Whether you are recovering from a major medical event such as a surgery or stroke, there is no place like home. That is why Home Care is an important part of the care continuum provided by Holy Redeemer Health System. With a sincere dedication to Care, Comfort and Heal, our warm and compassionate Home Care team includes nurses, therapists, social workers, and home health aides.

Because it comforts many people to understand what to expect from a Holy Redeemer Home Care visit, we’re happy to share how our attentive team gets to know their patients. Here is the typical path in which a patient and professional caregiver begin their journey together.

Before the Visit
A new patient can expect to receive an introductory call from his or her Holy Redeemer Home Care team. This includes a scheduler calling with a welcome and safety call, followed by subsequent calls from the nurse or therapists visiting the patient on the first day. Helpful Tip: Many Home Care nurses recommend that patients prepare a list of questions to ask the nurse when they arrive for the home visit. Anyone entering the home will wear a mask and request the patient and caregiver to wear one as well.

Beginning the Visit
An average initial Home Care visit may last over an hour, depending on the treatment and care needed. When a Home Care clinician arrives for the initial visit, he or she will first introduce the patient to the role of home care and the ultimate goal of managing their illness and supporting self-management. Additionally, the completion of any necessary forms or paperwork is handled at this time. If the patient has an advance directive or living will, the nurse will request a copy to keep on file for the duration of care.

Physical Assessment
The Home Care clinician will complete a physical assessment to determine the patient’s state of health and well-being. He or she will also administer any treatment ordered by the patient’s physician. Additionally, the clinician will educate the patient on ways to manage their illness from taking their medications appropriately to instructing safe dressing changes. Helpful Tip: Family caregivers are welcome and encouraged to be a part of this process.

Conclusion of Visit
The nurse will inform the patient when their next visit will be scheduled and provide information regarding any additional care from therapists, social workers, or home health aides that has been ordered by the patient’s doctor. It is also important to note that 24/7 triage services are available for current patients when needed. Holy Redeemer Home Care is here to help you recover every step of the way. If you would like further information regarding our services, call 1-888-678-8678, or visit Redeemer Home Care.

With 1 in 8 women being diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, a mammogram screening can find a breast abnormality often before it can be felt, giving valuable time for treatment. “Breast cancer that’s found early, when it’s small and hasn’t spread, is easier to treat," said Anna Mazor, DO, a breast surgeon with Holy Redeemer’s Comprehensive Breast Care Surgeons. “Early detection is key to saving your life.”

Current Guidelines
Most women should have a mammogram beginning at age 40 and continue to have one annually. All women 20 years and older should have a clinical breast exam every year. However, if breast cancer runs in your family, your doctor may suggest getting your first mammogram earlier, have additional tests, or be tested more often. Along with regular mammograms, Dr. Mazor suggests women stay familiar with their breasts so they notice any new lumps. “If you do feel something unfamiliar, don’t wait, contact your doctor to see if further action is recommended.”

What to Expect
If this is your first mammogram or it has been a little while since your last scan, it is helpful to know how to prepare and what to expect.

Before your appointment, make sure not to put on any deodorant, lotions, oils, or perfume, as these can interfere with the scan. You’ll be given a private dressing room to undress from the waist up and put on a gown open in the front.

Once you enter the exam room, you’ll stand in front of a machine where a certified technician will position your breasts one at a time in between two plastic imaging plates. Let the technician know if the position feels uncomfortable, as the machine might be at the wrong height. Then the machine will apply pressure and take multiple X-ray images from different angles. The pressure is necessary to spread out the tissue and get the clearest possible picture. The more pressure applied, the less radiation is needed for an optimal image.

Even though your natural reaction is to tense up, do your best to relax. Take a few deep breaths before you begin. The technician will step away to take the image and will return to reposition the opposite breast on the machine. Mammograms are fast procedures; the whole process shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.

After your test, a radiologist will review your x-rays and send your doctor a report. Your doctor will contact you if there is anything that needs to be examined further.

Don’t Delay Your Care
Mammograms are considered preventive care and covered by most insurance plans. At Holy Redeemer we offer mammogram services at our health care locations throughout Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Walk-ins are welcome or to schedule your appointment call 215-938-5700 or visit our Mammogram page

At Holy Redeemer your health and safety are our top priority. We are taking every precaution to keep you and your family safe.

Redeemer Baby is excited to announce our Childbirth Education and Prenatal Breastfeeding classes are now virtual! That’s right! Our most popular maternity classes are now available anytime, anywhere, and FREE of charge.

“In order to best meet your educational needs and keep you and your baby safe, we have moved to a virtual childbirth education platform,” says Childbirth Education instructor Susan Cordero.

Childbirth Education classes explore pregnancy, stages of labor, relaxation and breathing techniques, pain and pain relief, Cesarean birth, and recovery and postpartum after vaginal delivery. In Prenatal Breastfeeding, topics cover the benefits of breastfeeding, latching, and positioning, how long and how often to breastfeed, and breastfeeding resources and products.

Collette Acker has been teaching Prenatal Breastfeeding classes at Holy Redeemer for more than 20 years. “I was sad when the pandemic halted in-person classes, but thrilled when classes were moved online for new families,” she says. “Holy Redeemer won’t let COVID-19 stop us from providing excellent education and care.”

Access Childbirth Education Classes

Access Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes

Lafayette Redeemer, a Holy Redeemer Life Care community, offers comfortable, beautifully-appointed apartments for senior adults. Situated in scenic Pennypack Park, minutes from Montgomery County, each 1-or 2-bedroom apartment features gracious space with modern kitchens, the convenience of a washing machine and dryer in each apartment, and ample walk-in closets.

Better yet, an apartment at Lafayette Redeemer offers so much more than just a beautiful space to live. Our warm, vibrant community addresses the social, recreational, spiritual, and health interests of older adults with a full menu of senior-friendly amenities, as well as a robust calendar of engaging classes, programs, and trips. You’ll find countless opportunities to indulge your curiosity, discover new hobbies, improve your fitness, and, most importantly of all, delight in the security and fellowship of friendly neighbors and attentive staff who care about your well-being.

Interested in seeing our apartments? Enjoy a virtual tour and click to view our 1BR and 2BR apartments. We also encourage you to arrange an in-person tour. Every person who visits for a tour leaves with a delicious boxed meal freshly prepared by our chefs and may be eligible to receive a voucher for two months free rent. To schedule a tour or for more information call 215-709-2811 or visit Redeemer Lafayette.

Holy Redeemer Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes Holy Redeemer’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Additionally, Holy Redeemer Hospital received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, Holy Redeemer met quality measures with more than 90 % of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”

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The Charles A. & Betty Bott Cancer Center has received designation as a Care Continuum Center of Excellence by the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer, a national organization dedicated to saving, extending, and improving the lives of those impacted by lung cancer. This designation, which recognizes excellence in lung cancer care within community hospitals, requires a hospital to demonstrate it provides patients with access to the latest innovations in screening, early detection, care, treatment, support, and survivorship. “Holy Redeemer is dedicated to providing patients with the highest quality care. Partnering with the GO2 Foundation enables us to deliver even more resources to support lung cancer patients and their families. We are proud of our team and the impact we are having on our local community," says Redeemer surgical oncologist Dr. Ho Pak. The Bott Cancer Center is the only community hospital in Pennsylvania to receive this honored designation and one of only 50 community hospitals nationwide.

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The health status of John* was becoming dire before Holy Redeemer’s Home Care team entered his life. He needed gastric bypass surgery to help control his extreme weight, but severe shortness of breath resulting from heart failure and asthma weakened his ability to withstand surgery. Surgery was impractical, said his doctors, until he could begin to improve his health.

Isolated by the pandemic, miles away from any family, and struggling to access critical medications due to lack of funding, John felt helpless. Then hope was renewed when a team from Holy Redeemer Home Care-Union County arrived to nurture and support John’s health. The compassionate and talented team, which provided care to John for almost two months, included two telehealth nurses, an RN case manager, a home health aide, a physical therapist, and a social worker.

At the start of John’s home care journey, the team found him morbidly obese and out-of-breath after walking any more than 20 feet. To compound the situation, the medicines and healthy foods that could help to improve his breathing and heart were out of reach because he lacked insurance and funds.“With a plethora of psychosocial challenges and the majority of his family living out of state, he had little support or resources,” says Carleen Valerio, RN, a lead telehealth nurse on John’s Home Care team.

After a careful assessment of John’s circumstances, Rachel Villavicencio, a Home Care social worker, was able to procure prescription coverage that would allow John to rely on consistent access to vital medications. She also was able to provide him with access to healthy food through a nearby food pantry.

Simultaneous to Rachel’s efforts a Home Care physical therapist helped John gain greater endurance, strength, and balance. Additionally, a home health aide on the Home Care team visited John three days each week to help him with personal care, and Home Care RNs Carleen Valerio and Grace Virata, along with Home Care LPN Cindy Pryszlak, kept a close watch on John’s blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and oxygen level through a telemonitoring system.

With patience, purpose, and dedication, the team cared for, inspired, and strengthened John as he worked toward his health care goals. At the end of two months, he experienced a measurable turnaround, losing almost 30 pounds and walking more than 150 feet without becoming breathless. Additionally, he grew motivated to continue to exercise and eager to comply with his medication regimen.

“Now John’s doctor is hopeful that he will be able to improve his quality of life. As for John, he is looking forward to feeling strong enough to resume an active life and reconnect with his family,” says Carleen.

“I don’t know what I would have done without them (the Redeemer Home Care team). It was nice to know someone was watching over me,” says John.

Just as for John, every day Holy Redeemer Home Care and Hospice brings an exemplary level of expertise, compassion, and peace of mind into the homes of patients and their families throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Redeemer Home Care provides specialized nursing care, rehabilitative therapy, disease management, and many other vital services. For more information call 1-888-678-8678 or visit Home Care.


*John is a fictitious name to protect the privacy of the patient.

Meadowbrook, PA – September 09, 2020 — The  Lung Cancer  program at Holy Redeemer  Hospital  recently received the designation as a Care Continuum Center of Excellence by the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. The designation recognizes commitment to improving outcomes for those diagnosed with lung cancer by providing patient-focused and coordinated multidisciplinary care.

The Care Continuum Centers of Excellence (CCCOE) program recognizes community hospitals that meet rigorous qualifying criteria demonstrating collaborative leadership across the lung cancer care continuum.   Meeting the CCCOE criteria puts member hospitals on par with leading academic and research institutions and provides patients with access to the latest innovations not typically found in community hospitals.  The CCCOE approach results in patients receiving compassionate and timely care, as well as treatment options that improve survivorship.  

The GO₂ Foundation for Lung Cancer is a national organization dedicated to saving, extending, and improving the lives of those impacted by lung cancer. The designation requires a hospital to demonstrate it provides patients with access to the latest innovations in care, treatment, support, and survivorship. The Charles A. and Betty Bott Cancer Center at Holy Redeemer is the only community hospital in Pennsylvania to receive this honored designation and one of only 50 community hospitals nationwide.

“This is a great accomplishment,” says Dr. Halim El Hague, of Redeemer Pulmonary Associates. “The true credit goes to our team as we expand our lung cancer treatment capabilities, bringing exceptional care to our patients.”

 “We are proud and honored to be working with the Charles A. & Betty Bott Cancer Center at Holy Redeemer as a GO2 Foundation Care Continuum Center of Excellence. Their commitment will help save lives and improve long-term survivorship by giving patients access to high-quality, multidisciplinary care closer to home. They are the example to follow,” says Laurie Fenton Ambrose, Co-Founder, President and CEO of GO2 Foundation.

“Holy Redeemer is dedicated to providing patients the highest quality care. Partnering with GO2 Foundation enables us to deliver even more resources to support lung cancer patients and their families.   We are proud of our team and the impact we are having on our local community,” says Dr. Ho Pak Thoracic Surgeon at Holy Redeemer.

About Holy Redeemer Health System

With an emphasis on providing a continuum of care, Holy Redeemer Health System remains true to the mission to care, comfort and heal that its sponsors, the Sisters of the Redeemer, began in our region in 1924 – to provide high-quality, compassionate care. Today, Holy Redeemer offers a wide range of healthcare and health-related services, including an acute care hospital, home health and hospice services, three skilled nursing facilities, personal care, a retirement community, low-income housing, an independent living community, and a transitional housing program for homeless women and children. With corporate offices in Huntingdon Valley, PA, Holy Redeemer Health System is a Catholic healthcare provider, serving southeastern Pennsylvania and 12 counties in New Jersey, from Union County south to Cape May County.

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About GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer

Founded by patients and survivors, GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer transforms survivorship as the world’s leading organization dedicated to saving, extending, and improving the lives of those vulnerable, at risk, and diagnosed with lung cancer. GO2 Foundation works to change the reality of living with lung cancer by ending stigma, increasing public and private research funding, and ensuring access to care. Visit us at www.go2foundation.org

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Meadowbrook, PA - September 9, 2020 - A donation of 200 vibrant Celosia plants will soon decorate St. Joseph Manor, a Holy Redeemer Life Care Community at 1616 Huntingdon Pike, Meadowbrook, PA.

The blaze of bright, crayon-colored plants, a gift from Leck Waste Services, a local, family-owned trash and recycling service, will be presented to residents and staff on Thursday, September 17th, at 12 pm.

The eye-catching annuals, grown at Leck’s Greehouse in Chalfont, PA, are a festive example of how St. Joseph Manor, with the help of local community partners like Leck Waste Services, continues to bring joy and delight to residents during this unprecedented pandemic. “We were excited to hear Leck Waste wanted to find a way to brighten up our residents’ days,” says Ed Barr, Director of Environmental Services, Holy Redeemer Health System.

Representatives from Holy Redeemer Health System, Leck Waste Services, and Leck’s Greenhouse will be on-site to distribute the flowers. Interested media should call Mary Anna Rodabaugh, Holy Redeemer Corporate communications manager at 267-626-6465 for coverage information.

About Leck Waste Services:

Since 1971, Leck Waste Services has provided commercial and industrial waste pick up, as well as single-stream recycling service to customers in Bucks County, Montgomery County, Northeast Philadelphia, and Southern Lehigh Counties in Pennsylvania. Located in Newtown, PA until September 2001, Leck is now located in Ivyland, PA, and has 50 employees operating 35 trucks daily.

In addition to commercial and industrial waste services, Leck Waste Services also provides complete compactor services, portable toilets, and shredding services.

About St. Joseph Manor:

St. Joseph Manor is a skilled nursing facility (SNF), providing senior living services including personal care, long-term care and rehabilitation. Located in Meadowbrook Pennsylvania, St. Joseph Manor cares for those who require a higher level of medical care. The skilled nursing staff consists of RNs, LPNs, and certified nurses’ aides (CNAs) who provide 24-hour medical attention.

About Holy Redeemer Health System

With an emphasis on providing a continuum of care, Holy Redeemer Health System remains true to the mission to care, comfort and heal that its sponsors, the Sisters of the Redeemer, began in our region in 1924 – to provide high-quality, compassionate care. Today, Holy Redeemer offers a wide range of healthcare and health-related services, including an acute care hospital, home health and hospice services, three skilled nursing facilities, personal care, a retirement community, low-income housing, an independent living community, and a transitional housing program for homeless women and children. With corporate offices in Huntingdon Valley, PA, Holy Redeemer Health System is a Catholic healthcare provider, serving southeastern Pennsylvania and 12 counties in New Jersey, from Union County south to Cape May County.

Philadelphia, PA - September 08, 2020 - Holy Redeemer Health System, a fully integrated health system serving patients across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, has expanded its partnership with Dina, an AI-powered care coordination platform to help hospitals build, digitize and manage post-acute partners.

Holy Redeemer will leverage Dina’s technology to connect its Hospital and Home Care agencies, and organize and empower its post-acute, home and community-based care providers. Using Dina’s platform, post-acute partners can collaborate in real-time to eliminate communication gaps that often occur when multiple providers are involved with patient care post-discharge.

“As care continues to move outside of the hospital, innovative leaders like Holy Redeemer want to ensure patients receive quality care as they move to a post-acute or home setting,” said Tim Coulter, COO of Dina. "Holy Redeemer shares our commitment to reducing avoidable hospital readmissions and activating patient-centric, data-driven transitions from hospital to home."

Dina’s technology also analyzes patient data and uses artificial intelligence to identify and recommend evidence-based interventions and improve post-acute transitions.

“Dina has been a game-changer for our care management team,” said Michelle Walsh, interim lead, care management at Holy Redeemer Health System. “The technology is user-friendly and allows us to quickly and efficiently refer patients for care. The partnership supports our commitment to safe, timely transitions in care and open, consistent communication with our post-acute partners.”

About Holy Redeemer Health System

With an emphasis on providing a continuum of care, Holy Redeemer Health System remains true to the mission to care, comfort and heal that its sponsors, the Sisters of the Redeemer, began in our region in 1924 – to provide high-quality, compassionate care. Today, Holy Redeemer offers a wide range of healthcare and health-related services, including an acute care hospital, home health and hospice services, three skilled nursing facilities, personal care, a retirement community, low-income housing, an independent living community, and a transitional housing program for homeless women and children. With corporate offices in Huntingdon Valley, PA, Holy Redeemer Health System is a Catholic healthcare provider, serving southeastern Pennsylvania and 12 counties in New Jersey, from Union County south to Cape May County.

About Dina

Chicago-based Dina is an AI-powered care coordination platform that creates a virtual experience for the entire healthcare team so they can communicate with each other--and help patients and families stay connected--even though they may not physically be under the same roof. The platform helps professional and family caregivers capture rich and timely data from the home, using AI technology to identify unmet needs and recommend evidence-based interventions. Dina also offers a suite of text-based health screening solutions including: Staff Screening and Check-In: Daily text-based remote screening to confirm staff members are healthy and available to see patients. Quarantine Management: Remote patient monitoring technology including quick access to data and self-assessments from people at every stage of care. For more information, visit www.dinacare.com.

Congratulations all of our Top Docs

It is always an honor to be nominated by your peers and recognized as a Top Doc in Philadelphia Magazine. This year congratulates the following employed and affiliated physicians for receiving the award.

We appreciate each of our physicians for their service and commitment to care. All of our skilled, compassionate professionals provide personalized, customized care to help you live your best life.

Dr. Jessica Berman
Dr. Joseph Bruno
Dr. Catherine Carruthers
Dr. Arthur Castelbaum
Dr. Aaila Chaudhry
Dr. Marc Chernoff
Dr. Michael Clark
Dr. Harris Cohen
Dr. Brian Cronin
Dr. Marjorie Curtis-Cohen
Dr. Jason Damsker
Dr. Steven Fassler
Dr. John Frederick
Dr. Martin Freedman
Dr. Gregg Gagliardi
Dr. Victor Ghantous
Dr. Vishwanath Gharpure
Dr. David Goldstein
Dr. Eric Goosenberg
Dr. Jacqueline Gutmann
Dr. Harvey Guttmann
Dr. Colleen Halfpenny
Dr. Lee Jaffee
Dr. Soo Kim
Dr. Marcia Klein
Dr. Stacy Krisher
Dr. Kevin Lax
Dr. Craig Lem
Dr. Felice LePar
Dr. Lawrence Leventhal
Dr. David Litt
Dr. Guy McElwain
Dr. Mark Mullen
Dr. Andrew Mustin
Dr. Brad Paddock
Dr. Ho Pak
Dr. Peter Pickens
Dr. Joseph Potz
Dr. Galina Privorotsky
Dr. Hong Ra
Dr. Michael Rachshtut
Dr. Daniel Ringold
Dr. Keith Sadel
Dr. Michael Seidman
Dr. Steven Smith
Dr. Michael Tomeo
Dr. Ned Weiss
Dr. Mark D Zebley

We're proud of all our doctors.