UPMC Hamot Showcases Growth, New Advancements

UPMC Hamot's services are constantly expanding, meaning more patients can get their treatments right here in Erie.

The hospital showcased its advancements on Thursday evening during their annual meeting at the Ambassador.

"The advantage we've had to become a part of a larger system is obviously bringing additional specialties to Erie and keeping care local. That's really been key," said Jim Fiorenzo, president of UPMC Hamot.

One of those specialties - a cutting-edge treatment that breaks down blood clots in the lungs. It's something that saved Millcreek resident Rick Kerr's life.

"I came home from work on a Wednesday afternoon (in May) and I was getting ready to go back to work. Then all of a sudden I just completely lost the ability to breathe, Kerr said.

Kerr was facing a pulmonary embolism, which carries a high mortality rate. But UPMC offers a new treatment that uses a combination of ultrasound waves and medication to dissolve the clots.

"It's absolutely very cutting edge, very progressive," said Dr. Robert Maholic, an interventional cardiologist specialist at UPMC Hamot. "We've treated about 75 patients over the last two years, and in fact, a lot of other centers are looking to us for guidance on how to start up a program," Maholic said.

"They saved my life, literally. I can't say enough good about them, because that says it all," Kerr said.

Other clinical advancements coming to the hospital: specialized surgery for the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

New breakthrough 3D imaging tools to detect breast cancer, early, will also be arriving to UPMC soon.

And in the near future, UPMC of Pittsburgh will bring a pediatric urgent care walk-in center to Erie.

"People have not wanted to leave Erie for their care. By bringing specialists here and treating locally, it's been a phenomenal advantage for us, and also great for the families and the patients," Fiorenzo said.

Since Hamot joined UPMC in 2011, 12 percent fewer patients are leaving Erie County to receive their care. And 19 percent more patients are traveling from outside Erie County to UPMC Hamot to receive treatment.

"It absolutely makes a difference not only from a travel standpoint, but from a safety standpoint. Someone as sick as Rick was, having to go to Pittsburgh could actually increase his risk of complications from just having to go an hour and a half away," Maholic said.

The medical advancements also means economic benefits the Erie area.

"This a huge boon for the economy. It's going to get additional doctors, provide additional jobs, and improve the quality of care here," Maholic said.

Over the past three years, UPMC Hamot has added 400 new jobs to Erie County.

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