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ConnectionsFall 2016

Commonwealth Health

Mattingly ArdanScranton, PA

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

BACK INTO ACTION AFTER JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Stabilizing CARE IN THE ER

LUNG CANCER IS the most common type of cancer in northeastern Pennsylvania — and the deadliest — according to a 2015 report published by the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.

“Access to advanced care and experienced doctors and surgeons is essential to the treatment of patients with lung disease,” said Cathleen Henderson, director of surgical services for Regional Hospital of Scranton. “Having the right team and tools in place helps us protect the lives of the people in northeastern Pennsylvania who develop lung cancer and other thoracic health concerns. That’s why we’ve invested in our cardiothoracic surgery program.”

NEW TECH, EXPERIENCED HANDSIn the past, patients who needed lung surgery

were in for quite an ordeal. Surgeons would have to make large incisions and spread the rib cage apart to access the lungs. Now, Dr. Mott uses techniques and tools that help make lung surgery less invasive. Those include the most up-to-date version of a robotic surgery system.

“To remove tumors, I make small incisions that are about 10 millimeters [less than half

an inch] wide and thread tiny tools through tubes,” Dr. Mott said. “There is no need to spread the ribs or cut through muscles. I move the instruments via a console and control every move they make.”

This minimally invasive approach lets Dr. Mott’s patients heal faster. The procedure is as effective as open surgery, but with much less discomfort. Patients feel better and return home sooner. There is also less blood loss.

Technology also makes it safer and easier for Dr. Mott to perform surgeries that traditionally have required a larger incision. Using tiny cameras and a technique called video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), he can diagnose and correct a wide variety of thoracic problems. This advanced technique offered by Dr. Mott at Regional Hospital is being done by a fraction of thoracic surgeons nationwide in the most respected cancer centers.

To learn more about robot-assisted surgery at Regional Hospital of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, visit 4healthier.me/CH-RoboticSurgery.

IN THE HANDS OF REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF SCRANTON CARDIOTHORACIC SURGEON BRIAN MOTT, M.D., CAMERAS, ROBOTICS AND MINUSCULE INSTRUMENTS THAT MIMIC HIS MOTIONS BECOME MUCH MORE THAN HARDWARE — THEY ARE THE TOOLS THAT HELP SAVE LIVES.

“We are pleased to offer leading-edge interventions to patients right here in the community where they can be close to loved ones. It’s an ideal solution to an all-too-common health concern, and together, we’re helping heal lung cancer and other issues that can cost lives.” — Brian Mott, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon on the medical staff at

Regional Hospital of Scranton

Advanced Lung Surgery Techniques Help Patients Heal Faster

Patient results may vary. Consult your doctor about the benefits and risks of any surgical procedure or treatment.

With the help of technology, Brian Mott, M.D., performs minimally invasive lung surgery at Regional Hospital of Scranton.

2 | CommonwealthHealth.net

WHEN YOUR DAY BEGINS WITH YOU WAKING UP TIRED — DAY IN AND DAY OUT — THERE MAY BE MORE GOING ON BENEATH THE SURFACE. THE ABILITY TO FALL ASLEEP AND STAY ASLEEP MAY BE THE RESULT OF ANY ONE OF 70 TYPES OF SLEEP DISORDERS.

IF YOU ARE told you snore, you may actually be struggling to breathe and suffering from what is known as sleep apnea, or sleep-disordered breathing, which often goes undiagnosed. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type, means your breathing becomes interrupted by soft tissue near the back of your throat.

While OSA is not isolated to snorers, it generally results in snoring and is more likely to affect people who are overweight.

SLEEP REALLY IS THE BEST MEDICINE“If you are not sleeping well even though you

closely maintain a routine bedtime and avoid caffeine and television, computer, tablet, and smartphone screens before going to bed, then it may be time to set up a sleep study,” said Daniel Williams, M.D., internal medicine doctor and an independent member of the medical staff at Tyler Memorial Hospital. “Research indicates untreated sleep disorders can contribute to other health issues, including depression, high blood pressure and heart disease.”

Getting enough sleep is important to long-term health. That is why Commonwealth Health offers diagnostic sleep centers at four locations, including Berwick Hospital Center, Moses Taylor Hospital, Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and Tyler Memorial Hospital.

STUDYING YOUR 40 WINKS If your doctor recommends you for a sleep study,

the study itself is simple. As you sleep, technology monitors and records your vital functions, from your brain activity to your heart rate. The results provide the sleep center doctors and technologists with a picture of what is happening with your breathing as you sleep. While at the sleep center, you may also be asked to try wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask. This device is one of many treatment options for people with sleep apnea. Other treatment options your doctor may recommend include lifestyle changes — such as modifying your diet and exercise routine and stopping smoking — oral appliances and, in some instances, surgery.

Visit 4healthier.me/CH-Sleep to schedule a sleep study to learn how sleep affects your overall health.

When the Signs Point to Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring often go hand-in-hand, but not always. Other notable signs of OSA may occur during daytime hours. Consider these additional symptoms:

» daytime fatigue » difficulty falling or staying asleep » increased forgetfulness » multiple attempts to catch your

breath during the night » reduced ability to concentrate

Sleep Problems? Try a Sleep Study

Daniel Williams, M.D.


Daniel Williams, M.D., provides sleep studies at Tyler Memorial Hospital.

CommonwealthHealth.net | 3

DRIVING TO A BIG CITY FOR GASTROENTEROLOGY SERVICES CAN BE TOUGH TO SWALLOW. FORTUNATELY, NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIANS DON’T HAVE TO.

SOPHISTICATED ENDOSCOPIC TECHNIQUES let gastroenterologists peer deeper and more clearly into the digestive tract than ever before. These procedures — which use specially equipped, flexible tubes called endoscopes — can spare patients major surgery and are typically available on an outpatient basis.

Thanks to a recent refurbishment of its gastroenterology (GI) lab, Moses Taylor Hospital now offers a wide variety of GI services, some of which patients used to have to leave the region to obtain.

ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUNDDuring an endoscopic ultrasound, also known as EUS, the

gastroenterologist uses an ultrasound-equipped endoscope to view the digestive tract and surrounding organs, as well as biopsy certain structures and perform treatments.

“EUS is helpful when we’re investigating possible cancers of the digestive tract, as well as benign tumors and pathologies of the pancreas and bile duct,” said Pardeep Bansal, M.D., FACG, gastroenterologist and member of the medical staff at Moses Taylor and Regional Hospital of Scranton. “For example, we can use EUS to take lymph node samples around the esophagus without the need for chest surgery. These samples may help in diagnosing and staging of cancer. If a patient has pancreatic pseudocyst [fluid collection in and around the pancreas], we can drain it without surgery by using EUS to place a stent between the cyst and the stomach wall.”

COLONOSCOPY AND ENDOSCOPY WITH HD SCOPES AND NARROW BAND IMAGING

Dr. Bansal uses endoscopes and colonoscopes with highest definition and narrow band imaging capable of detecting colorectal flag polyps older scopes might miss. These polyps carry higher risk for turning into right-sided colon cancer (cecum and ascending colon).

ENDOSCOPIC MUCOSAL RESECTIONIf a tumor sample taken with EUS shows early-stage cancer or if a large

polyp is found, the gastroenterologist can use a technique called endoscopic mucosal resection to remove it without incisions. Removing an abnormal growth along with the mucosal layer can help doctors determine the cancer’s stage and in some cases, eliminate the early-stage cancer altogether.

GI STENTINGEndoscopy can be used to place a variety of stents in lieu of surgery. These

include stents that allow patients with esophageal cancer to eat without a feeding tube and bile duct stents for individuals with pancreatic cancer to help their pancreas, liver and gallbladder drain into the small intestine.

Need a gastroenterologist? Visit 4healthier.me/CH-FindaDoctor to search by specialty, condition, procedure or doctor’s last name.


GI, CLOSE BYPardeep Bansal, M.D., offers a wider range of procedures in the expanded GI lab at Moses Taylor Hospital.


FOR COMMONWEALTH HEALTH PATIENTS GLENDA VANSOCK AND BRENDA NELSON, MINIMALLY INVASIVE HYSTERECTOMY MEANT RETURNING TO EVERYDAY LIFE WITH LITTLE TO NO PAIN.

FOR MANY WOMEN, uterine prolapse — a condition occurring when weakened or stretched muscles cannot support the uterus — can be treated with conservative measures, such as a pessary, a device worn in the vagina to hold the uterus in place. When conservative measures are not successful, hysterectomy — or removal of the uterus — is an effective treatment option.

Hysterectomy, which is the second-most common procedure performed on women in America, can be accomplished in several ways.

“Not every surgical procedure is right for every patient,” said Ayesha Usman, M.D., FACOG, gynecologist at Berwick Hospital Center. “Open procedures and removal of the uterus through the vagina works well for some patients, while laparoscopic hysterectomy is a good option for others. This technique uses small cuts, and features less healing time and significantly less pain than an open procedure.”

CHOOSING A FASTER RECOVERYIn the fall of 2015, Glenda, a supervisor at the

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, knew something was wrong with her body. When she went to her doctor, she discovered she had organ prolapse, and options were discussed. After discussing her options with Dr. Usman, Glenda decided to have a hysterectomy in January 2016.

“It didn’t feel good to know I needed a hysterectomy,” Glenda said. “However, Dr. Usman was very kind and understanding. She had a great bedside manner and a good sense of humor.”

Glenda was able to resume her normal activities and did not require pain medication following her surgery.

WHEN IT’S RIGHT, IT’S RIGHTAnother patient, Brenda, had also been living

with uterine prolapse for many years before she discussed treatment options with Dr. Usman in December 2015. After conservative measures did

not work as well as she hoped, she decided to have a laparoscopic hysterectomy in March 2016.

The surgery was a great success — Brenda felt some lingering shoulder pain due to the gas used to expand the abdomen during the surgery, but it quickly went away, and she left the hospital less than a full day after surgery.

“I explained to Brenda that even though she wasn’t feeling pain, she had just had surgery and needed to take it easy for a few days,” Dr. Usman said. “She had no complications and was out of the hospital in less than a day.”

Need a gynecologist? Visit 4healthier.me/ CH-FindaDoctor to search by specialty, condition, procedure or doctor’s last name.

Patient results may vary. Consult your doctor about the benefits and risks of any surgical procedure or treatment.Dr. Usman is a member of the medical staff at Berwick Hospital Center.

“I was scared to death to have my

hysterectomy because I hadn’t had an

operation since I had my tonsils out at

age 12. I had no idea what to expect.

However, no one needs to be fearful of

having a laparoscopic hysterectomy

— I had no severe pain from this

surgery. The healing time was quick,

and I had a great experience at the

Berwick Hospital Center.”

— Brenda Nelson, Shickshinny, Pennsylvania

Ayesha Usman, M.D.

A Better OptionBrenda Nelson of Shickshinny is back to her normal routine, including her volunteer work at a local food pantry, after undergoing laparoscopic surgery at Berwick Hospital Center.


INHALING HARMFUL CHEMICALS IS DANGEROUS, BUT THAT DOESN’T STOP SOME TEENAGERS FROM ABUSING HOUSEHOLD INHALANTS.

WHEN THINKING ABOUT mind-altering drugs, you may immediately think of illegal substances sold in alleyways or on deserted street corners. However, many teenagers find ways to get high off of products you can legally buy at your local supermarket.

Inhalants are chemicals found in everyday products, including markers, spray paints, glues or cleaning products, that can have mind-altering effects when breathed in through the nose or mouth.

“Adolescents can easily access products that can be misused by breathing in toxic fumes,” said David Liskov, M.D., medical director and member of the medical staff at First Hospital. “They abuse these products to achieve the sensation of getting high, without realizing how damaging this can be to their physical and mental health.”

Breathing in these chemicals can have numerous short- and long-term effects on a person’s health. Short term effects include nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness and dizziness, while long-term effects can lead to more serious issues, such as liver and kidney damage, hearing loss, bone marrow damage, and damage to nerve fibers and brain cells.

WATCH OUT FOR THESEWhile numerous products can be abused and used as inhalants, they can be placed into one of these four

main categories: » volatile solvents – paint thinners, nail polish removers, dry-cleaning fluids, gasoline, degreasers, felt-tip markers » aerosols – spray paints, hair sprays, spray-on deodorants, vegetable oil sprays, fabric protector sprays » gases – butane lighters, propane tanks, whipped cream dispensers, refrigerant gases » nitrites –video head cleaners, room deodorizers, leather cleaners, liquid aromas

“While anyone can abuse inhalants, teenagers are the most likely culprits to participate in these harmful activities,” Dr. Liskov said. “It’s unreasonable to empty your house of all potential inhalants, but if you are a parent, monitor your stock of these products to make sure items are not missing and being used outside of their intended purposes.”

Drug abuse can be a symptom of a behavioral health issue. If you or a member of your family is struggling with drug abuse or other mental illness, we are here to help. Call First Hospital at (570) 751-5469 or visit 4healthier.me/CH-BehavioralHealth to learn more.

An Alarming Rate

David Liskov, M.D.

Due to their ease of access, abused inhalants are often some of the first drugs that teenagers experiment with. In fact, a poll done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows inhalants are one of the few categories of drugs that are used more frequently by younger adolescents than older teens.

Completed in 2015, the poll compared he frequency of inhalant abuse between 8th, 10th and 12th graders. The findings are:

» 4.6 percent of 8th graders have abused inhalants in the past year. » 2.9 percent of 10th graders have

abused inhalants in the past year. » 1.9 percent of 12th graders have

abused inhalants in the past year.

Beware of the Dangers Lurking Inside Your Home


HEARING HER SON ask for pizza never sounded sweeter for Bethany Ardan of Scranton. Seven days prior, Bethany’s 2 1/2-year-old son Mattingly was in the fight of his life after a common cold took over his tiny body and led to sepsis.

The family’s nightmare began in the early hours of Oct. 18, 2015, when an otherwise healthy, rambunctious Mattingly was unresponsive in his crib. He was rushed to Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton and a code blue — patient needing resuscitation — was called upon his arrival.

Emergency medicine doctor, Kirk Hinkley, M.D., successfully intubated Mattingly within minutes but decided it was in the child’s best interest to be transported by air to Penn State Children’s Hospital.

“The ER staff at Moses was incredible,” said Bethany, who works at Moses Taylor Hospital in centralized scheduling. “We were so close to losing our little boy, and they did everything they possibly could to get him stable. Dr. Hinkley took Mattingly from my arms and worked tirelessly on him.”

Four days after being intubated, Mattingly was finally free from the breathing tubes and was able to be held

by his parents. It wasn’t until the seventh day, however, that he was able to speak.

“He opened his eyes and the first thing he said was ‘I want pizza,’” Bethany said. “We cried very happy tears after hearing that. We knew he was going to be OK.”

Mattingly is back to being a curious toddler with nonstop energy. And the Ardans are grateful to have received such quality emergency care at their hometown hospital, Moses Taylor, which helped to give to Mattingly a fighting chance at recovery.

“We actually ended up having to bring Mattingly back to the Moses Taylor ER right before Christmas this year for staples in his forehead,” Bethany said. “We saw Dr. Hinkley and were happy to introduce him to the little boy that he saved.”

Dr. Hinkley is an independent member of the medical staff at Moses Taylor Hospital.

Compassionate, Quality Care in Your HometownWHEN MATTINGLY ARDAN’S

FEVER SHOT UP AND THE

TODDLER NEEDED EMERGENCY

CARE, HIS PARENTS RUSHED HIM

TO MOSES TAYLOR HOSPITAL.

Mattingly Ardan plays near his home in Scranton.

Bethany Ardan credits the Moses Taylor emergency department with stabilizing her son Mattingly so he could be transported to the Penn State Children’s Hospital.


CATHY MELLER HAS CALLED SCRANTON HOME FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, SO WHEN SHE WAS FACED WITH A BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS IN MARCH, THE DECISION AS TO WHERE SHE WOULD RECEIVE TREATMENT WAS AN EASY ONE.

“I FELT 100 PERCENT confident in the care I would be getting,” said Cathy, who is originally from New York City. “A lot of people think they need to leave the area for medical care, and some of my friends even asked if I’d be going back to New York for treatments, but there really was no reason for me to leave. I love my doctors and nurses.”

Cathy is not alone in her cancer fight. Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in northeastern Pennsylvania, second only to lung cancer, according to a 2015 study by the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. The American Cancer Society estimates that 249,260 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2016.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to detect the disease in its early stages. The month-long observation is aimed at encouraging women to make a

This Call Could Save Your LifeCommonwealth Health affiliates throughout the region

will team up in October for the fifth annual Mammothon. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, employee

volunteers make calls to women in the area who are due for their annual mammogram. Patients will have the opportunity to make an appointment for the test during the calls.

Participating Commonwealth Health affiliates include Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Berwick Hospital Center, Tyler Memorial Hospital, Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton.

In 2015, Commonwealth Health surpassed its goal for scheduled mammograms as 130 volunteers made 4,756 calls, offering to schedule these critical screenings or giving a gentle reminder about the importance of yearly mammograms. The result was the scheduling of 638 mammograms — or 130 percent of the goal of 489 scheduled mammograms.

Battling Breast Cancer at Commonwealth Health

Cathy Meller in front of her vintage clothing store on North Main Avenue in Scranton


Faster, More Accurate Radiation Therapy

A new linear accelerator at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital’s Cancer Care Center — the first of its kind in Luzerne County — is being used to treat cancerous masses with radiation therapy faster and more accurately.

While the linear accelerator’s primary goal is to deliver accurate radiation to the cancerous tissue, patients also benefit because the treatments take a fraction of the time to administer as compared to earlier technology.

The linear accelerator is part of the hospital’s effort to revamp its cancer care.

Under the direction of Norman Schulman, M.D., radiation oncologist, department head and member of the medical staff at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, the linear accelerator is used to administer radiation beams that are as exact as a scalpel but accomplish tumor destruction without incisions.Norman Schulman, M.D.

plan to check for the signs and symptoms of breast cancer while helping others to do the same.

A SHOCKING DIAGNOSISNo one anticipates hearing

that they have cancer, but the news came as a complete shock to Cathy. A routine mammogram was in the order of suggested tests for the 60-year-old, who suffers from chronic bronchitis.

“I don’t have a family history, and I didn’t feel any lumps, but there it was,” Cathy said. “I was a mess when they told me. When you are told you have cancer, you feel like you lost control of your life.”

Cathy turned to Kelly M. McGuire, D.O, general surgeon on the medical staff of Regional Hospital of Scranton. Dr. McGuire performed a lumpectomy on Cathy’s left breast on April 28 at Regional. The surrounding lymph nodes were clear but it was in Cathy’s best interest to receive chemotherapy treatments.

“I think everyone was aggressive in following the course of treatment, and Cathy was very open-minded about her options,” Dr. McGuire said. “It’s so important for women to do self-exams and to get mammograms. In Cathy’s case, she was kind of lucky in the sense that a series of events led her to getting this important screening.”

MORE THAN DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIPTheir paths crossed because of a disease, but a friendship formed between Cathy and Dr. McGuire,

thanks to trust and confidence.“Cathy is a very sweet lady, and she was very willing to do whatever I suggested,” Dr. McGuire said.

“I get to know my patients because I’m going through this with them, before surgery, after surgery, before chemo. I’m an integral but small part in their lives, but they are all so appreciative.”

Cancer has had negative and positive impacts on Cathy’s life. In addition to enduring the side effects of chemotherapy, she needed to stop working at her vintage women’s clothing store on N. Main Ave. in Scranton and had to find other employment instead.

The plus side of cancer, however, is it has helped Cathy become more patient and more empathetic. “It’s unbelievable how many people I see in the grocery store that I saw at chemotherapy,” Cathy

said. “I realize now that you never know what a stranger is going through. Life doesn’t have to move so fast-paced. I have extra patience, and I’m kinder than I used to be.

Kelly McGuire, D.O., encourages women to do self-exams and to get mammograms.

BERWICK HOSPITALCENTER701 East 16th St.Berwick, PA(570) 759-5000

MOSES TAYLORHOSPITAL700 Quincy Ave.Scranton, PA(570) 770-5000

REGIONAL HOSPITALOF SCRANTON746 Jefferson Ave.Scranton, PA(570) 348-7100

TYLER MEMORIALHOSPITAL5950 State Route 6Tunkhannock, PA(570) 836-2161

WILKES-BARREGENERAL HOSPITAL575 N. River St.Wilkes-Barre, PA(570) 829-8111

QUALITY CARE IS JUST A CLICK OR PHONE CALL AWAY. FIND A DOCTOR – 1-800-838-9355 (WELL) OR COMMONWEALTHHEALTH.NET.

CONNECT WITH US!

Cancer care is available at:


“JUVENILE” DIABETES REFERS TO TYPE 1 DIABETES, A CONDITION THAT CAN STRIKE AT ANY AGE BUT MOST COMMONLY AFFECTS KIDS. HERE’S WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW.

TYPE 1 DIABETES develops when the pancreas is unable to make insulin, a hormone that helps cells absorb and use glucose. The body’s main energy source, glucose is a sugar that the body produces when it breaks down foods during digestion. Carbohydrates are a rich dietary source of glucose.

Doctors are not sure why some children develop Type 1 diabetes. A child’s genetic makeup and an overactive immune system are suspected to play roles.

“Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease,” said Jill McCoy, M.D., pediatrician at Physicians Health Alliance and an independent member of the medical staff at Moses Taylor Hospital. “We think that something — perhaps a virus or other illness — triggers the immune system to attack the pancreas and the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin.”

STAND WATCHType 1 diabetes can affect babies and young

children, but it is most commonly diagnosed during the adolescent years. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include fatigue and weight loss. Kids may also be hungrier or thirstier than usual and/or need to urinate more frequently.

“Parents may not realize that their child is using the bathroom more often during the day,” Dr. McCoy said. “Instead, they may notice that their older child is suddenly wetting the bed again at night.”

If you recognize the warning signs of Type 1 diabetes, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician right away. To diagnose Type 1 diabetes, doctors perform several laboratory tests to determine how much glucose is present in the bloodstream and urine.

There is no cure for diabetes. Fortunately, the disease can be managed by measuring blood glucose levels throughout the day and injecting insulin into the body as needed to keep levels within healthy ranges.

To find a pediatrician near you, visit 4healthier.me/CH-FindADoctor or call (570) 762-9506.

Jill McCoy, M.D.

The Juvenile Diabetes Rundown


IF YOU ARE AT RISK FOR ESOPHAGEAL CANCER, A NEW PROCEDURE WITH NO INCISIONS AND MINIMAL RECOVERY TIME COULD HELP.

IN A HEALTHY body, the esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach. However, the lining of the esophagus can become damaged over time by acid reflux, obesity and smoking. When tissues in the esophagus are damaged by long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, it’s called Barrett’s esophagus.

In people with Barrett’s esophagus, the risk for esophageal cancer increases. However, the BARRX procedure can make the esophageal lining healthy again.

MAKING WAY FOR NEW TISSUEDuring the BARRX procedure, while the patient is lightly sedated, a thin, flexible tube called an

endoscope is inserted into the patient’s esophagus. The doctor uses the scope to find the abnormal tissue and then inserts the BARRX™ ablation catheter in order to deliver energy to the abnormal tissue. This removes the precancerous cells and allows new tissue to grow.

“The new lining comes in like normal,” said Aman Ali, M.D., gastroenterologist and independent member of the medical staff at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. “It is an excellent alternative to watchful waiting to see if cancer develops because if tumor cells should occur, a more complex surgery is required. BARRX is ultra minimally invasive and stops the development of esophogeal cancer cells by destroying precancerous tissue while preserving the esophagus.”

Visit 4healthier.me/CH-DigestiveCare to learn more about digestive care at Commonwealth Health.

“There are many nonsurgical options out there, and my colleagues and I work hard to bring those options and the quality of care available at larger metropolitan facilities to this community so that residents do not have to travel for healthcare. No matter the area I’m working in, I want to save patients from having open surgery and spare organ and tissue whenever possible.” — Aman Ali, M.D., gastroenterologist and independent member of the medical staff at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital

No Incisions, No Problem When you need internal stitches, open surgery

may seem like a forgone conclusion. However, a new technology called Endo Stitch™ can save you from needing traditional surgery.

Endo Stitch allows doctors to place internal stitches through an endoscope.

“Anywhere there is a perforation, or hole, we can use the Endo Stitch through a scope,” said Aman Ali, M.D., gastroenterologist and independent member of the medical staff at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. “The beauty of the technique is there’s no scar because there’s no incision. There’s no recovery time, other than waking up from sedation, which is why it’s referred to as ultra minimally invasive. We insert the scope through a natural body opening, which means there’s little to no pain or discomfort.”

Stopping Cancer Before It Starts

Dr. Ali also provides techniques, such as ESD (endoscopic submucosal dissection) and EMR (endoscopic mucosal resection) to nonsurgically remove early cancers from the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon and rectum.

Aman Ali, M.D., is performing new and innovative GI techniques at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.


WHEN PAINFUL JOINTS PREVENTED ROBERT WEST AND ELLIN OHORA FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITIES THEY LOVE, ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS FROM COMMONWEALTH HEALTH GOT THEM BACK ON TRACK.

THE CENTERS FOR Disease Control and Prevention lists osteoarthritis (OA) as one of the top three diagnosis for which people seek help from an orthopedic surgeon. OA affects roughly 27 million Americans — making it the most common chronic condition of the joints.

OA can be found in any joint, including the fingers, knees or hips, and can cause pain when moving or even lying down. The consistent pain and discomfort can prevent people from participating in hobbies, work or events that they are normally accustomed to doing.

Having OA or other orthopedic problems does not mean you have to live with debilitating symptoms. Just ask Robert and Ellin, two patients diagnosed with OA, who underwent joint replacement surgeries.

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAYRobert West, age 60, is a man of

many passions. He has worked as a telecommunication technician for more than 30 years at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, makes his own wine and enjoys his duties as

a loving grandfather to his grandchildren, RJ and Jaegan. When not working or playing with his grandkids, Robert can often be found enjoying the open road on his motorcycle.

When his favorite activities were becoming a challenge because of arthritis of the knees, Robert knew he needed help.

“I realized there may be a problem when I started having trouble getting around at work,” Robert said. “My job requires me to

James Mattucci, M.D.

On the Road Again


Shortly after undergoing bilateral knee surgery at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Robert West is riding his motorcycle again.


“Ellin recovered incredibly well after her surgery,” Dr. Gillette said. “She was able to leave the hospital the day after surgery, was walking without a cane at two weeks and was back to playing tennis within three months.”

Not only is Ellin playing tennis, she is playing a lot of tennis. In a six-month span after her surgery, she has competed in four tennis tournaments.

“I’m very pleased with how my hip is doing,” Ellin said. “Since my procedure, I’ve probably recommended Dr. Gillette to five people. It’s just pleasing to know that you can get such great care, so close to home.”

Is your ease of motion grinding to a halt? Visit 4healthier.me/CH-FindOrtho to find an orthopedic surgeon who can discuss treatment options with you.

frequently walk the halls, climb stairs and navigate ladders. It was simply becoming more difficult to do these tasks.”

That’s when Robert spoke with someone he frequently saw walking the halls at the hospital — James Mattucci, M.D., orthopedic surgeon and independent member of the medical staff at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

“I frequently see Dr. Mattucci around the hospital,” Robert said. “He had operated on my sister-in-law and my wife, so I knew I would be in good hands.”

Before turning to surgery, Dr. Mattucci prescribed oral medications and therapies to manage Robert’s arthritis. However, neither of these measures resolved the problem.

“I knew it was time for joint replacement surgery when I struggled to lift my motorcycle off its kickstand,” Robert said. “Something had to be done.”

With arthritis in both his knees, Robert would need bilateral knee surgery, which involves replacing both knees during one surgery.

“I don’t recommend surgery unless I feel it’s best for the patient,” Dr. Mattucci said. “Robert is a very active and motivated man, so I knew he would take the process seriously and have a good recovery.”

Since the procedure, Robert is free of pain and once again doing the things he enjoys.

“I’m 100 percent better than I was before surgery,” Robert said. “I can’t say enough about the help I received from Dr. Mattucci and the hospital. I’m back to riding my motorcycle, climbing ladders and, perhaps most impressively, keeping up with my grandchildren.”

A RETURN TO TENNISFor most people, one hip surgery is

enough, but for Ellin Ohora, a 50-year-old part-time tennis coach and full-time athlete, a heavily active lifestyle eventually took its toll on both hips. Just four years after her left hip was replaced in Philadelphia, she began experiencing pain in her right hip.

“It gets to the point where you can’t sleep at night, you can’t walk normally, and you can’t even get out of your car without experiencing terrible pain,” Ellin said. “Not

being able to do the everyday things, much less the things I loved doing, became so frustrating that something just needed to be done about it.”

“While online, I discovered Dr. Jeffrey Gillette [D.O., orthopedic surgeon and independent member of the medical staff at Regional Hospital of Scranton],” Ellin said. “I went in to meet with him and was really impressed with how he treated his patients. He and his staff answered all of my questions and made me feel at home.”

After a few meetings, Dr. Gillette and Ellin decided that surgery was going to be necessary if she wanted to play tennis again. However, not just any surgery would do.

“I prefer the anterior approach for hip replacement surgery,” Dr. Gillette said. “It’s minimally invasive, muscle sparing, and allows patients like Ellin to get back to their active lives much sooner and with less pain.”

While her first hip surgery had gone well, Ellin’s second surgery was an overwhelming success.

Jeffrey Gillette, D.O.

Just six months after having her second hip replaced at Regional Hospital of Scranton, Ellin Ohora is competing in tennis tournaments.


ALWAYS LOOKING TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS, THE COMMONWEALTH HEALTH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (CHEMS) TEAM CONTINUES TO EXPAND ITS SERVICE AREA AND SERVICES.

CHEMS RECENTLY ADDED 10 new ambulances to its fleet in order to provide faster service to patients in need of emergency transportation and care.

“These ambulances give us more opportunities to serve our community in multiple ways,” said Joseph Moran, NRP, operations manager of CHEMS. “We are now equipped to provide service to residents and numerous healthcare facilities in Luzerne County via 911.”

CHEMS is also working to expand the dispatch/communications center. The new center, along with software upgrades to the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, will help staff accommodate an increasing call volume. While these upgrades to equipment and resources are essential for success, just as important are the awards and certifications that CHEMS has recently earned.

MATTERS OF THE HEARTIn May 2016, CHEMS received the American Heart Association’s Mission:

Lifeline® EMS Gold Award for demonstrating high-quality cardiac care and treatment of patients who experience a severe form of heart attack known as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI.

“We are very honored to have received this award,” said Gary McIntyre, director of operations at CHEMS. “Our team has undergone training to learn and obtain the experience and expertise required to recognize critical cardiac symptoms and provide an advanced level of emergency

treatment to patients, as outlined by the American Heart Association’s most up-to-date guidelines and protocols. Before STEMI patients arrive at the hospital, we’ve already begun treating and monitoring them and have communicated with the receiving hospital the patient’s status and case, which enables cardiologists and their teams to begin take over treatment without delay upon the patient’s arrival.”

PARTNERS IN PEDIATRICSIn addition to delivering first-rate cardiac care to STEMI patients, the

CHEMS team has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) as an intermediate-level pediatric transport service.

“This is a voluntary program that we wanted to participate in so we could enhance the quality of care we extend to pediatric patients in our service area,” said Barbara Andricks, director of CHEMS’ marketing and business development. “All our units have certain equipment specialized for pediatric patients, and we have one ground unit exclusively dedicated to pediatric transports and care. To further strengthen our pediatric care services, we are currently working to achieve master-level designation from the DOH, which will require all of our team members to complete extensive annual training.”

To learn more about CHEMS services, visit our website at 4healthier.me/CH-Ambulance.

EXPERT EMERGENCY CARE,

EVERYDAY HEROES

The CHEMS team trains to provide emergency medical transport for

community members.


ARIANE M. CONABOY, D.O., INTERNAL MEDICINE, MOSES TAYLOR HOSPITALFamily: Husband, Kevin, and children, Clare and Kevin (“Bo”)Pets: Barkley, our 13-year-old dogFavorite way to unwind: Playing sports and laughing with my husband and kidsWhat I would do if I weren’t a doctor: Be a newspaper editor and writer — I was editor of my high school and college newspapers

and got to interview a lot of super cool people like John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and the editor of JAMA, and a few really cool sports figures. I love talking with people.Words of wisdom to medical school students: Work hard and have fun — and make sure this is what you really want to do. If it is, you will love it! Favorite food: SalsaFavorite vacation spot: My house. Being with my family and just enjoying them is heaven to me.Favorite sports teams: New York Yankees and KnicksFavorite activity: Running; I ran competitively in high school and college, but I really like to play basketball and try to golf.Best health tip for the average consumer: Be the best you that you can be. If you are trying to make a change, don’t go too drastic too quickly; rather than eating ice cream every night, try to eat it twice a week. Get out and try to be active and don’t take yourself too seriously. Take time to breathe. What my patients would be surprised to know about me: I used to be a real tomboy — I never wore makeup or highlighted my hair or liked shopping for clothes until about seven or eight years ago when I was 25 years old. Favorite quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

KALYANI MEDURI, M.D., GASTROENTEROLOGY, WILKES-BARRE GENERAL HOSPITALFamily: Husband, two daughtersFavorite way to unwind: Music, meditation What I would do if I weren’t a doctor: AstronautWords of wisdom to medical school students: Enjoy what you do, and you’ll never “work” a day in your life.

Favorite food: ItalianFavorite vacation spot: Key WestFavorite activity: Cycling, hikingWhat my patients would be surprised to know about me: I also study holistic medicine.Favorite quote: “You are what you eat.”

BRIAN KAPP, M.D., UROLOGY, REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF SCRANTON AND MOSES TAYLOR HOSPITALFamily: Wife, Jennifer; daughters, Grace (3) and Alice (1); father, Dennis Kapp, D.O.Pets: Dog, Bella (5)Favorite way to unwind: A cup of coffee and the newsWhat I would do if I weren’t a doctor: Computer engineering

Words of wisdom to medical school students: Try to do what really interests you and what you love. There are going to be bad aspects to every field of medicine, but it’s easier to deal with them if you like what you do.Favorite food: Anything. I’m always open to good restaurant recommendations.Favorite vacation spot: SpainFavorite sports team: Penn State Nittany LionsFavorite sport/activity/hobby: RunningBest health tip for the average consumer: Exercise doesn’t have to be a 30-minute block. You can find small bits of time throughout your day.What my patients would be surprised to know about me: I am actually old enough to be their doctor.Favorite quote: “Daddy!” — Grace and Ali Kapp

RAZVEEN SHAMSEDEEN, M.D., FAMILY PRACTICE, WILKES-BARRE GENERAL HOSPITALPets: A dogFavorite way to unwind: Hang out with friendsWhat I would do if I weren’t a doctor: Motor vehicle designerFavorite food: KoreanFavorite vacation spot: IcelandFavorite sports team: Philadelphia Eagles

Favorite sport/activity/hobby: Tennis, world travel, hikingBest health tip for the average consumer: Eat healthy.What my patients would be surprised to know about me: I love flying but am afraid of heights!Favorite quote: “Treat others the way you wish to be treated.”

Dr. Conaboy is a member of the medical staff at Moses Taylor Hospital. Dr. Kapp is an independent member of the medical staffs at Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital. Dr. Meduri and Dr. Shamsedeen are members of the medical staff at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Getting to Know Our Doctors


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In a medical emergency, every minute matters. So, at Commonwealth Health, you’ll find faster care in our emergency rooms. We work diligently to have you initially seen by a medical professional* in 30 minutes – or less. And, with a team of dedicated medical specialists, we can provide a lot more care, if you need it.

*Medical professionals may include physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

The 30-Minutes-Or-Less E.R. Service Pledge – at Commonwealth Health.

Less waiting where it matters most – our emergency rooms.

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