Geisinger Encourages Ordering Free, At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Geisinger is encouraging the community to take advantage of ordering free, at-home COVID-19 tests through the new federal website.

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests at CovidTests.gov and have them shipped right to their doorstep.

“COVID-19 testing is an essential tool in stopping the spread in our communities,” said Kurt J. Wrobel, Geisinger Health Plan president and executive vice president of insurance operations for Geisinger. “Over-the-counter tests can save you a trip to your doctor’s office, an urgent care clinic or a testing center. In fact, if you have mild or no symptoms, at-home testing is your most convenient and safest testing option, especially with the long wait times at urgent care clinics and testing centers. Due to high demand and limited supply, the easiest way to find at-home tests is through CovidTests.gov.”

Tests available through the federal website are rapid antigen at-home tests. They can be taken anywhere and give results within 30 minutes, with no lab drop-off required.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms or you’ve been around someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID — you meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines for testing. If you have mild or no symptoms, at-home tests are an appropriate first step.

If you test positive on your at-⁠home test, follow the latest CDC guidance for isolation. If you test negative, you should test again within a few days with at least 24 hours between tests.

Learn more in our Coronavirus Resource Center at geisinger.org/coronavirus.

Geisinger Brings Specialty Care to Hazleton Area

Geisinger is poised to open a new multi-specialty clinic that makes better health easier for patients and members by bringing needed outreach services into their community.

Geisinger Multi-Specialty Clinic Hazleton will open Jan. 17 and offer care in a variety of disciplines at 1525 N. Church St. in Hazle Township. Appointments will be offered in person and via telemedicine, and the clinic may increase availability based on the needs of the community. 

When it opens, the clinic will provide pediatric and adult cardiology, nephrology, laboratory services and outpatient appointments for general surgery, colorectal surgery, vascular surgery and neurosurgery. Urology and pediatric dermatology services will begin in February.

  • Laboratory services: Daily Monday through Friday
  • Pediatric cardiology: Once a week
  • Urology: Once a week beginning in February
  • General surgery: Once every other week
  • Colorectal surgery: Once every other week
  • Adult cardiology: Twice a month
  • Nephrology: Twice a month
  • Vascular surgery: Twice a month
  • Neurosurgery: Once a month
  • Pediatric dermatology: Once a month beginning in February

Rheumatology, endocrinology and adult dermatology will be added in coming months.

“By expanding the services we offer in Hazleton and the surrounding communities, we are keeping care closer to home for our patients and members,” said Kenric Maynor, M.D., chair of the Geisinger Medicine Institute. “Our data tells us 82% of our patients from this area have traveled in the past to seek specialty care. Geisinger Multi-Specialty Clinic Hazleton will now provide much of that care without the need for travel to Wilkes-Barre or another city.”

The newly renovated space houses 9 exam rooms and has ample parking. It is approximately 1.5 miles from CommunityCare Federally Qualified Health Center and about 3 miles from Geisinger 65 Forward Hazleton and ConvenientCare West Hazleton. Telemedicine capability will allow the clinic’s providers to see patients at home or to connect them with other specialists while they are at the clinic.

George Ruiz, M.D., chair of Cardiology for the Geisinger Heart & Vascular Institute, is among the cardiologists who will practice at the multi-specialty clinic.

“I’m excited to better understand and serve our patients in Hazleton,” said Dr. Ruiz, a bilingual physician with experience caring for English- and Spanish-speaking patients. “This clinic allows us to better connect with our friends and neighbors in the Hazleton area and build important relationships focused on the community’s health.”

Patients can reach Geisinger Multi-Specialty Clinic Hazleton Monday through Friday at 570-751-5900.

Geisinger Working to Drive Down Prescription Costs with EQRx

Geisinger is working to lower prescription drug costs thanks to their work with EQRx, a new type of pharmaceutical company committed to developing and delivering important new medicines to patients at radically lower prices. Geisinger is committed to working to provide safe, effective, and affordable medications easily accessible to its patients and health plan members.

The parties have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) that provides a roadmap for Geisinger and EQRx to enter into a commercial agreement that would give Geisinger’s members and patients access to EQRx’s pipeline of innovative medicines, contingent upon approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The MOU contemplates an expansion of the existing, long-term strategic collaboration between the two organizations with a shared goal of bringing innovative therapies to the people Geisinger serves, in a financially sustainable way.

The agreement would initially focus on EQRx’s two lead oncology programs, aumolertinib and sugemalimab, and could be expanded to other EQRx pipeline programs. Aumolertinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, and sugemalimab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, have both shown promising Phase 3 data for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

“Our partnership with EQRx is well aligned with Geisinger’s commitment to our community to make better health easier by directly addressing the rising costs of healthcare and medications in particular,” said Mike Evans, Chief Pharmacy Officer, Geisinger. “Ballooning medication costs are placing an unsustainable burden on both patients and the U.S. healthcare system. This partnership marks Geisinger’s commitment to disrupt the status-quo and help make lower-cost medications for our patients a reality.”

“We are committed to partnering with different types of health systems worldwide to increase access to medicines, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Geisinger, a leading integrated delivery network,” said Melanie Nallicheri, chief executive officer of EQRx. “The MOU provides a roadmap for access to future EQRx products, beginning with our two lead oncology programs, and paves the way to delivering these lower-cost, innovative medicines to the more than one million people within Geisinger’s health system upon FDA approval.”

Geisinger Doctors Recognized Among PA Medical Society’s Top Physicians Under 40

Four Geisinger providers were honored among the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s (PAMED) Top Physicians Under 40 for 2021. 

Family medicine physician Jason Dinko, M.D., cytopathologist Renee Frank, M.D., palliative medicine specialist Lauren Nicholls, M.D., and clinical informatics fellow Raghuveer Puttagunta, M.D., were nominated by their colleagues and selected by a committee of PAMED’s member physicians.

The awards are bestowed yearly to talented, early-career physicians who are already performing at a high level throughout the commonwealth.

Dr. Dinko is a board-certified physician specializing in family medicine. He is the site leader for the family medicine practice at Geisinger Healthplex Woodbine in Danville, where he leads a group of eight providers and mentors local medical students. Dr. Dinko has been recognized for his leadership by example and his continual effort toward excellence in care. He grew up in White Haven and graduated from The Commonwealth Medical College (now Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine) in 2014. After completing his residency in Washington, Pa., Dr. Dinko returned to central Pennsylvania to serve communities near his hometown.

Dr. Renee Frank is a cytopathologist who works in laboratory medicine at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton. Since joining Geisinger, the Dupont native has served on tumor boards and lectured and mentored medical students. She was recently promoted to assistant chair of education for laboratory medicine, where she serves on numerous medical school and hospital committees to optimize medical student education, bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical practice and explore new curriculum opportunities. Dr. Frank was described by her nominator as embodying the “spirit of a doctor’s doctor.”

Dr. Lauren Nicholls is a dually trained palliative care and family medicine physician focused on improving quality of life for her patients. A Scranton native, she practices at Geisinger Community Medical Center and specializes in adult, perinatal and pediatric palliative medicine. She provides compassionate care for patients with terminal illnesses, attending to their emotional and physical well-being while managing their symptoms. Dr. Nicholls also provides guidance and support to patient families, and she has a clinical interest in end-of-life care. She has published several works on end-of-life symptom management and communication. Dr. Nicholls has been recognized for going above and beyond to engage patients and families during their most difficult times.

Dr. Raghuveer Puttagunta is a board-certified physician in internal medicine and pediatrics with a clinical focus on caring for families and patients living with pediatric chronic disease throughout their life. He is currently in fellowship training in clinical informatics at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Dr. Puttagunta is leading several Institutional Review Board research projects with a focus on improving health care utilization for people managing chronic diseases, specifically those with intellectual disabilities, autism and adult congenital heart disease. He is also leading initiatives to improve provider efficiency within the electronic health record as part of the Geisinger Clinical Efficiency Program. Dr. Puttagunta has been recognized for his mentorship of trainees through medical school, internship and residency.

Geisinger Hospitals Awarded for Treatment of Severe Heart Attacks

Three Geisinger hospitals have been recognized by the American Heart Association for adhering to proven care guidelines that benefit patients suffering the most severe type of heart attack.

Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre have received the Mission: Lifeline ® Gold Plus Receiving Quality Achievement Award, and Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton has received the Mission: Lifeline Gold Receiving Quality Achievement Award. The hospitals earned honors for implementing specific quality improvement measures in treating ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack.

Each year, more than 250,000 Americans experience a STEMI, which is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

The Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to swift treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 911 call, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Coordination among EMS, hospital and health system is key to providing optimal care to heart attack patients.

“We pride ourselves in always implementing and following the latest, evidence-based methods of treatment, because we know it leads to better outcomes for our patients,” said Cinde Bower-Stout, RN, MHA, manager of cardiovascular quality for the Geisinger Heart & Vascular Institute.

As Mission: Lifeline Heart Attack Receiving Centers, the hospitals have shown they meet or exceed quality of care measures for restoring blood flow in STEMI patients, and their achievement awards are the result of maintaining a standard of performance in delivering quick, appropriate, lifesaving care to patients coming into the hospitals directly or by transfer from another facility. “Our hospitals are committed to providing the best possible care for heart-attack patients,” said Vishal Mehra, M.D., Ph.D., director of cardiovascular quality for the Geisinger Heart & Vascular Institute. “Geisinger’s STEMI program was designed to achieve these same goals, and we’ve been honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication and achievement in cardiac care since Mission: Lifeline was launched.”

Geisinger Limits Visitors, Sets Restrictions to Help Protect Against COVID Spread

As COVID-19 cases continue to increase systemwide, Geisinger is limiting visitors for inpatient settings. Effective, Monday, Dec. 20, one visitor is permitted per hospitalized adult patient. Other family members, friends and general visitors will not be permitted at this time.

In our system, one in four inpatients has COVID and we are reaching or exceeding capacity in some hospitals. These guidelines protect the health and safety of our patients and staff. Having fewer visitors allows our staff to focus on treating our patients.

The visitor must be designated and wear a wristband the entire time the patient is hospitalized. Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. 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.

Funds Raised for Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital

The KISS for Kids Holiday Radiothon held on Dec. 9 and 10 in support of Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital was a huge success, raising $75,690 for the health of local sick and injured children.

The two-day, 26-hour broadcast featured local children who have been treated at the hospital, as well as families’ stories of how the hospital and pediatric services have made a difference in their lives. Hosts Gary Chrisman, Bob Hauer, Andi Kurzweg and Gail Bair spent the two days telling miracle stories and encouraging listeners to become Miracle Makers by giving $20 per month.

All the funds raised during the radiothon event will stay local to provide high quality care for children in our region. KISS FM and the Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger team would like to thank the listeners and sponsors who gave generously to help provide care for kids and their families.

Thank you to title sponsor, Moff and Associates, phone bank sponsor, Weis Markets; and Angel Hour sponsors: Sunbury Motors, Ford, Hyundai and Kia, PALCO Federal Credit Union, and Wyrope Williamsport Federal Credit Union; Wall of Miracles sponsor: Alexander Family Dealerships; and Giggle Break sponsor, Ciocca Dealerships. Additionally, a special thanks to Bloomsburg Walmart for donating a new blanket to patients in the children’s hospital on behalf of each miracle maker donor and to matching donors, Ray and Erin Hayes, Bloomsburg Walmart, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Maffei and Judy Graham and Nick Jones.

This year’s event was the 17th annual radiothon which has raised more than $445,000 for local children treated at Geisinger.

For more information or to make a donation, visit online at go.geisinger.org/kissradio or call 1.800.322.5437.

Geisinger Supply Chain Receives Top 25 Recognition From Gartner

Geisinger has ranked 16th among the Gartner Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 for 2021. The Gartner Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 identifies, celebrates and profiles health systems that demonstrated excellence in supply chain management over the past year. This year’s ranking included looking at a system’s ability to effectively navigate the post-pandemic landscape. This recognition includes influence from Geisinger’s quality outcomes, as well as its financial performance.

“The issues facing supply chains have been prominent in the media lately. Multiple factors, like those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, have affected how a supply chain functions. This is a significant recognition that Geisinger previously received in 2014,” says Kate Polczynski, vice president of enterprise supply chain services. “To be included in a listing with other prominent leaders within the healthcare supply chain community, especially during a pandemic crisis, is a testament to the dedication and impactful work of our Geisinger teams.”

Managing Geisinger’s supply chain is complex, leveraging talented teammates, effective processes and technology-driven decision-making to anticipate, plan for and execute in support of Geisinger.  

“I see inclusion in Gartner’s Top 25 as a recognition for all of Geisinger,” says Polczynski. “We’ve worked hard to build an integrated supply chain that partners and collaborates with our internal customers to ensure supply chain decisions are made with patient outcomes, quality and cost in mind. Working together, we have built a supply chain that is a leader in the healthcare industry, delivering precision execution to support the Geisinger family in caring for our patients and the community we are so fortunate to serve.”

Geisinger Plans Service Expansion in Tunkhannock

Geisinger recently acquired a property that will be the new site of Geisinger Tunkhannock and will allow for the relocation of existing services in the community, specialty expansion and future growth.

Located at 809 Hunter Highway (state Route 29) in Tunkhannock, across from Walmart, the new clinic will provide community members a more convenient care destination with easier access from the road and more available parking.

Primary care, women’s health, ear, nose and throat, hematology/oncology, pharmacy, laboratory, imaging, and ConvenientCare walk-in services, as well as outreach services in cardiology, neurology, general surgery and pulmonology will move to the new space.

Initial renovation of nearly 30,000 square feet is expected to begin in spring 2022 with completion expected by the end of 2022.

Hematology/oncology will be expanded in the new clinic, growing from three infusion chairs and two exam rooms to six infusion chairs and four exam rooms. Cardiology services will also be more available to residents of Wyoming County, increasing from two days per month to 12 days per month (three days per week).

“Our new Geisinger Tunkhannock clinic will be the next step forward in making better health easier for patients and members in Wyoming County,” said Kathy Lloyd, associate vice president of operations for the Geisinger Medicine Institute. “In this new space, we will continue providing the outstanding care and services we’ve offered the community for years with the room to expand and better coordinate primary and specialty care, if the need arises.”

Market research predicts Wyoming County’s 65 and older population will grow by 8 percent in the next five years. These individuals typically require a greater need for specialty services and more frequent visits to their primary care physicians to manage chronic conditions. This new location will make this type of care more accessible so patients can better manage their overall health and, ideally, avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

Geisinger Researchers Find Genomic Screening Can Identify Risk of Heart Disease

Researchers at Geisinger recently discovered that genomic screening can help identify patients who are at risk for heart disease associated with amyloidosis, the build-up of abnormal proteins in the organs and tissues.

Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) can be hereditary and lead to a spectrum of other diseases and conditions, including cardiomyopathy, a common precursor to heart failure. One known cause of ATTR is variation of the transthyretin (TTR) gene, so researchers hypothesized that identification of disease-causing variants could lead to discovery of undiagnosed disease.

New treatments for ATTR have improved survival rates, but diagnosis based on symptoms is challenging. Using data from the MyCode Community Health Initiative, which analyzes the DNA of consented participants to study a broad range of health and disease, and electronic health records, researchers studied patients with and without specific TTR variants to determine how often they showed signs of cardiomyopathy and compared those results to findings from cardiac imaging.

They identified 157 patients who carried a known disease-causing TTR variant among the 134,753 patients studied. Related heart-disease diagnoses, including cardiomyopathy and heart failure, were significantly more likely in those 60 and older, but only two of the 157 patients identified already had a clinical diagnosis of amyloidosis.

“We not only found that patients with variants identified by genomic screening had increased risk of heart disease after age 60 but also that the amyloidosis causing that heart disease is likely going to be undiagnosed without knowledge of the genetic variant,” said Brendan Carry, M.D., Geisinger cardiologist and one of the study’s lead authors. Dr. Carry, who co-leads the Geisinger multidisciplinary amyloidosis clinic with neurologist colleague David Avila, M.D., plans to evaluate and test high-risk patients who carry a TTR variant.

The research has positive implications for the future of population health as well as treatment of amyloid cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and other amyloid-related conditions.

“Historically, hereditary amyloidosis has been underdiagnosed, which can be a burden on families for generations,” said Christopher Haggerty, Ph.D., associate professor in translational data science and informatics at Geisinger and the senior author of the study. “A genetic-screening approach to identifying TTR gene variants has the potential to diagnose previously unrecognized cases of ATTR and identify patients at risk for developing cardiomyopathy and other diseases. If we can identify this risk earlier in a patient’s life, we’ll have opportunities to improve treatment.”

The full study can be read in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: CardioOncology, and patients interested in signing up for MyCode can find more information at Geisinger.org/mycode.