UPMC adds telecommunication for neurological care
UPMC Washington is expanding access to specialized neurological care.
The hospital has instituted an inpatient teleneurosurgery consultation service that employs secure video technology, enabling UPMC neurosurgery specialists to provide real‑time consultations for hospitalized patients with spine or brain‑related (intracranial) conditions.
Specialists work directly with the hospital care team at a patient’s bedside.
Through this service, hospital teams consult with advanced practice providers who specialize in neurosurgery, and are supported by attending neurosurgeons Vincent Miele, Edward Andrews and David Fernandes Cabral.
UPMC said “this collaborative approach helps to ensure timely expert clinical input without requiring patient transfers solely for consultation purposes.”
Brook Ward, president of UPMC Washington, said in a prepared statement: “This service is another important step in strengthening the level of specialty care available here. Since joining UPMC (in 2024), we have remained focused on building services that meet the needs of our community.”
For more information, visit UPMC.com/Washington.
Kids eat free
The Washington Wild Things have added some bench strength to its Kids Eat Free Sundays program.
UPMC‑GoHealth Urgent Care is partnering with the Frontier League team as the presenting sponsor of Kids Eat Free Sundays, which the team has been offering since 2018.
These events provide children 12 and under with a free game ticket, a meal and a chance to run the bases and meet Wild Things players after the game.
Jim Griesi, vice president of Operations for UPMC-GoHealth Urgent Care, said in a statement: “It’s important for kids and families to get outside, be active and spend quality time together, especially after a long week of school or work.
“We’ve partnered with the Washington Wild Things on Kids Eat Free Sundays so all kids 12 and under can enjoy a game and a meal at no cost, then feel the thrill of running the bases like the pros.”
“We’re proud to support an experience where families can make memories, stay healthy and build lifelong connections, both on and off the field. Kids Eat Free Sundays gives families in our community a chance to enjoy a fun, affordable outing while celebrating movement and wellness in a way that resonates with kids of all ages.”
Kids who have been registered in the past do not need to re-register for the program. Those who have not can register on the team website or by calling the Ticket Return Box Office at 866-456-WILD (9453) or 724-250-9555.
Board appointment
Andrea Costello of Washington has been elected to the Pennsylvania Homecare Association’s board of directors.
PHA said in a statement that it “represents more than 700 home care, home health and hospice providers throughout the state who provide quality care and serve as the leading voice and champion of the home and community-based care industry, advocating for the workforce and enhancing quality services for individuals and their families across the Commonwealth.”
The organization said it is particularly focused on urging lawmakers in Harrisburg to address Pennsylvania’s rapidly worsening home care workforce shortages that have escalated to crisis levels due to insufficient funding of Medicaid reimbursement rates.
“Our agency serves people with disabilities that give them more control over their lives. The Medicaid reimbursement crisis often prevents us from providing them with that control,” said Costello, the Chief Quality Officer at Voices for Independence. “That is why I’m honored to join the PHA board and work towards solutions for this serious problem.”
Energy grants
Two energy companies have received grants totaling a little more than $36 million. The grants will be used to help cut greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs and strengthen the area’s industrial economy.
Grant recipients are CNX Green Ventures LLC and Iron Senergy Holding LLC.
CNX Green Ventures received $31.5 million to install special ventilation wells at the Enlow Fork coal mine in Washington and Greene counties. The project will use a pipeline system to safely capture and transport the methane for offsite processing.
Iron Senergy Holding LLC. received $4.8 million to install a device to capture coal mine methane.
In announcing the funding, state Rep. Cook, R-50th District, said in a prepared statement: “We need to continue to grow Pennsylvania’s energy sector and pursue policies that unleash its full potential. … By investing in projects that reduce emissions while supporting the industries that drive our economy, we can create jobs, lower costs for families and strengthen our area’s future.”
The funding is awarded as part of the Medium-scale Award Track (MAT) and Large-scale Award Track (LAT) of the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) program. In total, more than $267 million has been awarded to manufacturing projects across Pennsylvania through the program.