PAMED Volunteer Physicians Assist 300+ Callers; ‘Docs on Call’ Celebrates 10 years at WGAL

Date: March 15, 2012 Media Contact: Chuck Moran
Pennsylvania Medical Society
For Immediate Release (717) 558-7820

 

(Harrisburg, PA)  For the 10th consecutive year, physician members of the Pennsylvania Medical Society answered questions and discussed medical concerns with more than 300 callers anonymously and free of charge on Wednesday, March 14, as part of the Medical Society’s public service program “Docs on Call.” The program aired on WGAL from 5:00 until 6:30 pm Wednesday evening.

Caller questions ranged from treating depression to managing high blood pressure. During live interviews, physicians addressed seasonal allergies, the HPV vaccine, colon cancer, the dangers of tanning booths and how to get the most out of doctors visits. A number of callers said they had no health insurance and that the free advice was invaluable.

The state society’s “Docs on Call” programs draw on member physicians across Pennsylvania who donate their services to answer health-related questions and offer information on free- and low-cost health clinics to those without medical insurance or without access to personal physicians. While the volunteer doctors will provide guidance to callers, the phone sessions are not meant to replace office visits. Physicians answering the phones will not diagnose conditions or prescribe specific treatments.

“‘Docs on Call’ is a wonderful way for us to reach out to patients, particularly those who may not have access to a physician,” says Marilyn Heine, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. “Many callers have been too embarrassed or confused to ask their doctor and many have no doctor to ask. Reaching these viewers has been possible thanks to WGAL’s exemplary commitment to public service and willingness to share its talent and resources with us.”

This is the 10th year the Pennsylvania Medical Society has partnered with WGAL-TV to broadcast this public service program.

Local Pennsylvania Medical Society member physicians volunteering as “Docs on Call” included:

Cumberland County Medical Society: Christine M. Daecher, DO, Camp Hill, Internal Medicine; Anthony J. Guarracino, DO, FACEP, Shippensburg, Emergency Medicine; Namrata V. Haldipur, MD, Camp Hill, Internal Medicine.

Dauphin County Medical Society: David B. Campbell, MD, FACS, Hershey, Thoracic Surgery; James A. Yates, MD, FACS, Camp Hill, Plastic Surgery

Lancaster City & County Medical Society: Paul D. Allegretti, DO, Lancaster, Gastroenterology; James D. Artuso, MD, Lancaster, Anesthesia; Paul S. Brown, Jr., MD, FACS, Lancaster, Thoracic Surgery; Pia B. Fenimore, MD, Lancaster, Pediatrics; Laura H. Fisher, MD, Lancaster, Allergy & Immunology; Joseph J. Irwin, MD, Ephrata, Family Medicine; William T. Monacci, MD, FACS, Lancaster, Neurosurgery; Michael R. Pavlica, MD, Lancaster, Ophthalmology; Karen A. Rizzo, MD, FACS, Lancaster, Otolaryngology; David Simons, DO, Lititz, Anesthesiology; Thomas R. Westphal, MD, FACS, Lancaster, Orthopedic Surgery; Christopher A. Woodard, MD, FACS, Lancaster, Urology

Lebanon County Medical Society: Musaddiq Nazeeri, MD, Lebanon, Family Medicine; Jilian G. White, MD, Lebanon, Obstetrics/Gynecology

York County Medical Society: David J. Bene, MD, York, Ophthalmology; Natalie I. Bene, MD, York, Dermatology; Mohammad Bhatti, MD, York, Urology; Jeffrey H. Chaby, DO, Lancaster, Ophthalmology; Joseph De Santi, MD, York, Chronic Pain Management.

The patient-doctor relationship has been the priority of the Pennsylvania Medical Society since its founding in 1848. While there are always issues being debated about health systems and reform, the physician members of the Medical Society continue to focus on better health for all Pennsylvanians. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Medical Society, visit its website at www.pamedsoc.org or its patient website at www.myfamilywellness.org.

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