Reading Hospital will hold its annual "Heart to Heart" event on Sunday, February 17, at the Crowne Plaza Reading Hotel, 1741 Papermill Road, Wyomissing. Doors will open at 11 a.m. This fun and informative event includes educational exhibits, excellent food, chocolate, wine, and a low-impact fitness demo. Hands-Only CPR and AED training will also be offered.
Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with a panel of Reading Hospital experts who will discuss advances in cardiac care and steps individuals can take to become heart-healthy. The Tower Health Medical Group physicians on this panel will include Ali Amin, MD, Vascular Surgery; Stephan R. Myers, MD, Medical Director, Reading Hospital Weight Management Center; Jessica Schwartz, DO, Internal Medicine; and William C. Finneran III, MD, Cardiology.
A patient speaker will also be in attendance. Scott Davis of Wyomissing, an avid athlete, was having occasional left-side pain at the beginning of his workouts for about two months when he went to his family doctor for a checkup. Davis was otherwise in great physical health, had low cholesterol, and had no family history of heart disease. After an appointment with Dr. Finneran, for a stress test, Mr. Davis was referred to Eric Elgin, MD, Cardiology - Tower Health Medical Group, for a cardiac catheterization. During the procedure, Dr. Elgin discovered a serious blockage in his heart. Stents were put in place just in time, and Mr. Davis is now back to being active - running half marathons, biking, and climbing 14,000-foot mountains. He hopes that sharing the story of his close call will inspire others to stay active and listen to their bodies.
Christine Forry of Penn Township, will also attend the event and shares a similar story. Ms. Forry, a dedicated swimmer, has had two stents placed in her heart in the past but kept up with a physically active lifestyle. She experienced a sharp pain between her shoulder blades, acted quickly, and was taken to Reading Hospital Emergency Department for evaluation. Christine McCarty, MD, Chair, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Miller Regional Heart Center at Reading Hospital, performed a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure using a minimally invasive surgical approach with the da Vinci surgical robot. Ms. Forry now attends cardiac rehabilitation and encourages others to develop a physical fitness routine to maintain a healthy heart.
Registration is required for this event. Tickets must be purchased in advance for $10.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.