Visit Redeemer Health's Newsroom to learn all about our new doctors and practices, and our recent patient safety awards!
During pregnancy, it's important to adopt helpful strategies to ensure a healthy and successful journey for both you and your baby.
Below are several helpful tips shared by Dr. Natalie Dogal Gardner, Fellow of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and OB-GYN, Redeemer Health:
Whether it's your first pregnancy or you're expanding your family, Redeemer Health's OB providers are available to support you every step of the journey.
Dr. Gardner sees patients at the Redeemer Health Medical Office Building, located at 1650 Huntingdon Pike, #118, Meadowbrook, PA 19046, as well as other locations. To schedule an appointment, call 215-914-2600.
You can also visit our provider directory or call the Redeemer Health Physician Referral Service at 800-818-4747 for assistance.
Watch Our Webinar - Baby on Board: Strategies for a Healthy Pregnancy Journey
In this webinar, OB-GYN Natalie Dogal Gardner, MD, Redeemer Health, offers tips for keeping you and your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy. Watch here.
Interested in Taking a Virtual Tour?
Visit RedeemerHealth.org/MaternityCare to take a virtual tour of Holy Redeemer Hospital's Labor and Delivery Unit.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths and second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 230,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with the disease each year. While most cases are linked to tobacco smoking, a growing number of diagnoses are among non-smokers, especially among women.
The main risk factors for lung cancer may include:
Lung cancer symptoms can vary from person to person. Many people with lung cancer may have no symptoms, but when symptoms present they can include:
Note: The above symptoms are not specific to lung cancer and can occur with other conditions as well. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult your family physician to discuss screening and diagnosis recommendations.
"Early detection is crucial in treatment of lung cancer," said Dr. Alan Reinach, Lead Physician with Redeemer Pulmonary Associates.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 50 to 80 years, who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
If you meet the above criteria and are interested in screening, you should talk to your doctor about your options. You should also check with your individual insurance carrier to determine coverage.
A low-dose CT scan is a non-invasive tool that captures multiple cross-sectional images of your lungs, creating a comprehensive and detailed picture. When a screening indicates that further testing is needed, Redeemer Health provides state-of-the-art procedures to help diagnose lung cancer, such as endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy (EBUS), navigational bronchoscopy, and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning.
To learn more about the lung cancer screening options available at Redeemer Health, visit redeemerhealth.org/lung-cancer-screening or call 215-938-LUNG (5864).
The Redeemer Health in partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper lung cancer program maintains nationally recognized accreditation through the Care Continuum Center of Excellence by the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer and is recognized as a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance.
Visit redeemerhealth.org/services/health-care/cancer-care/lung-cancer to learn more.
Redeemer Health Home Care and Hospice earned reaccreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). To achieve this, an organization undergoes a review process to demonstrate its capabilities and commitment to quality and safety standards.
For health care consumers, seeing that a home care and hospice provider has ACHC accreditation can provide peace of mind. It indicates that the provider has gone through a careful review process and has met high standards for quality and safety. It also signifies that the provider is committed to constantly improving its services.
"ACHC accreditation is a badge of excellence for home care providers, proving they have been thoroughly vetted and are dedicated to providing the best possible care," said Alan Rosenberg, Executive Vice President of Redeemer Health Home Care and Hospice Services.
Click here for more information about the many quality achievements and accreditations earned by Redeemer Health.
Redeemer Health's Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), located at 821 Huntingdon Pike, has been recognized in Newsweek's 2024 list of "America's Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers." Newsweek reserves this top ranking for facilities that demonstrate excellence based on careful analysis of facility performance data and recommendations of medical authorities.
"For an ambulatory surgery center, getting this award is a big achievement. It signals that the ASC is doing a great job in delivering care to its patients and that it stands among the best in its state and the entire nation," said James Armstrong, Administrator for the Redeemer Health Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Click here for more information about the many quality achievements and accreditations earned by Redeemer Health.
We are excited to announce that Dr. Romash, emergency medicine physician at Holy Redeemer Hospital, was presented the 2023 Preceptor of the Year Award.
Dr. Romash accepted this prestigious award at Salus University's Long White Coat Ceremony, hosted on Oct. 16.
Each year, Salus University recognizes a clinical preceptor who has shown exceptional commitment, dedication, and significant contributions in guiding and mentoring students in their professional development. Dr. Romash was recognized specifically for his work in mentoring students from Salus University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) in the area of emergency medicine.
This remarkable achievement showcases Dr. Romash's exceptional skills and unwavering dedication to his field. We honor and thank Dr. Romash for his hard work and commitment, making an indelible mark on these young students and their future careers.
A Special Time of Year for Seniors and Their Families
Thanksgiving is a time of year that holds a special place in the hearts of many, especially for seniors who have spent decades building and cherishing family traditions. If you are considering the transition to a senior living community, it's natural to worry about maintaining these beloved customs. But you need not worry. Senior living communities strive to create an environment where Thanksgiving traditions can continue to thrive and evolve, ensuring that the holiday remains a special time for residents and their families alike.
Nurturing Beloved Thanksgiving Traditions
Many communities host festive Thanksgiving dinners or luncheons for residents and their families, complete with all the traditional trimmings. These events provide an opportunity for residents to share their cherished holiday with their loved ones, just as they always have, but without the stress of preparation and cleanup. It's not unusual to see multiple generations sharing stories, laughter, and of course, delicious food around tables adorned with gracious Thanksgiving decor.
At The Lafayette, a Redeemer Health senior living community, our culinary staff offers a Thanksgiving luncheon for residents and their families that nurtures the warmth and togetherness that makes Thanksgiving such a popular holiday.
“The Thanksgiving season is a time for us to come together as a community and nurture a spirit of gratitude and fellowship. Residents look forward to our annual Thanksgiving luncheon, where they can enjoy a delicious meal and share warm conversations with friends and family. We make sure that every resident feels the joy, warmth, and unity that Thanksgiving brings," says Jillian Lockton, Director of Residential Services for Independent Living at The Lafayette.
What’s more, it’s not unusual to find recreational activities that encourage participation and foster a sense of community. For instance, some communities organize Thanksgiving-themed crafts sessions where residents can create their own decorations.
Others might host a "Turkey Trot" or similar fun walks on Thanksgiving morning, promoting both physical health and holiday spirit. Best of all, these activities provide opportunities to socialize and make new friends, while the communal atmosphere helps alleviate feelings of loneliness that can sometimes accompany this time of year.
Bring Your Own Special Customs
Consider how your traditions might be incorporated into a community's celebrations. Don't be afraid to initiate activities that reflect your traditions and invite others to join in. This not only keeps your customs alive but also helps build a sense of community.
Above all, the move to a senior living community provides an excellent opportunity to cherish and preserve Thanksgiving traditions in an environment that fosters support and fellowship. You may even find yourself establishing new holiday rituals that bring added meaning and joy. Rest assured, you can feel confident that senior living communities are places where traditions are not just maintained, but celebrated and nurtured.
About The Lafayette
The Lafayette features stylish Independent Living apartments and all-inclusive services. Our senior living lifestyle frees you from home maintenance and daily chores while allowing you to explore our vibrant array of fitness, recreational, and spiritual life opportunities.
Located in a beautiful park-like setting in Northeast Philadelphia and easily accessible from adjacent Montgomery County, PA, and nearby Bucks County, PA, our warm and welcoming retirement community has been a favorite choice of discerning seniors throughout the Philadelphia, PA, area for more than three decades. Learn more!
Meadowbrook, Pa. - Oct. 24, 2023 - St. Joseph Manor, one of Redeemer Health's senior living communities, was ranked fourth in Newsweek's 2024 "America's Best Nursing Homes" out of Pennsylvania's top 30.
According to Newsweek, the rankings are based on five data sources, including performance data, peer recommendations, management of the COVID-19 situation and accreditations from The Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. For the first time, resident satisfaction data for nursing homes, based on National Safety Goals from The Joint Commission and Google Scores, has been added to the scoring model.
"This distinction is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, who consistently go above and beyond to provide exceptional care and support to our residents. We will continue to strive for excellence in providing a vibrant and nurturing community for seniors to call home," said D. Freeman, RN, BSN, NHA, PCA, the Manor's administrator.
Click here for more information about the many quality achievements and accreditations earned by Redeemer Health.
###
About St. Joseph Manor
A member of the Redeemer Health system, St. Joseph Manor is a senior living community that provides personal care, memory care, short-term rehab, and long-term care. Committed to the delivery of high-quality care, as well as strict attention to resident and patient safety and satisfaction, St. Joseph Manor continues to gain national recognition for achievement in these areas. Situated within a beautiful, historic property, the community welcomes seniors of all faiths and fosters an environment of inclusivity and fellowship. Conveniently located in eastern Montgomery County, at 1616 Huntingdon Pike, St. Joseph Manor is also easily accessible from Northeast Philadelphia and many areas in Lower and Central Bucks County. For more information about St. Joseph Manor visit: redeemerhealth.org/StJosephManor.
Philadelphia, Pa. - Oct. 23, 2023 - Having raised more than $1.8M in its first 14 years, this year’s milestone Uncorked for Kids Wine Auction is looking to top the $2M mark. Scheduled for Oct. 28, the annual wine auction turns 15 this year, with its ongoing mission to help end homelessness and food insecurity.
Since its inception, Uncorked for Kids has benefited Redeemer Health’s Drueding Center in North Philadelphia, in its efforts to end the cycle of homelessness. More specifically, since 2013, contributions to Uncorked for Kids have been used to establish and support Drueding Center’s Green Light Food Pantry. The food pantry provides fresh produce, dairy, and protein to families living at Drueding Center and in the surrounding South Kensington neighborhood.
“Attendance and generosity make a remarkable difference in the lives of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable families,” said Howard Peterson, Chair of the Uncorked for Kids planning committee. “I invite you to attend this year, and come in the spirit of being irrationally generous to help us reach $2M to support our mission.”
Uncorked for Kids donations have helped more than 1,000 families with greater than 15,000 visits to the Green Light Food Pantry, distributing more than 100,000 pounds of fresh food annually. Pounds of food distributed from the pantry increased by 44% from 2022 to 2023. Drueding Center’s programs and services have improved the well-being of more than 4,200 families, impacting more than 12,000 lives.
According to Anne Marie Collins, Drueding Center’s executive director, “Uncorked for Kids allows guests to have a great meal in good company, bid on excellent wine, and help to eliminate food insecurity.”
Uncorked for Kids will be hosted at Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 28, starting at 6 p.m. Wine auctioneer Fritz Hatton, who has more than three decades of experience in the fine and rare wine business, will make this a dazzling and successful affair. Click here for more information about this year's event, and to purchase tickets, or call 215-914-4018. To learn more about Drueding Center and Green Light Food Pantry, click here.
###
About Redeemer Health
A Catholic health care provider, Redeemer Health (RH) offers a wide range of health care and health-related services, including a 165-bed acute care hospital with a physician network and outpatient services, home health and hospice services, three skilled nursing facilities, personal care, a retirement community, low-income housing, an independent living community, a transitional housing program for homeless families, and multiple homes for intellectually and developmentally disabled adults. RH also owns and operates Community Care Collaborative, an accountable care organization. Corporate offices are located in Huntingdon Valley, Pa. The system serves southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Visit redeemerhealth.org for more information.
MEADOWBROOK, Pa. - Oct. 11, 2023 Holy Redeemer Hospital was one of only 29 hospitals in the Commonwealth notified by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) that it demonstrated low rates of health care-associated infections in 2022.
HAP identified top-performing hospitals using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network. To be recognized, according to HAP, hospitals must perform better than the mean standardized infection ratio in three key measures: central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections. Hospitals that achieved this standard are included in HAP’s 2023 Excellence in Patient Safety Recognition program.
“This recognition validates the hard work and steadfast commitment that Redeemer Health exhibits with every patient every day,” said Cass Egan, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Holy Redeemer Hospital. “Preventing health care-associated infections requires unwavering attention to detail, and resolute focus on every patient’s safety. I’m proud of the team at Holy Redeemer Hospital, for insisting on a level of safety that is recognized as a top-performer.”
Nicole Stallings, HAP’s President and CEO, said, “HAP is proud to recognize the hospital teams with exemplary results from their efforts to continuously improve the quality and safety of patient care. This year, more hospitals met the criteria to be recognized than any other year since this program began. This speaks to the Pennsylvania hospital community’s strong commitment to patient safety.”
HAP is a statewide membership services organization that represents 235 hospitals as well as the patients and communities they serve. Additional information about HAP is available online, and learn more about the Excellence in Patient Safety Recognition program here.
The deep timbre of Larry Brereton's voice on the other end of a phone call provides hospice patients and their families a depth of empathy that comes only from experience. It wasn't very long ago when Larry's wife was in the care of Redeemer Health's hospice team. Now he channels an informed compassion to New Jersey families who need the same comfort, as a volunteer for the hospice team.
"Everyone loves Larry," says the team at Redeemer Health's Home Care and Hospice in New Jersey. As a volunteer for the Mercer office, Larry calls patients to check on them, and he makes home visits with the caregivers. The value in his work is a two-way street, he explains. "I'm getting as much as I'm giving. I'm trying to help people, and that's good for both of us."
His wife Evelyn passed away almost six years ago at 62, after a 22-month challenge with cancer that metastasized from her lung to her brain. Larry took care of Evelyn the whole time, but eventually he knew she needed a level of care that he couldn't provide. Her doctor referred them to Redeemer Health, and the nurses, social workers and chaplains gave Larry and Evelyn the end-of-life care she needed.
Married in 1979, Larry and Evelyn had successful careers and raised twins. Larry was a director in computer technology, and Evelyn's PhD from Rutgers University resulted in three patents. When Evelyn passed away, Larry knew he wanted to volunteer to keep busy and to help people, even while recuperating from a knee replacement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was with Evelyn's hospice team that Larry found a way to give back.
"When Larry is included in a hospice patient's experience, a level of comfort, compassion and empathy is two-fold," said Suzanne Scarpa, BSN, RN Director of Clinical Operations. "First, he's a wonderful volunteer, a great listener, and a source of comfort for hospice patients and their families. But he also has personal experience with hospice care, and that makes him an invaluable resource to our patients."
To learn more about palliative care and hospice care in the home, visit Redeemer Health's website, or call 888-678-8678 to find out how you can access care for a loved one. If interested in volunteering with our NJ Hospice team, please reach out to Spiros Ballas at 609-695-3461.