The power of contemporary medicine is strong—so strong that, at times, that sick patients and their families feel compelled to try every avenue to extend life.

But is that what people want and need?

A two-day conference, the Palliative Care and Ethics Conference, on Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17, at Duquesne University, will examine the ethical, philosophical and religious issues that arise in daily care for patients at the end of life.

Hosted by Duquesne’s Center for Healthcare Ethics, the conference will provide speakers, break-out groups and case discussions to expand understanding of end-of-life care and the capacity to deal with these issues, including the philosophical and religious queries at the end of life. It is aimed at care providers, including nurses, social workers and chaplains.

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Employees, physicians and friends of Monongahela Valley Hospital (MVH) — and its parent company Mon-Vale Health Resources (MVHR) — will celebrate one of the organization’s most nostalgic and anticipated traditions: the Annual Gala, on Saturday, May 18.

The theme for the 25th Gala is “An Evening to Remember.”

The black-tie fundraiser benefits MVH, one of only a few dozen independent, non-profit community hospitals in western Pennsylvania. The event attracts nearly 600 guests and will be held in the Allegheny Grand Ballroom of the Westin Convention Center and Hotel in Pittsburgh.

Gala 25 is open to the public and tickets cost $175 per person. Tables of 10 are also available.

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Over the last 50 years, technology use has dramatically changed the world of healthcare – from the consumer, payer and provider perspectives. Consumers are now more well-informed than ever, using the Internet to research their conditions, possible treatments and providers who specialize in treating their ailments. Providers are adopting electronic health records and collaborating digitally with others to streamline and collectively manage patient care. Payers are creating innovative payment models to help improve the quality of care and lower overall costs of care.

In a day-long program on Wednesday, May 1, the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) will present “Healthcare 2020: The Technology Vision” – a forum that will showcase the future of healthcare delivery and emerging technology that will enable new methods of care, payment, consumer engagement and population health management.
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A cardiologist from the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute has established an advanced heart failure clinic at UPMC Horizon.

Michael A. Mathier, MD, director of the UPMC Pulmonary Hypertension Program and Cardiovascular Fellowship Program, as well as medical director of the Community Outreach and Cardiovascular Health Program, operates the clinic at UPMC Horizon once a month. The clinic was designed to provide consultative services to UPMC Horizon physicians and offers an array of medical and surgical options for advanced heart failure patients ranging from medications, mechanical circulatory support devices and cardiac transplantation.

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The Healthcare Design Conference is the premier event devoted to how the design of responsibly built environments directly impact the safety, operation, clinical outcomes, and financial success of healthcare facilities now and into the future. With roughly 4000 participants at the 2012 Healthcare Design Conference, this is the industry’s best-attended conference where attendees can earn up to 24 continuing education credits, network with peers, and influence the direction of the industry as it advances into the future.

Increasing health care costs and demand for health care services resulting from an aging and ailing population has made health care unaffordable and has undermined US businesses’ competitiveness in the global economy. Recently enacted health reforms aim to increase access to health care, decrease costs, and improve the quality of care.

Innovation in health care technology—ranging from the implementation and use of HIT to the development of new medical devices—will change business models, improve efficiencies, and prove critical to the advancement of low cost, high quality health care.

This conference will explore the role of innovation in health care technology in achieving an improved health care system.

Learn more about this conference happening at Carnegie Mellon on April 5, 2013.

The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center proudly announces that its 12th annual signature fundraising event, Shake Your Booties will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013, in the East Club at Heinz Field.

This year, The Children’s Home will be honoring Pittsburgh Steelers’ great Aaron Smith and his family. While Aaron is known as one of the NFL’s toughest defensive linemen, he remains committed to families in our region. He and his family are true role models in the Pittsburgh community through their advocacy for others, community service, commitment to families and support of those in need.

“We invite the entire Pittsburgh community to join together and celebrate with us the many stories of hope and inspiration that occur every day at The Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center,” said Pamela Schanwald, CEO, The Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center.

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The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) will hold its annual Summit, “Bullying: Are You the Aggressor, the Bystander or the Target,” on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at DeSales University, Center Valley. This event was originally scheduled to be in November 2012 and has been rescheduled due to Hurricane Sandy. PSNA is pleased to host keynote speaker Cheryl Dellasega, PhD, RN, CRNP at this year’s event.

“Nursing is viewed as the most trusted and caring profession,” said PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN.  “Yet nurse-on-nurse bullying is a reality. Not only does it affect morale and professional self-esteem, but it jeopardizes patient care. Dr. Dellasega’s session ‘Spite in White’ equips nurses with tools to recognize relational aggression and promote change.”

For more than 25 years, Dr. Dellasega has been working as a researcher, counselor, teacher and nurse practitioner. She is the author of six books including When Nurses Hurt Nurses, a book about recognizing and overcoming the cycle of bullying. As a professor of humanities in the College of Medicine and professor of women’s studies at The Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Dellasega is actively involved in medical education, conducts research on psychosocial issues and leads community outreach efforts. She has appeared as an expert on national and local television and radio shows and in print including: The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Gayle King Show, Redbook, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Girl Scout Leader.

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Formal Event Celebrates Accomplishments, Benefits Hospital

The Allegheny Valley Hospital Trust will hold its sixth annual Traditions Gala fundraiser on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the Pittsburgh Field Club.

The theme for this year’s black tie optional event is “Rhythm and Rouge.”  It will feature a chef-prepared gourmet dinner and musical entertainment by Dr. Zoot.  Guests will be able to enjoy a ticket auction, raffle and other games.

“The Traditions Gala is now in its sixth year and it just keeps getting better,” said Robin Bergstrom, Chairwoman of the AVH Trust Board of Trustees.  “This year’s event is sure to be an enjoyable evening that benefits a very worthy cause – our community hospital.”

Tickets to the Traditions Gala are $175.  For more information, please call the Allegheny Valley Hospital Trust at 724-226-7178.

Learn more by downloading the conference brochure.

Experts Teepa Snow and Scott Miller Present Program Offering Six Contact Hours to Healthcare Professionals

Asbury Heights and Family Hospice & Palliative Care welcome Teepa Snow, MS, OTRL/L, FAOTA, and Scott Miller, MD, to present Mobility, Comfort, and Safety for Patients with Dementia on Thursday, March 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The program, a continuing Nursing Education activity, takes place in the Social Room at Asbury Heights in Mt. Lebanon and includes six contact hours for RNs, MSWs, NHAs, and Personal Care Home Administrators.

Teepa Snow, a nationally renowned dementia expert, is an occupational therapist with more than 30 years of experience and has received national recognition for her expertise in geriatrics, dementia care, and staff training. Dr. Scott Miller is a palliative care certified physician who is the full-time Team Physician at Family Hospice’s Mt. Lebanon inpatient unit, The Center for Compassionate Care, and has been involved in clinical ethics consultation and end-of-life care for more than 15 years.

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