Catholic Chaplain Appointed to LGH by Harrisburg Diocese

This summer, Father Anthony Anthappa, a priest of the Diocese of Mysore, India, was appointed as Catholic Chaplain at Lancaster General Hospital and Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital by Rev. Kevin Rhoads, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg.

Father Anthony, a priest for 18 years, will provide pastoral care and support for Catholic patients, their families and the staff by administering the sacraments of Eucharist, anointing of the sick, reconciliation (confession) and providing the last rites of the church.

Father Anthony will also offer mass every day at noon, except Thursdays. He will be available for reconciliation for staff and others on Fridays at 3 p.m. in the hospital chapel in the James Street lobby and at other times by appointment.

Women & Babies Hospital Celebrates 5th Birthday

Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital celebrated its fifth birthday in September. More than 4,500 men, women and children came to the community birthday party, which was held outside the hospital on a Sunday afternoon.

The outdoor celebration featured tents filled with information booths for parents and activities for children. Health professionals were on hand to provide information on women’s healthcare including breast care, heart disease, incontinence, lymphedema, menopause, prenatal and post-partum care, osteoporosis and wellness.

Many families visited to see the “20,000 Miracles and Growing” photo display that contained photos of some of the 20,000 babies born at the hospital since June 2000. The display will remain up in the hospital for a year.

Men’s Health Day a Home Run at Clipper Stadium

More than 5,700 people attended the first Men’s Health Day at Clipper Magazine Stadium, hosted by Lancaster General in August.

Healthcare professionals from Lancaster General, the official hospital of the Lancaster Barnstormers, provided health and wellness information throughout the stadium. Joining Lancaster General were representatives from local health organizations.

Besides learning about health issues, men could pre-register for a free prostate screening and everyone could test their grip strength and receive free blood pressure checks and other screenings. Kids could make first-aid kits and sun visors to keep as souvenirs.

Lancaster General Honored for Organ Donation Efforts

Lancaster General Hospital was recently awarded the prestigious Department of Health and Human Services Organ Donation Medal of Honor for facilitating an organ donation rate of 75 percent or higher during a 12-month period. Only 160 hospitals nationwide qualified for this honor.

The Gift of Life Donor Program, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organ procurement organization, coordinates organ and tissue donation and transplantation in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware.

For the past 30 years, the organization has partnered with Lancaster General, serving as the link between donors and patients awaiting life-saving transplants.

Between April 2000 and April 2005, LGH facilitated 48 organ donations that assisted 165 transplant recipients. At the same time, Lancaster General staff helped facilitate 105 tissue donations, including cornea, bone, skin, heart valves, saphenous veins and other musculoskeletal tissues.