UPMC Western Maryland

You’ve probably heard of telemedicine, but what exactly is it and how does it differ from a traditional appointment? Telemedicine is the use of telecommunications technology to diagnose and treat patients. Technology is used to connect patients with a provider, often in real-time in the office, through computers, smartphones, or tablets.

Guide to Telemedicine Services and Video Visits | UPMC HealthBeat Learn how telemedicine works, and which conditions doctors can treat via video visits and telehealth.

UPMC Western Maryland recently partnered with Brookedale Farms to host Bite Sized learning, where families and children learned about gardening and planted their own vegetables to tend at home. This fun, interactive workshop is designed to help families learn to engage in healthy habits and develop a positive relationship with food.

If you're interested in attending these free monthly workshops, call 240-964-8434.

Try these seven everyday hacks for boosting energy when you feel most exhausted during the day.

7 Everyday Ways to Feel More Energized | UPMC HealthBeat

UPMC Western Maryland recently opened a new general surgery office in the Medical Arts Center. Do you know what a general surgeon is? Read more in this UPMC HealthBeat blog.

Comprehensive Guide to General Surgeons and Their Expertise | UPMC Learn about the roles general surgeons perform, including their training, skill set, key surgical procedures, and patient care responsibilities.

A healthy diet is crucial for all ages, but especially for children. Learn more about nutrition for kids and five habits that will help them become healthy eaters for life.

5 Ways to Make Healthy Eating a Habit for Kids | UPMC A healthy diet is crucial for all ages, but especially for children. Learn how to make eating healthy a habit for your kids.

Someone with aphasia may have trouble speaking, reading, or writing. This occurs when the language centers of the brain have become damaged.

Here’s what to know about aphasia and how speech therapists improve communication.

How a Speech Therapist Works with Aphasia Patients | UPMC Someone with aphasia may have trouble speaking, reading, or writing. This occurs when the language centers of the brain have become damaged.

Dennis Dey, MD, Medical Director of the UPMC Western Maryland Stroke Center, was recently a guest on WCBC Radio. He shared the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms and seeking medical attention immediately.

“Symptoms of stroke can include not being able to move, speak, feel, see or keep your balance - in short, any sudden change in neurological function,” he shared.

“Every possible stroke is a medical emergency. The importance of timely care cannot be overstated,” he added.

To learn more about stroke warning signs and the certified stroke center at UPMC Western Maryland, visit https://go.upmc.com/I2xo.

You may have heard that wounds need air to heal or “breathe.” Perhaps your grandmother said if you leave a cut or scrape uncovered, it will form a scab and heal faster. But is that true?

Do Wounds Need Air to Heal? | UPMC HealthBeat You've probably heard that minor cuts and scrapes need air to heal. Read on to find out why that's not true — and what to do instead.

Join us in congratulating Tucker Helminiak for being named the May Values in Action Award winner. An employee since 2022, Tucker is a family and patient concierge in our Admission and Discharge Department.

Tucker is described as a one-of-a-kind employee who goes above and beyond for his patients and colleagues. He shows up every shift with a positive attitude and a warm smile. He is dedicated to assisting patients with any questions or needs related to being admitted to or discharged from the hospital. Life changing is...supporting patient care.

Thank you, Tucker, for the essential contribution you make as part of our UPMC Western Maryland team.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Learn about the different types of skin cancer, how to identify each one, and how to protect yourself.

Melanoma and Different Types of Skin Cancer | UPMC HealthBeat There are several types of skin cancer beyond melanoma. Learn about the different types of skin cancer, how to identify each one, and how to protect yourself.

When it comes to drinking alcohol, it’s important to remember that no alcoholic drink can be considered healthy. However, if you do choose to consume alcohol, some options are potentially healthier than others.

Are Some Types of Alcohol Healthier? | UPMC HealthBeat Although certain types of alcohol may carry specific health benefits, there is no truly "healthy" type of alcohol. Learn more.

Congratulations to Emma Shoemaker, RN, for being named the April DAISY Award winner. The DAISY Award is an international program that honors nursing excellence.

The nomination said, "We greatly appreciated Emma's kind words, gentle care, respect and true professionalism during one of the most challenging, heartbreaking experiences for our family. We wanted to take time to say thank you to Emma and let her know how her caring nature was noticed and so appreciated. We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful nurse."

Thank you, Emma, for delivering Life Changing Medicine to our community.

Post-birth-control syndrome (PBCS) refers to the changes and symptoms that happen to some women after stopping hormonal birth control. Learn more about PBCS, including the symptoms, causes, and treatment.

What Is Post-Birth-Control Syndrome? | UPMC HealthBeat Post-birth-control syndrome is a group of symptoms that some when experience after stopping hormonal birth control. Learn more.

UPMC Western Maryland, in partnership with Maryland Physicians Care, recently announced a donation to five community organizations. The donations support local community organizations including the Western Maryland Food Bank, the Western Maryland Health System Foundation, Salvation Army Cumberland Corps, Union Rescue Mission, and the Allegany County Department of Social Services.

Read the full release here: https://go.upmc.com/24329m-8u

Do you know the symptoms of a stroke or how to respond? Learn how to spot a stroke and respond and the types of outpatient therapies that help to treat strokes.

Rehabilitation After Stroke: Therapy for Stroke Recovery | UPMC

This , UPMC Western Maryland celebrates and recognizes the importance of those caring for our community with compassion and innovation. Those continuing to move healthcare forward, right here in Cumberland. This includes the recent expansion of cardiovascular services to now include TAVR, a minimally invasive valve replacement option. Providing this procedure, in addition to the region's only open heart surgery program, means patients can be cared for close to home.

UPMC Western Maryland now offers TeleStroke services in partnership with the UPMC Stroke Institute. This service connects the patients and care team at UPMC Western Maryland with the specialists from the UPMC Stroke Institute at UPMC Presbyterian, a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center.

In this Q&A, Rameen Shafiei, MD, director, UPMC Western Maryland Emergency Department, discusses telestroke services and how they benefit those who use them.

To read the full Q&A, visit https://go.upmc.com/2366OJUHK.

Babies are in bloom at UPMC Western Maryland this week, as newborns are being given special onesies and crocheted flower hats created by several kind volunteers in celebration of Mother’s Day 🌼 Pictured is baby Leland to parents Ellie and Marcus Folk.

If you’re thinking about changing your eating habits to improve your health but don’t know where to start, consider the Mediterranean diet.

Brenda Ridgway, RDN, a registered dietitian at UPMC Western Maryland, weighs in on what you should know about this diet, including its benefits for disease prevention and weight loss and how to follow it.

What Is the Mediterranean Diet? Wondering why the Mediterranean diet is healthy? It's famous for heart health but offers other benefits too. Learn if it's right for you and how to start.

Join us in welcoming Hannah Schrift, MD, and Michael Schrift, CRNP, to the UPMC Western Maryland General Surgery team.

Dr. Schrift earned her medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, Arizona. She completed a general surgery residency at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania and completed a trauma and surgical critical care fellowship at Reading Hospital Tower Health in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Michael received his bachelor's degree in kinesiology and health sciences from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia and his master's degree in nursing from DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania.

For more information about general surgery services at UPMC Western Maryland, call 240-964-8990.

Recovering from a stroke can take a long time. If you or someone you love has had a stroke, here’s what you need to know about chronic stroke and recovery.

Chronic Stroke and Stroke Recovery | UPMC HealthBeat Recovering from a stroke can take a long time. If you or someone you love has had a stroke, here's what you need to know about chronic stroke and recovery.

Allison Lutz, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian at UPMC Western Maryland, was recently a guest on WCBC Radio. She shared that the terms registered dietitian and nutritionist may seem interchangeable, but the term “nutritionist” on its own may be a red flag.

“There really aren’t any regulations on using the term nutritionist, so it could be somebody that just has an interest in nutrition, or maybe someone who has taken a short course. It is not safe for patients to receive their nutritional guidance from anyone who has not completed the complex training to become a registered dietitian,” explained Allison.

If you are interested in learning about nutrition services at UPMC Western Maryland, visit https://www.wmhs.com/nutrition-services/.

Day two of this month's Past Perfect sale, the WMHS Auxiliary volunteers paused to frame a check that illustrates the difference they have made for UPMC Western Maryland's Emergency and Critical Care services. Betty Jo Gehauf, chair of the Emergency Services Fund and Past Perfect (standing on the ladder next to the check) says she's "proud of this little boutique, proud of the volunteers who work here, and super proud of the customers who contribute and help us to purchase emergency equipment." To date, the Auxiliary's Emergency Services fund has contributed more than $320,000 to the hospital. Past Perfect also blesses the community, with affordable, upscale clothing. Stop out tomorrow, 10-1, or click the link for future sale dates. So grateful for the WMHS Auxiliary and such a generous donation of time and talents! https://www.wmhs.com/foundation/ways-to-give/auxiliary-membership/past-perfect-bargain-boutique/ 👜

During Nurses Week, we’re celebrating the compassion, joy, and dedication our nurses share every day. This week and always, we recognize the impact that you have on our entire organization. THANK YOU for making our community a happier, healthier place! 💜 💜

We want to hear about how nurses have gone above and beyond in your life. Has there been a nurse at UPMC Western Maryland that has positively impacted your life? Share a story, send a thank you, or write a note of appreciation and tag a nurse you know.

Thank you to nurses everywhere!

Join us in congratulating Shannon Donoway, RN, for being named the April Values in Action Award winner. An employee since 2013, Shannon is an improvement specialist in our Quality Department.

Shannon is described as an exceptional employee who goes above and beyond for her colleagues. She mentors new employees and helps them to develop their skills to look for ways to improve quality and safety. She is dedicated to providing the best outcomes for patients. Life changing is...supporting patient care.

Thank you, Shannon, for the essential contribution you make as part of our UPMC Western Maryland team.

UPMC Western Maryland was awarded an “A” in the Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2024 Hospital Safety Grades for providing safe, high-quality care to our patients.

“This honor covers every area of our hospital and showcases to our community that we are amongst the best in the country when delivering on patient safety," said David Burwell, MD, chief quality officer, UPMC in West Central Pa. and Maryland.

To read the full release, visit https://go.upmc.com/2320btG1i.

UPMC Western Maryland recently opened a general surgery practice at the Western Maryland Medical Arts Center. This new practice brings together the familiar faces of longtime providers while welcoming a new doctor and nurse practitioner to our community. Pictured below (left to right) are Michael Stasko, MD; Milton Lum, MD; Roy Chisholm, MD; Wendi Shillingburg, PA-C; Hannah Schrift, MD; and Michael Schrift, CRNP.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 240-964-8990.