Partnership, New Wing Pave Way for Pediatric Specialty Care

2/11/2015

SCRANTON, Pa. (Feb. 12, 2015) – Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital unveiled its new pediatric wing today with the promise of bringing much-needed specialty care to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The new 18-bed unit, the first of its kind in the area, boasts a colorful décor and features a Ronald McDonald House lounge and play room. The unit is staffed round-the-clock by board-certified pediatric hospitalists through a partnership between Commonwealth Health and Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

“This is an exciting day for Moses Taylor and a significant one for the region,” Justin Davis, CEO of Moses Taylor, said. “For too long the residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania had to travel too far for specialty pediatric care. Now, through this partnership with Penn State Hershey, we are bringing that expertise to our neighbors.”

The Commonwealth Health/Penn State Hershey partnership will expand next month to include pediatric neurology and cardiology at Moses Taylor. One of the planned neurology programs will include teachers, coaches and parents to identify concussion, a growing concern for pediatric patients, according to the Centers for Disease Control which cites a 60 percent increase in emergency room visits for sports and recreation-related head injuries in the last decade.

The opening of the wing coincides with the 25^th anniversary of pediatric services at Moses Taylor which began offering the service on Jan. 31, 1990.

Davis and Cor Catena, CEO of Commonwealth Health, along with pediatricians Mikhail Mirer, M.D., and Stanley Blondek, M.D., offered remarks during the program. The Rev. Dan Jones, pastoral care coordinator of Moses Taylor Hospital, blessed the new unit.

Richard Bradshaw, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton, said the unit’s soon-to-be-opened lounge and game room will provide families with a much-needed break from the stress of caring for a sick child.

Tours of the wing were offered to the public and public officials who took part in the ribbon cutting.

The pediatric hospitalist service at Moses Taylor includes admission, treatment and consultation for hospitalized children – infants through 18 years of age.

The Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services transport system – Commonwealth One, the helicopter, and the NICU critical care ground unit for neonates – complements the hospital’s full-service approach. The advanced care vehicles are available to quickly transfer children to a tertiary facility like Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital when needed.

MOSES TAYLOR HOSPITAL 3^RD FLOOR PEDIATRIC WING FACT SHEET

• Opening date: Feb. 12, 2015
• 18 Private Rooms
• Partnership with Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital to provide round-the-clock, board-certified pediatric hospitalist coverage
• Includes Ronald McDonald lounge and play room
• Patients can be admitted directly by their pediatricians or through the Emergency Department
• Partnership with The Commonwealth Medical College to train medical students
• Expansion of partnership with Penn State Hershey in March to include pediatric specialties in neurology and cardiology
• Part of neurology program includes plan to work with teachers, coaches and parents to identify concussion
• Using Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services – both Commonwealth One, the helicopter, and the NICU ground vehicle – children can be quickly transported to a tertiary facility like Penn State Hershey, when needed
• The opening coincides with the 25^th anniversary of the start of pediatric services at Moses Taylor Hospital (January 1990)

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