News

Saturday Hours for Pediatrics and Adults

2012-05-15T17:48:37Z

We have extended Saturday office hours for all Family Healthcare Parners patients throughout the summer months. Patients will be seen between the hours of 9:00am and 12:00pm at 420 Hillcrest Ave Grove City, 724-458-4950. The office will open at 8:30 am to schedule appointments for all sick and acute visits.

Your Medical Information at the Click of a Button

2012-04-03T15:12:25Z

We now have a patient portal that is available for our patients! This allows you to use the internet and interact with your physician's office. You can email questions, request medications refill or changes, enter personal information, and requests appointments through our website. In the near future you will be able to view labs. All you need to do is sign up!! To get started, click on the link Activate patient portal from the home page of our website. You will be prompted to fill out some basic information, as well as create an username and password. You will need to contact your PCP to receive an activation code which is required. This web based patient portal is to be used for non-urgent medical issues only!!

March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month

2012-02-22T14:51:18Z

The incidence of kidney cancer is increasing. Many kidney cancers are
detected during procedures for other diseases or conditions.
Kidney cancer rarely causes signs or symptoms in its early stages. In
the later stages, kidney cancer signs and symptoms may include:
* Blood in your urine, which may appear pink, red or cola colored
* Back pain just below the ribs that doesn't go away
* Weight loss
* Fatigue
* Intermittent fever
Risk Factors:
* Older age Your risk of kidney cancer increases as you age.
* Being male Men are more likely to develop kidney cancer.
* Smoking Smokers have a greater risk of kidney cancer than
    nonsmokers do. The risk decreases after you quit.
* Obesity People who are obese have a higher risk of kidney cancer
    than do people who are considered average weight.
* High blood pressure (hypertension) High blood pressure increases
    your risk of kidney cancer.
* Chemicals in your workplace Workers who are exposed to certain
    chemicals on the job may have a higher risk of kidney cancer.
    People who work with chemicals such as asbestos and cadmium may
    have an increased risk of kidney cancer.
* Treatment for kidney failure People who receive long-term dialysis
    to treat chronic kidney failure have a greater risk of developing
    kidney cancer.
* Von Hippel-Lindau disease People with this inherited disorder are
    likely to develop several kinds of tumors, including, in some
    cases, kidney cancer.
   *Hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma Having this inherited
    condition makes it more likely you'll develop one or more kidney
    cancers.
This is another very important reason to see your Family Physician for
yearly screenings!

Why it is Important for You to Answer an Insurance Questionnaire or Request!

2012-01-18T17:40:31Z

Insurance companies send out a questionnaire or request to their patients to verify that you and/or your children are not covered by another insurance carrier.

If you do not respond to this questionnaire/request your insurance will deny making payments until they receive this information via mail or phone. This will make you responsible for any outstanding balances if the situation is not taken care of. If you get a bill from our office and you feel that the insurance should pay; please call your insurance carrier or call our business office at 724-662-1930 and we will try to assist you.

Saturday Hours for Pediatrics and Adults for FHP Patients

2011-11-04T13:10:20Z

We now have Saturday hours for all patients of Family Healthcare Partners. Our Saturday offices are at 420 Hillcrest Ave, Grove City. The office hours are 8:30 a.m. until 12:00p.m. for sick and acute visits only. To make appointment call 724-458-4950 on Saturday after 8:30am. We will not have hours on Saturday December 24, 2011 and Saturday December 31, 2011.

This is the Season for the Common Cold and Viruses

2011-09-23T19:57:02Z

Symptoms of cold and viral infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract are relatively mild. They include sneezing, fatigue, sore throat, and stuffy or runny nose - but not fever. Symptoms of cold and viral infections usually last only a few days. About 200 different strains of virus can produce colds, they are spread by direct or indirect contact. The cold is the most common of all illnesses, the average person gets several colds every year. Treatment involves rest, adequate fluid intake, and over-the-counter remedies for the symptoms. Antibiotics do not combat a virus but may be given if secondary infections develop.

Treatment

There are no medicines that will cure the common cold. Given time, the body's immune system makes antibodies to fight the infection, and the cold is resolved without any intervention. Antibiotics are useless against a cold. However, there are many products that have been developed by pharmaceutical companies in the United States to relieve cold symptoms. These products usually contain antihistamines, decongestants, and/or pain relievers. Prevention focuses on strengthening the immune system by eating a healthy diet low in sugars and high in fresh fruits and vegetables, practicing meditation or using other means to reduce stress, and getting regular moderate exercise.

Prevention

It is not possible to prevent colds because the viruses that cause colds are common and highly infectious. However, there are some steps individuals can take to reduce the spread of the common cold. These include:

washing hands well and frequently, especially after touching the nose or before handling food
using instant hand sanitizers, which are antiseptics and not antibiotics
covering the mouth and nose when sneezing
disposing of used tissues properly
avoiding close contact with someone who has a cold during the first two to four days of their infection
not sharing food, eating utensils, or cups
using paper towels rather than shared cloth towels
avoiding crowded places where cold germs can spread
eating a healthy diet and getting adequate sleep

Family Healthcare Partners Pediatric and Adult 2011 Flu Clinics Scheduled

2011-09-09T18:50:51Z

Family Healthcare Partners Pediatric Flu Clinic is scheduled for Dr. Hefner
and Dr. Gerlach’s patients that are between the ages of 6 months to 18 years
old.

Saturday October 15, 2011 8:30 am to 11:30 am.

Family Healthcare Partners Grove City Pediatric Office-Pine Medical Center-Suite 5

Appointments for the pediatric flu clinic are not needed!
If you can not make it to our scheduled pediatric clinic please call
and schedule an appointment with our receptionist at 724-458-5872.

Thank You! David Hefner, DO - Kevin Gerlach, DO - Kelly Barton, PAC

_________________________________________________________________________________

Grove City Adult Flu Clinic for patients of
Dr. Edward Smith, Dr. Christopher Sprando and
Tera Frydrych, PAC is scheduled for:
Saturday October 8, 20118:00 am to 11:00 am.

Family Healthcare Partners Office - 420 Hillcrest Avenue - Grove City

Appointments for the Grove City office patients flu clinic are not needed!
Please bring your insurance card with you to the flu clinic.

Thank You! Edward G. Smith, MD - Christopher Sprando, MD - Tera Frydrych, PAC
________________________________________________________________________________

Influenza is a serious and contagious respiratory illness that's caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, sometimes leading to pneumonia, bronchitis, and ear infections. Some groups are at a higher risk than others, including the elderly, young children, and people with certain health conditions.

Every year in the United States, on average:

5 to 20 percent of the population get the flu
Approximately 4 million children get the flu

Watch for flu symptoms, which can include:

High fever
Headache
Tiredness/weakness
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny nose
Body or muscle aches
Diarrhea and vomiting (more common for children)

Dr. Cheryl Thompson is Joining Family Healthcare Partners!

2011-07-07T14:22:15Z

Family Healthcare Partners is proud to announce that Dr. Cheryl A. Thompson will be joining our practice as of August 2011. Her Family Healthcare Partners Harrisville office is located at 321 East Mercer Street.

Dr. Thompson's home town is Freeport, located in southwestern Pennsylvania. She was employed for 15 years as a certified Physician Assistant and worked in a variety of rural and suburban areas. Dr.Thompson is very pleased to be returning to Pennsylvania to practice medicine with Family Healthcare Partners.

Dr. Thompson received her Bachelors of Science in Medical Science from Alderson-Broaddus College, Philippi, WV. In 2002 she attended the University of Saint Eustatius of Medicine, Dutch West Indies where she received her second Bachelors degree in medicine. She performed her clinical rotation at the Griffins Hospital in Derby, CT and outpatient pediatrics in Libertyville, IL. She completed her Family Medicine Residency in June 2010 and Geriatrics Fellowship in June 2011 at the Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV.

To make an appointment with Dr. Thompson please call the Family Healthcare
Partners Harrisville office at 724-735-4241.

Dr. William C. Dundore Joins Family Healthcare Partners!

2011-06-20T12:57:52Z

Family Healthcare Partners is proud to announce the association with Dr. William C. Dundore, effective July 18, 2011. Dr. Dundore's new office will be located at 202 Spruce Drive in Slippery Rock.

Dr. Dundore has been practicing Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Grove City area since 1992 and is well known in our community for exceptional care.

Dr. Dundore received his M.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his residency from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Gynecologic Oncology Rotation from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Institute in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Dundore is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology; a member and fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

His practice will be limited to outpatient gynecology, women’s primary care and outpatient gynecological procedures. He will not manage pregnancy or obstetrics.

To make an appointment with Dr. Dundore please call the Slippery Rock office at

724-794-3358.

June is Men's Health Awareness Month

2011-05-25T14:15:07Z

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in men, with greater than 186,320 new cases each year. One in four men have some cancerous cells in the prostate gland, and by age 80, 1 in 2 men will have these prostate cancerous cells present. PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) testing is a useful tool for screening and early detection of prostate cancer. Men are advised to have an annual digital rectal exam (DRE) and a PSA blood test beginning at the age of 40. Prostate screening allows for earlier detection and treatment. Possible symptoms of prostate problems are: blood in urine, weak urine flow, frequent urination at night, difficulty starting to urinate/pain, persistent dull pain in the lower pelvic region, and general pain in lower back, hips, and upper thighs.

To get further information go to: health.yahoo.net/channel/prostate-cancer