For full text of the following articles, click on the headline:

Register Online for Fifth Annual Health Expo

Wellness Vendors Invited to Participate in 5th Annual Wellness Expo

Montgomery Hospital Hosts 13th Annual Women's Conference

New Partnership Allows Montgomery Hospital to Provide Advanced Cardiac Care

Montgomery Hospital Hosts Health Fair May 17

Montgomery Hospital Improves Patient Diagnostics With New Lightspeed CT Imaging System >>

MHMC Recognized for Heart Care Outcomes >>

Montgomery Hospital & Senior Organization Partner to Improve Seniors’ Health >>

Montgomery Hospital Offers free Breast Health Education Sessions to Seniors >>

Montgomery Hospital Hosts 11th Annual Women's Conference >>

Breakthrough Sensing Technology Available at Montgomery Hospital >>

Montgomery Hospital Brings PET Scanning
To Area Patients >>

Take The Wellness Challenge At The Second Annual Montgomery County Wellness Expo >>

Montgomery Hospital Hosts Health Fair >>

Montgomery Hospital & Partners Sponsor Fifth Annual Health Expo

NORRISTOWN, PA (January 11, 2005) — The fifth annual Montgomery County Wellness Expo will take place Saturday, March 5 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 will also have the option to select specially 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, $29; and the Ultra C-Reactive Protein and Homocysteine tests for cardiac health, $39.

Recent guidelines issued by the American Heart Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage physicians to consider testing those at moderate risk for heart disease for signs of inflammation in the blood stream - a newly recognized cause of heart attacks. The C-Reactive Protein Test is a simple blood test to measure inflammation by checking for CRP, a chemical necessary for fighting inflammation and infection. The C-Reactive Protein Test is the first new blood test in 30 years to be accepted for checking heart disease risk, since cholesterol screening became standard.

No prior registration is required for the free health and wellness screenings and information. However, those who wish to take advantage of the priced health checks should 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, Blue Bell Rotary and Commerce Bank. The Expo was inspired five 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 5^th Annual Montgomery County Wellness Expo

NORRISTOWN, PA (January 11, 2005) — Health and wellness vendors with businesses in Montgomery County and surrounding communities are invited to participate in the fifth annual Montgomery County Wellness Expo.  The event will take place Saturday, March 5 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Montgomery County Community College, Physical Education Center.

Admission to the event is free to the general public and is sponsored by Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown, Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell Rotary and Commerce Bank. 

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.)  The event also features  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, $29; and the Ultra C-Reactive Protein and Homocysteine tests for cardiac health, $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 Liz Ketterlinus at (610) 270-2507.

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 Organizes “Pink Tie” Gala Event to Benefit Cancer Program

NORRISTOWN, PA (December 8, 2005) — Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown is organizing a “Pink Tie” Gala event to be held October 28, 2006 at the Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne with a goal of raising $100,000 to support breast cancer programs at Montgomery’s Cancer Center.

The event will feature a black tie dinner, silent auction and advertising program book.  Members of the community are invited to support this event through donation of an auction item, or consideration of a sponsorship and/or advertising opportunity. For more information about the event or to obtain tickets call (610) 270-2212.

The Cancer Program at MHMC screens about 12,000 women each year for breast cancer and more than 1,000 cancer patients receive treatment every year at the Cancer Center. The MammoSite Radiation Therapy System for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer is the latest advanced treatment tool to be added to the cancer program’s suite of treatment modalities. Mammosite is a new method of delivering radiation directly to the site of the cancer (called partial breast irradiation).

The Cancer Center at Montgomery Hospital is a member of the Jefferson Cancer Network.  The Cancer Center offers comprehensive cancer care, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, genetic cancer risk assessment and support programs. The program has been accredited by the commission on cancer of the American College of Surgeons since 1980.

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.

Photo Caption:
Members of the organizing committee for the “Pink Tie” Gala event include (left to right from back) Connie Burnley, Shirley Ruff, Ann Witkowski, Joan Morello, Kathy Brand, Nansi Weiner, Shelley Menkowitz, Connie Wolner, Wendy Harris, Robin Heist, Joanne Balshi,
Patricia Modafferi, Mary Galetti, Sharon DiFilippo, Estella Graeffe, and Eleanor Guzewicz.

Holiday Event to Benefit Montgomery Home Care & Hospice 

NORRISTOWN, PA (October 24, 2005) — The department of Home Care & Hospice at Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown will benefit from this year’s Festival of Trees, sponsored by Gambone Development Company. Gambone Development has raised more than $250,000 for the Montgomery Hospital hospice program through this annual holiday activity.

Festival of Trees details:
Festive holiday wreaths and trees will be on display throughout the Wyntree Estates model home in Collegeville. The event takes place Wednesday, December 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include a tour of the model home as well as cocktails and refreshments. Individuals and corporations are invited to sponsor a 6-ft. holiday tree for $350 or a
pre-decorated wreath at $150. All proceeds will benefit the hospice programs at Montgomery Hospital. Other sponsorship opportunities range from $50 to $1,000. For more information, contact Anne Dozer at (610) 454-9400.

Thousands of area families have benefited from Montgomery Hospital’s hospice program, which delivers a variety of health care services to individuals who are in the last phases of a terminal illness. Montgomery hospice physicians are board certified in hospice and palliative care medicine, as are 90 percent of the hospice nursing staff. 

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.

Montgomery Hospital Hosts 14 th Annual Women's Conference

NORRISTOWN, PA (September 23, 2005) —Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown will host its 14 th annual Women's Conference, Thursday evening, October 20 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 6:15 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. The event also features special guest author Jennifer Lukasavage of Bridgeport , who will discuss her new book How to Lose Weight and Feel Great.

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; Caring for Your Skin: Non-surgical skin rejuvenation solutions for your face & body; Managing Perimenopause & Menopause; Minimally Invasive Treatments for Women: help for a variety of conditions from uterine fibroids to osteoporosis & other conditions; Raising Healthy Families: What parents should know about steroids, obesity and other topics; Relaxation Techniques: Exploring yoga, Reiki and other techniques; Breast Cancer: New Treatments & What You Should Know.

Photo Opportunity: Photographers and reporters are invited. Contact Diane Frantz-Miller 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.

Road Rally to Benefit Infrastructure & Technology Improvements at Montgomery Hospital

NORRISTOWN , PA (August 19, 2005) — The Montgomery Hospital Foundation will host a road rally to benefit infrastructure and technology improvements at Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown . The rally is planned for the morning of Saturday, September 17 with a rain date of Sunday, September 18.

Cars and competitors of all types are invited to participate! Pre-registration is required by September 6; registration is limited to 50 cars. Registration cost is $100, $75 of which is tax deductible. Sponsorship opportunities also are available in the $250 to $1000 range. The route – kept top secret until teams depart – will traverse throughout Montgomery County . For more information or to register, contact foundation executive director Liz Ketterlinus at

(610) 270-2507. You may also click here to register online.

A road rally is a competition based on precision driving and navigation, always at legal speed limits. Each team will include a driver and a navigator. Teams will assemble at 8:30 a.m. at Whitehall Elementary School , located at 399 Whitehall Road in Norristown , to depart at specified intervals between 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

The rally should take approximately two hours to complete and will end at the Montgomery Hospital Cancer Center parking lot at Powell and Wood Streets in Norristown. A post-race tailgate party will take place on the top deck of the hospital-parking garage.

The object of the rally is fun. Winners will include those who come closest to receiving a “perfect time” for the route. All teams will receive commemorative T-shirts and prizes.

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 Opens New Lobby

NORRISTOWN, PA (May 12, 2005) — Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown is pleased to announce that the initial phase of its lobby renovation project is complete. The new main entryway on 1301 Powell Street is now open to the public. Renovations include a new main entryway revolving door and additional front door, installation of a terrazzo floor and new lighting. New furniture will arrive later this month.

The next phase of the lobby renovation project should be completed some time in June and includes a makeover to the hospital’s gift shop and patient registration department. The lobby corridor from the hospital’s switchboard area to the radiology department will also be renovated. Gift shop customers will enjoy new glass shelves, upgraded carpeting, walls and counters, new lighting fixtures and merchandise.

Once completed, the lobby renovation project will help to upgrade and beautify the hospital. The lobby renovation project has been made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Sharon Danella, a long-time member of the Montgomery Hospital Foundation Board and proprietor of the Sunflower Shop in Blue Bell.

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 Medical Center and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network In Discussions to Pursue Partnership -- New Hospital to be Built and Clinical Services Expanded --

Philadelphia, PA, May 10, 2005 – Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network (AEHN) today announced discussions to explore a partnership between the two institutions. This partnership will include the construction of a new hospital and the expansion of clinical services. The institutions expect to complete discussions and seek their boards’ approval for their partnership by Fall 2005.

In order to serve an increasing share of Montgomery County’s rapidly growing communities, the institutions will design and build a new hospital and offer related ambulatory services. The new hospital will be near MHMC’s existing Norristown facility. In the interim, MHMC will continue to operate its existing facility.

“Partnering with Einstein, an institution renowned for its clinical expertise and with many services that are complementary to those of MHMC, will help us continue to grow and expand services in an increasingly competitive healthcare environment,” says Timothy M. Casey, President and CEO of Montgomery Hospital Medical Center. In addition, the partnership will improve MHMC’s access to capital, allowing the hospital to make further investments in facilities and technology.

MHMC and AEHN envision many benefits from their partnership and the inclusion of MHMC in the Jefferson Health System. Principal among these benefits will be the deepening and broadening of clinical services offerings in the communities served by MHMC. In addition, MHMC and AEHN both currently serve geographically adjacent service areas, creating a foundation for long-term success in the marketplace. “A new, state-of-the-art hospital in Montgomery County will bring many new services to the residents of Norristown and the surrounding communities,” states Barry R. Freedman, President and CEO of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network.

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 10,000 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.

National Nurses Week 2005: Reception to Honor Nurses at Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown

NORRISTOWN, PA (April 28, 2005) The Nursing Leadership team at Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown will host its second annual evening reception for the hospital’s professional nurses at the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown. The event takes place on Thursday, May 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and is part of the 2005 National Nurses Week celebration. Hospital administrators and members of the medical staff will also be present to honor the nurses.

The catered reception will include the presentation of awards for clinical excellence, and the 2005 recipient of the Anna F. Young Award will be announced. Ms. Young was an outstanding staff nurse and faculty member of the Montgomery Hospital School of Nursing. The award in her name is given annually to a former student of the School of Nursing, who has continued to work at the hospital and demonstrates excellence in patient care through clinical expertise as well as kind, sympathetic and discreet attention to the patient’s emotional needs.

The event is being sponsored by Johnson & Johnson’s Discover Nursing Campaign, the MHMC Medical Executive Committee, Dr. Joseph Rabson of Plymouth Meeting, Dr. Robert Mirabile of Norristown, and numerous other in-kind sponsors and donors.

Photographers and news reporters are invited to attend the “evening reception in celebration of our nurses” at the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown. Contact Diane Frantz-Miller beforehand or at the event.

For more information on event sponsors, visit their respective Web sites:

Discover Nursing campaign (www.discovernursing.com)

Dr. Joseph Rabson (www.cosmsurg.com)

Dr. Robert Mirabile (www.drmirabile.com).

The hospital’s nursing department will also host a variety of events for nurses throughout the week (May 6 to May 12). These include a talent expo; children’s art exhibit; Mother’s Day brunch; career expo and financial planning presentation.

National Nurses Week is designated by the American Nurses Association and is celebrated annually in May to help educate the public about the vital roles registered nurses play in meeting the health care needs of the American Public.

Nursing is the nation’s largest health care profession, with more than 2.7 million registered nurses nationwide, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Nurses deliver an extended array of health care services, including primary and preventive care by advanced nurse practitioners in such areas as pediatrics, family health, women’s health and gerontological care. Certified nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists, as well as cardiac, oncology, neonatal, neurological and obstetric/gynecologic nurses and other advanced clinical specialties also are representative of the nursing profession’s scope.

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 Foundation Sponsors 2nd Annual Walk for Cancer Center

NORRISTOWN, PA (March 25, 2005) — The Montgomery Hospital Foundation invites members of the community to join with neighbors in a special fundraising walk to benefit the Cancer Center at Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown.

The walk is a three-mile stroll though the scenic Norristown Farm Park Saturday, May 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (registration 8:30 a.m. at Whitehall Elementary School). Refreshments will follow the walk. Participants are asked to bring donations of $25 or more. The donations will help fund MammoSite, a breast cancer treatment procedure that allows early-stage breast cancer patients to receive high dose radiation treatment to a precisely targeted area in a shorter period of time than usual.

In addition to individual sponsorships, opportunities are also available for company groups and other teams. A sign will be provided for each team. To register or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, call foundation executive director Liz Ketterlinus at (610) 270-2507. Participants may also click here to register online.

The Cancer Program at Montgomery Hospital is certified by the American College of Surgeons. The Cancer Center offers comprehensive cancer care, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, genetic cancer risk assessment and support programs.

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.

Dr. Gary Drizin Achieves Advanced Hospice & Palliative Medicine Certification

NORRISTOWN, PA (March 11, 2005) — Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown congratulates Dr. Gary Drizin, of Montgomery County Asthma and Lung Center, who recently became certified in hospice and palliative medicine. He joins Dr. Rob Warren of Montgomery Family Practice, who also is board certified in hospice and palliative medicine.

Only about 1900 physicians across the nation have achieved this specialty certification since its inception in 1995, according to the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

“Yet, more than 690,000 physicians in the United States could potentially sit for the exam,” says Becky Sullivan, director for home care and hospice services at MHMC. “Additionally, there are currently only 53 physicians in Pennsylvania , who are certified in hospice and palliative medicine. … Having two physicians with these advanced credentials at one institution is significant,” Becky adds.

Board certification in hospice and palliative medicine recognizes a physician's clinical expertise in this area. It also is reflective of the physician's commitment to this medical specialty.

“It's unusual for a physician specializing in pulmonary medicine to also get involved in hospice and palliative care,” says Dr. Drizin, who has been a pulmonary medicine physician at MHMC since 1982. He was appointed medical director for the department of hospice at Montgomery in 2000. “It's usually the oncologists and family medicine physicians who specialize in end-of-life care,” Dr. Drizin explains. “But as a pulmonary doctor I've worked very closely with patients and family members over the years, helping them to make end-of-life decisions; and the relationships I've formed are very valuable to me. I'm interested in the personal as well as the medical aspects of caring,” he says.

Physicians who specialize in hospice and palliative medicine focus their care on relieving pain and treating all of the symptoms of a patient's disease. But they also focus their care on treating the whole person, not just the disease. This includes an interdisciplinary approach to care, involving the patient's family members and addressing psychosocial as well as spiritual needs to allow the patient's terminal illness to follow its natural course, while elevating the quality of life for the patient.

“I wish I could name everyone at the hospital who has been an inspiration to me in achieving this certification,” says Dr. Drizin. “I'm very impressed with the quality of care provided to our patients by the hospice team at Montgomery .”

The hospice care program at MHMC uses a multidisciplinary approach to manage a patient's pain and symptoms. Coordinated through the family physician — doctors, nurses, home health aides, and trained volunteers provide physical, psychosocial and spiritual support, tailored to the specific needs of patients and their family members. In addition to the medical staff, about 90 percent of the hospice nursing staff at MHMC have national certification in hospice and palliative nursing.

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.

Cancer Center Acquires MammoSite Technology for Breast Cancer Treatment

NORRISTOWN, PA (March 10, 2005) — Patients being treated for early stage breast cancer by the breast surgeons and radiation oncologists at Montgomery Cancer Center now have access to the MammoSite Radiation Therapy System. Mammosite is a new method of delivering radiation directly to the site of the cancer (called partial breast irradiation).

Many women with early stage breast cancer are able to treat their cancers effectively and preserve their breasts with breast conservation therapy. Breast conservation therapy involves the removal of the cancer with a lumpectomy, followed by seven weeks of radiation therapy to the entire breast. This combination of surgery and radiation therapy has worked extremely well in preventing local recurrence, providing excellent cosmetic results, as well as providing excellent survival outcomes.

The MammoSite Radiation Therapy System is an alternative to traditional radiation therapy and offers many women a faster treatment option; radiation treatments with the MammoSite can be completed in five days. MammoSite works by delivering radiation inside the breast directly to the tissue where breast cancer is most likely to recur. MammoSite Radiation Therapy involves the use of a small, soft balloon attached to a thin tube (catheter) that the breast surgeon places inside the lumpectomy cavity. The radiation source is then placed within the balloon by the radiation oncologist, using a computer-controlled machine. Because the radiation is delivered to the lumpectomy site from inside the breast, there is less potential to harm nearby healthy tissue and the potential for side effects is reduced. Patients receive their treatments on an outpatient basis. At the completion of therapy the balloon catheter is easily removed.

Clinical studies of partial breast irradiation have shown low local recurrence rates equal to traditional whole breast radiation and excellent cosmetic results. Working as a team, your breast surgeon and radiation oncologist will determine whether MammoSite Radiation Therapy is the correct treatment for you.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. About 211,240 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2005, according to the latest statistics from the American Cancer Society.

The Cancer Center at MHMC offers comprehensive cancer care, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, genetic cancer risk assessment and support programs. The program is accredited by the commission on cancer of the American College of Surgeons.

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 Announces Opening of Advanced Cardiac Catheterization Center

NORRISTOWN (October 22, 2004) - Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown is pleased to announce the opening of its new state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Montgomery Hospital Hosts 13th Annual Women's Conference
 
NORRISTOWN, PA (September 17, 2004) - Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown will host its 13th annual Women's Conference, Thursday evening, October 21 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 6:15 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m.  
 
The event also includes free refreshments and door prizes.  Participants may register the night of the event; however, because seating is limited, early registration is encouraged.  Click here to 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.  Through conference seminars, dedicated to today's important health issues for women, the event also offers 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 PT, sleep disorders, nutrition, stroke risk assessment, diabetes, skin cancer screenings, and Women?s Center health information. 
 
Seminar topics include: Interventional Cardiology; Tips for the "Sandwich Generation"(coping with the stress of caring for family and aging relatives); Relaxation Techniques (yoga, massage, Reiki and more); Managing Your Medications; Navigating the Health System for Spanish Speakers; Managing Menopause; Living with Arthritis/Osteoporosis; Skin Care Therapy. 
 
Photo Opportunity: Photographers and reporters are invited.  Contact Diane Frantz-Miller 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.

New Partnership Allows Montgomery Hospital to Provide Advanced Cardiac Care

PHILADELPHIA/NORRISTOWN (July 12, 2004) - Temple University Health System and Montgomery Hospital Medical Center announced today a partnership that will allow Montgomery Hospital to perform advanced cardiac procedures including primary angioplasty and therapeutic catheterization at its Norristown location.

he advanced treatment procedures were recently approved by the Commonwealth's Department of Health.   Only a handful of hospitals within the state have been similarly approved to provide such services without on-site open-heart capability.  In the unlikely event that more complex, open-heart surgery is required, patients can be transported to Temple University Hospital.

According to Montgomery Hospital CEO Timothy Casey, the partnership with Temple University Health System represents a very positive development for both Montgomery Hospital and its community.  "The advanced cardiology services' initiative with Temple allows us to offer the most contemporary and effective cardiac treatment options to our patients close to their homes."

Temple University Health System CEO Joseph W. "Chip" Marshall echoed that sentiment.  "This partnership significantly improves community access to advanced forms of cardiac care in a rationale way.  Patients can be confident that they are receiving safe, high-quality heart care."  

Montgomery Hospital anticipates launching the new cardiac services by the end of the summer.

Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) 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.

The Temple University Health System is a major provider of integrated healthcare services for the Delaware Valley, consisting of Temple University Hospital, Temple University Children's Medical Center, Jeanes Hospital, Northeastern Hospital, Temple University Hospital-Episcopal Campus, Temple Health System Transport Team Inc. and Temple Physicians, Inc. - a network of community-based physician practices.

NORRISTOWN, PA (May 8, 2003) — Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown will host their annual Health Fair on Saturday, May 17, 2003 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the hospital’s main lobby.

Women’s Associates for Healthcare, an OB/GYN Montgomery Hospital practice will also host a baby reunion the same day from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the third floor Atrium, located in the Montgomery Hospital Professional Building.

The free health fair event is open to the entire family. Residents of Norristown and surrounding communities are invited to get in shape for the summer by taking advantage of the comprehensive screenings to be offered in one convenient location.

Examples of the free health screenings include blood pressure; pulmonary function; hearing; and vision. Free information on a wide array of health topics will also be available, including nutrition counseling; diabetes education; smoking cessation; weight loss; breast self exam; CPR/First Aid; podiatry; and sleep apnea.

Free refreshments will be available. Dabby the Clown will entertain the kids with face painting; kids should also bring a favorite doll or stuffed animal for check ups. Pre-registration is not necessary. Call (610) 270.2481 for additional information.

The baby reunion will include about 100 family members who had babies born with Women’s Associates’ physicians. The families will join physicians and staff to enjoy clowns, refreshments, and, of course, the babies!

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 several hundred thousand outpatients each year.

MONTGOMERY HOSPITAL IMPROVES PATIENT DIAGNOSTICS WITH NEW LIGHTSPEED
CT IMAGING SYSTEM

NORRISTOWN, Pa.-(January 21, 2002)-Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) has recently acquired a breakthrough computed technology (CT) scanner that provides detailed images of the human body. According to John Devenney, M.D. chairman of radiology at Montgomery Hospital, this advanced technology not only means improved diagnostic information for doctors in routine circumstances, but its speed can also save precious exam time in emergency situations.

The new LightSpeed CT scanner from GE Medical Systems, with the latest software package, enables doctors to simultaneously capture multiple images of a patient's anatomy in a manner of minutes. "In many cases, emergency room (ER) physicians rely on images from CT scanners to assess the extent of internal injury during the first and most critical hour for trauma patients in the ER," said Steve Morse, MD, director of the MHMC Emergency Department. "Reducing the scan time by a few minutes or more can allow ER physicians to begin treating patients more quickly."

CT exams are used when people are ill or injured, or when a doctor suspects a medical problem that is not easily detectable from a normal physical examination. The LightSpeed CT scanner assists physicians in the diagnosis of a variety of anatomic areas, including spine, head, abdomen, pelvis, chest and extremities. This scanner allows a technician performing the test the capability of sending the image (from the scan) directly to the physician's home for stat readings anytime of the day or night.

"With LightSpeed, a CT exam that used to take us three minutes can now be completed in approximately 20 seconds," says Devenney. "This allows us the speed and accuracy we need to quickly diagnose a variety of conditions for emergency and non-emergency patients of all ages, including children. Plus, the scanner's increased speed reduces waiting and patient inconvenience."

The addition of the LightSpeed scanner complements and enhances the wide range of quality diagnostic services that MHMC offers the residents of Montgomery County. "This technology will coincide well with our newly built state-of-the-art interventional radiology suite where various studies are performed non-invasively," says Devenney. The increased speed of the unit now allows MHMC to perform twice as many exams verses the GE High Speed Advantage scanner previously used. MHMC began using the new unit on January 7, 2002 and saw an immediate increase in patient studies in the first week.

Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) is the oldest suburban general 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 over 1,000 health care professionals who meet the needs of more than 10,000 inpatients and several 100,000 outpatients each year.

Media Contact:
Diane Frantz-Miller
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center
(610) 270-2219

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MHMC RECOGNIZED FOR HEART CARE OUTCOMES

Montgomery Hospital Medical Center has been invited to share the story behind the success of new practices related to treatment of heart patients with physicians throughout Pennsylvania. The Hospital recently participated in the National Acute Myocardial Infarction Project, the National Heart Failure Project, and the National Pneumonia Project, three studies organized by KePRO, a quality improvement organization affiliated with the Pennsylvania Medical Society. KePRO monitors the care provided to Medicare patients in the state of Pennsylvania.

Patients suffering from heart attack, heart failure or pneumonia were monitored for improvement in outcomes after efforts were made to raise physician awareness regarding several key clinical protocols. The positive outcomes were so significant that the Hospital was subsequently invited to relate further details about how the improvement protocols were implemented so that other facilities might benefit from Montgomery's positive experience.

The positive KePRO results reflect the strength of the cardiology and emergency services programs at the Hospital and demonstrate anew why MHMC was recently named one of the Top 100 ICU hospitals in the nation.

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Montgomery Hospital & Senior Organization Partner to Improve Seniors’ Health

Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown and Montgomery Senior Adult Activity Center have joined together to create Passport to Health, a presentation program to educate older adults on health-related issues.

The first presentation program features Dr. Robert Warren, family practice and geriatric specialist at MHMC. The presentation will take place November 7 from 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Senior Adult Activity Center in Norristown.

Dr. Robert Warren will discuss ways in which older adults can partner with their physicians to improve their health and overall care. There will also be a question and answer session.

Registration is required. Call 610.275.1960. For those who require a ride home, transportation can also be arranged when you call to register.

The Passport to Health presentation program will include a facilitated discussion each month by a MHMC medical professional to provide older adults with information to improve their health. Those participating in the program will receive a passport, which will be stamped at each attended session. Participants with passports stamped at least six times will be eligible to win an exciting prize. Refreshments and other door prizes will also be available at each session.

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 several hundred thousand outpatients each year.

Media Contact:
Diane Frantz-Miller
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center
(610) 270-2219

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Montgomery Hospital Offers free Breast Health Education Sessions to Seniors

The Cancer Center at Montgomery Hospital Medical Center in Norristown’s oncology nurse specialist Joanne Cipollini, M.S.N., will facilitate an education session for those aged 65 and older on the importance of breast self exam and mammography, November 23, at Macedonia Baptist Church in Norristown. The session will begin at 11 a.m. Call 610.270.2703 for more information.

The education session will include basic facts about breast cancer, review of ACS screening guidelines, instruction on breast self exam, and information about Montgomery Cancer Center monthly senior day screenings.

October is breast cancer awareness month. The education session provides an opportunity for seniors to learn more about how to protect themselves against breast cancer.

Cipollini’s participation has been made possible by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation grant, recently awarded to fund the Screen Our Seniors (SOS) Breast Cancer Program at Montgomery Hospital Cancer Center in Norristown.

A recent study by the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, titled Community Health at the Crossroads 2002, indicated that nearly a third of Montgomery County seniors aged 65 and older had not had a recent mammogram.

According to experts, seniors may be reluctant to schedule routine mammograms for a variety of reasons. This includes anxiety about the procedure, fear of the results, or because of difficulty with transportation to the hospital.

The grant-funded SOS program was created by Montgomery Hospital Cancer Center to create greater awareness within the senior population of Montgomery County about the benefits of breast self exam and mammography.

By partnering with local senior centers and church groups, Montgomery Hospital in Norristown will recruit patients for senior screening days to be held at the hospital’s Women’s Center. The ultimate goal is to facilitate at least six information programs and 100 mammography screenings of women aged 65 and older over a one-year period.

Montgomery Hospital Cancer Centers offers comprehensive cancer care, including medical, surgical and radiation oncology, genetic cancer risk assessment and support groups. One of the most successful aspects of the Montgomery Hospital Cancer Program is the mammography service, coordinated through the hospital’s Women’s Center.

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 several hundred thousand outpatients each year.

Media Contact:
Diane Frantz-Miller
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center
(610) 270-2219

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MONTGOMERY HOSPITAL HOSTS 11TH ANNUAL WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

NORRISTOWN, Pa.-(September 23, 2002)-Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Norristown will host the 11th annual Women's Conference, Thursday evening, October 24 at the Greater Plymouth Community Center in Plymouth Meeting.

MHMC is committed to improving the health status of our neighbors throughout Montgomery County and surrounding communities. The annual free event, which begins this year at 5:30 p.m., is one way we fulfill that mission.

Women, aged 18 and older are invited to catch up on the health screenings they may have missed this year. Through conference seminars, dedicated to today's important health issues for women, the event also offers women an opportunity to receive medical advice and information that could change their lives.

Health Screenings include: asthma, aesthetics, blood glucose, blood pressure/heart, osteoporosis (DEXA bone scan), body fat/weight management, vision, hearing, podiatry, acupuncture/pain management, pulmonary functions, breast self exam, sleep disorders, nutrition, stroke risk assessments, diabetes, skin care, and ask the PT and Women's Center health professionals.

Seminar topics include: Women & Heart Disease; The Facts about Hormone Replacement Therapy; Caring for the Caregiver; Lyme Disease; Abnormal Mammograms: What They Really Mean; Women & Diabetes; Get Moving! An Active Lifestyle at Any Age; Managing Menopause; Creating Healthy Skin; and Advanced Cancer Treatments.

The event also includes free refreshments and door prizes, such as complementary fitness classes, courtesy of our host, the Greater Plymouth Community Center.

Participants may register the night of the event; however, because seating is limited, early registration is encouraged. Call: 610.270.2212, or register online.

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 several hundred thousand outpatients each year.

Photo Opportunity: Photographers are invited. Contact Diane Frantz-Miller beforehand or at the event.

Media Contact:
Diane Frantz-Miller
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center
(610) 270-2219

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BREAKTHROUGH SENSING TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE AT MONTGOMERY HOSPITAL

Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) was recently selected as one of the only regional hospitals to test breakthrough glucose sensing technology for Type I diabetic patients. Known as the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) this device was approved by the FDA in 1999 and is now finding its way into the hands of diabetic health care professionals. MHMC will use the device to track glucose data in the hopes of improving the pattern of glucose control to help patients better manage their diabetes.

A pager-sized monitoring system utilizes a tiny sensor that is inserted just below the skin. The monitor receives an electronic signal from the sensor every 10 seconds and stores the average glucose measurement every five minutes. Several days worth of measurements are then used to create a complete picture of the patient's glycemic control. Variation of blood sugar levels are captured based on food intake, physical activity, insulin injection and sleep. The final report can suggest modifications in treatment regimens for diabetics prone to frequent hypoglycemic events and patients using insulin pump therapy.

Further information about CGMS is available by calling the MHMC Diabetes Education Center at (610) 270-2528.

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MONTGOMERY HOSPITAL BRINGS PET SCANNING TO AREA PATIENTS

NORRISTOWN, Pa.-January xx, 2002-Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) and Valley Advanced Imaging (VAI) of Bethlehem, PA have forged an agreement to provide PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanning to patients in Montgomery County. Scans will be read by MHMC's John Devenney, M.D., chairman of Radiology and board-certified in nuclear medicine and diagnostic radiology.

Until recently PET Scanning, a diagnostic technique that produces 3-D images that reflect metabolic and chemical activity in the body, had been used only on a research basis because it was not previously reimbursed by insurance companies. Today, the clinical value of PET scanning has finally been recognized by payers, but the service is only available in a limited number of hospitals in Philadelphia. Through this unique partnership, patients of MHMC can have their PET scan done at the VAI site in Bethlehem. Results are then transmitted by a high speed computer to the computer workstation in MHMC's Department of Radiology. Studies are then read by the nuclear medicine physicians at Montgomery Hospital and entered into a patient's file for inspection by the referring physician.

"PET scanning acts at a metabolic or cellular level and is more sensitive for the detection of early malignancy and provides a more accurate staging of malignancy than either a CT scan or an MRI," says Devenney. "In many situations, it can even distinguish between malignant and non-malignant diseases that are undefined on CT or MRI examination."

Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) is the oldest suburban general 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 over 1,000 health care professionals who meet the needs of more than 10,000 inpatients and several 100,000 outpatients each year.


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TAKE THE WELLNESS CHALLENGE AT THE SECOND ANNUAL MONTGOMERY COUNTY WELLNESS EXPO

NORRISTOWN, PA (February 1, 2002) Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC), Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) and Blue Bell Rotary will co-sponsor the Montgomery County Wellness Expo at MCCC on Saturday, March 16, 2002 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Expo organizers encourage county residents to get the health screenings they have been putting off, at this year's Wellness Expo. Beyond the usual health fair screenings like blood pressure, cholesterol, body fat etc. (and they will be available), an additional menu of screenings, and health resources will also be on-hand. These include: a 26-panel blood screening, a PSA test for prostate cancer, an "Ask the PT" table for questions regarding physical fitness and rehabilitation, and "Ask the Family Practice Doc", for general health questions about you or your family, yoga and martial arts demos, hearing and vision screenings, podiatry examinations, carpal tunnel screening and array of additional screenings and tests. Information will also be available on pain management, nutrition counseling, diabetes education, smoking cessation, weight loss, colon cancer, stress management, homecare/hospice, CPR/First Aid and defribulator demos and much more.

"This wellness expo will have something for everyone," says Frank DeLaurentis, director of Outpatient Rehabilitation and Occupational Health at MHMC. "Spring is the perfect time to check your health and well being so you are physically and mentally fit for the Summer."

The expo premiered last year with the same three sponsors lending their expertise and commitment to the event. "Our goal is to improve on this event each year so that Montgomery County residents have access to the best community health and education available to them," says Richard Houyoux, a member of the Blue Bell Rotary.

Admission is free, as are most screenings. There are fees for the 26-panel blood test ($39) and PSA test for men ($25). Pre-registration for these tests is required by calling (610) 270-2481. Those interested in a display booth at the expo can call (610) 270-2507.

Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) 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 over 1,000 health care professionals who meet the needs of more than 10,000 inpatients and several hundred thousand outpatients each year.

Media Contact:
Danielle D. MacDonald
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center
(610) 270-2219; email: dmacdona@mont-hosp.com

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MONTGOMERY HOSPITAL HOSTS HEALTH FAIR

NORRISTOWN, PA (May 6, 2002)-- Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC), will host their annual Health Fair on Saturday, May 18, 2002 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the hospital's main lobby.

Health Fair organizers encourage area residents to get the health screenings they have been putting off. Screenings offered include: blood pressure, cholesterol and body fat screenings as well as a wide array of health resources and information. Also available will be hearing and vision screenings and information on pain management, nutrition counseling, diabetes education, smoking cessation, weight loss, colon cancer, stress management, homecare/hospice, CPR/First Aid and much more. Face painting, teddy bear check-ups and Dabby the Clown will entertain children who attend.

Admission is free, as are all screenings. Refreshments will be served. Call (610) 270-2481 for more information.

Montgomery Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) 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 over 1,000 health care professionals who meet the needs of more than 10,000 inpatients and several hundred thousand outpatients each year.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ketterlinus
Montgomery Hospital Medical Center
(610) 270-2507

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