,director of the lung cancer screening program and chair of Geisinger’s Department of Thoracic Surgery, and George Ruiz, M.D.,chair of Geisinger’s Department of Cardiology.

The session will cover:

  • An overview of lung cancer screening
  • Who is a good candidate for regular screening
  • How to calculate pack-year history
  • A question-and-answer session

Anyone interested in learning about lung cancer screening can register for the information session by visiting go.geisinger.org/lungcancerscreeningevent. During registration, participants can submit questions they’d like addressed during the session.

Geisinger To Host Hiring Events for All Positions

As Geisinger continues recruitment efforts to make better health easier for northeastern and central Pennsylvania,the health system will hold in-person hiring events in Danville, Scranton, Williamsport and Lewistown on Wednesday, April 27.

Attendees can discuss career opportunities at Geisinger, as well as potential recruitment incentives. They can also learn about benefits such as retirement programs, parental paid leave, tuition reimbursement and health insurance that starts on the first day of employment. Those who plan to attend should bring an updated resume,as certain positions will offer on-site interviews.

Geisinger offers a variety of career opportunities in departments that provide direct patient care and those who support operations. Openings throughout Geisinger in northeastern and central Pennsylvania include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses,respiratory therapists,patient companions, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomists, social workers, environmental services technicians, and food service workers, among others.

The hiring events will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 27 at the following locations:

  • The Pine Barn Inn, 43 Pine Barn Place, Danville
  • Hilton Scranton, 100 Adams Ave., Scranton
  • Farrington Place, 416 W. Third St.,Williamsport
  • Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, 400 Highland Ave., Lewistown

Registration is encouraged, but notrequired for the April 27 hiring events.Walk-ins are welcome. Visitjobs.geisinger.org/hiring to register and view all roles that are eligible for hiring incentives.To learn more about job opportunities at Geisinger or to sign up for Geisinger job alerts, visit jobs.geisinger.org.

Geisinger Loosens Visitation Policy for Hospitalized Adult Patients

With the decrease in COVID case counts, Geisinger has removed the limit on the number of total visitors a hospitalized adult patient can have. However, only two may visit at a time. Emergency room patients may also have two visitors for the duration of their stay.

Patients having a baby as well as patients under age 18 are allowed a total of four designated visitors with only two visiting at a time. The visitor must be designated and wear a wristband the entire time the patient is hospitalized.

Visiting hours for adult inpatients are between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Patients having a baby or pediatric patients may have visitors 24/7. All patients and visitors must wear a mask when on Geisinger property, regardless of vaccination status. Visitors who do not comply with Geisinger’s policies, such as masking, will lose their visiting rights.

For general questions and information about COVID-19, visit geisinger.org/coronavirus.