CHROME ramps up consumer protection
Amid a rise in fraud and scam cases, CHROME Federal Credit Union has added layers of protection for members.
CHROME has implemented Trusted Contact, a service the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends that financial institutions offer.
Jasmine M. Hughes, marketing and relations director from CHROME, said in a news release that “in the second half of 2024, we launched a program to give our members another option to add more protection to their accounts without giving more people access to their accounts and money. It is called Trusted Contact.”
She said “the heightened need for fraud and scam awareness is prevalent. If you are ever in need of subject matter experts, we have many on staff who can be utilized to provide information or comment. We also have staff that keep abreast of the latest and newest scams circulating in our very own market.”
CHROME, based on Racetrack Road in North Strabane Township, said in a news release: “In 2023, a total of $3.4 billion losses were reported, and elder fraud complaints increased by 14% from the year prior.” It added that “these staggering statistics only continue to grow. Creating awareness around programs like Trusted Contact is more imperative than ever.
The FCU said “a trusted contact does not have to be a power of attorney, trustee or Investment adviser. (It) is meant to be a person who does not have a vested interest in the member financially, but can be a contact for CHROME to call if we suspect something may be wrong or need someone to check in on the member’s well-being.”
CHROME FCU was created in 1971 by employees of Washington Steel Corp. The credit union now serves about 14,000 members in the eight counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
For more information, visit chromefcu.org or a branch location in North Strabane, Washington and Wexford. To designate a trusted contact, visit the website or call 724-228-2030.
UPMC Washington
UPMC Washington Physicians Group has been named a 2024 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award winner by Press Ganey, a global leader in health care experience solutions and services.
The award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in patient experience. As an award winner, UPMC Washington Physicians Group ranks in the top 5% of health care providers for patient experience over the past year.
“Many patients begin their health care journey in the physician’s office, making it essential for our teams to collaborate in delivering the highest quality and safest care across the organization,” said Stacey Rush, director of Patient Experience, in a news release. “Every day, the UPMC Washington Physicians Group embodies this commitment by implementing best practices in health care with every patient interaction.”
Press Ganey works with more than 41,000 health care facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care.
“UPMC Washington Physicians Group redefines what it means to provide compassionate care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO and chairman at Press Ganey. “Their empathetic approach to patients and their unwavering support for staff fosters genuine human connections and a positive, nurturing environment.”
AHN I
Allegheny Health Network has appointed Bethany Casagranda, DO, MBA, as its new chief medical officer and president of Allegheny Clinic – the network’s employed physician organization. The appointment took effect Jan. 1.
She succeeds Dr. Donald Whiting, who had been AHN’s CMO since 2019. He is the longtime chair of the network’s Neuroscience Institute, and will continue in that role, which includes developing AHN’s new integrative neurologic disease treatment and research center at Allegheny General Hospital on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
Casagranda has been chair of AHN’s Imaging Institute since 2017. As CMO, she will serve as the lead clinical executive for the network’s employed physician organization and AHN hospital medical staff. AHN has a network of 2,500 employed and affiliated doctors.
Under her leadership, the AHN Imaging Institute has experienced significant growth and investment. Radiologist talent within the network has grown from 28 to 124 physicians during her tenure, and in 2024 alone, AHN’s Jefferson, Allegheny Valley and Westfield Memorial hospitals opened expanded and renovated imaging centers.
Last year, AHN also opened a state-of-the-art imaging center at its Bethel Park Health + Wellness Pavilion. And Allegheny General Hospital is completing a $100 million upgrade of its imaging services.
AHN II
Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute has appointed Dr. Chirag Shah as chair of its Department of Radiation Oncology, effective Jan. 1. Shah comes from the Cleveland Clinic and brings extensive experience and a distinguished career in radiation oncology to this role.
Shah is an accomplished physician leader with a record of excellence in clinical care, research, and education. His expertise spans a wide range of radiation oncology techniques and technologies, with a particular focus on breast cancer, sarcoma, and lymphedema prevention.
Before joining AHN, Shah served as the Director of Clinical Research, Director of Breast Radiation Oncology, and Director of Strategic Growth in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic. He also served as Co-Director of the Comprehensive Breast Program at the Cleveland Clinic. He has over 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has delivered dozens of presentations at national and international conferences.