The Restoration Space

Scoliosis and Spine Clinic to open

Non-surgical scoliosis treatment is now offered by the Scoliosis and Complex Spine Clinic at The Restoration Space, 406 Delaware Ave. Scoliosis, which affects two to three per cent of the country’s population, is a sideways curvature of the spine.

Dr. Meghan Griech and Wendy Norelli, physical therapists with advanced training in spine treatment. They are Schroth Method certified in non-surgical scoliosis treatment. The procedures use customized exercises to improve spinal alignment, muscle activation and mobility.

Treatment is available for children and adults, whether currently braced or not. For more information on the Scoliosis and Complex Spine Clinic, call The Restoration Space at 484-241-4220.

Lehigh Valley Health Network

Ransonware statement issued

Lehigh Valley Health Network understands that BlackCat, a ransomware gang associated with Russia, has posted limited patient information on the dark web. This stolen information includes three screenshots, which are clinically appropriate photographs of cancer patients receiving radiation oncology treatment at LVPG Delta Medix, as well as seven documents containing patient information.

This unconscionable criminal act takes advantage of patients receiving cancer treatment, and LVHN condemns this despicable behavior.

As we have previously shared, LVHN detected unauthorized activity within our IT system on February 6 and immediately launched an investigation, engaged leading cybersecurity firms and experts, and notified law enforcement. Our Technology team identified the unauthorized activity, which has not disrupted LVHN’s operations.

At this time, we continue our investigation and are in the process of identifying information involved in the incident. Based on our analysis to date, the attack was focused on the Delta Medix IT system and has had very limited impact on other LVHN IT systems. We will provide notices as required to those whose information was involved.

Face masks optional

Face masks are optional for patients, guests and employees in most areas where patient care is provided within Lehigh Valley Health Network hospitals and health care facilities. Masks continue to be optional in non-patient care areas such as cafeterias, pharmacies, chapels and gift shops.

New prostate cancer technology offered

Lehigh Valley Health Network is the first site in Pennsylvania to offer Focal One, the noninvasive robotic Focal HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) to patients with localized prostate cancer. Focal One is today’s most advanced technology for precisely targeted ablation of diseased prostate tissue. LVHN will begin offering this treatment at Lehigh Valley Hospital–17th Street in April.

The addition of Focal One builds on LVHN’s reputation for world-class, high-tech patient care, along with the network’s multidisciplinary approach to treatment of cancer.

Children’s Hospital expands

Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital added 20 pediatric inpatient beds, expanding the children’s hospital’s specialized pediatric care/medical-surgical inpatient capacity to 50.

These beds are in addition to LVRCH’s 12 observation beds, 25 children’s emergency room beds, a 12-bed pediatric intensive care unit and a 40 bed neonatal intensive care unit.

LVRCH is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by pediatric specialists and hospitalists who have expert training to care for the children.

St. Luke’s Health Network

Colon & rectal center joins network

Eyvazzadeh and Reilly Colon & Rectal Center, known as St. Luke’s Colon & Rectal Surgery is, as of January, a part of the St. Luke’s University Health Network. .

The practice has three board-certified physicians: Daniel J. Eyvazzadeh, MD; Daniel J. Bowers, MD; and W. Terence Reilly, MD. The practice provides state-of-the-art surgical methods as well as the newest techniques of endoscopy to patients in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties. They have offices in Bethlehem, Easton and Coaldale.

The practice is accepting new patients. To make an appointment or for more information, call 484-526-2600.

Gift advances pancreatic research

The Pancreatic Cancer Hope Foundation (PC Hope Foundation) – a Lehigh Valley-based nonprofit that raises funds for pancreatic cancer research and patient and family support – has made a generous gift of $12,500 that will advance cancer research at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill.

Many clinical trials, including pancreatic cancer clinical trials, require specific blood sample and other specimen collection, storage, labeling and shipping. The donation will help St. Luke’s convert space in the hospital’s Clinical Laboratory into a dedicated center for Clinical Trials and Research.

“Support from the PC Hope Foundation is allowing us to purchase equipment dedicated to the Clinical Trials and Research department,” explains Jennifer Sisler, Senior Network Director of Clinical Trials and Research. “These expanded and new capabilities are critical because they enable us to offer our patients a greater number of cancer clinical trials, allow for optimal laboratory operations and help us remain in compliance with clinical trial requirements.”

The American Cancer Society expected about 62,210 people (32,910 men and 29,240 women) in the United States to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022. As with most cancers, the earlier pancreatic cancer is detected, the greater the patient’s chance of survival.