UPMC Pinnacle

We are excited to share that rheumatology services are now available close to home at UPMC Children’s Specialty Services in Lemoyne and Lititz!

Dr. Andrew Kung, pediatric rheumatologist, sat down with Good Day PA on ABC27 to share his expertise on common pediatric rheumatologic conditions and the comprehensive rheumatology care offered at UPMC Children’s Specialty Services.

Take a look:

UPMC Children’s Specialty Services – Health Care with Children & Teens in Mind UPMC’s Children’s Specialty Services are committed to providing complete health care services with infants, children, teens and their families in mind. Amy spoke with Dr. Andrew Kung, P…

It was 2019 when an outpatient ultrasound revealed that Betty had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a bulge that develops in a weakened area of the aorta and affects the portion of the artery located in the abdomen.

Shortly after her diagnosis, Betty made an appointment to see Dr. Jason Comeau, a vascular surgeon at UPMC Lititz. In the years that followed, Dr. Comeau closely monitored the aneurysm until it began growing rapidly in size. In September 2022, he determined that the time had come for surgical repair.

“Dr. Comeau was so comforting and professional,” Betty recalls. “I was nervous about needing surgery, but he put my mind at ease and made me feel like I was the only person in the world who mattered to him at that moment.”

Dr. Comeau was able to address the issue using endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), a minimally invasive procedure in which a surgeon inserts a catheter through a small incision in the groin and guides a metal-and-fabric tube called a stent through a patient's blood vessels to the aneurysm.

The surgeon then expands the stent to support the weakened portion of the aorta, redirecting blood flow through the stent and relieving pressure on the bulge.

Betty says the surgery went as smoothly as possible, leaving her pain-free and allowing her to return home the next day. Within a few weeks, she was back to mowing the lawn, golfing, and participating in other activities that had become difficult prior to her procedure.

She is thankful for the care team that made her recovery possible.

“Everyone I encountered in the hospital was wonderful, from the pre-surgery staff to those who cared for me in the ICU. And Dr. Comeau is absolutely awesome. I can’t say enough nice things about him. He saved my life.”

UPMC Harrisburg employees took a little time to recharge and add some color to their day in celebration of National Coloring Day earlier this month. 🖍️

Employees were invited to stop by the lobby to pick up a positive memo or a UPMC Harrisburg-themed coloring page — a simple reminder that even a short break can bring a little inspiration to the workday.

Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun and helped bring a little more color to the hospital!

UPMC is committed to enhancing access to lifesaving transplant services, offering clinics at hospitals across the state to provide pre-transplant testing and evaluation services closer to home. For patients with heart failure in central Pennsylvania, UPMC Harrisburg brings the expertise of the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute and the heart transplant team right to the community, reducing the burden of travel and creating a seamless transition of care between local services and a prospective heart transplant or ventricular assist device (VAD) procedure.

Dr. Amy Goodrich, an advanced heart failure cardiologist at UPMC Harrisburg, was recently featured on WNEP to discuss the stages of heart failure, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and treatment options at UPMC.

Watch the full segment here: https://www.wnep.com/article/news/health/healthwatch-16/healthwatch-16-heart-failure-upmc-medicine-dr-amy-goodrich/523-c7af3451-60f9-48a5-8efb-7d8a332b73bb

Did you know that ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women, with an estimated 22,000 diagnoses each year?

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and in a recent appearance on WHP’s Taking Care of Business, Sharon Fitzgerald, MD, gynecologic oncologist, discussed ovarian cancer and the importance of routine gynecologic exams.

Listen to learn about the warning signs, prevention tips, and treatment options.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/459-taking-care-of-business-wi-23938092/episode/91226-upmc-ovarian-cancer-awareness-month-343686541

Congratulations to UPMC Harrisburg for earning the ELSO Gold Center of Excellence designation for 2027! This award recognizes the program's excellence in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), an advanced form of life support therapy for patients with severe heart or lung failure.

Since launching in 2021, our multidisciplinary ECMO team has grown the program into one of Pennsylvania’s recognized centers of excellence. After achieving ELSO Silver status in 2024, the team has now advanced to Gold, reflecting remarkable progress in patient outcomes, program development, and clinical excellence.

"Achieving Gold status is the result of years of collaboration, performance improvement and a shared vision to continually advance our program," says Paul Modelewski, DO, ECMO medical director for UPMC Harrisburg.

September is Vascular Disease Awareness Month, and peripheral artery disease (PAD) is one of the most common vascular diseases.

PAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the legs, reducing blood flow. As a result, the muscles may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood during physical activity, leading to leg pain or cramping.

Because PAD can worsen over time and increase the risk of serious complications, Dr. Maria Castello Ramirez, a vascular surgeon with the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in central Pa., recommends not ignoring symptoms and seeking medical evaluation if they occur.

“The good news is that PAD can often be diagnosed with a simple, painless test called the ankle-brachial index,” she explains. “This test compares blood pressure readings in the arms and legs to evaluate blood flow, and if the results suggest reduced circulation, additional imaging tests may be needed.”

Dr. Castello Ramirez says many cases of PAD can be managed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting to***co, eating a heart-healthy diet, and following a regular walking program. Other treatment options may consist of medications or minimally invasive procedures, including angioplasty or stenting.

In some cases, surgery may be needed to “bypass” a blocked artery and improve circulation.

Dr. Castello Ramirez emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, especially for people at higher risk of developing PAD.

“This list includes adults over 50, those who use to***co, and individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle, or a family history of PAD or other cardiovascular diseases.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, https://go.upmc.com/35334IKBD.

Congratulations to the teams at UPMC Carlisle, UPMC Hanover, UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Memorial, and UPMC West Shore on earning the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award!

These awards recognize hospitals that demonstrate commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. Across the nation, only 350 hospitals received this honor.

Across the United States, measles illness and deaths are on the rise because fewer people are receiving the MMR vaccine. The U.S. achieved “measles elimination status” in 2000 because high vaccination rates prevented the spread of measles. But as more people opt out of routine vaccination, measles outbreaks have surged across the country. The MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. If you have questions about vaccination, talk with your doctor. https://go.upmc.com/35254R1Yz

September is Vascular Disease Awareness Month. In this “Staying Aware” interview with Local 21 CBS News, WHP Harrisburg, Dr. Steven Woratyla explains what vascular disease is and the risks that could lead to developing it.

Staying Aware | Risks and treatment for vascular disease Vascular disease is a medical condition that encompasses the blood vessels of the body, including arteries and veins.