Montgomery Hospital offers a host of knowledgeable professionals available to field questions from the media as background to a health story. To speak to a health expert call the office of Marketing and Communications at 610-270-2219 and identify yourself as a member of the press. A same-day response will be provided whenever possible.
For full text of the following news releases, click on the headline:
Montgomery Hospital & Partners Sponsor Seventh Annual Health & Wellness Expo
NORRISTOWN, PA (March 14, 2007)-The seventh annual Montgomery County Health & Wellness Expo will take place Saturday, April 21, 2007, from 8 a.m. to noon in the Physical Education Building on the Montgomery County Community College Campus, DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell.
Admission is free. Event participants will be treated to dozens of free health screenings and demonstrations (skin cancer, vision, hearing, body fat, stroke risk, dental, podiatry, chiropractic, fitness, bone density and more!) Participants also have the option to receive a six-minute specially priced health check, featuring a 26-panel blood test with follow up results and analysis mailed directly to the participant’s home for $39 and/or a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test for men, $29.
Priced health checks are first come, first served. Click here to register or call (610) 270-2481.
The annual Montgomery County Health & Wellness Expo is sponsored by Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC), Norristown, in partnership with Montgomery County Community College, and Blue Bell Rotary. The Expo was inspired six years ago by Blue Bell resident and Rotarian Richard Houyoux, whose father’s life was saved when a health screening at a similar community wellness event in West Virginia detected early-stage colon cancer.
Call to Vendors: Health & Wellness Vendors Invited to Participate in 7th Annual Montgomery County Health & Wellness Expo
NORRISTOWN, PA (March 14, 2007)-Health and wellness vendors with businesses in Montgomery County and surrounding communities are invited to participate in the seventh annual Montgomery County Health & Wellness Expo. The event will take place Saturday, April 21, 2007, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Montgomery County Community College, Physical Education Building in Blue Bell.
Admission to the event is free to the general public. Event participants will be treated to dozens of free health screenings and demonstrations (skin cancer, vision, hearing, body fat, stroke risk assessment, dental, podiatry, back health and more.) Event participants also have the opportunity to take advantage of reduced-priced health checks, including a 26-panel blood test with follow up results and analysis mailed directly to participants’ homes for $39; The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test for men for $29; and the Ultra C-Reactive Protein and Homocysteine tests for cardiac health for $39.
Health and wellness vendors are invited to participate as table exhibitors for $250, which includes a full-page program advertisement. Vendors may also participate as a program advertiser/supporter, with advertising options ranging from $35 to $350.
Interested vendors can contact Blue Bell Rotary representative Richard Houyoux at (610) 539-6200, ext. 222.
Montgomery Hospital Offers Smoking Cessation Program
NORRISTOWN, PA (March 7, 2007)-Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown will sponsor the American Ling Association’s “Freedom from Smoking Program,” April 10 through May 15, 2007. The program will run for six consecutive Tuesday evenings and one Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. in the 5 East Conference Room, located on the fifth floor of Montgomery Hospital at 1301 Powell Street. Cost is $35, but participants who attend every session will be reimbursed for the full amount at the end of the seven-week program.
Trained facilitators will provide smokers with a comprehensive behavior modification program to help them kick the habit. The program is supportive and interactive providing a step-by-step plan for quitting. Registration is required. Call 610-270-2001. You will receive a voice mail. Please leave your name and number and one of our counselors will return your call.
Montgomery Cancer Center Joins the Montgomery County Health Department, Montgomery Hospital, and Catholic Social Services in outreach program with Hispanic community on March 22, 2007.
NORRISTOWN, PA (March 9, 2007)- On Thursday, March 22, 2007, The Group of Hispanic United Families will host a breast cancer awareness presentation for Hispanic females and their families. The free program will be held in the conference room of the Catholic Social Services Building, located at 353 E. Johnson Highway in Norristown.
The presentation, entitled “Breast Cancer: The Risks, the Precautions, and the Services,” will highlight the need for regular breast self examination, mammograms, and the advantages of early breast cancer detection. Staff from the Montgomery Hospital Cancer Center will discuss the many cancer screening and treatment services available for women at Montgomery Hospital.
Sponsored by a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Montgomery Cancer Center assists local women to improve their breast health knowledge through education and outreach. Through this grant, the Montgomery Cancer Center is also able to provide free mammograms for women who are un- or underinsured.
For more information about the March 22 presentation, please contact 610-279-7372. To speak with the Montgomery Cancer Center, please contact 610-270-2703.
Montgomery Hospital Basket Raffle Raises $10,000 for Cancer Programs and Services
NORRISTOWN, PA (March 5, 2007)-A Theme Basket Raffle recently raised $10,000 to support cancer programs and services at Montgomery Hospital Medical Center. Numerous hospital departments, physicians, and staff members designed and donated over 40 baskets for this year’s raffle. Themes included home and garden items, travel, wine and spirits, bath and body, beauty products, spa packages, gift certificates, hotel stays, lottery items, technology, tools, and sports.
The theme basket raffle is one of several events held throughout the year benefiting Montgomery Hospital cancer programs and services. The next event will be the hospital’s 4th annual Walk Through the Park on May 19 at the Norristown Farm Park.
Community Support Brings New Technology to Montgomery Hospital;
Medical Center Will Begin Offering Digital Mammography in February
NORRISTOWN, PA (Feb. 15, 2007)-Last spring, 450 residents of Montgomery County came together to participate in Montgomery Hospital Medical Center’s annual three-mile Walk Through the Park. This walk raised vital funds to bring advanced Digital Mammography technology to Montgomery Hospital Medical Center’s cancer program. The total 1,350 miles walked raised nearly $15,000 towards this critical initiative. With the help of these and many other generous supporters, Montgomery Hospital expects the arrival of Digital Mammography mid-February.
Digital mammography provides instant benefits to radiologists screening patients for breast cancer. Similar to the technology used in digital cameras, digital mammography is a system where x-ray images are converted into digital images. The electrical signals are used to produce images of the breast that can be seen on a computer screen.
Digital mammography images can be manipulated for the best view possible. Images can be enlarged, lightened, or darkened. While digital mammography does not “see” anymore than x-ray mammography, it can be more effective for physicians to diagnose abnormalities in breast tissue, especially for women under age 50 who tend to have denser breast tissue.
The ability to make an image as crisp as possible or zoom in on a suspicious area assists in achieving the most accurate diagnosis possible without having to take additional mammography images. While the physical experience of the mammogram is the same, patients may find that their exam time will be shorter. This state of the art technology allows for better patient flow thus allowing shorter wait times.
Digital mammography is fast, safe, and effective. Digital images can also be stored on CD’s, negating the need for films.
The annual Walk Through the Park is organized by the Montgomery Hospital Foundation and a team of dedicated hospital and community volunteers. “I am deeply thankful to each participant and sponsor for the time, energy and financial support they provided last year,” expresses Lise Twiford, Vice President for the Montgomery Hospital Foundation. “With access to Digital Mammography women can now take advantage of the latest medical technology available for the diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer without the need to travel far. This is just one more way Montgomery Hospital is working to strengthen healthcare services for residents of our local community and all of central Montgomery County.”
Grant from March of Dimes to Montgomery Hospital Medical Center Helps Moms and Babies in Norristown
NORRISTOWN, PA (1/16/2007)—The March of Dimes Pennsylvania Chapter has awarded a $3,000 grant to Montgomery Hospital Medical Center to support Gestational Diabetes Outreach, a program that fills an unmet maternal and child health need in the Norristown area. This program will provide diabetic monitoring supplies to pregnant women with gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes which occurs in pregnant women who did not have diabetes before pregnancy. Women with gestational diabetes may have had high blood sugar in the early weeks of pregnancy, which increases the risk of birth defects as well as stillbirth. Women with poorly controlled gestational diabetes are at increased risk of having a very large baby (10 pounds or more). Sometimes these babies are difficult to deliver, putting them at risk for injuries during delivery. During the newborn period, babies of women with poorly controlled diabetes are at increased risk of breathing difficulties, low blood sugar levels and jaundice. These problems can be treated, but it’s better to prevent them by controlling blood sugar levels during pregnancy. While many pharmaceutical companies will cover the cost of the blood sugar monitor, most will not cover the testing strips or lancets needed for testing up to four times daily through the last 10 weeks of pregnancy.
This grant is one of the ways the March of Dimes helps fulfill its mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.
"We found many women diagnosed with gestational diabetes are unable to afford the cost of diabetic monitoring supplies here in Norristown," said Barbara Hand, Chair of the voluntary Community Grants Program Committee at March of Dimes. "We are grateful that our successful fundraising efforts, such as WalkAmerica, make it possible for us to support new programs in Norristown that can help more babies be born healthy," said Hand.
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center also received an additional grant from the March of Dimes to support nursing education programs.
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center to Add Use of Digital Mammography in the Fight Against Breast Cancer; Looks to Decrease Patient Examination Times
NORRISTOWN, PA (January 16, 2007) - In February, Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) will acquire new digital mammogram technology that will assist physicians in the fight against breast cancer. This new technology will provide instant benefits to radiologists screening patients for breast cancer; it will also mean shorter examination times for most patients.
Similar to the technology used in digital cameras, digital mammography is a system where x-ray film is replaced by solid-state detectors that convert x-rays into electric signals. The electrical signals are used to produce images of the breast that can be seen on a computer screen.
Digital mammography produces images that can be manipulated for the best view possible. Images can be enlarged, lightened, or darkened. While digital mammography does not “see” anymore than x-ray mammography, it can be more effective for physicians diagnosing breast lumps, especially for women under age 50 who tend to have denser breast tissue.
The ability to make an image as crisp as possible or zoom in on a suspicious area assists in achieving the most accurate diagnosis possible without having to take additional mammogram images. While the physical experience of the mammogram is the same, patients will find that their visit times will be shorter. This will allow Montgomery Hospital to increase the number of patients it sees each year.
In addition to improved image quality, digital mammography also uses Computer Assisted Detection (CAD). CAD is a useful tool for radiologists who read mammograms. The computer will pinpoint areas that fall within a certain range for possible review by the radiologist. While CAD does supercede the radiologist, it is a back-up that can further assist in breast lump detection.
Digital mammography is fast, safe, and effective. The digital technology allows radiologists and physicians to view mammograms quickly from remote-computer locations. Digital images can also be stored on CD’s, negating the need for films, and can be sent electronically when necessary.
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center is pleased to offer this new improvement in healthcare to our patients. Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown is the oldest suburban hospital in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1889, MHMC serves as the primary source of health care for Norristown and its surrounding communities. MHMC is staffed by more than 1,000 health care professionals who meet the needs of approximately 10,000 inpatients and more than 100,000 outpatients each year.
Montgomery Healthcare System
Advancing our Mission by Advancing Healthcare
Einstein-Montgomery Healthcare Partnership
In January of 2006, Montgomery Healthcare System and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network entered into a partnership agreement to build a new 21st century hospital within close proximity to our current facility.
We now have a unique opportunity to build a state-of-the-art hospital that will allow us to strengthen and advance healthcare for our community for many generations to come.
Recently the Einstein-Montgomery Healthcare Partnership signed a Letter of Intent to negotiate the purchase of a 60-acre parcel of land on Alan Wood Road in Plymouth Township. A decision to actually purchase the property will be made early this year.
Montgomery Healthcare System Today
Once the location is fully confirmed, planning and construction of the new medical center will take approximately five years. During the transition, Montgomery Hospital will continue to provide our patients with the best care possible using new technology and advanced healthcare practices. Several recent advances underscore this commitment.
This past August, through the benefits of our new Partnership, Montgomery Hospital welcomed two outstanding neurosurgeons from the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network to our staff. Patients can now receive both inpatient and outpatient neurological consultation and procedures – including spine surgery – eliminating the trip to a more distant hospital.
This past fall, Montgomery Hospital became the first hospital in central Montgomery County to procure a 64 slice CT scanner. This highly sophisticated technology offers greater comfort for patients while allowing physicians to take digital images of internal organs more quickly, accurately and in greater detail than ever before.
Beginning in early 2007, Montgomery Hospital will add Digital Mammography to our line of cancer care services. Digital Mammography allows physicians to see greater detail and use less radiation than film mammography.
And – we are proud to note – Montgomery Hospital, in partnership with Temple Healthcare System, received a two-year extension by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to continue our life-saving Interventional Cardiology program based on our outstanding success rate in rapidly treating cardiac care patients.
Montgomery Hospital is moving healthcare forward and is dedicated to providing advanced healthcare for our community far into the future.
MHMC Welcomes New Neurosurgeons
Local access to a neurosurgeon can be a defining moment in your health. Now, through the recent Partnership between Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network (AEHN), residents of central Montgomery County can receive neurological services closer to home.
The new practice - Einstein-MHMC Neurosurgery at Montgomery Hospital – is the first clinical service developed through the Einstein-Montgomery Partnership. This new service provides both inpatient and outpatient neurological consultation and procedures, including spine surgery, at Montgomery Hospital Medical Center.
"We identified a compelling need in the region for neurosurgical services and through our strategic partnership with Einstein, are able to respond in a very substantial way,” adds Timothy Casey, President and CEO of Montgomery Hospital. “Our partnership aspires to introduce new clinical specialties that were, until recently, very challenging to offer our community."
AEHN Physicians Mark J. Kotapka, M.D. and Russell Amundson, M.D., staff the Einstein-MHMC Neurosurgery at Montgomery Hospital. Dr. Amundson and Dr. Kotapka are both members of the Division of Neurosurgery at AEHN and certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Kotapka is chairman of Neurosurgery at AEHN. He has vast experience in the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the brain, pituitary, and cranial bas. He also has a special interest in cerebral aneurysms and degenerative spine conditions including disc disease, spinal stenosis, and treatment of neurological trauma. Dr. Amundson’s area of expertise includes microsurgical, sterotactic, vascular, and spinal instrumentation procedures. For further information on the Einstein-MHMC Neurosurgery at Montgomery Hospital Medical Center, please call 610-313-5091.
Montgomery Home Care & Hospice Receives National Recognition as an Elite Agency
Norristown, PA (October 31, 2006) - Outcome Concepts, a national healthcare monitoring organization, has recognized Montgomery Hospital Home Care & Hospice as one of the top national home care agencies for expertise in clinical care in the country.
Montgomery Home Care, a hospital based, non-profit home health agency was recognized as being an elite agency in the top 8% of all home health agencies in the country. The study measured the performance of agencies taking into consideration all aspects of care including quality of care, outcome improvement, and financial performance. Montgomery Home Care was one of only 4 agencies in Southeastern Pennsylvania recognized.
The Quality of Care Index used in the study measured the performance of agencies in each of 10 publicly reported Home Health Compare measures. Some of the indicators measure the patients ability in walking, bathing, medication management, pain, and overall ability to function at home. The Quality Improvement Index was based on data collected over the past year.
Each agency's performance in each of the three indices was compared against the performance of other organizations in their state and in the country. The top 25 percent of agencies in each region, both hospital-based and freestanding, were identified and recognized on the national quality list.
According to Becky Sullivan, Director of Montgomery Home Care and Hospice, "Montgomery achieved the elite status by going back to basics. We are focused on putting a comprehensive plan in place for each patient that will help him achieve the highest level of independence in his home while decreasing the possibility of returning to the hospital. We are fortunate to have such an experienced, compassionate staff providing care, and we are thrilled that our efforts are recognized nationally."
The at-home services of Montgomery Home Care & Hospice allow patients to leave the hospital earlier, remain in their homes longer and maintain independence while receiving quality care by trained and certified professionals. Registered Nurses, Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, Medical Social Workers, and Home Health Aides work in teams to provide comprehensive care for those who need additional assistance to live at home.
Montgomery Home Care & Hospice also provides hospice and palliative care to patients in their homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals. Montgomery is one of the few agencies with fully certified hospice and palliative specialists, including Dr. Gary Drizin and Dr. Robert Warren, Medical Directors, Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Home Care & Hospice services can be arranged by asking your physician or by calling Montgomery Home Care & Hospice at (610) 272-1080.
Montgomery Hospital Hosts 15th Annual Women's Conference
NORRISTOWN, PA (October, 2006) —Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown will host its 15th annual Women's Conference, Thursday evening, October 19 at the Greater Plymouth Community Center, located at 2910 Jolly Road in Plymouth Meeting. Free health screenings and information will be available from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m; free seminars will begin at 6:00 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m.
Free refreshments and door prizes! Participants may register the night of the event; however, because seating is limited, early registration is encouraged. Register online; or call: 610.270.2212 to register.
Women, aged 18 and older are invited to catch up on the health screenings they may have missed this year. Conference seminars are dedicated to today's important health issues for women and offer women an opportunity to receive medical advice and information that could change their lives.
Health Screenings include: asthma, acupuncture/pain management, aesthetics/skin care, blood glucose, blood pressure/heart, osteoporosis (DEXA bone scan), vision, hearing, podiatry, pulmonary function, breast self exam, Ask the Physical Therapist, sleep disorders, smoking cessation; nutrition, stroke risk assessment, diabetes, skin cancer, and Women's Center health information.
Seminar topics include: Women & Heart Disease; Healthy Eating & Exercise for Life; Relaxation Techniques; Macular Degeneration; HPV and Your Health; You and Your Spine: Problems and Ailments; Caring for Your Skin
Photo Opportunity: Photographers and reporters are invited. Contact Ed Scanlon beforehand or at the event.
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown is the oldest suburban hospital in Southeastern Pennsylvania , founded in 1889. It is staffed by more than 1,000 health care professionals who meet the needs of approximately 10,000 inpatients and more than 100,000 outpatients each year.
Call to Vendors:
Health & Wellness Vendors Invited to Participate in 6th Annual Montgomery County Health & Wellness Expo
NORRISTOWN, PA (February 3, 2006) — Health and wellness vendors with businesses in Montgomery County and surrounding communities are invited to participate in the sixth annual Montgomery County Health & Wellness Expo. The event will take place Saturday, April 1 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Montgomery County Community College, Physical Education Building in Blue Bell.
Admission to the event is free to the general public. Event participants will be treated to dozens of free health screenings and demonstrations (skin cancer, vision, hearing, body fat, stroke risk assessment, dental, podiatry, back health and more.) Event participants also have the opportunity to take advantage of reduced-priced health checks, including a 26-panel blood test with follow up results and analysis mailed directly to participants’ homes for $39; The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test for men for $29; and the Ultra C-Reactive Protein and Homocysteine tests for cardiac health for $39.
Health and wellness vendors are invited to participate as table exhibitors for $250, which includes a full-page program advertisement. Vendors may also participate as a program advertiser/supporter, with advertising options ranging from $35 to $350.
Interested vendors can contact Blue Bell Rotary representative Richard Houyoux at (610) 539-6200, ext. 222.
The annual Montgomery County Wellness Expo is sponsored by Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC), Norristown, in partnership with Montgomery County Community College, and Blue Bell Rotary. The Expo was inspired six years ago by Blue Bell resident and Rotarian Richard Houyoux, whose father’s life was saved when a health screening at a similar community wellness event in West Virginia detected early-stage colon cancer.
The Rotary Club of Blue Bell (www.BlueBellRotary.org) is a local organization of business and professional leaders who are actively involved in volunteer community service and who are driven by a culture of “Service above Self.” Rotarians are generous and dedicated leaders who positively impact communities by committing time, money, expertise and manpower to diverse humanitarian service projects.
Montgomery County Community College health and physical education division students participate in the Wellness Expo as part of a course requirement, which focuses on health education and service to the community. For each Expo initiative students design, develop, implement and evaluate the diverse educational programs and health risk assessment activities spanning the life cycle. In general, the Expo affords students another venue to positively impact the quality of life for the members of our community, while gaining valuable practical experience as part of academic programming. The Expo also affords students the opportunity to interface with various health care professionals at MHMC and further establish their network of colleagues. This year’s Expo will be held in conjunction with a Montgomery County Community College Health Careers Open House. To learn more about academic programs at Montgomery County Community College, visit their Web site at www.mc3.edu.
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown is the oldest suburban hospital in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1889, MHMC serves as the primary source of health care for Norristown and its surrounding communities. MHMC is staffed by more than 1,000 health care professionals who meet the needs of approximately 10,000 inpatients and more than 100,000 outpatients each year.
Montgomery Hospital & Partners Sponsor Sixth Annual Health & Wellness Expo
NORRISTOWN, PA (February 3, 2006) — The sixth annual Montgomery County Health & Wellness Expo will take place Saturday, April 1 from 8 a.m. to noon in the Physical Education Building on the Montgomery County Community College Campus, DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell.
Admission is free. Event participants will be treated to dozens of free health screenings and demonstrations (skin cancer, vision, hearing, body fat, stroke risk, dental, podiatry, chiropractic, fitness, bone density and more!) Participants also have the option to receive a six-minute specially priced health check, featuring a 26-panel blood test with follow up results and analysis mailed directly to the participant’s home for $39 and/or a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test for men, $29.
Priced health checks are first come, first served; however, participants may also click here to register online, or call (610) 270-2481 to reserve a time slot.
The annual Montgomery County Wellness Expo is sponsored by Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC), Norristown, in partnership with Montgomery County Community College, and Blue Bell Rotary. The Expo was inspired six years ago by Blue Bell resident and Rotarian Richard Houyoux, whose father’s life was saved when a health screening at a similar community wellness event in West Virginia detected early-stage colon cancer.
The Rotary Club of Blue Bell (www.BlueBellRotary.org) is a local organization of business and professional leaders who are actively involved in volunteer community service and who are driven by a culture of “Service above Self.” Rotarians are generous and dedicated leaders who positively impact communities by committing time, money, expertise and manpower to diverse humanitarian service projects.
Montgomery County Community College health and physical education division students participate in the Wellness Expo as part of a course requirement, which focuses on health education and service to the community. For each Expo initiative students design, develop, implement and evaluate the diverse educational programs and health risk assessment activities spanning the life cycle. In general, the Expo affords students another venue to positively impact the quality of life of the members of our community, while gaining valuable practical experience as part of academic programming. The Expo also affords students the opportunity to interface with various health care professionals at MHMC and further establish their network of colleagues. This year’s Expo will be held in conjunction with a Montgomery County Community College Health Careers Open House. To learn more about academic programs at Montgomery County Community College, visit their Web site at www.mc3.edu.
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown is the oldest suburban hospital in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1889, MHMC serves as the primary source of health care for Norristown and its surrounding communities. MHMC is staffed by more than 1,000 health care professionals who meet the needs of approximately 10,000 inpatients and more than 100,000 outpatients each year.
Now Available at Montgomery Hospital
Outpatient Partial Knee Replacement
Montgomery Hospital orthopaedic physicians are among the top specialists in their area and as such have been providing advanced orthopaedic treatment to the entire family for more than 25 years. One example of advanced treatment at Montgomery includes partial knee replacement surgery.
Bruce Menkowitz, M.D., of Montgomery Orthopaedic Associates, explains the partial knee replacement procedure, while not for every knee replacement candidate, is an ideal solution for younger patients having only one part of the knee in need of repair.
“What makes this procedure so exciting is our ability to pinpoint the placement of the implant so approximately two-thirds of the knee remains intact. There are no stitches, staples or clips on the skin; and candidates for partial knee surgery are usually able to walk out of the hospital with a cane,” explains Dr. Menkowitz.
Montgomery’s orthopaedic surgeons have been offering partial knee for more than 10 years, so what’s new? The fact that some of Dr. Menkowitz’s patients can go home the same day.
Full recovery at home takes about one month, depending on the circumstances of the patient. “Patients often do better when they go home sooner. They can be more active at home, and return to their normal daily activities sooner than they would as an inpatient at the hospital,” says Dr. Menkowitz.
As with all patients, before discharge, same-day partial knee patients receive extensive education on caring for themselves at home. Patients also begin physical therapy and learn exercises to help strengthen their knee. Once at home, they are closely monitored by the Montgomery Home Care Department.
The physicians at Montgomery Orthopaedic Associates and Norristown Orthopaedics are board-certified medical doctors with extensive training in the diagnosis and surgical and non-surgical treatment of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. For more information on comprehensive orthopaedic services, please call Montgomery Orthopaedic Associates at (610) 275-9400 or the physicians at Norristown Orthopaedics at (610) 279-8686.
Montgomery Health System and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Finalize Partnership Plans
Health Systems Focus on Expansion of Services in Montgomery County
Philadelphia, PA, January 10, 2006 – The Board of Trustees of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network (AEHN) and the Boards of Montgomery Health System (Montgomery Hospital, Montgomery Hospital Foundation, Fornance Physicians Services, and CMMC) have respectively approved an agreement to enhance the scope of clinical care available to their patients and communities, and to reduce patients’ travel time for obtaining high-level clinical services. The centerpiece of the agreement is the development of a new, technologically advanced medical center, the location of which has not yet been finalized; the preferred site under consideration is within five miles of Montgomery Hospital’s current location.
“We are tremendously excited that our partnership with AEHN will afford us an unparalleled opportunity to build a modern healthcare facility and to offer to our community an array of highly sophisticated clinical services,” says Timothy M. Casey, President and CEO of Montgomery Hospital Medical Center.
Einstein and Montgomery Hospital will each continue to be governed independently, but under the agreement a new, non-profit health care corporation will be formed to oversee this exciting new initiative. The Board of Directors of this new corporation will consist of representatives from the existing boards of both Einstein and Montgomery Hospital. This Board will continue to work collaboratively with community and political leaders to assess and plan for patient care needs during the transition to the new medical center.
“This partnership is an important step toward realizing our shared vision to provide comprehensive advanced medical services to residents of Montgomery County,” stated Barry R. Freedman, President and CEO of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. “This partnership, and the construction of the new facility, will not only increase the quality of health of our primary and surrounding communities, but facilitate financial vitality. Both organizations remain committed, as both providers and employers, to the communities we serve in North Philadelphia, Norristown and Montgomery County.”
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown is the oldest suburban hospital in Southeastern Pennsylvania, founded in 1889. MHMC is staffed by more than 1,000 health care professionals who meet the needs of approximately 8,500 inpatients and more than 100,000 outpatients each year. MHMC also provides health care services at the 12 physician practice locations of its affiliate, Fornance Physician Services, located throughout Montgomery County.
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Einstein at Elkins Park, MossRehab, Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and satellite locations. Einstein also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare.
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