HAZLETON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

LEHIGH VALLEY PHYSICIAN GROUP - HAZLETON (LVPG-H) WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2006 AS AN AFFILIATE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL - HAZLETON (PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS HAZLETON GENERAL HOSPITAL). AS A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION WHICH SUPPORTS BOTH THE LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL - HAZLETON (LVH-H) AND LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK, LVPG-H OFFERS PHYSICIAN PRACTICES IN CARDIOLOGY, FAMILY AND INTERNAL MEDICINE, HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY, ENDOCRINOLOGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES, PULMONOLOGY, NEUROLOGY, GENERAL AND SPECIALTY SURGERY, ORTHOPEDICS, PEDIATRICS, PHYSIATRY, AND UROLOGY. LVPG-H IS DEDICATED TO SERVING OUR PATIENTS THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF HIGH QUALITY AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE.WITH A CURRENT COMPLIMENT OF OVER 40 PHYSICIANS AND OVER 30 ADVANCED PRACTICE CLINICIANS, LVPG-H OPERATES AS A SINGLE ENTITY WITH SERVICES PROVIDED AT NUMEROUS LOCATIONS WITHIN THE TRI-COUNTY AREA. CONTINUED RECRUITMENT AND GROWTH ARE A FOCUS, WITH THE PURPOSE OF DELIVERING THE BEST RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. DURING FY24, LVPG-H PRACTICES HAD GREATER THAN 208,000 PATIENT VISITS.PATIENT CARE PROGRAMS:LVPG-H OFFERS A CONTINUUM OF HEALTH CARE PROMOTION, PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT TO THE COMMUNITY. OUTPATIENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND ARE A PART OF A HEALTHCARE NETWORK ESTABLISHED BY LVPG-H AND LVH-H TO MEET THE MEDICAL AND SURGICAL NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE LUZERNE AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES. RECENTLY, A NEW CANCER CENTER WAS OPENED IN AUGUST 2023, AFFILIATED WITH THE LEHIGH VALLEY TOPPER CANCER INSTITUTE. THIS FACILITY INCLUDES RADIATION ONCOLOGY SERVICES, HEMATOLOGY / ONCOLOGY OFFICES, INFUSION SERVICES, SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY, A MULTIDISCIPLINARY CLINIC, ALONG WITH CANCER RISK AND GENETIC ASSESSMENT APPOINTMENTS. THE INFUSION SUITE HAS PRIVATE BAYS, WITH RECLINING CHAIRS AND MASSAGE CAPABILITIES TO OFFER OUR PATIENTS THE MOST COMFORT POSSIBLE. INFANTS/CHILDREN/YOUNG ADULTS:THROUGH OUR PATIENT-CENTERED & INTEGRATION OF CARE PHILOSOPHY INCLUDING STATE-OF-THE-ART DIAGNOSTIC AND MEDICAL DECISION-MAKING TECHNIQUES, LVPG-H PROVIDES SUPERIOR OUTPATIENT PEDIATRIC MEDICAL CARE. A TEAM OF PHYSICIANS AND SUBSPECIALISTS COLLABORATE TO ENSURE ACCESS AND OPTIMAL OUTCOMES IN COMMUNITY AND HOSPITAL SETTINGS. PRIMARY CARE:PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AND APCS PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE, COORDINATED CARE TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN. WE FOCUS ON A HIGH-VALUE, PATIENT-CENTERED APPROACH BASED IN LONGITUDINAL RELATIONSHIPS. OUR CARE MODEL INCLUDES SAME-DAY ILLNESS AND INJURY CARE, COMPLEX DISEASE MANAGEMENT, CHRONIC CARE MANAGEMENT, AND PREVENTIVE CARE. WE ACCEPT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PATIENTS, OFFER VFC AT ALL OUR LOCATIONS THAT SERVE THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION, AND PROMOTE AN EQUITABLE, SAFE, AND FRIENDLY CARE ENVIRONMENT FOR PATIENTS OF ALL DEMOGRAPHICS. OUR PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO CARE THROUGH IN-PERSON VISITS AND TELEHEALTH BOTH TO THEIR ESTABLISHED PRIMARY CARE CLINICIAN AS WELL AS TO EXPRESSCARE AND SPECIALTY CARE. THIS TECHNOLOGY CREATES A PARADIGM OF ENHANCED ACCESS IN A CONVENIENT MANNER.WE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL PROGRAMS WHICH ENHANCE THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY. WE OFFER A PHYSICIAN-LED LITERACY PROGRAM CALLED "REACH OUT AND READ," THROUGH WHICH CHILDREN VISITING A PARTICIPATING PRACTICE RECEIVE AN AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOK DURING THEIR ANNUAL WELL-CHILD VISIT. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE LEHIGH VALLEY TOPPER CANCER INSTITUTE, WE HAVE INCREASED RATES OF LUNG CANCER SCREENING INCLUDING EFFORTS TO REDUCE DISPARITIES IN SCREENING RATES. OUR LINKAGE TO ADDICTION TREATMENT & OPIOID STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM HAS CONTINUED TO SUPPORT OUR PRACTICES IN PROVIDING MEDICATIONS FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER (MOUD) ACROSS 7 COUNTIES. MANY OF THESE PATIENTS FACE INTENSE BARRIERS TO CARE SUCH AS CHRONIC HOMELESS, PAST INCARCERATION, AND UNDERTREATED MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.OUR PRACTICES ARE HIGHLY ENGAGED IN EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE SKILL DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY CARE NURSE PRACTITIONERS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS, AND PHYSICIANS. THIS EDUCATION INCLUDES PARTNERSHIPS WITH MANY LOCAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AS WELL AS THE PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. OUR PRACTICES ALSO SUPPORT LOCAL NURSING HOMES, SCHOOL SPORTS, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.LVPG-H PHYSICIANS AND APCS PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE, COORDINATED CARE TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO CARE AT THE TIME OF NEED, FOCUS ON PREVENTION AND CHRONIC ILLNESS MANAGEMENT AND PROVIDE COORDINATION AMONG SPECIALISTS AND SERVICE LINES. IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL OFFICE CARE, OUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY IN MANY WAYS, INCLUDING OFFERING NURSING HOME COVERAGE AND SCHOOL SPORTS COVERAGE. OUR ONGOING RECRUITMENT OF PHYSICIANS AND APCS INCREASES OUR ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS IN THE AREA.MEDICAL SPECIALTIES:LVPG PROVIDES A BROAD RANGE OF MEDICAL SPECIALTY ACCESS TO THE HAZLETON COMMUNITY. PHYSICIANS FROM ENDOCRINOLOGY, BARIATRIC MEDICINE, AND THE HEPATITIS CARE CENTER REGULARLY PROVIDE OUTPATIENT SERVICES TO THE HAZLETON COMMUNITY. STARTING IN OCTOBER 2023, RHEUMATOLOGY HIRED A FULL-TIME PHYSICIAN DEDICATED TO THE HAZLETON AND SCHUYLKILL REGION. THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY FULL-TIME RHEUMATOLOGIST TO PROVIDE SERVICES SPECIFIC TO THE HAZLETON MARKET. IN JANUARY 2024, PULMONOLOGY RETURNED TO THE HAZLETON AREA FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC. THE NEW PULMONARY OUTPATIENT OFFICE WAS OPENED WITHIN THE NEWLY OPENED TOPPER CANCER CENTER ON THE CAMPUS OF LVH HAZLETON. MULTIPLE PULMONOLOGISTS SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO SERVICES FOUR DAYS PER WEEK IN THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART OUTPATIENT FACILITY. ACCESS TO SPECIALTY CARE AND COLLABORATION WITH THE EVER-GROWING LVPG PRIMARY CARE COLLEAGUES IN HAZLETON IS VITAL TO PROVIDING EXCELLENT PATIENT OUTCOMES TO THE COMMUNITY.ECONSULT PROGRAM:AS PART OF THE ECONSULT PROGRAM, LVPG-H CLINICIANS CAN POSE NON-URGENT QUESTIONS REGARDING THEIR PATIENTS TO THEIR SPECIALIST COLLEAGUES ACROSS MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES. REQUESTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FORMALLY INCORPORATED INTO THE EMR AND ARE INCLUDED IN THE PATIENT'S MEDICAL RECORD. THE AVAILABILITY OF SPECIALISTS ACROSS THE AMBULATORY LANDSCAPE HAS IMPROVED ACCESS AND ENHANCED CONTINUITY OF CARE. ADULT ECONSULT SERVICES INCLUDE ADDICTION MEDICINE, ANTICOAGULATION MANAGEMENT, CARDIOLOGY, DISABILITY SUPPORT, ENDOCRINOLOGY, ENT, GERIATRICS, GYNECOLOGY, HEMATOLOGY, HIV/PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS, INFECTIOUS DISEASES, LONG COVID, MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (DIAGNOSTIC ADVICE), NEUROLOGY, ORTHOPEDICS, PAIN MANAGEMENT, PULMONOLOGY, PSYCHIATRY, RHEUMATOLOGY, TOXICOLOGY AND UROLOGY. OUR PEDIATRIC ECONSULT PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES ENDOCRINOLOGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASE, GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEMATOLOGY. INPATIENT MEDICINE ALSO LIVE WITH ECONSULTS.HOSPICE SERVICES:HOSPICE SERVICES ARE OFFERED WITHIN THE HAZLETON MARKET, INCLUDING HOSPICE INPATIENT LEVEL OF CARE CAPABILITIES. THE PROGRAM EXCEEDED THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN ALL 9 OF 9 PUBLICLY REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURES.NEUROSCIENCES:NEUROLOGY CARE IS AVAILABLE THROUGH LVPG-H BOTH IN THE OUTPATIENT SETTING AND ACUTE AND IP NEUROLOGY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL TELENEUROLOGY AND TELESTROKE SERVICES. UPDATES FROM THE PAST YEAR INCLUDE:- CHRIS MCBRIDE, LOCAL RESIDENT, AND SUGARLOAF BASEBALL COACH SHARED HIS STORY LOCALLY ABOUT EXPERIENCING THE SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE AND THE FAST-ACTING TREATMENT AND INTERVENTION HE RECEIVED BY THE HAZLETON STROKE AND ED TEAMS.- LVHN IS NOW OFFERING THE INSPIRE MASKLESS SYSTEM FOR TREATING SLEEP APNEA BY CLINICIANS IN PULMONOLOGY, ENT, AND NEUROLOGY IN HAZLETON. - BASED ON QUALITY AND REGULATION STANDARDS BY THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, HAZLETON RECEIVED THE AHA/GWTG STROKE GOLD PLUS AWARD FOR PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS MADE THE STROKE HONOR ROLL.ALL HOSPITALS HAVE TRANSITIONED FROM IV ALTEPLASE TO IV TENECTEPLASE (TNK). IN ADDITION TO BEST PRACTICE CRITERIA, THIS TRANSITION OFFERS A 30% COST-SAVINGS TO THE ORGANIZATION.IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEURO REHAB, THE VIVISTIM FUNCTIONAL NEUROSURGERY BEGAN IN DECEMBER 2023, WHICH IS A SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE STILL EXPERIENCING UPPER EXTREMITY WEAKNESS FOLLOWING A STROKE. OUR 6TH PATIENT WAS IMPLANTED IN AUGUST 2024.WE BEGAN ANTI-AMYLOID INFUSION THERAPY FOR BIOMARKER-POSITIVE MCI AND EARLY-ONSET ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. TO DATE, 10 PATIENTS FROM THE FLEMING MEMORY CENTER HAVE BEEN STARTED ON TREATMENT.OUR TEAM CONDUCTED THE 20TH ANNUAL STROKE SYMPOSIUM THROUGH BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PLATFORMS. THE EVENT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS AND HAD OVER 200 COLLECTIVE PARTICIPANTS ACROSS THE 2-DAY EVENT.