Zanesville, Ohio 08/26/2022 – Ethan Lepi of Boy Scout Troop 187 in Baltimore, Ohio, presented a unique piece of history to Genesis. Lepi renovated a stained-glass window from the Good Samaritan Chapel as his Eagle Scout project that took three years to complete due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lepi placed the window under glass, framed it and added backlighting to create a beautiful art piece. The art was placed in the outdoor courtyard of the Genesis Cancer Care Center, where patients and visitors view it from the waiting room. The project involved other updates to the courtyard, including a new reading bench and a wheelchair-accessible picnic table. Members of Boy Scout Troop 187 assisted in assembling the bench and table.

“We are grateful to Ethan to the hard work he dedicated to transforming this piece of our history into a beautiful work of art,” said Pebbles Thornton, Director of Genesis Cancer, Palliative Medicine and Hospice Services. “Our patients and visitors are appreciative of this spiritual and inspirational art. We are also grateful to the members of Boy Scout Troop 187 for their assistance.”

To learn more about the Genesis Cancer Care Center, visit genesishcs.org/cancer.

Stained Glass from Good Samaritan Chapel Benefits Patients

Zanesville, Ohio (Aug. 4, 2022) – Genesis HealthCare System received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. This award recognizes Genesis’ commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. 

“This award is important to us, as it demonstrates our commitment to high-quality stroke care,” said Bryan Bjornstad, M.D., Board-certified Neurologist with the Genesis Neurology Group. “By following the American Heart Association’s evidence-based guidelines to diagnose and treat strokes, we can continue to provide that care for our patients, saving lives and preserving brain function.”

The Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll is an additional component of the award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 80% compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.” 

To learn more about stroke care at Genesis, visit genesishcs.org/services-search/neurosciences/stroke-care.

Demonstrates High-quality Stroke Care for Patients

Genesis Cancer Services’ Radiation Oncology department has been awarded a 3-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Radiation oncology is the careful use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. This is second consecutive time Genesis has earned the 3-year accreditation.

“We are pleased our Radiation Oncology department earned the accreditation again,” said Pebbles Thornton, Director of Cancer, Palliative Medicine and Hospice Services at Genesis HealthCare System. “This demonstrates that our expert and compassionate physicians, nurses, technologists and other team members adhere to the highest standards of care for our patients.”

The ACR seal of accreditation represents the highest level of quality and patient safety. Genesis earned the accreditation by meeting specific practice guidelines and technical standards developed by the ACR. Patient care and treatment, patient safety, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed during the review.

American College of Radiology Award demonstrates excellence.

Art students from Ohio University (OU) recently painted murals at Genesis HealthCare System to brighten the view for pediatric patients and their families. The Pediatric Unit on the main floor of Genesis Hospital had a plain, wooden fence surrounding the windows to protect patients’ privacy. The fence now features colorful, calming scenes to provide a better patient experience and promote healing and wellness.

A committee of Genesis employees worked with the art students and their professor to design the murals, and the students brought the designs to life. The materials for the project were funded by the Genesis HealthCare Foundation.

Pictured above:

Standing in front of the murals on the fence painted by Ohio University art students are (front row) Jana Bell, Childbirth Education/Lactation Coordinator, Angela Brado, Operational Manager of Nursery, Pediatrics, Lactation and Childbirth Education, (back row) Angie Stillion,  Administrative Assistant, and Megan Goins, Pediatric R.N.

Ohio University students create colorful murals to brighten the view for pediatric patients and their families.

The Zanesville United States Bowling Congress (USBC) recently presented a check for $5,300 to Genesis Cancer Services for its Breast Cancer Fund. The money was raised during the Strike Out Breast Cancer event held by the Zanesville USBC in February. 

“Genesis Cancer Services is grateful to the Zanesville USBC and its bowlers for their support of breast cancer patients in our community,” said Pebbles Thornton, Director of Genesis Cancer Services. “This generous donation will be used to provide our patients with the high-quality breast cancer and breast health care we provide to our patients.”

Photo caption: Tammy Ansbery-Hildenbrand, Strike Out Breast Cancer event chairperson, right, presents a check for $5,300 to Pebbles Thornton, Director, Genesis Cancer Services. 

Proceeds of Strike Out Breast Cancer Event.

Genesis FirstCare-New Lexington will reopen Monday, April 4. The location temporarily closed in August 2021, so providers and staff could assist at FirstCare-North with the high volume of patients needing COVID-19 testing and treatment.

With the prevalence of COVID-19 down, providers and staff can return to the New Lexington location to provide high-quality healthcare to those in need.

Located at 401 Lincoln Park Drive, Suite B, New Lexington, Genesis FirstCare-New Lexington is a primary care, walk-in clinic. Patients can be seen for a variety of minor illnesses and injuries that do not require emergency care. Appointments are not needed. It is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FirstCare-New Lexington staff treat minor illnesses and injuries, such as colds, earaches, minor cuts and lacerations, rashes, sprains and strains, among others. COVID-19 testing is also available. For more complex conditions, such as abdominal pain, pregnancy, issues chest pain, chronic pain and dizziness, FirstCare staff may refer patients to the Genesis Perry County Emergency Department in Somerset.

Genesis FirstCare is accepted by many insurances; typically, a visit requires the same co-pay patients would have for a family doctor visit. For more information, visit Genesis FirstCare.

Primary care, walk-in clinic reopens April 4

Zanesville, Ohio (Feb. 24, 2022) – Several community organizations partnered in 2021 to offer free mammograms to those who couldn’t afford one due to lack of insurance, being under-insured or not having the ability to pay. Beginning in October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and ending in December, the program was a success, with 81 women completing their mammograms.

“I am grateful for this partnership that enables us to make a difference for women in the community,” said Pebbles Thornton, Director, Genesis Cancer Services. “Breast cancer is highly treatable if detected in its earliest stages through mammography. We are pleased to be a part of a program that saves lives.”

Genesis HealthCare System, Coconis Furniture, WHIZ TV, the Muskingum County Community Foundation, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Project, Radiology Associates of Southeastern Ohio, and several donors joined together in the effort. The free mammogram program will be offered again in October 2022.

Community organizations partner to offer the lifesaving screenings

Mitesh Parekh, M.D., Member of InterStim™ Center of Excellence Program

Zanesville, Ohio (Feb. 18, 2022) – Mitesh Parekh, M.D., a urogynecologist with Genesis Urogynecology, has been recognized by Medtronic, a medical device company, as a member of the InterStim™ Center of Excellence Program. This recognition is awarded to physicians for demonstrating exemplary use of the InterStim™ system and a commitment to patient care for those suffering from symptoms associated with overactive bladder, fecal incontinence and non-obstructive urinary retention.

“The Genesis Urogynecology team is pleased to receive this recognition from Medtronic,” said Dr. Parekh. “Being a member of the InterStim™ Center of Excellence Program demonstrates our commitment to helping our patients live a happier, healthier life.”

Requirements for the recognition include the physician must be board-certified in urology, obstetrics and gynecology or urogynecology; establishing a branded care pathway, completing Medtronic education courses, and implanting a minimum of 100 patients with the InterStim™ system, among others.

InterStim™ is a sacral nerve stimulation therapy that re-establishes communication between the brain and bladder or bowels. It can regulate the sacral nerves’ function, so they can interpret signals from the brain and pass them on to the surrounding pelvic floor muscles. This enables a return to normal bladder and bowel function.

To learn more about Dr. Parekh and the services he offers, call the Genesis Urogynecology office at 740-454-5678.

Mitesh Parekh, M.D., a urogynecologist with Genesis Urogynecology, has been recognized by Medtronic, a medical device company, as a member of the InterStim™ Center of Excellence Program.

Genesis HealthCare System celebrated the opening of the new Genesis Orthopedic Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in conjunction with the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce Jan. 12, 2022. The new facility at 2905 Bell St., Zanesville, includes Genesis Orthopedic Services in one convenient location.

“The new Genesis Orthopedic Center enables us to expand and enhance our orthopedic services for the residents of Southeastern Ohio,” said Matt Perry, CEO, Genesis HealthCare System. “This gives our patients easy access to high-quality orthopedic care in a modern facility designed around their needs.”

The new facility has all Genesis orthopedic providers, including fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopedic surgeons specializing in joint replacement and hand surgery, sports medicine surgeons and physicians, advanced practice providers, athletic trainers, and physical and occupational therapists. It features state-of-the-art patient treatment spaces, therapies area, and imaging studies. The center is near the Genesis Surgery Center and Genesis Hospital.

The Genesis Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic is also located in the Genesis Orthopedic Center. Those with minor injuries such as sprains, strains, pulled muscles and injured fingers can be seen without an appointment. The Genesis Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pictured: Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Genesis Orthopedic Center were (left to right): Thai Trinh, M.D.; Matthew Langford, M.D.; Brenton Bohlig, M.D.; Matthew Craig, M.D.; Dana Matz, President, Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce; Matt Perry, CEO, Genesis HealthCare System; Clayton Gibson, M.D.; Corey Jackson, D.O.; Ian Alexander, M.D.; and Carley German, Director, Genesis Orthopedic Services.

Genesis HealthCare System celebrated the opening of the new Genesis Orthopedic Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Genesis HealthCare System surgeons recently performed the 2,000th robotic-assisted surgery at Genesis. Robotic-assisted surgery is an advanced form of minimally invasive surgery. It is a solution for various health needs, including certain heart issues, hernias, GYN procedures and more. 

“One of the reasons I cherish working at Genesis is that we are constantly analyzing the best methods for treating patients, which routinely leads us to be an early adopter of technology. Genesis began performing robotic-assisted surgeries in 2010. Due to our commitment to the best care, we can now celebrate that 2,000 patients have benefited from our robotic-assisted technology, skills and experience. It feels good to have helped so many of our community members,” said Stuart Chow, D.O., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Surgeon with Genesis Emergency & Trauma Services.

During robotic-assisted surgery, the robotic arms enable a surgeon to move instruments in ways that human hands cannot and reach into smaller places. These advantages result in smaller incisions, pinpoint precision, faster recoveries, lower infection rates, less blood loss and scarring and shorter hospital stays. 

For more information on robotic-assisted surgeries, visit genesishcs.org/roboticsurgery.

Genesis HealthCare System surgeons recently performed the 2,000th robotic-assisted surgery.