September 2020 Volume 3, Issue 5 ‘Humbled by their dedication’ Critical Care Services, ED staff continue to battle COVID-19 Nearly six months have come and unit on 7 South closed as a result, CCRT, CRT and respiratory therapy. gate these stressful times in our the pandemic has been rewarding gone since the COVID-19 pandemic the care for these patients never “I would like to recognize and hospital and local communities, for all involved. “I am very proud upended the world of health care ceased, and staff members across commend our nurses, nursing I am humbled by their dedica- of the care and support all of these and ushered in a host of new chal- several departments share the assistants and ancillary support tion and compassion to provide areas are providing to our patients lenges for UPMC Western Maryland work that remains. staff who have been and contin- high-quality, patient-centered care and their families,” said Chrissy. staff charged with safely caring for Caring for COVID-19 patients is ue to care for patients requiring for those in need.” “Our patients in the ICU and HLC these critically ill patients. now entrusted to the dedicated COVID-19 treatment in the ED, ICU Critical Care Services Director are very sick, regardless of what In the weeks since the number staff in the emergency depart- and HLC,” said Jamie Karstetter, Chrissy Lechliter said the teamwork they have going on, so COVID is an of COVID-positive patients began ment, high-level care and intensive Vice President and Chief Nursing the departments have shown while declining and the dedicated COVID care units, the cardiovascular unit, Officer. “As we continue to navi- striving to deliver quality care amid see HUMBLED - page 2 Dr. Gerald Goldstein celebrates retirement Senior Vice President, CMO concludes 20-year career with health system Dr. Gerald Goldstein, UPMC Western Mary- the change in the Maryland payment system Goldstein notes that other challenges for the land Senior Vice President and Chief Medical to value-based care. next generation of health care providers will Officer, retired at the end of August after His time as CMO began with some advice be providing quality health care to all Ameri- spending nearly two decades faithfully serv- from his colleagues that he never forgot. “I cans, including the uninsured and the under- ing the communities of western Maryland was told early on that if 100 percent of the insured, and the affordability of health care, with loyalty, care, dignity and compassion. staff and providers liked me that I was not including pharmaceuticals. After spending 20 years working as an doing my job, and I never forgot that. In my In his newfound leisure time, Dr. Gold- anesthesiologist in the Baltimore and Wash- role I had to make many tough decisions. I stein said he is looking forward to doing ington, D.C. areas, Dr. Goldstein relocated to took pride that my decisions were made in the things for which he has had limited western Maryland in 2001. In the spring of our patients’ best interest and with the in- time due to his busy medical career. “I have 2014, Dr. Goldstein assumed the role of Se- tent of keeping the public safe.” two grandchildren, so spending time with nior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Goldstein has seen his fair share of pub- them will be great, and I also look forward “As we celebrate Dr. Goldstein’s retire- lic health challenges over the years, including to spending more time outdoors and doing ment, we will also honor him by continuing HIV, Ebola, Legionnaires’ disease and SARS; things like playing golf and traveling when to set the bar high and to work at the level however, he said the current COVID-19 pan- it’s safe again.” of quality he established,” said Barry Ronan, demic is more serious than anything he has His advice for those colleagues he leaves UPMC Western Maryland President. “Please ever seen. behind is simple: have empathy. “Be kind join me in congratulating Dr. Goldstein as he “This period of COVID has been the most to your patients because they are very vul- prepares for the next chapter of a life and Dr. Gerald Goldstein threatening event to the population at large nerable and they depend on you – not only career that has truly helped our community.” that I have ever witnessed. We, as Ameri- for treatment, but for psychological support Though he has impacted countless areas Through his many years in the medical cans, have never lived through a pandemic. and reassurance. Patients need to feel safe of UPMC Western Maryland, Dr. Goldstein’s field, he has seen many advancements, in- Medicine is forever changing, and there will and taken care of. Sometimes we can forget role in the recruitment and retention of qual- cluding the exponential increases in the always be challenges we can’t contemplate, that. We need to provide medical care and ity physicians is where he said he feels the safety of anesthesia, the switch to comput- and COVID-19 is the latest.” emotional care at the same time.” most pride. erized medical records and, most notably, In addition to the coronavirus crisis, Dr. Page 2 September 2020 From left to right, Dr. Ali and her husband, Dr. Umair S. Ahmed, with baby Yusuf Syed Ahmed and his older brother; Dr. Manandhar and baby Ronesh Thapa, and Dr. Khandare with her husband Dr. Kshitij Kamlakar Singam and new bundle of joy Atharva Kshitij Singam. All three of these UPMC Western Maryland physicians gave birth to baby boys in July. So much joy in these little boys Doctors Ali, Manandhar and Khandare all welcomed sons in July Three UPMC Western Maryland am a primary care provider who meet and hug my parents and in- would be to enjoy every week of in need of an ear and wants to talk physicians saw their families grow also works as a first-line respond- laws and that they will get to meet pregnancy as it comes,” said Dr. Ali. about COVID-19 and peer/emo- this summer, as they all welcomed er, and, to top it all, I am currently and hug their first grandchild,” Dr. “Each week may bring a unique tional support, I am available both healthy baby boys in July. a first-time mother. The COVID-19 Khandare said. set of symptoms and experiences. as a physician and a mom. Right The lucky moms are Anupama S. situation has challenged me to ex- When asked to give some ad- There will be some bad days during now, I would suggest that you fol- Khandare, M.D., who works as a pri- cel in both of my roles. It pregnancy and after low guidelines set by CDC and the mary care provider and the Director is thought-provoking to having your newborn, World Health Organization. Do not of Shared Medical Appointments; keep a perfect balance “There are no perfect but it is OK as these will rely on news found on social media Ailia Ali, M.D., who specializes in between my job and pass. It is very important like Snapchat, Instagram and Face- pulmonary, critical care and sleep my personal life. I have to take care of yourself book unless they are authenticated medicine, and Smriti Manandhar, to follow the guidelines parents and no perfect during this time. Re- by known government organiza- M.D., an endocrinologist. set up by UPMC and the member the exhaustion tions. Wear a mask when coming All three moms are enjoying their CDC along with my role babies,” Dr. Manandhar won’t last forever. Don’t out for essential work and avoid new additions and have found that as a first-time mom. I be embarrassed about social gatherings. Always maintain having a baby while working in can only say that I have said. “It’s important to the change in your body good personal and hand hygiene health care amid a pandemic has the best support sys- shape. It happened for a and maintain social distancing at come with both challenges and tem. My husband is very let the baby set the pace wonderful reason, and all times.” blessings. supportive, loving, and with some time and ef- While social distancing has pre- “Life has drastically changed for caring, and my clin- fort, it will get better.” vented the three colleagues and everyone, at work as well at home,” ic staff are the best in as no two are the same.” Dr. Khandare’s advice friends from visiting, they have said Dr. Manandhar, when asked this world. Honestly, I is to stay as healthy as kept in close contact via phone earlier this summer how the pan- couldn’t have asked for possible during preg- and email. “While I was pregnant, demic impacted her pregnancy. more.” vice to other moms-to-be, all three nancy, and she offers to help any- I would love to have sat down and “On the bright side, life has slowed Travel restrictions during the doctors were happy to share some one who might need it. “I know in chatted with them over a cup of down, and there is no constant pandemic have made it more dif- wisdom. “There are no perfect par- this community there are many like coffee or tea,” Dr. Khandare said. struggle to keep everything run- ficult on all three moms, as shar- ents and no perfect babies,” Dr. me who are first-time mothers and “Even today, I am eager to spend ning on time. I got to enjoy life in ing their new additions with their Manandhar said.