Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce News Newswire

St. Luke’s Earns National Recognition for Excellence in Stroke Care

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:02:13 GMT

St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) has once again earned national recognition from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for its commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based stroke care. Hospitals across the Network received 2026 Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus awards, along with multiple Target: Stroke, Target: Type 2 Diabetes^TM and Rural Stroke distinctions.

"These awards reflect the extraordinary dedication of our physicians, nurses, therapists, EMS partners and support teams across the Network," said Daniel Ackerman, MD, FAAN, Section Chief of Neurology and Director of Stroke and Vascular Neurology at St. Luke's University Health Network. "Every day, they work together to ensure that patients experiencing a stroke receive timely, evidence-based care that gives them the best opportunity for recovery."

Highlights of the 2026 Recognition

Nine St. Luke’s hospitals earned Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus recognition:

St. Luke’s Allentown Campus
St. Luke’s Anderson Campus
St. Luke’s University Hospital – Bethlehem
St. Luke’s Carbon Campus
St. Luke’s Easton Campus
St. Luke’s Miners Campus
St. Luke’s Monroe Campus
St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus
Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital

St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem received the Network’s highest distinction, earning Get With the Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognitions.

Eight St. Luke’s hospitals earned Get With the Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition:

St. Luke’s Anderson Campus
St. Luke’s Carbon Campus
St. Luke’s Grand View Campus
St. Luke’s Miners Campus
St. Luke’s Monroe Campus
St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus
St. Luke’s Warren Campus
Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital

St. Luke’s Allentown Campus and St. Luke’s Easton Campus earned Get With the Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition.

In addition, Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital and St. Luke’s Miners Campus received the Get With the Guidelines® - Rural Stroke Gold recognition, while St. Luke’s Monroe Campus earned the Get With the Guidelines® Rural Stroke Bronze recognition.

"These recognitions demonstrate the strength of our integrated stroke program and our commitment to providing consistent, high-quality care throughout the Network," Dr. Ackerman said. "Whether a patient is treated at one of our larger regional centers or a community hospital, they can expect the same focus on rapid diagnosis, advanced treatment and coordinated recovery services."

SLUHN earned these honors by meeting rigorous national standards for stroke diagnosis and treatment, including rapid intervention, adherence to evidence-based clinical guidelines and ongoing quality improvement initiatives. The awards recognize hospitals that demonstrate a sustained commitment to improving patient outcomes and reducing the long-term effects of stroke.

"Stroke care is a race against time," Dr. Ackerman said. "These awards recognize our continued investment in the people, technology and processes that allow us to deliver lifesaving care quickly and effectively."

Important Road Closure Update Along Geryville Pike in Marlborough Township

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:04:21 GMT

An official detour is being installed today to guide motorists around the closure. The closed portion of Geryville Pike extends from Hendricks Road to a point approximately half a mile from Finland Road. The detour directs traffic along Upper Ridge Road and then onto Finland Road.

To help drivers identify where the closure begins, signage has been posted at key locations. A sign at the intersection of Geryville Pike and Upper Ridge Road alerts motorists that the road will be closed 2.5 miles ahead. Another sign at Geryville Pike and Finland Road states that the closure is half a mile ahead.

Marlborough Township plans to complete work on its culvert on Monday (8/10), potentially continuing into Tuesday (8/11). Once that work is finished, Montgomery County expects its contractor to begin roadway restoration on Wednesday (8/12). Repairs are expected to continue through the end of the month, though this schedule may change depending on weather conditions.

St. Luke's Penn Foundation Hosts 5th Annual Recovery is for Everyone Walk

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:57:06 GMT

Join St. Luke's Penn Foundation 9 am Saturday, Sept. 19 for its 5th annual Recovery is for Everyone Walk in celebration of National Recovery Month.

Recovery Month is a national observance dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders while celebrating the strength and resilience of those in recovery. It also serves to reduce the stigma and misconceptions surrounding these conditions, helping to encourage individuals and families to seek the support they need.

The 1.7-mile walk will begin and end at the Hope Festival 26 site, located at 741 N. County Line Road in Souderton. The event is also recognized as an approved Get Your Tail on the Trail activity.

"Each year, the Recovery is for Everyone Walk brings together individuals, families, advocates and community partners to celebrate hope and healing," says Amy Maurizio, Director of Operations for Substance Use Disorder/Recovery, St. Luke’s Penn Foundation. "Recovery is possible for everyone, and this event serves as a powerful reminder that no one has to face mental health or substance use challenges alone. By walking together, we help raise awareness, reduce stigma, and show our support for those on their recovery journey."

Following the walk, participants are invited to enjoy free food, music, children's activities, giveaways and more at Hope Festival 26, sponsored by Sweatshirt of Hope.

There is no cost to participate in the walk; however, registration is required. The first 100 individuals to register will receive a special swag bag, available for pickup at the event check-in table on September 19.

To register or learn more, visit www.StLukesPennFoundation.org.

St. Luke’s Introduces Advanced Therapy for Drug Resistant Epilepsy

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:14:27 GMT

St. Luke’s Neurosciences is first in the region to offer an advanced therapy for drug resistant epilepsy: the FDA-approved NeuroPace® Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS®) System.

The first RNS System implantation at St. Luke’s was successfully performed at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem by stereotactic neurosurgeon Dr. Brice Kessler, in collaboration with Dr. Brian Hanrahan, epileptologist. The milestone procedure marks a significant advancement in personalized care for adult patients whose seizures are not controlled with medication alone.

St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem offers a comprehensive epilepsy program and is designated as a Level?3 Epilepsy Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC), exemplifying St. Luke’s University Health Network’s overall excellence. In a 2025 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, St. Luke’s achieved the highest quality score of the nation’s recognized top three high performing health systems.

About RNS

The RNS System is a first-of-its-kind, brain-responsive technology that continuously monitors brain activity and delivers targeted stimulation to interrupt abnormal electrical patterns before a seizure occurs. Unlike traditional epilepsy treatments, which may involve medication or removal of brain tissue, the RNS System offers a minimally invasive and highly individualized approach.

“The RNS System represents a major step forward in epilepsy management,” said Dr. Kessler. “By using real-time brain monitoring combined with responsive stimulation, we can tailor treatment to each patient and significantly improve quality of life.”

Dr. Hanrahan added, “For patients who have struggled with uncontrolled seizures, this technology offers new hope. It allows us to better understand each patient’s unique seizure patterns and optimize therapy in ways that were not previously possible.”

The addition of the NeuroPace RNS System strengthens St. Luke’s multidisciplinary approach to neurological disorders, bringing together experts in neurosurgery, neurology and advanced diagnostics to improve patient outcomes.

Photo Caption: Dr. Hanrahan appears on the left, Dr. Kessler on the right – with the FDA-approved NeuroPace® Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS®) System.

Star Community Health Vans Deliver Reduced-Cost Care to People in Need

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:37:47 GMT

On a rainy morning in June, a smiling preteen girl dressed in blue emerged from the white and blue Star Community Heath dental van parked behind Trexler Middle School, Allentown. She received a dental exam, x-ray, cleaning and a fluoride application, procedures often neglected due to their high cost. Patients of Star are charged on a sliding scale depending on their income or insurance coverage; a visit can cost as little as $10.

Asked through an interpreter if she was pleased with her experience, the girl replied, “Si, gracias!” and flashed her pearly whites at her two siblings and father who were awaiting their turns.

Star Community Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center (“FQHC”) affiliated with St. Luke’s University Health Network, has been providing mobile oral health services to the underserved communities throughout its service area for 20 years.

“We create healthy smiles,” said a beaming Marilyn Santiago, operations manager for Star’s mobile health program. She added that the mobile health vans alone treat about 2,200 patients per year throughout six counties and 14 School Districts in Pennsylvania.

The caregivers in the fleet of four, 38-foot vehicles will soon expand their clinical offerings to include primary medical and mental health services as well as vaccinations. Over the course of a year, they visit a total of 46 schools, along with health fairs, parades and other community events, providing free screenings, health education and hard-to-access, reduced-cost care to kids and adults, who are uninsured or underinsured.

Some of the Star vans have been generously funded by grants from U.S. Senators and Northampton County. Star’s operational costs also are supported through generous grants from St. Luke’s and other public and private sources. St. Luke's University Health Network earned an “A” grade on the 2026-27 Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility, placing it among the top health systems nationally for overall commitment to health equity, value and outcomes.

Star Community Health delivers primary care health services to more than 53,170 patients yearly at 16 locations in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Lansford, Ringtown, Tamaqua and Phillipsburg (NJ). In addition to dental care, services include primary/family medicine, women’s health, pediatrics, mental health and specialty care, including chiropractic care. Patients also can be referred to food banks, helped find transportation and access other community services that address the social determinants of health.

In addition to the preventive and protective oral care, the vans’ dental teams—dental hygienist, dental assistant and dentist—many of whom are bilingual, fill cavities, extract baby teeth and patch chipped teeth in the rolling dental suite, each treating about 20 patients a day, explained Santiago. Appointments are made through schools where they park, and the van’s driver registers each patient before their treatment and schedules follow-ups if needed. Each van is outfitted with two treatment areas, an x-ray unit, and all the necessary instruments and supplies found in a typical dental office. If more extensive care is needed, the patient is referred to one of the Star centers in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton or Tamaqua.

Starting in August, in preparation for the upcoming school year, a physician, nurse and nurse assistant on the vans will offer school and sports physicals. Mental health professionals will screen for anxiety, depression and other childhood conditions, and vaccines will be scheduled by appointment, announced Santiago. (See below for details of free back-to- school events.)

“Star Community Health, in collaboration with St. Luke’s, is proud of our decades-long history of providing access to vital and affordable dental and medical care to people who otherwise would struggle to obtain them,” added Santiago.

Upcoming clinics:

Back-to-School Bash

Bethlehem Area School District

August 4: 2–7 pm

Location: 520 E. Broad St., Bethlehem

FREE:

Vision Checks

Hearing Checks

Dental Screenings

Sports Physicals (bring appropriate paperwork)

Community Resources: Developmental Peds, Vaccine appointments, Insurance

Back-to-School Bash

Tamaqua Area School District

August 6: 12 noon – 3 pm

Location: Star Community Health - Hometown

34 S. Railroad Street, Tamaqua PA

FREE School Supplies (while supplies last!)

FREE—

Vision Checks

Hearing Checks

Dental Screenings

Sports Physicals (bring appropriate paperwork)

Connection to Vaccines Appointments (Call to schedule your appointment 484-822-7827(STAR)

Care Navigation Resources

Community Resources: Developmental Peds, Insurance Information and more

Back-to-School Bash

August 12: 1-6 pm

Cedar Beach, Allentown

Free health screenings and care navigation

For more information visit: www.starcommunityhealth.org

St. Luke’s Hands-On Program Inspires Hundreds of Students to Explore Health Care Careers

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:16:04 GMT

St. Luke’s University Health Network is opening doors for the next generation of health care professional one hands-on experience at a time.

Now in its third year, St. Luke’s Hands On Immersive Experience has welcomed more than 400 students from 18 school districts across the region. Designed for students in grades 9–12, the program offers a close-up look at what it’s really like to work in health care.

“The goal is to give students a true feel for the field,” said Ashley Koren, Volunteer Engagement Specialist with St. Luke's. “We want them to see the many paths they can take and start thinking about their future.” The approach works.

“The field trip I took to St. Luke’s was the most enjoyable educational trip I’ve ever attended,” said Panther Valley student Corrigan Crampsie. “Usually, school trips are a lot of listening to people, but this one was very interactive which is what made it so fun. I also think how hands-on it was made it very easy to learn how to wrap a tourniquet and what a concussion will feel like.”

Throughout the school year, students attend sessions held at several St. Luke’s campuses, including Sacred Heart, Easton, Monroe, Lehighton and Warren. This past year, the Network hosted seven sessions, each running from mid-morning to early afternoon and bringing together students from multiple schools.

At each event, students are divided into small groups and rotate through eight interactive stations, each focused on a different area of health care. These stations are designed to be engaging, educational and hands-on, giving students a chance to try skills and ask questions in a real-world setting.

Some of the most popular stations include CPR training, patient care simulations and other clinical activities that help students build confidence and curiosity. New stations are added each year to keep the experience fresh and to reflect the wide range of careers available in health care from clinical roles to support services.

The impact goes beyond the classroom. Teachers and students consistently share positive feedback after attending, noting how the program brings learning to life in a way textbooks cannot. Many students leave with a better understanding of health care careers and a stronger interest in pursuing them.

The program is made possible through collaboration with local schools and St. Luke’s teams across multiple departments. By working together, they create an experience that highlights both the depth and breadth of opportunities within the health care field.

Each session may host a different number of schools, depending on schedules and availability, but the mission remains the same: to inspire, educate and prepare students for a possible future in health care.

As the program continues to grow, St. Luke’s remains committed to investing in student learning and building a strong pipeline of future health care professionals. Through hands-on experiences, real-world exposure and meaningful connections, these students are not just learning about health care, they’re beginning to see themselves in it.

Caption: Parkland student Colin Winfield uses a cardiac probe with instruction from Kelley Foley, St. Luke's Network Non-Invasive Cardiology Manager.

St. Luke’s Grand View Marks 1st Anniversary amid Dramatic Financial Turnaround and Expanded Access to Care

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:12:50 GMT

St. Luke’s Grand View Campus is celebrating its first anniversary as part of St. Luke’s University Health Network with a remarkable financial turnaround and expanded access to enhanced-quality health care for residents of Bucks and Montgomery counties.

In the fiscal year ending June 2025, prior to becoming part of St. Luke’s, Grand View reported operating losses of $80 million, raising serious concerns related to the hospital’s long-term future amid a challenging health care environment. One year later, financial results as of June 30, 2026, show an operating loss of approximately $28 million. The campus is now positioned to achieve a positive bottom line in next few years.

“From day one, St. Luke’s pledged to enhance and strengthen health care services at Grand View while expanding opportunities for employees. We kept those promises—and together built an even stronger future for our community,” said Rick Anderson, President & CEO of St. Luke’s University Health Network. “We are proud of our Grand View team and what we accomplished together during this past year. For some, the challenges we faced could have been overwhelming, but not for our Grand View and St. Luke’s teams.”

Over the past year, St. Luke’s Grand View has made significant progress, including:

Recruiting 76 new physicians and advanced practitioners in key specialties, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics and primary care.
Recruiting and hiring 98 new nurses.
Establishing a new Family Medicine Residency Program to help train the next generation of physicians.
Implementing a new $17 million Epic electronic medical record system, enhancing coordination of care, clinical documentation and operational efficiency.
Beginning construction of a new $30 million Women’s & Babies Unit, bringing obstetrical services back to the campus.

The Grand View Campus has also benefited from St. Luke’s network-wide purchasing power and operational efficiencies. The implementation of Epic has improved clinical documentation, enhanced patient care coordination and helped streamline administrative processes, contributing to both better patient outcomes and stronger financial performance.

For Grand View’s approximately 2,000 employees, joining St. Luke’s has created expanded career development opportunities across the Network’s award-winning 16 hospitals and 350-plus outpatient locations.

This past fall, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ranked St. Luke’s among the nation’s top three health systems for quality, safety and patient experience. This objective recognition, based on public data reported to the government, reaffirms St. Luke’s preeminent position among the leading health systems in the country.

“Grand View’s remarkable turnaround is a reflection of its successful integration into a strong, mission-driven regional network while preserving Grand View’s local identity and commitment to the community,” said Douglas Hughes, President of St. Luke’s Grand View Campus. “Our dedicated employees have embraced change and worked tirelessly to strengthen the future of health care in this region.” Hughes said the positive results at Grand View are a testament to St. Luke’s experience and expertise in such matters.

St. Luke’s has an unparalleled track record of successfully integrating community hospitals, including the Quakertown (1995), Allentown (1997), Miners (2000), Warren (2012), Blue Mountain (2017), Sacred Heart (2018) and Easton (2020) hospitals. Penn Foundation, a mental health and addiction services provider based in Sellersville across from Grand View Hospital, joined St. Luke’s in 2021.

SBA Relief Still Available to Pennsylvania Businesses, Private Nonprofits, and Residents Affected by the Oak Forest Apartment Complex Fire Deadline for Physical Damage Loans Approaching

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:34:54 GMT

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding eligible businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, amd renters in Pennsylvania of the August 24 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset losses from physical damage caused by the Oak Forest Apartment Complex fire that occurred on June 11.

The declaration covers the Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Chester, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Schuylkill, which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from SBA.

Businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

“One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s physical damage loans.”

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters, with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800)?659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 24. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 24, 2027. However, after the deadline has passed, there is a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership.?As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster.?It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Zeigler Family Foundation Gift Helps St. Luke’s Mobile Simulation Unit Advance Health Care Training - Training in Motion initiative expands hands-on clinical education and strengthens workforce readiness across the region.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:01:03 GMT

Sellersville, PA — St. Luke’s University Health Network, in partnership with the Zeigler Family Foundation (ZFF), unveiled its new Training in Motion (TIM) Mobile Simulation Unit at a ribbon cutting ceremony at the St. Luke’s Grand View Campus on Thursday, July 16.

Funded in part by ZFF’s generous gift, the mobile unit expands access to hands-on clinical education, introduces students to health care careers, and strengthens workforce readiness. More than 1,000 learners are expected to train in the unit annually. ZFF, founded by Terry and JoAnn Zeigler, was recognized at the ceremony for its leadership in bringing the initiative to life.

“At St. Luke’s, our mission calls us to ensure every caregiver is prepared to deliver safe, high-quality care,” said Ashley Swope, Chief Nursing Officer. “The TIM Mobile Simulation Unit brings advanced, hands-on training directly into our communities by strengthening clinical readiness and improving patient outcomes.”

Advancing Access Through Philanthropy

Designed to travel throughout the region, the mobile unit delivers simulation-based training to hospitals, schools and community partners by removing geographic barriers to skill development.

"ZFF is proud to support innovative approaches that enhance clinical training and bring hands-on health care experiences directly into the community,” said Jenelle Ross, Executive Director of ZFF. “The mobility of TIM ensures exposure isn't limited to hospital campuses; it reaches schools and community settings where students can explore health care careers firsthand, strengthening both the community and the future workforce."

A Mobile Hub for High-Impact Learning

The 207 sq. ft., climate-controlled unit accommodates 10–15 learners at a time, with the ability to support larger groups of 50+ by using an external learning station. It includes flexible storage for medical training equipment and simulators tailored to various hands-on educational needs.

The unit also features Anatomage Table technology, enabling:

Interactive 3D anatomy exploration
Layer-by-layer visualization and dissection
Touchscreen, case-based learning
Simulated clinical scenarios with internal and external displays

The TIM initiative supports both current clinicians and future health care professionals, helping address workforce challenges while raising the standard of care across the region.

Photo caption: Senior Leadership from St. Luke’s Grand View Campus, Development and the Zeigler Family Foundation take part in the ribbon cutting for the new Training in Motion Mobile Simulation Unit

Full Arch Dental Implants Turned Her Frown Upside Down

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:48:04 GMT

Smiling wasn't always easy for Izabela (lzzy) Fisher. Difficult childhood experiences with dentists led to a deep fear that kept her away from dental care for years, leaving her feeling self-conscious about her smile. “Even at my wedding, I didn’t want to smile,” recalls the 50-year-old Allentown woman. “I had suffered a psychological trauma from my early experience at the dentist.”

Born in Poland, Izzy developed this near-crippling fear in early life brought on by the physical pain and emotional abuse she often received as a patient. This worsened as she aged as did the terrible condition of her teeth. “I panicked and cried when I tried to call to make an appointment,” she says, her anxiety still evident as she told her story. Her oral health thus suffered the consequences of this neglect.

That changed when she moved to the Lehigh Valley from New York and found family dentist John Salivonchik, DMD, PC, in Coplay, who she grew to trust as he provided basic preventive care. Because she needed much more extensive dental work, he referred Izzy to Wayne Saunders, DMD, at St. Luke’s Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) in 2021. The practice, which specializes in a wide range of oral and facial surgeries at locations throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley, was voted Best Oral Surgeon by Morning Call readers in 2025.

With Dr. Saunders, she felt calm, cared for and understood as he treated her with kindness from the moment she met him. He assessed her dental health and offered Izzy several treatment options for her to consider.

She chose full arch dental implants, a revolutionary solution that restores an entire arch of teeth using as few as four or five strategically placed implants. During Izzy’s full-mouth restoration, Dr. Saunders removed her teeth and replaced them with natural-looking, permanent dental implants. This was life changing for Izzy, who today beams brightly from ear to ear as she praises Dr. Saunders. “He boosted my confidence immediately when he gave me a new smile. I felt so good as his patient that I joined the practice.”

Izzy’s positive experience is a testament to St. Luke’s overall excellence. This past fall, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ranked St. Luke’s #1 – ahead of Houston Methodist and Mayo Clinic, two of the nation’s most prestigious institutions – as the nation’s top health system for quality, safety, and patient experience. This objective recognition, based on public data reported to the government, reaffirms St. Luke’s preeminent position among the leading health systems in the country.

Today, as a dental assistant at St. Luke’s OMS, Izzy draws on her own experiences, advising patients who have questions or concerns about their upcoming treatment or suffer the same dental phobia she’s still overcoming from. Sharing her story with its happy outcome always brings a smile, something that was a long time coming and for which she is overwhelmingly grateful.

After celebrating her birthday in June, Izzy looks ahead to finally conquering her own fear as she helps others do the same. “I’m so grateful to Dr. Saunders for his compassionate care and expertise,” she says, her sparkling teeth a beacon of hope for patients who are just beginning their own journey toward their new smile at St. Luke’s OMS.

Ears, Nose & Throat and Allergy & Asthma Specialties Join St. Luke’s University Health Network

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:13:43 GMT

Two of the Lehigh Valley’s biggest independent ENT (otolaryngology) and allergy-asthma practices have joined St. Luke’s University Health Network, adding new specialty care services to the health care system that is ranked #1 in quality, safety and patient experience by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Effective July 1, Specialty Physician Associates and the Center for Allergy & Asthma Care joined St. Luke’s and will now operate as St. Luke’s Ears, Nose & Throat and St. Luke’s Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

This addition significantly expands access to specialty care across the region, bringing into the St. Luke’s family more than 30 providers and more than 10 locations throughout the Lehigh Valley, including Quakertown and Wind Gap.

“This is exciting news for St. Luke’s,” said Scott Siegfried, Vice President, Specialty Care Division of St. Luke’s Physician Group. “These organizations have always been close partners, so to officially welcome them into the family will only enhance the care we provide to patients.”

Together, these new teams strengthen St. Luke’s ability to provide comprehensive, coordinated care closer to home for even more patients and communities.

These two long established and highly regarded practices have been intertwined in the fabric of St. Luke’s over many years and have been strong allies of St. Luke’s organization and partners, according to David Yen, MD, who specializes in otolaryngology as well as head and neck surgery.

The physicians in these practices chose to join St. Luke’s due to its efficient, integrated system and positive workplace culture, according to Shannon Kearney, DO, an allergy, asthma and immunology physician

“I am excited for the opportunity to grow alongside St. Luke’s,” said David Yen, MD. “As a longtime partner, I’ve enjoyed everything about St. Luke’s, and now this enables us to provide care to our patients across a broader network of physicians. This decision was made with our patients in mind, and we believe it will only enhance the care we provide to them.”

Kearney echoed Dr. Yen's sentiments and called St. Luke’s a “well-oiled machine.” She also says St. Luke’s “really feels like home” and that she would not have joined a hospital system other than St. Luke’s. “I’ve always valued St. Luke’s commitment to high-quality, compassionate care." Michael Ciliberti, MD, an allergist, agreed. “We are so happy to be joining the St. Luke’s family, because that’s what it is,” Dr. Ciliberti said. “Everyone in the office feels the same way.”

For St. Luke’s, the addition addresses a growing community need in the Lehigh Valley, one of the worst areas in the country for seasonal allergies. This represents both a strategic expansion and a validation of St. Luke’s stellar reputation.

"With the legacy and reputation of these organizations, and the strength and stability of St. Luke’s, both areas will continue to grow and support the needs of our communities”, Siegfried said.

St. Luke’s Ear, Nose & Throat Locations

2851 Baglyos Circle, Suite 201, Bethlehem, PA 18020
3445 High Point Boulevard, Suite 202, Bethlehem, PA 18017
3445 High Point Boulevard, Suite 400, Bethlehem, PA 18017
497 Bushkill Place Lane, Suite C Wind Gap, PA 18081
1900 AM Drive, Suite 101, Quakertown, PA 18951
1728 West Jonathan Street, Suite 100, Allentown, PA 18104

St. Luke’s Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Locations

3445 High Point Boulevard, Suite 400A, Bethlehem, PA 18017
3445 High Point Boulevard, Suite 400B, Bethlehem, PA 18017
497 Bushkill Place Lane, Suite A Wind Gap, PA 18081
1900 AM Drive, Suite 101, Quakertown, PA 18951
1728 West Jonathan Street, Suite 100, Allentown, PA 18104
2925 William Penn Highway, Suite 303, Easton, PA 18045
250 Cetronia Road, Suite 103, Allentown PA 18104

Photo Caption: L-R: David Yen, MD; Michael Ciliberti, MD; Shannon Kearney, DO.

St. Luke’s Expands Access to Primary Care with Launch of Family Medicine Residency Program at Grand View

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:12:06 GMT

St. Luke’s University Health Network officially celebrated the launch of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Grand View on July 9, welcoming residents and faculty to the new program.

The event also recognized a generous $1.5 million gift from the St. Luke’s Grand View Health Foundation to fund the creation of expanded clinical and educational space at St. Luke’s Grand View Primary Care of Quakertown, which is located within St. Luke’s Health Plaza in Quakertown.

The new residency program represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing demand for primary care providers across Upper Bucks and Montgomery counties.

The Family Medicine Residency Program at Grand View is the first program of its kind serving these communities and is part of St. Luke’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its primary care pipeline. Over the past decade, St. Luke’s has more than doubled its number of residency and fellowship programs, many focused on primary care. Nearly half of its primary care residents choose to remain with the Network after completing training—exceeding the statewide average.

The new program is led by Dr. Suzann Szewczak, who will serve as Program Director while continuing her clinical practice.

“This program is an investment in the health of our community for generations to come,” said Dr. Szewczak. “We are training compassionate, highly skilled physicians in the very communities where they are most needed, ensuring patients have access to personalized, continuous care close to home.”

St. Luke’s Grand View Campus, which joined St. Luke’s in 2025, has served the community for more than a century. Located in Sellersville, the campus offers state-of-the-art technology, comprehensive specialty services, and a supportive learning environment for new physicians.

The expansion would not have been possible without the support of the St. Luke’s Grand View Health Foundation.

“We are proud to support a program that directly improves access to high-quality care in our community,” said Diane Brown, Chair of the St. Luke’s Grand View Health Foundation. “This investment reflects our commitment to building a stronger, healthier future by helping train the next generation of primary care physicians right here in our region.”

Photo caption: Front row (left to right): Patricia Brown O’Hara, RN, PhD, Vice Chair of the St. Luke’s Grand View Health Foundation; Joan Holtman, Senior Director, Primary Care; JoAnn Klinedinst, St. Luke’s Grand View Health Foundation board member; Suzann Szewczak, DO, Program Director; Diane Brown, Chair, St. Luke’s Grand View Health Foundation; Back row (left to right): Robert Langan, MD, Associate Program Director; Bill Moyer, St. Luke’s West Region President; Douglas Hughes, RN, BSN, MBA, President of St. Luke’s Grand View Campus; Dennis Pfleiger, President of St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus and St. Luke’s Quakertown Campus

St. Luke’s Urges Parents to Be Vigilant Amid Increased Measles Risk

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:14:31 GMT

With an increase in measles cases recently reported in eastern Pennsylvania, St. Luke’s pediatricians are encouraging parents to take steps to protect their children, including discussing an accelerated vaccination schedule with their child's healthcare provider.

“Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, but vaccination is the safest and most effective way to protect your child and those around them,” said Jennifer Janco, MD, Chair of St. Luke’s Pediatrics.

Dr. Janco recommends that parents of children who live in or plan to travel to areas where measles cases have been reported consult their pediatrician about whether an earlier vaccination schedule may be appropriate:

Infants ages 6-11 months may be eligible for an early dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.
Children who have already received one MMR dose at one year of age may be eligible to receive their second dose earlier than the usual four-year-old dose

An up-to-date list of Pennsylvania counties with confirmed measles cases is available at www.pa.gov/measles.

“We strongly encourage parents to contact their child’s healthcare provider, especially before traveling, to ensure their child is up to date on recommended vaccinations and adequately protected against measles,” Dr. Janco said.