Lehigh Valley Health Network

Named to ‘Best Hospital’ list

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest has been named as a Best Hospital in the 30th annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings list for 2019-20 by U.S. News & World Report. For the rankings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 25 specialties, procedures and conditions. The ratings are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or for common elective procedures.

For the third consecutive year, LVH is in the top five of the Pennsylvania hospitals. It is the only area hospital to be included in the U.S. News national rankings in at least one specialty every year but one since 1996. Number 35 nationally for orthopedics, among the top three percent of all hospitals in the country, it is the ninth time LVH has been named to this specialty ranking.

St. Luke’s Health Network

Next Step target new moms

St. Luke’s Next Step program, currently in its fourth session, targets new mothers and pregnant women ages 17 to 24 who live in Lehigh and Northampton counties, have a high school diploma or GED and are economically disadvantaged. The goal is to break the cycle of poverty with two, six-month Next Step sessions per year for a total of up to 20 women training for entry-level health care careers.

Participants use assessment tools to determine their job interests. Mentored by St. Luke’s staff, they receive 20 hours of work experience a week for jobs that include billing and unit clerks, outpatient registration, patient care assistant, receptionist and medical assistant; plus three hours a week of life-skills and professional development in areas that include family planning, leadership and finances.

A $150,000 grant covers the cost of the Saturday professional development classes The network picks up administrative expenses. Twenty-four out of the initial 30 women who started in the first three sessions completed the program.