Terry Wiltrout Named CEO of Canonsburg General Hospital
Posted by Western PA Hospital News on Nov 11, 2011 in Leadership | 0 comments
West Penn Allegheny Health System today announced the appointment of Terry Wiltrout as Chief Executive Officer at Canonsburg General Hospital (CGH), effective immediately. Mr. Wiltrout has served as interim CEO at the hospital since June.
Mr. Wiltrout officially joined Canonsburg’s leadership team in 2002 and was named the hospital’s Vice President of Operations in 2007. He began his career with the West Penn Allegheny Health System in 1991 as a computer operator.
Most recently, Mr. Wiltrout was the lead executive overseeing the development of West Penn Allegheny‘s new Outpatient Care Center in Peters Township.
“Terry is a talented healthcare executive who has been instrumental in the success of Canonsburg General and the growth of our southern Allegheny County and Washington County market presence over the past several years. He is a highly visible and well respected leader the community served by Canonsburg General and we are excited to have someone so capable and committed to the vision and mission of this organization leading our efforts on that campus,” said Keith T. Ghezzi, MD, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of West Penn Allegheny Health System.
Local Physician Named Recipient of Community Service Award
Posted by Western PA Hospital News on Nov 10, 2011 in Leadership | 0 comments
The Washington County Medical Society (WCMS) will honor Monica Speicher, MD, with its Community Service Award at their Annual Recognition Dinner on Thursday, November 10, 2011. The Award is given to a Washington County physician who has demonstrated a pattern of humanitarian service, including participation in charitable activities, indigent care, and service to the community.
Dr. Speicher, a family medicine specialist, is being recognized for her work with WeCare Street Outreach in Washington. WeCare started in 2009 when a group of community volunteers contacted Dr. Speicher to lead the medical portion of a homeless street outreach, modeled after Operation SafetyNet in Pittsburgh. Initially, volunteers would go out in small groups and offer supportive care to homeless camps, providing blankets, coats, vitamins, and food. Recently, Dr. Speicher was able to offer medical care and now provides blood pressure readings, cursory exams, smoking cessation, and medicine. She also precepts a resident clinic at the Washington City Mission that treats the homeless who need follow up care.
Dr. Speicher was born and raised in Latrobe and graduated from Allegheny College. She received her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College. Since completing her family medicine residency at Washington Hospital in 2003, she has worked as a primary care physician at Canonsburg Family Practice.
Washington County Medical Society is affiliated with Pennsylvania Medical Society. The patient-doctor relationship is a priority of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Washington County Medical Society. The Medical Society listens to concerns of both patients and doctors to improve the delivery of health care services.
Thoughts on Portugal, Raymond Vennare, Biotech Entrepreneur
Posted by Western PA Hospital News on Nov 4, 2011 in Leadership | 0 comments
Raymond F. Vennare
By Raymond Vennare
(reprinted with permission from New Venturist)
I have always believed, if not intuitively understood, that entrepreneurship is fundamentally personal; that it takes human vision, intention and work to discover, innovate and turn an idea into a business. This is not a novel thought. Baum, Frese and Baron wrote an entire book on the subject entitled The Psychology of Entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship is ubiquitous. It transcends borders, genders and cultures. It is, and always has been, the very underpinning of economic growth, prosperity and survival throughout the history of civilization. Entrepreneurship is a major economic force. It is, according to the Small Business Association, responsible for 51% of private sector output, the employment of nearly 51% of private sector workers, and the progenitor of 99% of all employees in the United States alone.
It is also true, however, that to be an entrepreneur is something quite different than being entrepreneurial. To be an entrepreneur is the personification of vision and tenacity; to blindly or bravely accept risk and uncertainty as a normal course of events. Entrepreneurs are inspirational and methodical, even if their inspirations are counter-intuitive and their methods unorthodox.
To be an entrepreneur is a singular event and it is very, very personal.
Being entrepreneurial is social. It is collective. It is to pursue a methodology or to tap into a process that someone else has already envisioned. It is a necessary process for companies, or countries, if they are to remain relevant, competitive and viable in a global economy.
Baptist Homes Announced New Executive Director
Posted by Western PA Hospital News on Oct 27, 2011 in Leadership | 0 comments
Baptist Homes Society announced that Bernard Erb has been appointed to the position of Executive Director of Baptist homes. Bernie assumed his responsibilities at Baptist Homes on October 3, 2011. Bernie has a very broad and diverse background in health care, having worked in hospitals, skilled nursing, and personal care settings. Most recently, he served as the Administrator of cedars of Monroeville. His wide range of knowledge and expertise make him well-suited to lead the Baptist Homes community as it enters its second century of service to seniors.GiveForward Helps Families Raise $7 Million For Out-Of-Pocket Medical Expenses
Posted by Western PA Hospital News on Oct 21, 2011 in Leadership | 0 comments
We came across the release below about a wonderful organization and wanted to share it with our readers.—Harvey
Study shows Americans unprepared but Chicago crowdfunding startup, GiveForward, helps people cover costs
Studies show Americans, even those with insurance, are not able to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses. Chicago startup GiveForward has changed this and since August of 2008 has helped people raise over $7 million for out-of-pocket medical expenses.
On the cutting edge of the crowdfunding revolution, GiveForward provides online fundraising pages that empower friends and family to support a loved one in need. Over $7 million has gone to help people cover the cost of medical treatment, out-of-pocket medical expenses or purchase medical equipment.
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research shows 50% of American households certainly or probably wouldn’t be able to cope with a $2,000 expense, such as a medical co-pay. The average medical fundraiser on GiveForward raises almost $3,000.
Candid Thoughts on the Class Act
Posted by Western PA Hospital News on Oct 21, 2011 in Leadership | 0 comments
By Mark D. Bondi, NHA, JD
I confess that I did not educate myself on all aspects of the recent health reform legislation. This was partially due to my living through health reform #1 in the 1990s when I wasted many hours learning about something that disappeared as completely as the 2011 Pirates chances to make the playoffs.
But since most of my work involves seniors I did feel compelled to study the part of the health reform legislation known as the Class Act. The Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act. Recently, I found that I may have wasted my efforts again.
The Class Act was to be a consumer financed and federally administered long term care insurance program. I felt the best part of the program for consumers was the relatively modest premiums that were being discussed along with no lifetime limits on benefits. I repeat NO LIFETIME LIMIT ON BENEFITS. As I discussed this legislation at various educational programs that I conduct with seniors I would point out that The Class Act sounded like a great deal for someone interested in long term care insurance.
Improving American Health Care Through Better Public Understanding
Posted by Western PA Hospital News on Oct 18, 2011 in Leadership | 0 comments
Opinion Piece By George A. Huber, JD, MSIE, MSSM, Professor of Public Health Practice, University of Pittsburgh
A Chinese proverb instructs that: “If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for lifetime, educate people”. In health care it would follow that the better educated Americans are about their own personal health, and about the services available to them and how to pay for them when they have a problem, the better the health system will become over time from provider, financing and outcome perspectives. Understanding and communication among the public, the patient, the health care professional, the payer, and the politician (the five P’s) should also improve.
There are at least three levels of individual health care learning opportunities starting with personal health, fitness and prevention. This level is at least initially addressed by schools. The second level involves where to go for diagnosis, treatment and after care, and how to pay for them. This level is expected by government, as proposed through health care reform, to be fulfilled by health care providers and insurers. The third level is in many respects the most complex since it places all adults in the position of concerned citizens in trying to understand the major elements and their relationships to one another within the health care delivery and financing system itself. This kind of understanding is crucial to effective policy development.
This third level is in many respects the foundation for the other two levels. Unfortunately, the general electorate, most policy makers, media, and even some health care providers and insurers don’t know enough about the overall health care system and its key components to help in making effective changes a reality.
Southwest Regional Medical Center Continues to Grow and Expand
Posted by Western PA Hospital News on Oct 6, 2011 in Leadership | 0 comments
Southwest Regional Medical Center (SRMC) is in a unique position—unique because in today’s world, you hear much more about businesses downsizing and services being reduced. And while they are not immune to the impact of the economic downturn, they find themselves growing, expanding and improving in many ways.
To what do they attribute this success? their employees’ commitment to making SRMC a success. Learn more through their virtual tour.
National Award Honors Rape Prevention Advocate
Posted by Western PA Hospital News on Sep 12, 2011 in Healthcare Executives, Leadership | 0 comments
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) and the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) are pleased to present Alison Hall, Executive Director of Pittsburgh Action Against Rap
Alison Hall
e, with the annual Gail Burns-Smith Award. Hall will be honored during the National Sexual Assault Conference in Baltimore on Sept. 14-16.
The award, jointly sponsored by ATSA and the NSVRC, is named in honor of Gail Burns-Smith who committed her life to strengthening the partnership between advocates in the sexual violence prevention field and those working in the area of sex offender management and treatment.
Hospital Council Names New Vice President
Posted by Western PA Hospital News on Sep 8, 2011 in Leadership | 0 comments
Tom Aubel
Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania recently named Tom Aubel as vice president of Payer Relations and Data Management. He joins Hospital Council with 22 years of experience as a financial analyst and director of managed care.
“Tom brings a wealth of expertise in finance and managed care to Hospital Council,” said A.J. Harper, president of Hospital Council. “We are delighted to have Tom as part of our Hospital Council staff.”
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