News from Main Line Health

Jefferson Health System named among 15 Top Health Systems

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Jefferson Health System named among 15 Top Health Systems

Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Main Line Health, and Magee Rehabilitation Hospital recognized as industry leaders

(Bryn Mawr, Pa. – January 23, 2012)—The Jefferson Health System, which includes Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Main Line Health, and Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, has been named one of five of the highest performing health systems in the “large health systems” category of Thomson Reuter’s fourth annual study identifying the top U.S. health systems based on balanced system-wide clinical performance.

The Thomson Reuters 15 Top Health Systems study compiled data from more than 300 organizations and singled out 15 hospital systems that achieved superior clinical outcomes based on a composite score of eight measures of quality, patient perception of care and efficiency.

“It is an honor to receive this ranking and recognition from one of the world’s leading independent rating organizations,” said Joseph Sebastianelli, president and CEO, Jefferson Health System. “Our ranking among other top health systems is a validation of how the thousands of employees and staff throughout our organization strive to provide world-class care to the communities we serve.”

“This prestigious recognition is a clear indication of the extraordinary efforts made by our thousands of doctors, nurses and staff,” says Jefferson Hospitals’ President and CEO Thomas J. Lewis. “We set our standard very high. Quality care drives what we do each and every day. This honor tells of how committed we are to continually providing consistent, quality care to all of our patients.”

“This distinction is a direct result of the tremendous efforts on behalf of the teams at Main Line Health and Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals who are dedicated to excellence,” said Jack Lynch, president and CEO of Main Line Health. “The achievement truly reflects how our quality of care is leading the industry, and I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the entire Main Line Health team for consistently providing a superior patient experience to all who come through our doors.”

Thomson Reuters combined individual hospital performance data from 2009 to 2011 into system level data that was then compared to 321 health systems around the country. The study compared all systems using eight performance measures related to quality and efficiency of care and patient satisfaction. For more information, please visit the Thomson Reuters website.

About Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals

Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals (TJUH) are dedicated to excellence in patient care, patient safety and the quality of the healthcare experience. Consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the nation's top hospitals, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, established in 1825, has over 900 licensed acute care beds with major programs in a wide range of clinical specialties. TJUH is one of the few hospitals in the U.S. that is both a Level 1 Trauma Center and a federally-designated regional spinal cord injury center. TJUH patient care facilities include Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, the region’s only dedicated hospital for neuroscience, Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia, and additional patient care facilities throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. TJUH partners with its education affiliate, Thomas Jefferson University.

About Main Line Health

Founded in 1985, Main Line Health (MLH) is a non-profit health system serving portions of Philadelphia and its western suburbs. At its core are four of the region’s most respected acute care hospitals — Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital — as well as one of the nation’s premier facilities for rehabilitative medicine, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, and Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol recovery. Main Line Health, with over 10,000 employees and 2,000 physicians, provides the area’s most advanced medicine, as well as health-centered care, education and research to help our community stay well ahead on the path to life-long health.

About Magee Rehabilitation Hospital

Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, founded in 1958, is a 96-bed specialty medical rehabilitation hospital providing physical and cognitive rehabilitation services. Magee’s flagship facility is located in Center City Philadelphia. In addition to the main campus that offers comprehensive services for spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, orthopedic replacement, amputation, pain management and work injury, Magee provides an expanding out-patient network serving the surrounding communities. In 1985, Magee’s brain injury rehabilitation program became the first in the nation to be accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Magee partnered with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to create one of the nation’s 14 federally designated centers for spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Magee has been rated one of America’s leading rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. # # #

Nemours and Bryn Mawr Hospital Expand Pediatric Partnership to Offer Superior Care to the Main Line’s Youngest Residents

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

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Nemours and Bryn Mawr Hospital Expand Pediatric Partnership to Offer Superior Care to the Main Line’s Youngest Residents

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Nemours and Bryn Mawr Hospital Expand Pediatric Partnership to Offer Superior Care to the Main Line’s Youngest Residents

Relationship ensures children throughout the Main Line have access to specialized Pediatric Care in their community

Wilmington, DE – The Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children and Bryn Mawr Hospital are proud to announce the expansion of their innovative partnership to bring specialized pediatric care services to the nearly one million children in the five-county region of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

“As the Main Line community continues to grow, Bryn Mawr Hospital and Main Line Health are committed to ensuring our youngest patients have ready access to the best possible pediatric care in the communities where they live,” said Andrea Gilbert, President of Bryn Mawr Hospital. “In 2010 alone, Main Line Health and Nemours worked together to treat thousands of children throughout the Main Line. As young families continue to grow throughout our communities, parents and guardians can trust Main Line Health and Nemours to provide superior pediatric care to their children.”

Kevin B. Churchwell, MD, Chief Executive Officer of the duPont Hospital for Children stated, “We are so pleased Bryn Mawr Hospital entrusted us to continue caring for children in their Main Line communities. Combining the quality and patient service experiences of our great organizations allows us to achieve the Nemours promise to do whatever it takes to help children grow up healthy and reach their full potential.”

With the goal of improving services for pediatric patients, Bryn Mawr Hospital leadership recently undertook a comprehensive review of pediatric needs on the Main Line as well as service offerings available from area children’s health systems. Based on key criteria of access, quality, and organizational fit, the duPont Hospital for Children was again selected as the pediatric partner for Bryn Mawr Hospital and Main Line Health.

With today’s announcement, Nemours and Bryn Mawr Hospital will strengthen their pediatric collaboration over the next year to include around-the-clock pediatric care in the pediatric emergency department with additional board-certified emergency medicine physicians. The expanded relationship will also offer additional specialty consultation services for inpatients at Bryn Mawr Hospital as well as outpatient pediatric specialty services on Bryn Mawr Hospital’s campus. Moreover, every Main Line Health hospital will have access to Nemours Kids Transport, a state of the art emergency transport system designed to safely transport children when the advanced pediatric services of a children’s hospital are required. In the near future, the partnership will look to expand onsite surgical capabilities.

As mother to six-year old Maeve Gilroy, a repeat patient on Bryn Mawr Hospital’s pediatric unit, Stacey Gilroy of Havertown knows first hand the importance of accessing specialized pediatric care close to home. Maeve has Ketotic Hypoglycemia, also known as “toddler’s disease,” a form of hypoglycemia in which low blood sugar results from skipped meals. “During her multiple stays on the pediatric unit at Bryn Mawr, Maeve received exceptional care from the entire clinical team,” said Gilroy. “I trust the expertise of the Nemours physicians and appreciate that we can stay in our own neighborhood to receive the specialized care she requires.”

Main Line Health has a long history providing neonatal intensive care at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Medical Center and Paoli Hospital and pediatric inpatient care at Bryn Mawr Hospital. In 1997 Main Line Health partnered with Nemours to enhance these service offerings and provide surgical coverage, consultative services, and outpatient specialty care at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Outpatient care was expanded to include 16 specialties when Nemours Children’s Clinic opened at the Main Line Health Center in Newtown Square in 2008.

Ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report, the duPont Hospital for Children offers expert, family-centered care on a 300-acre campus conveniently located in Wilmington, Delaware. Nemours recently kicked off a $260 million, 450,000 square foot expansion to the duPont Hospital for Children that will feature expanded services to better serve the growing needs of children and their families.

Recognized continually by independent rating organizations such as Thomson Reuters, the Joint Commission and US News and World Report, Bryn Mawr Hospital is the only Main Line Health Hospital with an inpatient pediatric unit and a pediatric designated emergency department. The hospital received ANCC Magnet Designation in 2010 for the second time, an honor recognizing nursing excellence and achieved by only 3 percent of the nation’s hospitals.

As Nemours and Main Line Health physicians, Dr. Robert Stavis, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Glenn Kaplan, Chief of Neonatology, Dr. Jared Caruso, Chief of Inpatient Pediatrics, and Dr. Hazel Guinto-Ocampo, Bryn Mawr Hospital Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine continue in their roles at Main Line Health and Bryn Mawr Hospital. They will provide leadership and clinical oversight ensuring the quality of pediatric services offered to patients and families in the region.

For more information regarding Nemours Pediatric Partners at Bryn Mawr Hospital, call 866-CALL-MLH or visit Nemours.org/brynmawrhospital.

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About Nemours

Nemours (NAH-mors: rhymes with s’mores) is an internationally recognized children’s health system that owns and operates the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, along with major pediatric specialty clinics in Delaware, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 2012, it will open the full-service Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Florida.

Established as The Nemours Foundation through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. du Pont, Nemours offers pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy and prevention programs to all families in the communities it serves. For more information, visit www.Nemours.org

About Bryn Mawr Hospital

Bryn Mawr Hospital, a member of Main Line Health, is a 319-bed licensed non-profit acute-care teaching hospital dedicated to helping the community stay well ahead on the path to life-long health. The Hospital has achieved Magnet™ designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the nation’s highest award for recognizing excellence in nursing care, and has been nationally recognized by HealthGrades, Press Ganey, Thomson Reuters, the Joint Commission and other healthcare ratings organizations for its high quality patient care. The Hospital offers a full range of services, including cancer care, orthopedic care, cardiovascular care, maternity care and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, all aided by a dedicated team of health care professionals and innovative technology such as the da Vinci®TM Surgical System’s robotic technology.

For more information, visit www.mainlinehealth.org/brynmawr

Lankenau Medical Center Neurologist Authors Position Statement Endorsed by American Academy of Neurology

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Lankenau Medical Center Neurologist Authors Position Statement Endorsed by American Academy of Neurology

Statement proposes that neurologists should screen

all patients for abuse

( Wynnewood , Pa, January 25)-- Lankenau Medical Center neurologist Elliott A. Schulman, MD, has authored a position statement endorsed by the American Academy of Neurology that calls on neurologists to begin screening patients for abusive or violent treatment.

Dr. Schulman’s statement, which stems from his article ‘American Academy of Neurology Position Statement on Abuse and Violence’, urges neurologists to look for signs of elder abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, cyberbullying and violence. The full position statement is published in the January 25, 2012 online issue of Neurology^®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

“Neurologists see patients with neurologic disorders that may make them more susceptible to abuse or neglect,” said Schulman. “They also see patients with neurologic issues that may be either directly or indirectly related to mistreatment.”

As stated by the American Academy of Neurology, more than 90 percent of all injuries from intimate partner violence occur to the head, face or neck region, and can lead to traumatic brain injury, according to the position statement. People with neurologic disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease or stroke may be at higher risk for abuse and neglect.

“By routinely asking about violence and abuse, the neurologist increases the opportunity for both identifying ongoing abuse and intervening when appropriate,” Schulman said. “In addition to further physical and emotional harm, consequences of not asking about abuse might include failure of treatments and, when children are exposed to abuse, perpetuation of the cycle of abuse from generation to generation.”

Schulman lists ten principles of intervention for neurologists to adhere to when meeting with patients, beginning with integrating questions about abuse into the medical history and routinely screening all patients for past and ongoing violence.

The position statement also includes a list of resources for patients, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or www.thehotline.org.

Dr. Schulman has served on the staff of Bryn Mawr, Lankenau and Paoli Hospitals since 2006, and acts as a professor at Lankenau Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and completed his residency at Georgetown University Hospital and a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Schulman is a member of multiple organizations, including both the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Neurological Societies, and was recognized by US News & World Report as a Top Doctor in 2011.

For more information, visit the American Academy of Neurology’s newsroom.

Two Trustees Join Main Line Health Board

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

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Main Line HealthCare Welcomes Exton Pediatrician

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

(EXTON, PA) Betsy Ostrow, MD and Beth Simonowitz, MD are pleased to welcome Pallavi Arabolu, MD to Great Kids on January 3, 2012. Board certified in Pediatrics, Dr. Arabolu earned her medical degree from University of Mysore /J.S.S. Medical College in India, and completed her pediatric residency at Stony Brook University Medical Center in New York. Prior to joining Main Line HealthCare, she practiced in New York City for three and one-half years. Dr. Arabolu provides compassionate care to her patients and takes a special interest in newborns and breast feeding. She is fluent in four Indian dialects including Telugu, Tami, Hindi, and Kannada. Dr. Arabolu is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is on staff at Paoli Hospital.

Dr. Arabolu sees patients at Great Kids in Suite 201 at the Main Line Health Center, 491 John Young Way, Exton, PA. She has convenient office hours and accepts most insurance plans, including HMOs and PPOs. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Arabolu, please call 484.565.8507.

Main Line HealthCare Welcomes Lauren E. Baker, DO

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

(COLLEGEVILLE, PA) Marylou Checchia-Romano, DO, Jason Conwell, MD, George Taylor, MD, and Jeffrey Brand, DO, are pleased to welcome Lauren E. Baker, DO to Upper Providence Family Medicine on January 3, 2012. Board certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Baker earned her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed her family medicine residency at Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington, PA. She specializes in adolescent medicine and women’s health and believes good listening skills and communication are keys to better health for her patients. Dr. Baker is available as a speaker for community events, and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Osteopathic Association, Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association, and the Pennsylvania Medical Society. She is on staff at Paoli Hospital.

Dr. Baker sees patients of all ages at Upper Providence Family Medicine, Main Line Health Center, 599 Arcola Road, Collegeville, PA. She has convenient office hours and accepts most insurance plans, including HMOs and PPOs. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Baker, please call 484.565.8440.

Main Line HealthCare Opening New Audubon Office February 1st

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

(AUDUBON, PA) Main Line HealthCare is pleased to announce the opening of its new Audubon office. The office is located in Suite 200 at 950 Forge Avenue in Audubon. Mark S. Gottlieb, DO will begin seeing patients in the new office on February 1, 2012. Board certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Gottlieb more than 17 years in practice and sees patients aged 12 and older. He has a special interest in preventive medicine as well as the treatment of hypertension, asthma/COPD, diabetes, and obesity. He is available as a speaker for community events and is on staff at the Main Line Health Hospitals including Paoli, Bryn Mawr, and Riddle Hospitals, and Lankenau Medical Center.

Dr. Gottlieb has convenient office hours and accepts most insurance plans including HMOs and PPOs. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gottlieb in his new Audubon location, please call 484.956.6000.

Local Woman Delivers First Bryn Mawr Hospital Baby Born in 2012

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

(Bryn Mawr, Pa. – January 9, 2012)— Bryn Mawr Hospital’s first baby, Lillian Organtini, was born just seven minutes after midnight on January 1. As part of the New Year’s tradition, the Bryn Mawr Hospital Women’s Board presented a pewter cup to baby Lillian. Marking the milestone are (from left) nurse Jillian Hatch; new dad Randy Organtini; and Women’s Board members Cackie Rogers and Betsy McFarland. Seated are new mom Christina Organtini and Missy Parkin, Women’s Board member.

Main Line HealthCare Welcomes Roxborough Cardiologists

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

WYNNEWOOD, PA) Main Line HealthCare is pleased to welcome Michael DeAngelis, MD, Bruce Kornberg, DO, Erin O’Malley Tysko, MD, and Riti Patel, MD to their multi-specialty physician network. The physicians are board certified in cardiovascular disease. Dr. O’Malley Tysko is also certified in Nuclear Cardiology, and Dr. Patel in Nuclear Cardiology and Echocardiography. The physicians offer advanced comprehensive cardiac care for a variety of problems including coronary artery disease, hypertension, lipid disorders, valvular abnormalities, women’s heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease. They provide diagnostic imaging including rest and stress echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, exercise and pharmacologic nuclear stress testing, and vascular ultrasound imaging. Their goal is to offer their patients the most advanced cardiac care in a convenient and comfortable setting. The physicians are part of the heart program at Lankenau Medical Center, and also on staff at Roxborough Memorial Hospital.

Drs. DeAngelis, Kornberg, O’Malley Tysko, and Patel are currently seeing patients at Lankenau Medical Center and Roxborough Memorial Hospital. They have convenient office hours and accept most insurance plans including HMOs and PPOs. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, please call 215.298.5000.

Riddle Welcomes 40 Tiny Tots to Operation Warm Party

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Employees of Riddle Hospital sing and dance with children at party.

Media, PA- The 8th Annual Operation Warm Children's Party at Riddle Hospital welcomed 40 pre-schoolers from the Delco IU Head Start Programs to a party in their honor with lunch, singing, dancing and new coats from Operation Warm. Hospital employees, physicians, volunteers and Bumper "T" Caring Clowns joined with musicians from Makin'Music to sing and dance with the children. Following a pizza lunch, each child was fitted with a new winter coat, their name carefully printed on the unique tag sewn inside and memory photos were taken for them to cherish. "I like this place," stated one very happy youngster as he looked around the hospital lobby decorated for the holidays. Another child picked a bright pink coat out for herself and zipped, snapped and held onto it tightly, pleased with her choice. "For many of these children, we are giving them the first new item of clothing they've ever had," said Cydney Irving-Dasent of Operation Warm.

Riddle Hospital has led the Delco Campaign for Operation Warm since 2003, partnering with Wawa, Rotary Clubs, schools, churches and businesses, raising the funds to provide the winter coats. The 2011 goal is to provide coats for 5,000 Delco children-in-need which translates into thousands of dollars. Operation Warm purchases the coats from a manufacturer ensuring good quality and great styles. All coats are new, which sends a message of value to the children. "We will hand out the one millionth coat to a child this year," stated Dick Sanford, CEO and Founder of Operation Warm, Inc.a local non-profit in Chadds Ford, founded in 1998 by Sanford, who noticed children waiting for a school bus in winter and without coats. Inspired to correct this, he personally bought 58 coats from a local retailer and delivered them to the school to be given out to those children he had seen earlier that morning and any others in need. Thus began an effort that has grown to more than 20 states in the United States with a major focus on the Delaware Valley region. To learn more about this organization, visit www.operationwarm.org

Happy Healing Pillows For Surgical Patients

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Patient, Dorothy Tomlinson(center)cuddles up with pillows and nursing staff. L-R: Kelly Fritz-RN, Tinamaria Fadgen-Unit Clerk, Kathy Essaf-RN, Patty Konieczka-RN .

MEDIA, PA: Riddle Hospital announces a new program, Happy Healing Pillows, inspired by Tinamaria Fadgen, Unit Clerk on the Progressive Care Unit, that will enhance the experience for surgical patients during their recovery while in the hospital and when they go home to heal. Following most surgeries, including breast and abdominal surgery, patients are required to perform coughing and deep breathing exercises to prevent respiratory complications. For many this can be extremely uncomfortable and the pillows give relief and protection of the surgical site. Mrs. Fadgen was inspired by her mother’s experience, then consulted with administration for approval. She will now manage the program. Pillows measuring approximately 12” x 12” and covered in soft cotton fabric offer the perfect item to help patients deal with pain and discomfort. Nurses will give patients their personal Happy Healing Pillows while in the hospital, and they will be able to take the pillows home. Mrs. Fadgen invites students, church members, youth groups and individuals to consider this program as a unique outreach to patients. “As patient care professionals, we always strive to provide our patients with a superior experience while in our hospital,” said Fadgen. Designing the pillows is up to the creators and can be plain or fancy. Templates and instructions are available from the hospital by calling Donna Kieser, Volunteer Services & Patient Advocacy at 484-227- 3170.

Riddle’s STAR Employee Auxiliary Hosts 23rd Annual Santa’s Workshop

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Mrs. Claus and Santa welcome a tiny visitor at the annual Riddle event.

Media, PA: When the doors opened on Sunday, Dec. 11, more than 150 children and their families entered Riddle Hospital to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, welcomed by employees who devotedly prepare for the annual event. Providing delicious holiday refreshments and a crafts table to keep little ones busy, it was also an opportunity to collect new toys, clothing and cash donations for CADES, a local organization that serves children with disabilities.Music filled the lobby when students from Springton Lake Middle School’s “Choir Voices” performed holiday songs. All children and adults had their photos taken with Santa, and then were printed on the spot and presented as a gift from STAR. Special thanks to Barb Madden, Kathy Warren, Donna Meehan, Lucy Klodarska, Sandy Swank, Courtney Ballauer and Steve Derby for their hard work putting things together for the day.

Riddle Hospital Foundation Board Welcomes New Member

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

The Riddle HealthCare Foundation Board of Directors recently elected Francis J. Leto, Esq. to the board. Leto is Executive Vice President of the Wealth Management Division of Bryn Mawr Trust Company where he manages Fiduciary Services Group, Retirement Services, Investment Management, Custody, Brokerage, Private Banking and Tax Services. He is also on the board of The Bryn Mawr Trust Company.

Leto is a member of the American, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Joseph’s University and a law degree, cum laude, from The Delaware Law School. Leto will serve on the foundation board for a term of three years. Mr. Leto resides in Haverford with his wife, Anita. The Riddle HealthCare Foundation provides a philanthropic venue for members of the community to support Riddle Hospital in fulfilling its mission and vision.

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital Project SEARCH Program Informational Sessions Slated

Fri, 9 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital Project SEARCH Program Informational Sessions Slated

Malvern, PA – Project SEARCH at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital helps adults with disabilities gain the skills and experience they need to successfully obtain employment. Adults participating in the program receive up to 25 hours of education, job training and job coaching each week through classroom education and on-the-job internships. The education and experience helps participants learn skills and gain experience that will help them compete successfully for jobs.

Individuals interested in participating in this program should attend one of the FREE open house information sessions scheduled in January. Representatives from Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital and the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) will be available to answer questions and assist attendees with the Project SEARCH application process. Interested individuals can submit an application for the program at one of the information sessions.

Project SEARCH information sessions are scheduled:

Wednesday, January 11, 5 p.m. Conference Rooms 1-4, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
Saturday, January 14, 10 a.m.Board Room Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
For more information about the programs and to register click here.

Donna M. Phillips, President of Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, notes “Project SEARCH provides hands-on experience to individuals with disabilities who want to gain employment in our region’s highly competitive job market. Our program focuses on providing on-the-job work experience and important skills they need to gain and maintain employment.”

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital partners with regional businesses and organizations to offer entry-level positions to Project SEARCH interns. Currently, through partnerships with Main Line Health and the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley, Project SEARCH interns are gaining work experience and job skills that will help them achieve their ultimate goal of successful, permanent employment.

Among the worksite experiences interns may obtain through Project SEARCH are clerical, food service, environmental services, materials management, patient services, information services, support services and others. Classroom education takes place at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, while on-the-job experience may be obtained at business partner locations.