LVHN, UPHS Cancer Clinical Trials

Two immunotherapry drugs for skin cancer, the most common of all cancers, have been the subject of a recent clinical trial. Nivolumab and Ipilimumab, made by Bristol Myers Squibb, showed promise to fight melanoma when administered individually. The trial, to discover if there might be some clinical benefit if given sequentially, is being run by locally the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Suresh Nair, M.D., has been working with cancer patients and clinical trials for the last 24 years and is the senior medical director of academic oncology programs at LVHN. For him, getting clinical trials like this one at a community hospital is the culmination of a lifetime of work.

He said that the secret to getting high-level, highly sought after clinical trials lies in the strength of the team and the willingness of LVHN to put the necessary resources and time into creating a great cancer program. "This is just one clinical trial that we're part of, " said Nair. "We've had at least five other trials with Nivolumab and many more in the pipeline with drugs just as promising, each one as exciting as the next."

SLUHN

Dolansky Jr. named POMA president

Robert Dolansky Jr., D.O., was recently sworn in as president of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association, a statewide organization for doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, for a one-year term. His duties will include the development of POMA's positions on pending medical-related legislation, speaking at state legislature committee meetings, visiting Pennsylvania's two osteopathic medical schools, and encouraging physician involvement in POMA activities.

He is the director of osteopathic medical education of St. Luke's University Health Network, director of medical education at St. Luke's Allentown Campus, medical director of St. Luke's walk-in care centers, including St. Luke's CareNow centers in Wind Gap and Allentown. He is also co-director of St. Luke's Family Health Center in Allentown. In addition to his administrative duties, he also sees patients. A fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, he is a delegate to the American Osteopathic Association and the ACOFP.

Veny to speak on mental illness

Mike Veny, a speaker and professional drummer, will speak on the stigma of mental illness from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 29 at St. Luke's Doctor's Pavilion St. Luke's University Hospital-Bethlehem, 701 Ostrum St. He will shares his own experiences struggling with mental illness and offers special insight into transforming his personal challenges into strengths. RSVP to 484-526-4104 by May 28.

Four new Care Now centers open

St. Luke's has four new centers to address immediate medical needs when a family doctor is not available and an injury or illness is not an acute emergency. The locations also offer onsite diagnostic testing, including lab and X-ray services, and occupational medicine services to local employers.

St. Luke's Care Now facilities are located at St. Luke's West End Medical Center, 501 Cetronia Road, Allentown; St. Luke's North, 153 Brodhead Road, Bethlehem; 1104 North St., Jim Thorpe; and St. Luke's Wind Gap Medical Center, 487 E. Moorestown Road, Wind Gap.

All locations offers extended and weekend hours. Patients receive care from a St. Luke's provider; no appointment is ever needed. St. Luke's Care Now does not replace an individual's primary care physician or manage chronic health concerns.

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