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​​UPMC in North Central Pa. hospitals recognized for efforts supporting organ donation

WILLIAMSPORT — UPMC in North Central Pa. hospitals are receiving statewide recognition for their efforts to support and raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation. UPMC Williamsport earned third place as a top-performing hospital for the Gift of Life Donor Program (GLDP) in The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania’s (HAP) 2025 Donate Life Pennsylvania Hospital Challenge. UPMC Muncy was also designated as a “Platinum” performer with the GLDP. “Organ donation is one of the most selfless acts a person can make,” said Patti Jackson-Gehris, ...

Cutting medication costs without cutting corners

FAMILY FEATURES — As the cost of living continues to rise, many Americans are being forced to make difficult financial decisions. Skipping medications might seem like a quick way to save money, but this can lead to serious health risks and higher costs down the road. In fact, research shows 27% of Americans skip prescriptions each month due to cost. More than half of Americans who filled a prescription this year said the cost felt like a financial burden. Cindy George, MPH, a senior personal finance editor at GoodRx and nationally recognized health journalist, shared expert advice ...

Mount Nittany Health welcomes vascular surgeon

STATE COLLEGE — Mount Nittany Health recently welcomed David Han, MD, board-certified and fellowship-trained vascular surgeon, to its medical staff. A Chester County, Pa., native and Penn State alumnus, Dr. Han is excited to be serving the community where his journey in medicine ...

CDC dramatically scales back program that tracks food poisoning infections

Federal health officials have dramatically scaled back a program that has tracked food poisoning infections in the U.S. for three decades. The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet, has cut required monitoring to just two pathogens that cause infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s down from eight. Under the change, which began in July, health departments in 10 states that participate in the joint state and federal program will be required to monitor only foodborne infections caused by salmonella and Shiga ...

Neurosurgeon refuses to put in a shunt for person with NPH

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and had a spinal tap a few months ago. It helped my brain fog, but my neurosurgeon didn’t want to put in a shunt. I am 96. Can repeated taps help me? — M.G. ANSWER: NPH is a condition where the fluid inside the brain has a high pressure. It is unknown why this happens, but symptoms include an abnormal gait and incontinence along with the brain fog you mentioned. When NPH is suspected, a spinal tap is a useful diagnostic test. Taking a lot of spinal fluid out, which suspends the brain and spinal cord, will temporarily ...