Andrew S Longenecker, MD
Program Director Department Director for Orthopedic AnesthesiaDr. Longenecker was born and raised in Reading, PA and is a third-generation physician at Reading Hospital with strong family ties to the area. He studied Biology and Music at Bucknell University in Lewisburg. He then completed medical school at Temple University in Philadelphia and subsequently travelled to central Pennsylvania in Danville to complete residency training at Geisinger Medical Center.
He has small children at home which has been his primary focus outside of work. He dreams of obtaining his private pilot license and hopes to improve his golf game someday. In the spring and summer months he spends some time with his beehive, in hopes of some fresh local honey. In the fall and winter months he enjoys spending time outdoors and hunting primarily for white-tail deer.
Erica Thurber, MD
Associate Program Director Chair, Anesthesiology DepartmentDr. Thurber grew up near Reading, Pennsylvania. She attended Franklin & Marshall College, where she majored in biology, and spent a semester studying abroad in Denmark before earning her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
She completed her anesthesiology residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, followed by a fellowship in regional anesthesia at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She then served as faculty at Thomas Jefferson University before joining the Department of Anesthesiology at Reading Hospital in 2018.
At Reading Hospital, Dr. Thurber has held several educational and leadership positions. She previously served as Clerkship Director for medical students and helped develop the hospital's acute pain service. She currently serves as Associate Program Director to the Anesthesiology Residency Program and Interim Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, where she is actively involved in resident education, faculty development, clinical operations, and departmental leadership.
Dr. Thurber lives within walking distance of Reading Hospital with her two young children, Will and Ellie. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, attending concerts and sporting events, spending time with friends, and making memories with her children while continuing to pursue her interests in health and wellness.
Lorenzo C Rafer, MD
Core Faculty Member Director of Medical Student EducationLorenzo Rafer was born in Paterson, New Jersey and attended NYU for his undergraduate degree, earning a BA in Music from the College of Arts and Sciences. He obtained his medical degree from Penn State University College of Medicine at Hershey Medical Center in 2014 and finished his anesthesiology residency at Hershey in 2018.
He has interests in undergraduate medical education, furthering the departmental scholarly mission, and resident wellness and education. Outside of the hospital, he loves to cook, travel, play golf, and spend time with family and friends both in the surrounding area and around NYC.