Abdulhay Albirini, M.D. is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. He practices at Genesis Heart and Vascular Institute in Zanesville, Ohio.

Members of the Zanesville United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Board of Directors presented a check for $4,000 in February to the Genesis Cancer Care Center for its Breast Cancer Fund. The money was raised during the Strike Out Breast Cancer event held by the Zanesville USBC in 2019.

“Genesis Cancer Services and the Genesis Breast Care Center are grateful to the Zanesville USBC and its bowlers for their support and generous donation,” said Pebbles Thornton, RN, BSN, OCN, director of Genesis Cancer Services. “The funds will be used to provide our patients with much-needed services geared toward early detection and treatment of breast cancer.”

Pictured during the check presentation are left to right: Pebbles Thornton, director of Genesis Cancer Services; Linzey Allen, event chairperson; David Hildebrand, association president; Tammy Asberry-Hildenbrand, event chairperson; and Vicki Smith, association vice president.

Zanesville, Ohio (Nov. 5, 2020) - Genesis HealthCare System began its pediatric hospitalist program in partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital on Nov. 1. Pediatric hospitalists from Nationwide Children's are at Genesis Hospital around the clock to provide high-quality care to pediatric patients when they are hospitalized.

"We are pleased to partner with Nationwide Children's Hospital, a national leader in pediatric medical care, to provide inpatient hospital care to children locally," said Sharon Parker, chief operating officer, Genesis HealthCare System. "Pediatric patients will benefit from the high-quality care the pediatric hospitalists provide, and children and families can stay closer to home while receiving care."

"Nationwide Children's looks forward to leveraging our neonatal and pediatric expertise to enhance the exceptional care already in place at Genesis HealthCare System," said Darrell Mosby, vice president for regional development at Nationwide Children's. "We value this partnership tremendously and commend Genesis for their proactive approach to optimizing neonatal and pediatric care for the children and families in Muskingum County."

Nationwide Children's pediatric hospitalists are board-certified pediatricians who provide care for patients in the Pediatric Unit, the Special Care Nursery and the Newborn Nursery at Genesis Hospital. They are also available for high-risk deliveries and Emergency Department consultations. There is a dedicated team of Nationwide Children's pediatric hospitalists working alongside the Genesis team to provide high-quality, specialized care at Genesis.

On June 1, Genesis HealthCare System became the first hospital in the region to perform WATCHMAN Implant procedures. The one-time, minimally invasive procedure can reduce the risk of stroke and eliminate the use of blood thinners for patients with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. The procedure is performed by Mohamed Ahmed, M.D., interventional cardiologist, and Shaun Bhatty, M.D., electrophysiologist, who are part of the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute.

“By performing the WATCHMAN Implant procedure, we can reduce stroke risk and eliminate the use of blood thinners preventing the threat of uncontrolled bleeding. This improves our patients’ health outlook and state of mind. We are proud to continue bringing new advanced procedures to our community,” said Mohamed Ahmed, M.D.

The WATCHMAN Implant is inserted through a thin tube that runs from a blood vessel in the upper leg to the left atrial appendage of the heart. Once in place, the WATCHMAN Implant seals off the left atrial appendage, where 90% of stroke-causing blood clots come from within the heart. Most patients return home the day after the procedure.

With WATCHMAN, most patients can stop using blood thinners 45 days after the procedure. The WATCHMAN Implant is the only implant of its kind approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Over 100,000 people worldwide have received the WATCHMAN Implant.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of heart arrhythmia that causes the heart to beat irregularly. It occurs when upper chambers of the heart (right and left atria) no longer contract in coordination. This can allow blood clots to form, especially in the left atrial appendage.

Genesis HealthCare System is opening a new facility to offer an enhanced patient experience for physical, occupational and speech therapy. Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation will be located at the former Big Lots building, near Northern Lights Imaging. Planning for the outpatient rehabilitation project began more than a year ago and is projected to open in autumn 2020.

“We have outgrown our former location,” said Lisa Lynn, MA CCC/SLP, manager, Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation Services. “We’re looking forward to providing the same expert care our community depends on in a warm and welcoming space.” The previous facility, the Genesis Center for Occupational & Outpatient Rehabilitation (COOR), is more than 30 years old.

The new location will offer convenient access, with plenty of parking, improved patient flow and wayfinding. In addition to general physical, occupational and speech therapy, there will be specialty services such as vestibular, lymphedema, counseling, Parkinson’s (Rock Steady Boxing), women’s health, sports therapy focused on running, throwing, concussion management and Sportsmetrics™.

“The additional space will give us the opportunity to expand services,” Lynn said. “We’ll be able to incorporate new technology and expand our sports therapy services such as running and throwing analysis and women’s health/pelvic control therapy – programs that we didn’t have the space to provide or enhance before.”

Renderings were made before the COVID-19 epidemic occurred. Social distancing will be in place in Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation.

Our volunteers are a committed group of individuals dedicated to helping our community

Genesis Volunteers presented a check for $8,000 to Genesis Hospice Care today. The donation comes from the Genesis Volunteers Tree of Love fundraiser and helps provide hospice care to those in need. “Our volunteers are a committed group of individuals who are dedicated to helping our community. We are glad that the Genesis Volunteers donated a portion of the funds raised from the Tree of Love to Genesis Hospice,” said Jerry Nolder, executive director, Genesis HealthCare Foundation.

Pebbles Thornton, RN, BSN, OCN, director, Genesis Cancer Services, Hospice & Palliative Care, said, “We’re grateful for the Genesis Volunteers’ donation as well as the compassion the volunteers give to our patients and families each and every day.” Genesis Hospice is not for profit and has been offering care in our community for more than 30 years. The donation from the Genesis Volunteers also provides medications and supplies for those being cared for at home by Genesis Hospice. Go to genesishcs.org for more information about Genesis Volunteers, Genesis Hospice Care or ways to give.