Einstein Health

Six residents from Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital's Internal Medicine residency program showcased their research at the annual CHEST meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Boston, presenting posters on a variety of critical care and cardiology topics.

It’s spooky season in the NICU at Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital. Our adorable trick-or-treaters prove that being small doesn't mean you can't celebrate in style! 🎃👻

Early detection is key—our Lung Cancer Screening Program at Jefferson Health uses low-dose CT scans to find lung cancer at a stage when cure is likely. https://bit.ly/4eRwkiw

Mary Ann Ragusa had planned a career in the travel industry that would have enabled her to see the world.

“I had a cousin who was a flight attendant, and she used to travel all over, and take her family,” Ragusa says. “I thought that would be nice.”

Instead, Ragusa’s career has unfolded in the confines of Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital where she’s worked for 45 years. And she’s gratified it worked out that way.

When Ragusa started work in Human Resources in 1979, she’d planned to stay a few months until classes began at a school that trains students for jobs in hotels, airlines and the travel industry. She’d already been accepted and paid her deposit.

But then the gas crisis struck and Ragusa’s father discouraged her from going to travel school.

“He said ‘Nobody’s traveling anymore,’” Ragusa says. “So I decided to stay. I even lost my deposit at the school.”

Luckily, Ragusa “really liked my job,” she says. “I liked the people I worked with.”

Ragusa transitioned from her initial job as a secretary to Worker’s Compensation Coordinator, a job she relished for 30 years.

She processed claims “in a timely way so that there was no headache on the employee’s part.” When a decision was made to transfer Worker’s Comp from Human Resources to the Occupational Health Department, Ragusa went with it.

In 2023, she returned to Human Resources as an HR generalist, in which she makes sure employees licenses and certifications are up to date, prepares paperwork for new employees, and for inspections, and does other clerical tasks.

It isn’t as romantic as traveling the world, perhaps. But Ragusa is gratified that it worked out this way.

“If I had moved away, my dad would have been alone now,” Ragusa says.

Her father is 91. Her sister lives in California and her mother passed away in 2010.

“I go over there every Monday after work, and I usually meet him in church on Saturdays,”she says.

“Things happen the way they’re supposed to.”

While breast cancer affects one in eight women, over 80% of those diagnosed have no family history. Dr. Jason Shames busts the myths about mammograms, emphasizing that annual mammograms starting at age 40 provide the best chance for early detection and successful treatment. https://bit.ly/4e4BaIl

Yes, You Need a Mammogram Every Year: Debunking the Myths | Jefferson Health Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early. Radiology Dr. Jason Shames breaks down why people over 40 should be screened annually.

Is that scratchy throat allergies, a cold, or something more serious? Dr. John Zurlo breaks down the key differences between allergies, the common cold, COVID, and the flu. https://bit.ly/3UljelD

How to Tell the Difference Between Allergies, Cold/Flu and COVID | Jefferson Health Woke up feeling less than your best? From allergies to COVID to colds, here’s how to tell what illness you may have.

Congratulations to Florence Pena, medical assistant at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, for receiving the September 2024 Mission Moment Award. Florence was recognized for going above and beyond, showing her dedication to our patients and their family members.

Florence, affectionately known as Flo, is being recognized for her exceptional work during the recent flu shot clinic at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia. With 10 years of dedicated service under her belt, Flo truly embodies the spirit of our organization.

On the first day of the Flu Compliance initiative, Flo's bubbly personality and positive energy made a significant impact. She went above and beyond to engage with staff, ensuring everyone felt comfortable and cared for. Whether it was helping colleagues set up or providing a reassuring hand to those who were feeling anxious, Flo's compassionate approach created a welcoming environment.

Her commitment to making the flu shot experience as smooth and timely as possible did not go unnoticed. Thank you, Flo, for your hard work and for always bringing joy to those around you. We’re lucky to have you on our team!

Having dense breasts can make detecting breast cancer more challenging. Dr. Kristin Brill, enterprise director of Breast Oncology at Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson, explains how additional screening methods like ultrasound and MRI can help ensure thorough breast cancer detection. https://bit.ly/3Yx3Uos

How Breast Cancer Screening Differs for People with Dense Breasts | Jefferson Health Dense breast tissue heightens your risk of breast cancer and may require additional screenings to supplement your annual mammogram.

Worried about losing muscle while intermittent fasting? Kate Gdovin, a physician assistant certified in obesity and weight management, explains how to maintain muscle mass with the right mix of diet and exercise during your weight loss journey. https://bit.ly/3UjBr2S

Intermittent Fasting Can Lead to Muscle Loss, But It Doesn’t Have to – Here’s Why | Jefferson Health Recent studies have revealed that intermittent fasting can lead to the loss of lean muscle mass – a concern for some who follow the popular dieting method, particularly to “get in shape.”

Do you know what can affect birth control effectiveness? OB/GYN Dr. Bethany Perry debunks common myths and explains what truly impacts contraceptives like birth control pills, patches, and rings.

Antibiotics, Weight Loss Drugs, Lifestyle… What Actually Impacts the Effectiveness of Birth Control? | Jefferson Health Do you know what can mess with your birth control? From antibiotics to weight loss drugs and everything in between, an OB/GYN explains the true effects and the importance of taking birth control consistently.

Dr. Archit Naik, MD, Breast Surgical Oncologist from Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson, joins 6abc Action News to discuss common breast cancer myths and dispel misconceptions about mammograms, hormone replacement therapy, and breast cancer treatments.

Dispelling common breast cancer myths Jefferson Health's Breast Care team brings together the region's leading cancer specialists and breast surgeons dedicated to creating advanced treatment plans with precision medicine, innovative trials, continued education and support resources.

Drs. Marguerite Dunham and Ramsey Dallal discuss how cannabis use prior to bariatric surgery can increase the risk of developing cannabis use disorder post-surgery. They also share guidance on how patients can adjust their cannabis use to improve surgical outcomes and ensure long-term success. https://bit.ly/3YrXoPU

Here’s How Cannabis Can Affect the Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery | Jefferson Health How to get the most out of your bariatric surgery and navigate cannabis use before and after surgery for successful outcomes.

Dr. Eric Sachinwalla appeared on CBS Philadelphia to discuss the recent listeria outbreak and the risks it poses, especially to high-risk groups like the elderly and pregnant women. https://cbsn.ws/4h5GU7o

Nearly 200 Philadelphia schools impacted by meat and poultry recall, district says The School District of Philadelphia says nearly 200 schools were impacted by a meat and poultry recall due to possible listeria contamination.

REMINDER: Join us tomorrow for an OB/GYN Open House at Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital! Meet our new providers, take home valuable resources for your family, and sign up for tours and programs. Click here to reserve your spot: https://bit.ly/3Nssi4n

When she was a young teen, Becky Storbrauck often spent her free time reading books in the Cherry Ames “Student Nurse” series and paging through her mother’s medical textbooks.

That’s how far back she envisioned the contours of her future life.

“I always wanted to be a nurse,” says Storbrauck – who’s spent the last 45 years at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital doing just that.

“I came from a family of medical professionals,” says Storbrauck, a clinical diabetes educator in the Nursing Education Professional Department.

“My grandfather was an eye, ear, nose and throat doctor in West Virginia. My grandmother was a registered nurse in a small hospital there, and my mother was a registered nurse.”

After graduating from the Albert Einstein School of Nursing in 1980, Storbrauck began her career at Einstein as a nurse on a medical floor. She later transferred to the cardiac care unit – and then found her passion as a diabetes educator.

For years, on the CCU, Storbrauck cared for critically ill patients whose heart attacks and strokes were linked to their diabetes. “That got me thinking about diabetes,” she says. What if she could help prevent those complications in the first place?

When she got the opportunity, Storbrauck left cardiac care and became a certified diabetes educator.

“To sit down and actually talk to the patients was so gratifying,” Storbrauck says. “In cardiac care, we couldn’t do a lot of teaching, our patients were so ill.”

In her current job, she teaches nurses “how to teach their patients on the basic diabetes skills for a safe discharge to home,” she says.

Among other responsibilities, she also spearheads the diabetes nurse resources committee and the Diabetes Interdisciplinary Committee.

Storbrauck also immediately embraced the opportunities afforded by the merger with Jefferson Health.

“I very quickly began attending meetings of their diabetes center and learned more about their diabetes practices,” she says. “And I’ve created a subgroup of educators from Jefferson; we meet once a month.”

Storbrauck left Einstein only briefly in the early 2000s to do home health care. “I was working 12-hour shifts and I had two young children,” she says. “I needed flexibility.”

But, a little more than three months later, as she puts it, “I came crawling back.”

“I missed Einstein,” she says. “Einstein was a second family to me.”

And, after 45 years, it still is.

While 70% of Americans use dietary supplements, they are not regulated before being sold, causing uncertainty about purity and dosage. Dr. Dina Halegoua-De Marzio shares the benefits, risks, and tips for making informed choices to support your health. https://bit.ly/3BMMtaH

How to Safely Incorporate Supplements into a Healthy Diet | Jefferson Health Understanding the benefits and risks of dietary supplements and tips for making informed choices.

Prostate cancer often develops without symptoms, making regular screenings crucial for early detection. Dr. Serge Ginzburg explains when to start getting screened, the different types of screenings available, and why knowing your risk factors is essential. https://bit.ly/4gT7uAy

Types of Prostate Cancer Screenings and Why They’re Important | Jefferson Health A urologist explains the different types of prostate cancer screenings, when you should start getting screened and why early detection is so important.

Can't sleep due to night sweats or hot flashes? Dr. Sandra Rappe explains how menopause symptoms can disrupt your sleep and offers practical tips to help you rest better. https://bit.ly/3zXlk48

Sleeping Hot: How to Sleep Well During Menopause | Jefferson Health If it happens during the day, a hot flash is uncomfortable. But when it happens at night, it can be disruptive to sleep. Here's how to treat the problem.

It's Hispanic Heritage Month! We're excited to hear from Felicita Gonzalez, Spanish Patient Navigator, at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital.

Q: What cultural values from your Hispanic/Latino background do you bring into your role as a healthcare professional?

A: As a healthcare professional with a Hispanic/Latino background I bring into my role respect for others and authority. I also bring personal character and integrity. As Latinos we are united through our family values, religion, generosity, and the acceptance of others. Advocating for our patient rights develops and strengthens patient/hospital relationships which aids in patient retention.

Q: Can you share a moment in your career where your Hispanic/Latino identity played a role in connecting with a patient or colleague?

A: As a Spanish patient navigator for the Jefferson/Einstein system being Hispanic myself has allowed me to assist many patients with accessing and navigating the health system. I helped a patient with cancer that had no health insurance obtain the care he needed. I personally accompanied this patient to the county assistance office to attempt to receive Emergency medical assistance. Even though the patient was denied these services due to his immigration status I didn't stop there. I continued until he was able to receive medical care. I reached out to Esperanza Health Center where the patient was received with opened arms. Patient has been so grateful that I didn't give up on him.

We are honored to announce that Dixieanne James, Regional President of Jefferson Health, has been awarded the prestigious Alice Paul Institute's Regional ERA Champion Award at their 40th Anniversary Gala at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality. Dixie's influential work has highlighted the urgent need for constitutional protections against gender-based discrimination, emphasizing that gender equity is a fundamental human right.

Thank you, Dixie, for your tireless advocacy and dedication to creating a more just and equitable society.

Considering fish oil supplements? Integrative medicine specialist Dr. Daniel Monti dives into the latest research, cautioning that while they may benefit some, they could increase the risk of conditions like AFib for others. https://bit.ly/4gXvQsK

Are Fish Oil Supplements Right for You? For Some, They May Do More Harm than Good | Jefferson Health A recent study suggests that high doses of fish oil may increase heart-related risks for people without heart disease.

Family medicine physician Dr. Robert Danoff shares key tips to keep your brain sharp as you age, including staying social, doing brain workouts, and getting enough sleep and hydration.

8 Ways to Train Your Brain: How to Keep Your Mind in Tip-Top Shape | Jefferson Health Our brains need just as much exercise as our bodies. Here are some ways to prevent memory and cognition problems as you age.