Hospital Develops Niche Services, Adds Doctors

The best way to support the Ellwood City Medical Center and its employees is to use it for services.

According to the Medical Center’s Marketing Manager Victoria Gatto, a 14-year employee, that is vital to the hospital’s future.

“We are still open,” she said. “We still have great employees here ready to treat and serve you.”

Gatto said general hospital services such as x-rays and blood work are all services that will help the hospital start to generate positive cash flow. And the hospital has announced that mammography services are returning on April 29 and patients can call 724-752-6733 to schedule an appointment.

“Please bring any needs for those services to us,” she said.

Gatto said if there is any question as to what insurance is accepted at the hospital to call and ask.

Besides the general needs and “stabilizing” services offered, The Medical Center is moving toward offering services that will set them apart making them a destination for outside communities.

“We are developing a niche here,” Gatto said.

Developing a Niche with New Doctors and Services

Part of that niche is the new Golla Center for Skin Care and Plastics. The new center comprises all aspects of plastic surgery and wound care services. All insurances are accepted and no referral is required.

Leading the team will be Dr. John Ho, D.O., plastic surgeon. Ho received his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and served his residency at Lutheran Medical Center
He was awarded fellowships in plastic surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and hand surgery at Hamot Medical Center. He belongs to numerous professional organizations including the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.

The Golla Center has been providing care throughout the tri-state region for nearly a decade, with service to more than 10 hospitals, five wound care facilities, all Long Term Acute Facilities, and over 60 nursing facilities.

The following Services will be offered:

• Diagnosis and treatment of skin lesions
• General plastic services
• General reconstructive and cosmetic surgery
• Cosmetic injectables
• Meshless hernia surgery
• Breast reduction and reconstructions
• Hand surgery
• Facial trauma surgery
• Panniculectomy and post-gastric bypass surgery

Also joining the Golla team in Ellwood City will be a podiatrist Amber Allen, DPM. Dr. Allen is a podiatrist specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. She treats common foot conditions including bunions, hammertoe, plantar fasciitis, and neuroma, as well as injuries to the foot and ankle, such as sprains and stress fractures. She graduated from Des Moines University, College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Completed residency at New York Community Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.

According to Gatto, this will set the medical center apart.

“We want to provide things that are not so readily available,” she said.

Part of the Medical Center’s new Niche is also a focus on nephrology.

The award winning Nephrologist that joined Ellwood City Medical Center last fall has been making his presence known in the hospital, according to Gatto.

“We are so excited to have him here,” She said. “Everyone loves him, and he’s an amazing doctor.”

The Emergency Room: A Change In Direction

The Medical Center also recently hired Dr. Robert C. Solomon as its new Emergency Department Director. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and completed his residency at West Penn Hospital. He is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and has served on the Board of Directors of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He has also served as faculty for the Emergency Residency Training at Allegheny General Hospital.  He previously held Emergency Department Director positions at Weirton Medical Center and East Liverpool City Hospital. He resides in Oakdale, Pa.

The Future

Gatto She is working to bridge a gap between the hospital and community by promoting classes and working to educate the public on the hospital’s new programs and doctors.

“Here at the hospital, we ARE the community,” She said. “We want to be here for you when you need us.”