The LG Experience

Health care has reached a pivotal moment, renowned surgeon, author, and speaker Atul Gawande, MD, told a Lancaster audience on April 5.

Many blockbuster movies feature superheroes – but not all superheroes wear capes. Some carry a card, an organ donation card. Every April 13, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health team members gather to honor organ and tissue donors by wearing blue and green and raising a special “Donate Life” flag at the Lancaster General Hospital flag pole.

In January 1938, Lancaster General Hospital purchased its negative pressure ventilator, commonly referred to as the iron lung for $1,350, through a gift from an anonymous donor. That same year, the average annual income was approximately $1,700.

Cancer survivor and wood-turner Doug Reesor surprised members of his cancer and creative writing class with pens he crafted from turned maple burl. Maple burl is an imperfection, or “cancer,” on trees – Doug’s message being that out of the ugliness of cancer can come beauty.

Burnout is so prevalent in health care that some researchers call it an “occupational hazard.” It’s easy to understand why. While our work as health care professionals is important and incredibly fulfilling, it also can lead to significant physical and emotional stress.

For a group of students at Ross Elementary School in Lancaster City, the daily commute to school is now a walk of fame, thanks to a recent art project organized by Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.

In March, team members from Family Medicine Twin Rose volunteered their time to support the Plant the Seed of Learning program at the Columbia Outpatient Center.

It’s been a little over a year since Colleen Levitan, LPN, CC, first started her weight loss journey. When the nursing supervisor at Family Medicine Mount Joy decided she wanted to be a health coach, she first decided to help coach herself to a healthier weight.

In May 1916, Lancaster General Hospital received its first motorized ambulance to better serve area residents. The ambulance was a gift from Henry Keiper, who pledged to keep the vehicle in repair during his lifetime.

In September, the Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) at Lancaster General Hospital, identified a priority issue: Zero percent of morning cases started on time.