Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce News Newswire

Expanding the Meaning of ‘Excellence’ through Cancer Screening

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Cancer screenings are critical for preventing and treating disease, yet people too often lack access to these services. Screening also represents an essential gateway to better community health.

To meet this mission, Jesse Keiper, a member of St. Luke’s Cancer team, organized a free cancer screening and prevention fair that highlighted St. Luke’s comprehensive commitment to care—from detection to treatment to continuing wellness.

Jesse, an oncology prevention and advocacy specialist who has been with St. Luke’s for more than a decade, coordinated the inaugural screening fair in February at the St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus. Despite the bitter cold, more than 40 screenings for skin and head and neck cancers were conducted. Attendees also learned about screening and prevention for other types of cancer and toured the Upper Bucks Center for Hope & Healing—a one-of-a-kind patient-centered space for support throughout the cancer journey—where oncology dieticians made smoothies and answered questions about nutrition.

Jesse organized the screening fair as part of her capstone project for a Master’s of Social Work from Moravian University. She designed the event to convene multidisciplinary cancer treatment teams around the shared goals of exceptional care and positive patient experiences, creating an opportunity to showcase St. Luke’s growing Centers of Excellence for cancer treatment.

The Centers of Excellence initiative is intended to encourage and foster communication and coordination among Cancer team members as they work to provide personal and seamless patient care. Currently there are four Centers of Excellence; the number will soon expand to 11 to include all disease-specific cancer programs at St. Luke’s.

“It’s not just about being ‘excellent’ in the clinical setting, but it's how we deliver care and how we work together as a team,” said Kerianne Pollinger, Director of Oncology Excellence and Accreditation at. St. Luke’s.

Pollinger has been Jesse’s field supervisor for two years and encouraged her to coordinate St. Luke’s screening fair plans. Jesse’s work also underscores St. Luke’s mission to identify and cultivate talented employees who live in the communities they serve.

“Jesse is homegrown St. Luke’s talent and reflects what makes our St. Luke’s family so special,” Pollinger said. “We grow our own leaders, and we approach that responsibility with the same intention and care that we bring to our patients.”

Jesse is organizing the next St. Luke’s cancer screening and prevention fair for August 1^st from 9 a.m.-noon at St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Campus in Allentown. The event is free, and anyone can walk in, or accompany family members, to get screened and to learn more about how prevention and early detection can save lives.

“It’s about that one community member who builds trust and rapport with us. Therefore, they’re going to trust the system and come to these appointments,” Jesse said. “It’s about relationship-building in the community.”

Dr. Eleanor Harris, MD, Vice Chair of Oncology and Chief of Radiation Oncology, and a patient during a cancer screening.

About St. Luke’s

Founded in 1872, St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network with annual net revenue of more than $4.5 billion. With 23,000+ employees at 16 hospital campuses and 350+ outpatient sites, it is the Lehigh Valley’s biggest employer.

The Network’s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital is based at the Bethlehem Campus.

Dedicated to advancing medical education, St. Luke’s is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania. In partnership with Temple University, the Network established the Lehigh Valley’s first and only four-year medical school. It also operates the nation’s oldest continuously operated School of Nursing, established in 1884, and 60+ fully accredited graduate medical educational programs with 550+ residents and fellows. Additionally, the St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences opened in 2026.

In 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ranked St. Luke’s #1 – ahead of Houston Methodist and Mayo Clinic, two of the nation’s most prestigious institutions – as the nation’s top health system for quality, safety and patient experience. This objective recognition, based on public data reported to the government, reaffirms St. Luke’s preeminent position as THE BEST OF THE BEST among the most respected health care systems in the United States.

St. Luke’s has been named a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. It is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare’s five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. In 2026, the Network earned straight A’s from Leapfrog across all of its acute care hospitals. It has earned 100 Top Hospital designations from Premier 12 years in a row, including in 2026 when the Network was identified as THE #1 MEDIUM-SIZE HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY. Utilizing the Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system for both inpatient and outpatient services, the Network is a multi-year recipient of the Most Wired award recognizing the breadth of SLUHN’s information technology applications such as telehealth, online scheduling and online pricing information.

NOVA to Offer Online Mandated Reporter Training in June

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

NOVA, the leading non-profit organization in Bucks County supporting victims of serious crime, will offer two opportunities for mandated reporter training in June. The trainings will take place on:

June 10 from 5-8 p.m. virtually
June 25 from 1-4 p.m. at NOVA’s Jamison office, located at 2370 York Road, Suite B1

Both sessions are approved by the PA Department of Human Services, in accordance with Act 31 of 2014 and approved by the PA Department of Education, in accordance with Act 126 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. Certificates will be distributed upon completion of the course and continuing education credits are available. To register for either session, visit http://www.novabucks.org/events.

The mandatory reporter training will equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to fulfill their legal and ethical obligations as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect.

The training is based on the latest research and best practices with proven successful outcomes. The goal of the training is to increase the likelihood that mandated reporters make a report of suspected incidents of child abuse to child protective services or law enforcement. These includes incidents of serious physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, imminent risk or serious physical neglect.

“It is vital that mandated reporters stay up to date on their training, since it provides the skills needed to safeguard children,” said Jamie Pfister, NOVA Training Coordinator. “We encourage all mandated reporters in Bucks County to sign up for this training.”

In addition to offering the mandated reporter training, NOVA facilitates workshops for places of worship, parent groups, organizations or schools. For more information, contact Jamie Pfister, Training Coordinator, at Jamie.Pfister@novabucks.org.

About NOVA

NOVA supports, counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County and works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs. Founded in 1974, NOVA is a non-profit 501(c)(3), community-based organization operating out of three offices in Fairless Hills, Jamison and Perkasie. Services are made possible through the financial support of federal, state and local government grants and contracts, corporations, foundations and private donations. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, visit www.NOVABucks.org.

BCOC's VITA program returns over three million dollars to Bucks County!

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This free program saved clients $879,200 in tax preparation fees and brought $3.1 million dollars back to our community.

Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC), a local non-profit organization dedicated to reducing poverty has completed another successful tax season with its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. The VITA program is an IRS initiative designed to support free tax preparation service for the underserved through various partner organizations.

Danielle Bush, who oversees the VITA program for BCOC was thrilled with the statistics, “This year’s VITA program made a huge impact, completing a record number of tax returns. This service is truly an asset to our residents, affecting people from all over the county, providing skilled assistance with what is often an overwhelming task.” Including local, state, federal, property tax, rental rebates, and My Free Taxes, BCOC facilitated 2,512 returns. This free program saved clients $879,200 in tax preparer fees and brought $3.1 million dollars back to the Bucks County community.

The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to low-income people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. While the IRS manages the VITA program, the five VITA sites in Bucks County are operated by the Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) and staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. The 55 dedicated, IRS-certified volunteers who provided tax counseling are a mix of retired and working individuals who support BCOC and happily give their time and expertise to the cause. This year they donated 3,575 volunteer hours to the VITA program.

Since BCOC began providing the VITA program in 2005, volunteers have prepared 24,426 returns, resulting in $40.2 million reinvested in the Bucks County community in the form of refunds, credits, and fees saved. The VITA program is a key component of the financial literacy provided to low-income families participating in BCOC programs. Refunds received through VITA assist low-income families whose household budgets are tenuous, bringing economic stability back to the household.

Christine, who helps her elderly parents told BCOC, “I am incredibly grateful for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the support they provide my family. The volunteers are consistently kind, patient, knowledgeable, and they make the whole process easy to understand, which makes a tremendous difference for families like mine.”

BCOC is grateful for the financial support provided by the IRS, the Bucks County Foundation, and First National Bank and Trust of Newtown. Individuals interested in getting involved for next year’s tax season are welcome to reach out to Danielle Bush at dbush@bcoc.org or call 215-345-8175 x209.

BCOC is the lead anti-poverty, non-profit organization in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, dedicated to ending poverty by connecting people with the resources they need to thrive.

BCOC has five major program areas: Housing, Food, Weatherization, Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) and the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Program. Housing includes street outreach, rental and move in assistance and utility shut-off prevention. Food services distributes food directly to families through a network of over 74 food pantries and distribution sites. Weatherization services assist families in reducing their energy costs. VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance. The ES Program assists individuals and families to leave poverty permanently through case management, education, and employment.

For over 60 years, the Opportunity Council has served low-income families in Bucks County by helping them to stabilize when in crisis, garner resources to achieve a livable wage, gain additional education and training, and work towards economic self-sufficiency.

Fun Took Center Stage at NOVA’s Game Night Gala

Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

NOVA, Bucks County’s comprehensive crime victim services agency, recently hosted its Game Night Gala at The Warrington—an evening of laughter, connection, and impact. The organization’s largest annual fundraiser, the event raised $150,000 in support of NOVA’s free, confidential services and violence prevention and education programs for children and adults.

The gala also featured live music by pop/rock band The Zone, and a trivia challenge, all in support of raising funds for NOVA’s free and confidential victim services for children and adults, as well as the violence prevention programs the organization provides throughout the community. NOVA’s programs and services are available to those affected by crime who live, work or worship in Bucks County. Services include a 24-7 victim Helpline, forensic exams, child-centered response for children who have been sexually or physical abused, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy provided in office, home or schools, and legal advocacy and support through the criminal justice system. NOVA also offers prevention education and professional training across Bucks County to help keep communities safe. Donations to support these critical services can be made to https://www.novabucks.org/donate.

“Gala Game Night was both engaging and meaningful—from Family Feud and trivia to the powerful words shared by our client speaker and emcee,” said Penelope Ettinger, Executive Director, NOVA. “More than 200 guests joined us, and together we netted over $150,000 to support NOVA’s work with victims and families across Bucks County.”

The generosity of NOVA’s sponsors played a vital role in the success of the gala, helping the organization raise critical funds to sustain its free and confidential victim services, advocacy programs, and violence prevention education throughout Bucks County. In all, 20+ sponsors supported NOVA’s Gala Game Night, demonstrating the community’s strong commitment to helping victims of crime. Leading the way was Winner’s Circle

sponsor Parx Casino, which proudly sponsored NOVA for the fourth consecutive year.

Prime Time sponsors included three-year supporter M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust; returning sponsor American Heritage Credit Union; and our newest sponsor Swartz, Culleton & Ferris. At the MVP Sponsor level, HUB International returned for its second year of support.

More than 200 guests, including (L to R) Michelle Sooby-Saldutti, NOVA Board Member, and Dr. Tobi Bruhn, CEO, Foundations Community Partnership, attended NOVA’s Gala Game Night, in support of NOVA’s free, confidential services and violence prevention and education programs for children and adults.

About NOVA

NOVA supports, counsels, and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County and works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs. Founded in 1974, NOVA is a non-profit 501(c)(3), community-based organization operating out of three offices in Fairless Hills, Jamison, and Perkasie. Services are made possible through the financial support of federal, state, and local government grants and contracts, corporations, foundations and private donations. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, visit www.NOVABucks.org.

St. Luke’s Named One of the Nation’s 15 Top Health Systems® by Modern Healthcare and Premier

Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

St. Luke’s University Health Network has been named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems®, recognized by Modern Healthcare based on an objective quantitative analysis conducted by Premier, Inc.

The annual study evaluates health system performance across clinical outcomes, operational efficiency and patient experience to identify organizations delivering consistent, balanced and sustainable high performance.

Participation in the study is not application-based, and health systems do not opt in or out and are never asked to pay for inclusion, ensuring an objective and transparent assessment.

Specifically, Modern Healthcare and Premier identified St. Luke’s as the #1 medium-size health system in the United States. Of the top 15 U.S. health systems of all sizes, St. Luke’s is the only Pennsylvania-based system.

“This recognition is a credit to the dedication, professionalism and talent of St. Luke’s 23,000-plus employees,” said St. Luke’s Chief Quality Officer Donna Sabol. “It provides further affirmation of St. Luke’s remarkable achievement in standardizing excellence in care and service throughout 16 hospital campuses and hundreds of outpatient locations.”

In the fall, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ranked St. Luke’s as the nation’s top health system for quality, safety and patient experience.

Earlier this month, the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit health care ratings organization, released new Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, awarding A’s to every eligible legacy St. Luke’s acute care hospital. St. Luke’s also remains the only network in the greater Lehigh Valley region to be recognized on Modern Healthcare and Premier’s 100 Top Hospitals list (12 years in a row and 14 years total) and the only one to earn comprehensive “five stars” from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Performance Across Top Health Systems

To develop the list, Premier researchers evaluated 336 health systems nationwide using publicly available data. Systems included in the study must have at least two short-term, acute care hospitals and meet established inclusion criteria.

Compared to peer health systems, this year’s top performers outperformed peer companies across all measured performance indicators included in the study while continuing to deliver high-quality care and operational efficiency.

Key findings from this year’s analysis include:

22.3 percent lower inpatient mortality compared to peers.
Fewer healthcare-associated infections, with a 28.6 percent difference in performance.
Shorter average length of stay.
Lower overall episode-of-care costs.

These results demonstrate the ability of top-performing systems to deliver high-quality care while maintaining operational efficiency and alignment across their hospitals.

“Achieving Premier’s 15 Top Health Systems® designation is a meaningful accomplishment that reflects a health system’s commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care,” said David Zito, President of Performance Services at Premier. “This recognition highlights St. Luke’s University Health Network’s focus on improving outcomes, strengthening operations and advancing the overall patient experience.”

About the Study

The 15 Top Health Systems® study is based on a balanced scorecard of measures across clinical outcomes, operational performance and patient experience. The analysis uses publicly available data sources, including Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Care Compare datasets.

For 2026, updates to the methodology include adoption of the 30-day hybrid hospital-wide readmission measure, which incorporates both claims-based and electronic health record data, as well as the reintroduction of the Medicare Spend Per Beneficiary measure.

Health systems are categorized by size (large, medium and small) to account for differences in scale and enable fair comparisons.

For more methodology details, visit: https://www.modernhealthcare.com/awards/mh-premier-100-top-hospitals-2026/.

About St. Luke’s

Bucks IU BrainSTEPS Team Earns Statewide Recognition for Exceptional Student Support for Third Consecutive Year

Mon, 18 May 2026 15:01:06 GMT

The Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 is celebrating another major statewide achievement as its BrainSTEPS Team has once again been awarded the prestigious BrainSTEPS Team Exceptional Performance Award for the 2025–2026 school year. The award recognizes Intermediate Unit BrainSTEPS teams across Pennsylvania that demonstrate outstanding commitment to supporting students who have experienced acquired brain injuries.

This year, only seven of Pennsylvania’s 29 Intermediate Unit BrainSTEPS teams earned the recognition, and the Bucks IU team is one of only three statewide to receive the honor every year since the award’s inception, placing the team among Pennsylvania’s top-performing BrainSTEPS programs.

Under the leadership of BrainSTEPS Team Leader Sarah Krusen, the Bucks IU team successfully met rigorous performance standards and demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting students, families, educators, and school communities throughout Bucks County.

“We are incredibly proud of the Bucks IU BrainSTEPS Team and their continued recognition at the state level,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, Executive Director of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. “This award reflects the team’s commitment to supporting students and families navigating the challenges associated with acquired brain injuries. Their work exemplifies the collaborative, student-centered approach that is at the heart of the Bucks IU’s mission.”

State BrainSTEPS leadership commended the Bucks IU for its nearly two decades of ongoing commitment to the BrainSTEPS Program and for maintaining high standards of service and support for students with brain injuries throughout the region.

“The BrainSTEPS Team consistently demonstrates exceptional compassion, expertise, and dedication in helping students successfully transition and thrive in school following a brain injury,” said Dr. Gina Meissler, Program Director of Related Services for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. “Receiving this recognition for the third consecutive year speaks to the outstanding leadership of Sarah Krusen and the meaningful partnerships our team has built with schools and families throughout Bucks County.”

The BrainSTEPS Program provides consultation, training, and educational support for students recovering from acquired brain injuries, helping ensure successful transitions back into school and classroom settings. State officials noted that the Bucks IU’s BrainSTEPS consultation and training services “exemplify best practice and serve as a model for teams across the state.”

As the Bucks IU approaches two decades of participation in the BrainSTEPS Program, this continued statewide recognition highlights the organization’s enduring commitment ensuring students impacted by brain injuries receive the educational supports, advocacy, and resources needed to succeed both academically and personally.

ABOUT THE BUCKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT (Bucks IU):

Celebrating over 50 years of service! The Bucks IU supports improvements and advancements in student learning by providing exceptional educational programs, innovative professional development, and advanced business/technology services. The Bucks IU serves individuals from ages birth to adult, students in public and private schools along with their staff and administrators, and the community of Bucks County. The Bucks IU is also the liaison between local schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information, go to www.BucksIU.org or call 215-348-2940.

NOVA Receives Grant from PA Department of Community and Economic Development

Mon, 18 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

NOVA, Bucks County’s comprehensive crime victim services agency, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant in the amount of $181,697 through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account (LSA) Program, with the grant administered locally by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority. This grant will support critical facility improvements and security upgrades across NOVA’s locations in Jamison, Fairless Hills and Perkasie.

Grant funds will help enhance building infrastructure and strengthen security systems, ensuring that victims of crime can access services in a safe, confidential, and trauma-informed environment. These improvements will also support the safety and well-being of NOVA’s staff and volunteers in their work to provide essential services to people impacted by crime.

“NOVA is deeply grateful to local legislators who supported this funding request and advocated for resources that strengthen services for victims in Bucks County,” said Penny Ettinger, Executive Director, NOVA. “In particular, we want express our gratitude to State Senators Frank Farry, Steve Santarsiero, Jarrett Coleman, as well as State Representatives Jim Prokopiak, Kristin Marcell and Shelby Labs. Their support demonstrates a strong commitment to public safety and ensuring that victims and survivors have access to secure and supportive services.”

“This investment represents more than infrastructure improvements,” added Angela M. McGettigan, Senior Director of Operations and Community Engagement. “It reflects our community’s dedication to supporting victims of crime and strengthening the resources available to them.”

NOVA looks forward to implementing these improvements and continuing its mission of providing safe, accessible, and trauma-informed services for victims and survivors throughout Bucks County.

About NOVA

Jamison, and Perkasie. Services are made possible through the financial support of federal, state, and local government grants and contracts, corporations, foundations and private donations. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, visit www.NOVABucks.org.