St. Luke's University Health Network

Latch Day is Friday, August 2, 2024! Join us to promote and support the benefits of breastfeeding for all moms and babies. Lactation specialists will be onsite to answer questions and provide information about services available at St. Luke’s Baby & Me Support Center. Refreshments will be served. The event begins at 11:00 am at 1425 Eighth Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Space is limited at this free event, so registration is required. For more information and to register, call 484-526-2229 (BABY) or visit: https://go.sluhn.org/4daCkSy

Julia Tolentino, MD, is rooted in the history of Temple/St. Luke’s School of Medicine at St. Luke’s University Hospital, and now, as the first female colorectal surgeon with St. Luke's, she is welcoming patients to the Network that educated her at St. Luke’s Colon & Re**al Surgery. She is a prime example of St. Luke’s remarkable efforts to train and recruit doctors and specialists amid a national physician shortage. The Temple/St. Luke’s School of Medicine is the Lehigh Valley’s first and only four-year medical school. Read more: https://go.sluhn.org/3Lxaswe

Iliza Martinez-Mondschein, a new mom from Bethlehem, couldn’t be more grateful for a timely infusion of Miller-Keystone Blood after giving birth to her son. St. Luke’s continues its unwavering commitment as the only local health network to identify Miller-Keystone as its primary blood supplier. Without this support, the Lehigh Valley could run out of blood to provide lifesaving care, particularly during a blood shortage or other crisis. Learn more: https://go.sluhn.org/4d5JjMy

Miller-Keystone Blood Center

Imagine an easy, no-cost test that could identify your risk for cancer. It’s already a reality! Nick Lumi, age 38, from Nazareth, recently learned through the St. Luke’s DNA Answers community health research program that he carries a gene variant associated with Lynch syndrome. Armed with this powerful information, he can now take preventive measures to guard against certain types of cancer, most notably colorectal cancer. Learn how to get screened for your genetic risk by enrolling in DNA Answers: https://go.sluhn.org/4d0S9Ln

www.slhn.org

Nominate St. Luke's in the Times News Readers' Choice Awards! Nominations are open until 7/25. Show us that you're in various categories, including emergency room, family doctor, general surgery, best place to work and more! Vote here: https://go.sluhn.org/46bgLz4

Times News Lehighton

Check out this delicious recipe from “The Heart of Cooking” by St. Luke's Cardiologist, Dwithiya K. Thomas, MD, FACC to satisfy your sweet cravings with this simple, yet creamy dessert containing natural sugars.

Our St. Luke’s mobile medical van team is to provide a consistent connection to care to our Allentown School District students and families. Pictured is a graduating senior who has been supported by the van team since 6th grade. We are excited to see her continue her educational journey by attending community college in the fall!

ICYMI: Dr. John Manubay, Family Medicine Physician, was featured on this recent segment of Channel 69’s Community Connection. Dr. Manubay discussed the opening of the new Spring Township Health Center and his connection to the Reading area community. Click here to see what you missed: https://go.sluhn.org/4fmSj1Z

On March 1, 2018, Sacred Heart HealthCare System joins St. Luke’s University Health Network. The addition of Sacred Heart – which includes Sacred Heart Hospital in downtown Allentown, Pa., primary care centers at ten sites throughout the Lehigh Valley and senior housing services, further positions the Network to continue as the Lehigh Valley’s leading provider of the highest quality care at the lowest cost. Learn more: https://go.sluhn.org/3TIqqZI

Sleep and mental wellness – how are they related? Can sleepless nights lead to loneliness? What should I do if I wake up and can’t get back to sleep? What is sleep hygiene? Tune in to the latest episode of “Just STARt the Conversation” as Kimberly Adams, St. Luke’s Psychotherapist answers these questions and so many more as she talks with hosts Jody McCloud Missmer, St. Luke’s Network Administrator of Behavioral Health, and WLEV’s Kevin Crockett about the importance of sleep, when to talk with your doctor if you aren’t sleeping, and the importance of being kind to yourself when it comes to your sleep. Listen now and check out the comments for a few resources mentioned during the podcast: https://go.sluhn.org/3LeNKJ2

100.7 WLEV

For the past eight decades, Grace Carr has either trained, worked or volunteered at the hospital, now St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Campus, a journey of many years and memories, both personal and professional. Carr (nee’ Malloy), who turned 97 on July 4, still volunteers each Wednesday at the hospital. Read more about her story: https://go.sluhn.org/46dzASi

It's hot out there! Be sure your kids know the signs of heat-related illness: weakness and dizziness, hand swelling, nausea and cramps. They should drink plenty of water and take breaks during physical activity - including organized sports -and let parents, chaperones and coaches know when they're not feeling well. St. Luke's Pediatrics - keeping your child happy and healthy!

St. Luke's Sacred Heart Campus recently presented a DAISY Award to Carol Natalie, RN, from the Acute Rehabilitation Center (ARC). "Carol is the most kind, caring, compassionate, thoughtful and good-hearted nurse whom I was honored to be treated by. Nothing was too much for her in my care. I had a right hip replacement and was in a lot of pain for most of my stay, and getting around took a lot of time and patience. Carol was there for me every step of the way. She helped me manage my pain and every time I rang my call bell, she was there in no time to assist me. Time was not a factor for her, and she was always there to ask me what I needed and how I was feeling. I am honored to have been cared for by Carol and thankful for her skills as a nurse. I nominate her for the love of her profession. Thank you."

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. St. Luke's is proud to be a DAISY Award hospital partner, celebrating one of our nurses with this special honor. To nominate an extraordinary nurse, click here: https://go.sluhn.org/3KgC6gj

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) visited Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley in South Bethlehem Monday, personally thanking St. Luke’s Network Director of Community Workforce Development Victoria Montero for leading the effort to secure a $350,000 workforce development grant. “We are going to help people get jobs,” Casey said. “This is about knocking down barriers to employment.” Read more: https://go.sluhn.org/464ftG2

We are to have been the presenting Spartan sponsor for the 3rd year in a row this weekend! Over 200 St. Luke’s employees braved the heat and rain and participated in the Spartan Race at Blue Mountain Resort. Congratulations to all the participants and team St. Luke’s who represented us in kids’ races, 5ks and 10ks.

Blue Mountain Resort
Spartan

Tina and Rich Hasselbusch were grateful for the care that their son, Will, received from our St. Luke’s pediatric team in the weeks and months following his car accident. They recently provided funding to purchase specialized ventilation equipment that will be used in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Bethlehem. Tina, Rich and Will visited St. Luke’s to thank members of his care team and see the equipment in person. Pictured with the Hasselbusch family are Dr. Nicholas Grim, pediatric orthopedics; Dr. Chris Plymire, PICU medical director; Jessika Haynos, Vice President, Pediatrics; Stephanie Schweder-Kratzer and Kelly Chando, Directors of Development.

ICYMI: Physical Therapy Spine Program Director Giovanni Stracco, DPT, was featured on this recent segment of Channel 69’s Community Connection. Giovanni discussed Physical Therapy for neck and back pain. Click here to see what you missed: https://go.sluhn.org/3VXqd4l

Physical Therapy at St. Luke's

When life brings unexpected things your way, the team at St. Luke's Children's Hospital, The Isaacman Family St. Luke's Children's ER and St. Luke's Emergency Transport Services, and in collaboration with local EMS providers, will be ready to provide the best care to your child. At St. Luke's, we help kids and parents feel better. Learn more: https://go.sluhn.org/4eTMmt7

Vote now for St. Luke's as your preferred health care provider in the 2024 Pocono Community's Choice Awards! Voting is open until July 15. Cast your vote for St. Luke's in multiple categories, including Cancer Clinic/Hospital, Family Practice, Orthopedic Center, Place to Work, and more! Vote here: https://go.sluhn.org/3LkCFpJ

Special thanks to LyondellBasell employees from Allentown, PA, who provided adorable stuffed-animal Comfort Buddies to Gretchen Duffy, St. Luke’s child life services coordinator, and the pediatric team for patients at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Bethlehem. LyonellBasell employees hand-stuffed these Comfort Buddies during a team-building exercise. The animals also came with custom t-shirts and included cards containing messages of hope and encouragement to provide comfort for the children during their hospital stay.

Tune in to WDIY's Active Lehigh Valley program on 88.1 FM this evening at 6:00 pm to listen to host Mike Drabenstott's conversation with Rob Neitz, manager of the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center. Rob shares the endless exploration and fun available at PA State Parks, detailing those closer to the Lehigh Valley as well as some parks that require a bit of a drive but shouldn't be missed! Active Lehigh Valley is sponsored by St. Luke’s University Health Network. Can't listen live? Check out https://go.sluhn.org/3wQzhiJ to catch up on any episode!

WDIY 88.1 FM

We are to recognize Abigail Rakos as the newest DAISY award winner at St. Luke's Miners Campus. Abigail was nominated by a patient who shared that "Nurse Rakos demonstrated every key element of care and service that a patient would want when faced with the struggle to get well. She was always there to listen, which shows her compassion for everyone in her care. Abigail took time to see me as a real person, not just another patient. Nurse Abigail Rakos is a valuable asset for St. Luke's in every way. I personally want to thank her for making my stay easier."

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. St. Luke's is proud to be a DAISY Award hospital partner, celebrating one of our nurses with this special honor. Nominate an extraordinary nurse today: https://go.sluhn.org/4e55iok

Mountain View Vineyard held their 2nd Annual Ribbon Run on June 2 for cancer survivors and their families and friends. The event supports a different cancer cause within our community. This year, the focus was breast cancer awareness with proceeds going to the Cancer Care Fund for the St. Luke’s Monroe Regional Breast Center. The race raised $10,000!

Mountain View Vineyard, Winery, Brewery & Distillery

St. Luke’s Emergency and Transport Service (SLETS) is now able to carry whole blood on its specialized critical care transport (CCT) ambulances. “Our Critical Care Transport teams comprised of an experienced critical care pre-hospital registered nurse, a critical care paramedic and our highly trained EMTs are a natural fit to provide this service,” Chris Zukowski, BSN, RN, of St. Luke’s Emergency and Transport Services, said. “Having whole blood will be another tool that our team can use to save lives.” Learn more: https://go.sluhn.org/3W06S2e