Health

September 22, 2009

Health care topic of LCCC conference

SUE GANNIS Times Leader Correspondent

NANTICOKE — The historical connection between health care — then and now — in the Wyoming Valley is set to be studied in depth at the 19th Annual History of Northeastern Pennsylvania Conference.

“History of Health Care: Past, Present & Future,” planned for Oct. 9 at Luzerne County Community College, will feature a panel of local physicians and educators discussing topics such as the origin of the current health care crisis, its impact particularly on our area and how changes in the system might affect the types or extent of care patients can expect.

Given the current Congressional debate revolving around health care legislation, organizer William Kashatus believes this conference is especially timely.

“With health care in a crisis situation with the insurance industry and malpractice, this is one topic that people want,” said Kashatus, assistant professor of history/social science at LCCC. “Our goal is to educate the public on an issue that is of importance to them.”

The free conference will begin at 9 a.m. with brief opening remarks by Kashatus and Anthony Brooks, director of the Luzerne County Historical Society.

The keynote speaker in the morning session is the organizer’s father, Dr. William Kashatus. He is a retired oncologist from Geisinger Health System but also has experience in both the corporate and academic worlds.

“My father will bring very interesting insights,” Kashatus said.

The morning session will also include a discussion, “Changing Landscape of Nursing,” led by Dana Clark, LCCC Nursing Department chairperson.

That will be followed at 11 by “Living History & Film,” dramatized by local historian Lisa Lewis. She will portray Esther Tinsley, who started the Nesbitt Hospital in Kingston and the Pittston Hospital and the School of Nursing in Pittston. She will then show the local documentary film “Haven on the Hill — Esther Tinsley of Pittston Hospital” in which she plays the leading role.

The afternoon session begins at 1:30 p.m. The panel of experts discussing and debating the future of health care in Northeastern Pennsylvania includes Dr. Doris Bartuska, former dean/professor of Women’s Medical College; Dr. John F. McGeehan from Horizon Medical Group; and Dr. Robert Wright, the director of Scranton Temple Residency Program.

The main question-and-answer session for the public is in the afternoon.

This session will “cut to the chase on the future of health care in Northeast PA,” advises Kashatus. “The panel is very well qualified to flush out the relevant questions about health care.”

Residents are welcome to come and go any time throughout the conference hours — 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A cold luncheon buffet will be available for a cost of $10 (payable at the event) and reservations are required for the lunch only.

if you go

What: History of Health Care — Past, Present & Future. Conference includes an afternoon question-and-answer session

When: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 9

Where: Luzerne County Community College Educational Conference Center, 1333 South Prospect St., Nanticoke

Info: William Kashatus, Ph.D., LCCC Social Science/History Department: bkashatus@luzerne.edu; call 570-740-0508 or 800-377-LCCC (ext. 508)

Cost: Free. A cold luncheon buffet will be available in the Conference Center Dining Room for $10 beginning at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are necessary for lunch; call 823-6244 by Oct. 5.

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