Coronavirus testing still limited as labs rush to roll out their own versions

In response to blistering criticism about coronavirus testing in the United States, the government has loosened rules to allow public health labs and academic medical centers to design and use their own versions. But gearing up may not happen quickly enough to contain the fast-spreading upper respiratory disease — and expanded capacity is complicating efforts … Read more

Central Pa. Ebola center repurposed for coronavirus, other hospitals also getting ready

(Harrisburg) — Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is an Ebola treatment center. That gives it special capabilities which can be applied to an outbreak of the new coronavirus, according to Dr. Catherine Paules, an infectious disease specialist for Penn State Health. “We’ve had plans in place for a long time. We are … Read more

Lebanon VAMC unveils cancer-fighting facility, procedure

LEBANON, Pa. –— Lebanon VA Medical Center held a ribbon cutting for its new cancer center and urology outpatient clinic this week in addition to acquiring an advanced bronchoscopy capability to help diagnose Veterans with possible lung cancer. “We are very pleased to have these offerings for Veterans [patients] here,” said Dr. Stuart Roop, chief of … Read more

Central Pa. hospital says its upcoming $255 million expansion will make it one of the largest in the state

$255 million. That’s the amount of money that Wellspan says it will be investing into an expansion at WellSpan York Hospital. Wellspan plans to construct a new, eight-story surgical and critical care tower that it says will dramatically expand the hospital’s intensive care unit as well as develop new surgical suites. Wellspan says the expansion … Read more

Smokers can still light up in 1,866 Pa. bars, clubs and casinos. Why?

Smoking indoors at private businesses is still allowed in Pennsylvania, but one lawmaker and his supporters are hoping 2020 will be the year that changes. Nearly 150 businesses throughout Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster, and York counties still offer patrons the option to smoke. These businesses are granted exemptions by the state Department of Health under … Read more

‘We just wanted to bless them’: Church helps pay off $2.5M in medical debt for 1,546 central Pa. residents

A midstate megachurch has teamed with a charity to help pay off $2.5 million in medical bill debt for 1,546 people in central Pennsylvania. Those payoffs occurred when the Lancaster County-based LCBC church provided $25,000 raised during its Be Rich initiative to RIP Medical Debt. RIP, a New York-based nonprofit, used that cash to buy and retire the … Read more

Penn State Health Medical Group building new primary care practice in central PA

HERSHEY, Pa. — Residents in southern Cumberland and northern York County will soon have greater access to Penn State Health services and providers when a new primary care location opens on Route 114/Market Street near the Route 15 interchange, just south of Mechanicsburg. The new, 10,000-square-foot Penn State Health Medical Group practice will initially include … Read more

Hometown Hero: Central PA Blood Drive

You can be a Hometown Hero by donating your blood tomorrow. At 4 p.m., the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank is hosting a community blood drive in Manchester, York County. It will be at the Advance Auto Parts on North George Street until 7 p.m. Donors receive two free PA Auto Show tickets, a snowbrush ice … Read more

Samples of Chiques Creek Hemp Tea Being Offered by Kreider Farms at the 2020 Pennsylvania Farm Show

MANHEIM, Pa., Dec. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Kreider Farms, Central Pennsylvania’s favorite producer of farm fresh milk, ice cream, premium eggs, and more, will be offering complimentary samples of their recently launched line of unique hemp iced tea drinks—Chiques Creek Hemp Tea—during the 2020 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Find the samples at Giant Foods’ booth near the Farm Show Complex Food … Read more

Making A Difference | Central PA ophthalmologist gives gift of sight to African villagers

One central PA doctor answered the call from a struggling community in Africa, restoring a gift to dozens of people that so many of us take for granted. “All of these people are blind. In both eyes usually.” Doctor Brett Ernst, a central PA ophthalmologist describes the dozens of people he performed free cataract surgeries … Read more

$2.7M in federal grants to help central Pa. combat the opioid crisis

The U.S. Department of Justice will be channeling nearly $2.7 million in grants into central Pennsylvania to combat the opioid crisis. Nearly $1.2 million of that money will go to programs in York County. The Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office will receive another $900,000 and $600,000 is earmarked for Wyoming County. “The opioid crisis – … Read more

Central PA teen Emily Whitehead changed how we fight cancer

(WTAJ) — In cancer therapy, there have been three pillars of treatment for decades. Radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Now there’s a fourth that is curing cancer. In large part, it’s thanks to the heart and struggles of a little girl from Central Pennsylvania. Tom Whitehead of Philipsburg, is getting a biopsy at Abramson Cancer Center … Read more

UPMC’s operating income continues to spiral downward

UPMC’s operating margin has gotten progressively slimmer in recent years, even slipping into negative territory as the large integrated health system juggles volume and expense pressures in a competitive Pennsylvania market. UPMC’s operating margin was essentially flat in the third quarter of 2019, which ended Sept. 30. That’s because the Pittsburgh-based academic medical center’s operating income … Read more

FOX43 Reveals: Inside the possible cause of mysterious vaping-related illnesses

CENTRAL Pa.—Nearly 50 people have died from vaping-related illnesses and the number of cases continues to rise. For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked a chemical to the outbreak, naming vitamin E acetate as a “culprit of concern.” FOX43 Reveals what this chemical is and what it does. According … Read more