POTTSTOWN PA – A new pediatrician has joined the staff of Community Health and Dental Care (CHDC), it said Wednesday (April 24, 2024). Additionally, Tower Health reported its hospitals in Pottstown and Phoenixville earlier this month held ceremonies to celebrate and promote organ donations.
New Pediatrician Arrives at Community Health
Mary Dressler-Carré, MSN, CRNP, CPNP-PC, PMHS (at right), a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, is among the newest staff arrivals at Community Health and Dental Care’s Pottstown health center at 351 W. Schuylkill Rd., CHDC reported.
Dressler-Carré comes to CHDC with “25 years of experience in running an independent practice pediatric clinic, with special interests in behavioral health, autism, and special needs children,” it said. She is accepting appointments for newborns through age 17 who have vaccine records available. To schedule an appointment, call the center at 610-326-9460.
Dressler-Carré earned her masters of science degree in nursing and pediatric primary care from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and her bachelors of science degree in nursing from Villanova University College of Nursing in Villanova.
About CHDC
Operating since 2008, Community Health & Dental Care said it intends to “ensure access to appropriate levels of care for all people in (its) service area regardless of their ability to pay.” Same day and integrated appointments are available to meet the scheduling needs of patients and family members. It provides medical, dental, OBGYN, vision, podiatry, physical therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), integrated behavioral health, care and case management, and free transportation to and from all its locations in Pottstown and Barto.
Hospitals Remain Committed to Organ Donor Awareness
Tower Health System’s Pottstown Hospital and Phoenixville Hospital recently celebrated their commitment to building awareness and support for organ donation. Each held ceremonies to raise a “2024 Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania Donate Life Challenge” flag, and relate life-saving stories about organ and tissue gifts, it said.
The association’s Gift of Life Donor Program encourages all people to register as organ, tissue, and cornea donors.
Pottstown Hospital’s ceremony featured Julie and Domingo Lopez sharing their personal story about their daughter, who was a patient in its intensive care unit. Several unit staff members, who cared for the Lopez’s daughter, were able to reconnect with the family following the ceremony.
At Phoenixville Hospital, an organ recipient was its honored guest during their flag-raising. She shared her story with Phoenixville Hospital staff, and raised the Donate Life flag, while staff members, other organ donors, and families of organ recipients cheered.
“Anyone can be a potential organ donor, regardless of medical history, age, or race,” Pottstown Hospital ICU Critical Manager Lynn Shoap explained. “This is imperative because there are more than 95,000 individuals across the country waiting for a kidney, liver, heart, or lung transplant. Every day more people are added to the list.”
“Organ donation is so important because 17 people in the US die each day while waiting for a donor,” Phoenixville Hospital Critical Care Director Aileen Bojko, RN, BSN added. “I encourage everyone to consider becoming an organ donor, and talk to their loved ones about their wish to do so.”
For more information about organ donation, and to register to become a donor, see the Gift of Life Donor Program website.
About Pottstown and Phoenixville hospitals
Pottstown Hospital is a 219-bed facility that offers a full range of health services, including inpatient and outpatient, medical and surgical, and diagnostic and emergency care. Phoenixville Hospital is a 144-bed facility that provides comprehensive medical services through emergency room visits, inpatient admissions, outpatient procedures, and community outreach programs. Both are accredited by The Joint Commission, and have individually been recognized for quality outcomes and clinical expertise.
Top photo from Deposit Photos, used by Travels with the Post under license
Dressler-Carré photo provided by Community Health and Dental
Flag ceremony photos provided by Tower Health
Weekend Stuff April 26-28: A Past Travels Calendar