On August 15, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Highmark Health broke ground on a new, full-service hospital in Pine Township. Members of the Pine Township Board of Supervisors joined officials from AHN and Highmark Health in putting shovels in the dirt in a ceremony at AHN’s Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion. [Read more…]

Dr. Ana Busquets

By Janice Lane Palko 

Although the skin is the largest organ in the human body, often it is also one of the most neglected. Many times, a patient only seeks the help of a physician when a skin condition becomes unbearable. This is particularly troublesome with respect to skin cancers. “The American Academy of Dermatology has no guidelines established for when a person should be screened for skin cancers, but it has endeavored to educate the general public about the importance of taking care of your skin,” said Dr. Ana Busquets, a Board-Certified Dermatologist with WMC Physicians Practices, LLC.   [Read more…]

Health care is ever-changing and evolving.  Often it is difficult to keep up with the latest information.  We are fortunate in this area to be surrounded by outstanding medical facilities and professionals dedicated to being on the cutting edge of medical advancement.  Below is a list of health care providers who are employing the latest in medical treatments for the betterment of their patients. [Read more…]

Michele M. Askar, D.C.

Beaver County Spinal Disc Center

http://bcspinaldisccenter.com/

Michele M. Askar, D.C., one of the few female chiropractors in the country, has her eye on every patient, noting that a successful doctor must listen and understand what a patient’s needs and wants are. While other doctors may treat the symptoms such as pain, Dr. Askar provides long-lasting solutions for the cause of your chronic condition, rather than prescribing pain medications, steroid shots or pushing surgery. From your first office visit through completion of your care, Dr. Askar’s work ethic may be unparalleled in the health care industry. She demands the same from her team. Dr. Askar has used her nurturing nature to coach other doctors across the country for chronic conditions such as bulging and herniated discs, frozen shoulders, knee osteoarthritis and peripheral neuropathy to name a few. “It’s 26 years later, and I learn something new from every patient I work with,” said Dr. Askar. “As long as I put my heart and soul into each patient and give 110 percent, I know I can put my head on my pillow each night giving my patients exactly what I would expect in a health care provider’s office,” said Dr. Askar.

Bridget M. Chufo, Ph.D., RN

Dr. Chufo’s Weight Loss and Wellness Center

http://www.drchufosweightlossandwellness.com/

Specializing in Weight Loss and Obesity for the past 36 years throughout the Eastern U.S. (in Pittsburgh since 1995) Post Grad, Duke University, Doctoral in Research of Obesity and Weight Loss, New York University, Masters in Family Health Nursing, Duquesne University, Bachelor’s in Nursing, Villanova University. UPMC. CCU, ICU, ER, Dr. Chufo has been throughout the country guiding people towards good eating practices that they can maintain for the rest of their lives and makes each program manageable for their lifestyles. She has been on most national TV news shows, offering her opinion and guidance and documenting the newest research.  She has been on The O’Reilly Factor debating vegetarianism with children. She has hosted a weekly cable news show weekly on PCNC, has been featured on The Tammy Bruce Show nationally featuring health and weight loss issues. Dr. Chufo also hosted an hour-long talk show on KDKA-radio every Saturday for 18 years with Rob Pratte. She was selected Woman of the Year, 2005.  She was a finalist for the 2002 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, One of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business in 2002 and many more awards. Community involvement include being on the boards of DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, The Hearing Center of Children’s Hospital, and the American Liver Foundation.

Patrick Francis, AuD

Board Certified Audiologist

Francis Audiology Associates

http://www.francisaudiology.com/

Dr. Francis and his staff take pride in getting to know you in a caring and professional manner. Additionally, we offer you the latest in diagnostics and rehabilitative audiology so that we can provide you the level of care appropriate for your individual needs.  In providing the hearing healthcare products that protect and rehabilitate your hearing, we enable you to enjoy better hearing to your fullest potential. Dr. Francis has been serving the Pittsburgh area for over 25 years and is located in Wexford. Please visit us at francisaudiology.com or speak with us at 724-933-3440.

 Ideal Image

https://www.idealimage.com/pittsburgh/wexford-pa.php

At Ideal Image, we are dedicated to helping you look and feel your personal best, giving you the confidence you deserve.  Our services are performed by licensed medical and nursing professionals, with an uncompromising concern for your comfort and safety.

Ideal Image has performed over 5.5 million laser hair removal treatments nationwide.

Ideal Image is Americas #1 Choice for Laser Hair Removal.

We use only the top licensed nursing and medical professionals in the country, and employ over 200 licensed medical professionals.

Most of our guests can return to work or play immediately after a laser hair removal treatment.

Ideal Image provides our Laser Hair Removal Guests with a Lifetime Membership for the areas purchased.

At Ideal Image, we provide a full array of skin and body services: Laser Hair Removal, BBL™ BroadBand Light therapy, Coolsculpting®, Laser Tattoo Removal, Ultherapy Skin Lifting – Ultherapy®, and anti-aging treatments including Botox, Dysport, Restylane, Juvederm Ultra, Voluma and Kybella.

Terrance R. Krysinski, MD, RVS, RPhS

Vein Institute of Pittsburgh

A Pittsburgh native and lifelong resident of the North Hills, Terrance R. Krysinski, MD, RVS, RPhS, graduated from North Allegheny High School and attended Washington and Jefferson College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and graduated summa cum laude. Dr. Krysinski earned his medical degree from Temple University and undertook his surgical training at Albert Einstein Medical Center. After completing his residency, he began a private surgical practice in Western Pennsylvania. Dr. Krysinski is credentialed as a Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) as well as a Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS). He is an active member and a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. Dr. Krysinski is the founding physician of the Vein Institute of Pittsburgh℠. Here, patients are offered a full spectrum of venous care ranging from small spider veins to bulging varicose veins. Specializing in highly advanced and minimally invasive outpatient procedures to treat venous disease, Dr. Krysinski performs various procedures daily to alleviate patient’s complaints of aching, pain, swelling and restless legs.

Brad Levinson, M.D.

Board Certified Colon and Rectal Surgeon

(724) 741-6020

I am a Board-Certified Colon and Rectal surgeon.  Although trained in New York City in general surgery and at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit in my specialty, I have been practicing only in Pittsburgh and western PA for the last 30 years.  Over the years, the experience of contributing to new innovations has and continues to be extremely fulfilling.  Some of the procedures I perform can be life-saving, such as a colonoscopy, which is a quick and painless way of preventing colon cancer.  Some of the rectal procedures I perform are best done by specialists, like myself, in order to offer patients their best results and full rectal control after surgery.  Ultimately, as in all of medicine, my personal interaction with so many patients I have helped is what makes my work a lasting inspiration.

Ohio Valley Hospital — World Class Care. Right Next Door.

http://ohiovalleyhospital.org/

Ohio Valley Hospital offers services in the North Hills! Our Wound Care Center helps treat chronic wounds. In 2016, The Wound Care Center® had a patient satisfaction rate above 92 percent and a wound-healing rate of more than 93 percent! We also have a Wound Care Center in Kennedy Township, where our hospital is located. We’re a community hospital with a wide variety of services; with us, you’re just around the corner from feeling better. Some of our specialties and programs include: a Pain Treatment Center, an Acute Rehabilitation Unit, the Willow Brook Geropsychiatric Unit, outpatient psychiatry, senior independent living and personal care, outpatient laboratory services, a brand-new state-of-the-art orthopedic unit and a cutting-edge CT Scanner. We also provide a wide range of services for people suffering from diabetes. OVH is also helping to educate the next generation of medical professionals through our nursing and radiography programs. We have made advances in our surgical unit, offering the option for robotic-assisted surgery during gallbladder and hernia procedures, as well as in gynecology. OVH also has a Cardiac Catheter Lab and Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, a critical care suite, and other top-of-the-line facilities. To learn more about our hospital and the many services available, visit http://ohiovalleyhospital.org/

Shawn Richey, DC

Specialist in Peripheral Neuropathy

Chiropractic Family Health Center

www.backnline.com

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Dr. Shawn Richey, graduated from North Hills High School and earned his first bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. In 2003, he graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic with a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree and a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. Dr. Richey has seen over a thousand patients suffering with peripheral neuropathy since 2013. Through Chiropractic Family Health Center, Dr. Richey provides a specialized treatment protocol that is able to address the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy with a successful, non-invasive, drug-free approach that includes the use of low-level light therapy to stimulate tissue repair. This specific treatment is designed to heal rather than just deal with the symptoms. Over the years, Dr. Richey’s program has had a 90 percent satisfaction rate. He has expanded his practice to include both Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties.

St. Barnabas Health System

www.StBarnabasHealthSystem.com

Happiness and peace of mind are the primary focuses at St. Barnabas Health System. As a leader in retirement living and memory care, we offer our residents many retirement living options ranging from one-bedroom apartments to three-bedroom carriage homes in a variety of peaceful settings to various living assistance possibilities. Each day, our residents create new memories with their friends by participating in more than 100 weekly activities. Numerous amenities are available to residents such as the indoor shopping mall at the Village to an indoor swimming pool, fishing pond, walking trails, libraries, fitness area and more. St. Barnabas is the only retirement community in the region to offer unlimited free golf to its residents on its two golf courses, Conley Resort & Golf and Suncrest Golf. Along with retirement living benefits, we offer our residents a continuum of care from home care to living assistance, skilled nursing, outpatient medical and dental care, hospice and the newly created memory care program at our locations in Allegheny, Beaver and Butler counties. What makes St. Barnabas apart from the ordinary is the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund which provides over $7 million in free care annually to its residents.

Tri-State Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Inc.

www.tristateortho.com. 

For more than 40 years, Tri-State Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine has continued to provide the region with the most advanced orthopaedic treatment for general orthopaedic conditions and sports-related injuries. With 11 board-certified physicians and more than 200 years of combined experience, Tri-State serves our communities by offering the full range of accessible orthopaedic care in four office locations (North Hills, Seven Fields, Robinson Twp. and Fox Chapel). Tri-State Orthopaedics is an independent private practice and accepts all major insurances, including both Highmark and UPMC Health Plan. We care for professional, collegiate and amateur athletes in a variety of sports and serve as team physicians at North Allegheny and sports medicine providers for Seneca Valley School District. In addition, Tri-State offers Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and accessible Ortho Urgent Care hours in the North Hills and Seven Fields offices. We are pleased to announce that Caleb Campbell, M.D., relocated his practice to join Tri-State Orthopaedics as of July 1, 2017. He is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the treatment of the hand/fingers/wrist/elbow. Dr. Campbell treats traumatic hand injuries and cares for a variety of general orthopaedic conditions and work-related injuries. To learn more, please visit our website at www.tristateortho.com. 

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

http://www.upmccancercenter.com/find/locations/hillman-cancer-center-pittsburgh-pa

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center connects patients to the integrated expertise of leading clinicians, academic researchers, specialty programs and treatment centers. By partnering with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, we are accelerating the breakthroughs in our labs into clinical practice around the world. Backed by the collective strength of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is transforming cancer research, care and prevention — one patient at a time. 

• UPMC Hillman Cancer Center has more than 50 locations throughout Western Pennsylvania and Ohio.
• UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• UPMC is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for excellence in cancer care.
• UPMC Hillman Cancer Center provides leading-edge treatments and the latest in clinical investigations.

UPMC Senior Communities

http://www.upmc.com/Services/senior-communities/Pages/default.aspx

In neighborhoods all around Pittsburgh, more than 2,900 Western Pennsylvania seniors have found a secure, affordable lifestyle they love, close to familiar hometown places, at UPMC Senior Communities. Residents of UPMC Senior Communities can be assured that the home they choose is backed by a world-class, Pittsburgh-based health resource whose focus is improving and enriching their lives. UPMC’s state-of-the-art medical resources, preventive health care and comprehensive wellness services offered at our Senior Communities can help seniors live life to the fullest, stay well and meet the challenges that older adults sometimes face. Whether you need in-home health care, memory support or other services, residents have access to nationally-recognized geriatricians, primary care physicians and cutting-edge geriatric research. Whether your choice is independent retirement, personal care, assisted living or skilled nursing and rehabilitation, UPMC Senior Communities provides exceptional value and affordable living options, along with comprehensive medical services in 18 locations across the Pittsburgh region. Pittsburghers appreciate value, affordability and comfortable surroundings close to hometown roots in Western Pennsylvania. Come see for yourself who so many area seniors call UPMC Senior Communities home. Experience beautiful, affordable living, caring support, close to family, friends and the places and activities you love. Visit our website: UPMCSeniorCommunities.com or call 1-800-324-5523 today to schedule a tour.

Michael Vactor, D.C.

Doctor of Chiropractic and Natural Healthcare Advocate

(724) 742-2700

Advances in Men’s Healthcare  

We, at Northern Connection magazine, are proud to help create awareness regarding several healthcare concerns that can effect men and in some cases both men and women, throughout their lives and the various methods of care and treatments that are available from the dedicated healthcare professionals in our area. [Read more…]