Annual Report 2005
Grand Things Are Happening in Health Care

Dr. Kelly Kiernan Grand View Medical Practices, Family Practice
	Annual Report 2005
	Letter from the Chairmen
	Expansion and Renovation
	Cardiology
	Surgery
	Cancer
	Women’s Health
	Research
	Choosing the Right Doctor
	Working at Grand View Hospital
	Awards
	Financial Summary
	Expanding The Vision Campaign
	Development
	Annual Giving
	Mission

Women's Health

WOMEN PHYSICIANS are Changing the Face of Medicine
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a question kids are asked all the time. Whether they actually go on to fulfill their dreams, the possibilities seem endless — regardless of gender.

Consider medicine. Since 1975, the percentage of female doctors has jumped from 9% to 25%. Women have already taken over some specialties, such as pediatrics, and they’re moving into internal medicine, primary care, psychiatry, dermatology, and obstetrics and gynecology. For the first time ever, in 2003-2004, the number of women applying to medical school surpassed the number of men: 50.8% of applicants were women; 49.2% were men.

How does this ever increasing number of female physicians affect the health-care industry? According to experts, medicine is generally becoming more patient-friendly. Family practice physician Dr. Neil Mathews suggests that female physicians are often more empathetic, compassionate and nurturing than their male counterparts, which is appealing to many patients. Having both male and female physicians provides balance and offers patients choices.

The influx of women into medicine is also helping to encourage part-time work and allay a looming shortage of doctors. Female physicians are more likely to work in teams, provide care for the poor and accept institutional jobs with shorter hours. These factors contribute to lower health-care costs, experts say.

Many women doctors are rebelling against the extremely long hours often associated with the field. They’re looking to combine career and family and aren’t willing to sacrifice completely in favor of their profession. In a recent survey of graduating pediatric residents, 58% of females and 15% of males said they had a strong interest in part-time work. Today, just 15% of pediatricians work part-time.

The trend of women physicians spending less time at work and more time at home is positive. Their lives are in balance, they’re serving in the highest ranks of the medical profession, and they’re offering new examples as roles for women today.

Redecorated GVH Pediatric Unit

Putting Kids in the Picture
Imagine how scary a hospital setting can be for a child. Wanting to create a cheery, kid-friendly atmosphere for their little patients, GVH’s pediatric staff members decided to redecorate the Pediatrics Unit. They had the walls painted in lively colors and embellished them with welcoming wooden cutouts – such as fishes, flowers and frogs...Yet again, the Grand View staff proves its commitment to patients.

One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.

What is DEXA Bone Density Scanning?
State-of-the-art, dual-energy X-ray absorptometry (DEXA) equipment produces accurate bone density measurements by generating a narrowly focused X-ray beam to detect early bone loss of the hip and spine. A technologist, an expert in the use of the equipment, uses a very low dose of radiation to perform this quick and painless exam.

Osteoporosis Consultations
Osteoporosis consultations are available by appointment for those who want more information on issues related to osteoporosis, including DEXA bone density scan results, medications, calcium-rich foods and exercise. To make an appointment, call: 215-513-3910.

Grand Things Are Happening in Pennsburg
The Grand View Hospital Outpatient Center at Pennsburg is one more way we’re expanding our health services to the community. Fully owned and operated by GVH, The Grand View Hospital Outpatient Center at Pennsburg offers patients the most advanced mammography technology (see page 7) as well as DEXA bone density scanning (see page 9) to identify osteoporosis.

Other offerings at Pennsburg include laboratory services, EKG and imaging (including X-ray). Drs. Elizabeth Hamilton and Jennifer Landes of Grand View Medical Practices provide OB/GYN services four days a week. Health-related lectures, events and classes will be available this winter.

For your convenience, the Grand View Hospital Outpatient Center at Pennsburg offers expanded hours: Monday from 8 am to 8 pm and Tuesday - Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. To make an appointment, call: 215-679-0640.

Pediatrics & the CHOP Connection
To most parents, nothing is more precious than their children. To provide outstanding care for kids in our community, Grand View Hospital and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have created the CHOP Connection, an innovative program that provides an enhanced level of inpatient pediatric care and outpatient pediatric specialty.

Twenty-four hours a day, 7 days a week, a CHOP pediatrician is available to youngsters in our 16-bed, inpatient pediatric unit, and pediatricians on the unit have the advantage of telephone consultations with pediatric specialists at CHOP. To provide continuity in care, CHOP pediatricians remain in constant communication with your child’s primary pediatrician or family practitioner.

Up Close & Personal
Laura Russo (left) and her husband looked toward the anticipated arrival of their baby with excitement. Then suddenly, they were thrust into the realization that Laura was in labor, weeks before her due date. To add to their distress, they soon learned that Baby Derek was born with a heart murmur. Fortunately, their story has a happy ending – the trio left the hospital safe and sound. Despite their challenges, Laura describes her experience as “wonderful.”

“Everyone at Grand View was fantastic. The nurses put my mind at ease and said all the right things. During labor, I practiced the techniques I learned at the hospital’s
childbirth classes.”

“When we learned Derek had a heart murmur, I panicked. Thankfully, CHOP pediatricians explained everything to my husband and me, so we knew what was happening.”

“Once Derek was released from the hospital, a visiting nurse came to our home twice to check on us. Grand View was so organized, it was one great experience after another.”