HNL Lab Medicine has completed renovations at its Trexlertown Patient Service Center and has added pediatric phlebotomy services.
The Trexlertown Patient Service Center now features a modernized waiting area and eight draw rooms, HNL Lab Medicine said.
HNL Lab Medicine said the pediatric phlebotomy services are designed to address the unique needs of pediatric patients. The company said its phlebotomists have received specialized training in working with children, ensuring a child-friendly and compassionate experience for young patients and their families.
“We are thrilled to unveil the newly renovated Trexlertown Patient Service Center, as well as the addition of pediatric phlebotomy services at this location,” said Jessica Bargilione, vice president of marketing. “Our commitment to providing exceptional care extends to patients of all ages, and these enhancements reflect our dedication to delivering a positive and stress-free experience for every individual.”
The renovations and the introduction of pediatric phlebotomy services at the Trexlertown Patient Service Center are part of HNL Lab Medicine’s ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality of care, Bargilione said.
HNL Lab Medicine is investing in an advanced digital pathology practice.
Allentown-based HNL Lab Medicine said has selected solutions from Proscia, a digital pathology software company, and Leica Biosystems, a manufacturer of high-quality imaging hardware, to establish the practice that will enhance the lab’s diagnostic capabilities, improve efficiency, and ultimately provide better patient care.
The initiative combines Proscia’s digital pathology software platform Concentriq Dx and Leica Biosystems’ scanner hardware.
Proscia’s Concentriq Dx drives routine workflows, streamlines collaboration and is designed for realizing the promise of pathology’s AI-powered future, HNL Lab Medicine said.
Combined with Leica Biosystems’ high throughput scanner hardware, the solution will enable HNL Lab Medicine’s pathologists to get to the correct diagnosis more efficiently, benefiting both patients and health care providers.
“We are excited to embark on this digital pathology journey with Proscia and Leica Biosystems,” said Dr. Jordan Olson, Medical Director of HNL Lab Medicine. “We chose Leica Biosystems as our whole slide imaging vendor due to their high image quality and demonstrated ability to handle large volumes. We selected Proscia’s Concentriq Dx as our digital pathology platform because it aligns with HNL Lab Medicine’s vision for innovation and efficiency.”
The two companies will allow HNL Lab Medicine to transform into a digital practice, enabling the company to deliver on the promise of precision medicine to improve patient care, Olson said.
“Each pathology image contains over one billion pixels that tell the story of a patient’s disease,” said David West, CEO of Proscia. “Beyond helping to drive quality and efficiency gains, HNL Lab Medicine lays the foundation for capitalizing on the full potential of this data with its digital pathology initiative.”
The substantial investment in digital pathology is part of HNL Lab Medicine’s ongoing commitment to harnessing advanced technologies to improve patient outcomes, Olson said.
HNL Lab Medicine’s newest expansion includes pediatric phlebotomy.
HNL Lab Medicine said the opening of its Patient Service Center at 2402 Sunshine Road, Allentown, reflects its commitment to providing care to patients of all ages.
The newly opened center features modern amenities and cutting-edge equipment, HNL Lab Medicine said. It includes specialized pediatric phlebotomy services in a child-friendly space to create a calming environment.
“We are thrilled to open our newest Patient Service Center, equipped with tailored pediatric phlebotomy services,” said Martin K. Till, president and CEO at HNL Lab Medicine. “Our goal is to provide the highest quality of care to patients of all ages, and this expansion allows us to deliver tailored services to our youngest patients in a comfortable and welcoming setting.”
The addition of tailored pediatric phlebotomy services reaffirms HNL Lab Medicine’s commitment to pediatric care and ensures that children receive specialized attention from highly trained phlebotomists who possess the expertise and compassion required for working with young patients, Till said.
HNL Lab Medicine and Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital have partnered to offer pediatric phlebotomy services.
HNL Lab Medicine said the collaboration brings together the expertise of HNL Lab Medicine and Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital to ensure that young patients receive the highest quality care during blood draws and other necessary procedures.
“At HNL Lab Medicine, we recognize the unique needs of pediatric patients and the importance of providing specialized care,” said Martin K. Till, president and CEO at HNL Lab Medicine. “We are thrilled to partner with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital to offer dedicated pediatric phlebotomy services, ensuring that young patients receive the compassionate and expert care they deserve.”
The new pediatric phlebotomy services create a child-friendly environment that prioritizes the comfort and well-being of pediatric patients, HNL Lab Medicine said. The staff is specially trained to work with children, ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the phlebotomy process.
HNL Lab Medicine said the specialized training is done in collaboration with the child-life specialists at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, a unique service that helps ease the stress and uncertainty surrounding medical care for children.
“Blood work is an important diagnostic tool for all patients, including young children, but for our youngest patients especially, it can sometimes be overwhelming,” said Dr. J. Nathan Hagstrom, physician-in-chief of Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. “This partnership will allow us to better heal, comfort and care for children in our community and we are happy to share our pediatric expertise with HNL.”
HNL Lab Medicine said it is also opening the Lehigh Street Patient Service Center at 2402 Sunshine Road, Allentown on June 29.
The health care industry, while dominated by women, traditionally lacks female leadership.
HNL Lab Medicine, which is celebrating 25 years since becoming independent from Lehigh Valley Health Network, is an exception.
Jessica Bargilione
Jessica Bargilione, vice president of marketing, HNL Lab Medicine of Allentown, said women represent 42% of the company’s executive committee and 70% of its leadership roles.
“We have strong leaders, and we make sure women are ready to take on higher roles when they get there,” she said.
The key is mentorship. Bargilione said the office mentorship program, which is open to everyone in the company, is educationally themed.
“Anyone who is interested in a mentor goes through human relations which matches them to a mentor who outlines objectives and then sets up a plan to achieve them,” she said.
Laura Bailey, director, Transfusion Medicine, said she tells women, “Don’t let anyone bully you or make you second guess yourself. There is definitely a
Laura Bailey –
stereotype out there, yes, even today. that women are supposed to be passive and ‘nice.’ When a woman is confident and assertive, she can be labeled as intimidating or confrontational. But that same behavior in a man is seen as confidence and qualities of a leader. Don’t be afraid to stand your ground.”
The health care industry has had a tough time over the past few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bargilione said. Many positions throughout the industry go unfilled after health care workers experienced burnout.
HNL Lab Medicine offers in-house training to help fill the needs in the community. Bargilione said the program is a jumping off point and employees can grow into other positions.
The mentor program, she said, gives employees the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally
Renu Bajaj –
“It’s not a shot in the dark, but a path to where they want to go,” she said. “This industry offers opportunities to go in so many directions and this company does a good job highlighting those opportunities.”
Renu Bajaj, associate medical director, Cytogenetics, said. “Have a passion? Find a mentor! I am fortunate to be a health care professional. There is nothing as fulfilling when you wake up in the morning and look forward to going to work and feel contented at the end of the day with the contribution you have made in someone’s life.
“Reflecting on this accomplishment made me inspire the next generation of health care professionals and develop their understanding of leadership,” Bajaj said. “However, passion alone cannot guide you to the leadership path. Having a mentor with a wealth of experience and knowledge that can push you to make challenging decisions is key. I have had the opportunity to work with incredible mentors during my path of growth to be a better professional.”
Kelly Frankenfield –
Kelly Frankenfield, director, Pathology Operations, said, “Education is foremost. Education provides diverse insights and helps create professional connections in the field. Women should use their education to develop transformative leadership skills that align their individual strengths with their professional goals”
Frankenfield said when goals are aligned to the strategic roadmap of the company, opportunities for advancement open.
“Learning should never stop. The health care industry and its workforce are constantly changing. Staying abreast of new technologies and fostering growth within your teams will enhance the well-being of our patients while maximizing the company’s growth potential,” she said.
One of the biggest challenges women still face is equal pay. Bargilione added that women are still expected to be quieter, less outspoken.
Amy Hoherchak –
“Our leaders are so strong; they have a vision of what the challenges are and are making progress in closing the gaps. But there is still a long way to go,” she said.
The progress can be seen with the 60 people still with the company since its inception. “That’s because of our career ladder,” she said.
Amy Hoherchak, vice president of clinical lab, Acute Care Laboratory Operations said mentoring teaches people to surround themselves with truly good people who innately do the right thing.
“Create a strong and diverse team with varying skills and talents that complement each other. This is what has helped me succeed in my leadership roles. Leading people means knowing what you don’t know and allowing your team to show off what they excel at! When you bring the right people together, you can accomplish great things,” she said.
Lisa Anthony –
“My #1 piece of advice to women interested in becoming a leader in the health care industry would be to develop your emotional intelligence. You must read a room quickly, show respect and empath, and trust your intuition,” said Lisa Anthony, senior executive, Health Systems Partnerships. “All of these play an important role in developing this skill. Developing your emotional intelligence isn’t something that happens overnight. It grows over time and requires continual improvement. Learn how to use it to your advantage.”
Another lesson Anthony offers is, “You don’t need to do your job alone. Build a strong team and don’t be afraid to rely on them when their expertise is needed. Remember, that’s why you chose them in the first place.”
HNL mobile vehicles for at-home lab testing – PHOTO/PROVIDED
HNL Lab Medicine has purchased a new fleet of vehicles to provide lab services to patients at home through its HNL @Home program.
“Mobile phlebotomy is an invaluable service for many patients,” said Brian Fanning, vice president of Patient Experience. “For patients who are unable to travel or who lack transportation, our skilled phlebotomists make a real difference in their care. We are able to help these patients complete their necessary lab work.”
HNL Lab Medicine’s new mobile phlebotomy vehicles are equipped with all the supplies needed to collect various types of samples, including blood, saliva and urine samples.
“We do about 200-250 mobile requests each day,” said Fanning. “The new vehicles have better equipment, improved reliability, and have excellent mileage. HNL Lab Medicine is really investing in patient wellness and technology. We are proud to offer this upgraded service to all patients who need it, no matter the reason.”
Through HNL @Home, high-risk patients with concerns about circulating flus or COVID-19 can avoid potential virus exposures. Fanning said all phlebotomists are up to date on both COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
For medically homebound patients, HNL @Home–Homebound allows their provider to easily schedule an at home visit.
Fanning said lab work done through HNL @Home is processed as quickly as they would be at a Patient Service Center.
HNL Lab Medicine moves to Maxatawny Marketplace – PHOTO/PROVIDED –
HNL Lab Medicine has relocated its Kutztown patient service center from Normal Avenue to the Maxatawny Marketplace shopping mall.
The new facility opened Oct. 17 and held a grand reopening today.
HNL Lab Medicine said the move will streamline patient care by increasing access and overall convenience.
“We are always proud to put our patients’ needs first, and that is reflected in the design of our new facility,” said Jessica Bargilione, director of marketing for HNL. “This latest move embodies our dedication to providing proper patient care when needed, where needed.”
The new facility’s hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
HNL Lab Medicine has hired David M. Confalone as vice president of finance.
David M. Confalone
“HNL Lab Medicine is pleased to welcome David to our organization,” said Martin Till, HNL president & CEO. “He brings an engaged leadership style and collaborative approach with deep expertise in finance, human capital development, budgeting, and forecasting that will be invaluable as we continue to grow our company.”
Confalone joins the HNL team with over 30 years of experience. He has held senior and executive level finance positions with mid-to-large sized for-profit and non-profit organizations, having previously served as chief financial and operating officer at Advanced Dermatology Associates.
“I’m extremely excited to join such a dynamic, growing organization that is dedicated to caring for our community and improving patient health,” Confalone said. “HNL is uniquely positioned to capitalize on its vision using technology, innovation, and talent, and I look forward to being a part of its tremendous success!”
Confalone graduated from DeSales University with a degree in accounting and earned a Master of Business Administration from Alvernia University.
HNL Lab Medicine moves to Maxatawny Marketplace – PHOTO/PROVIDED
HNL Lab Medicine is moving its patient service center to the Maxatawny Marketplace shopping mall to increase patient access, it said.
The current HNL Kutztown location at 333 Normal Ave. will close on Oct. 17, with an official reopening date of Oct. 18 at 15100 Kutztown Rd., Unit #2.
“We are always proud to put our patients’ needs first, and that is reflected in the design of our new facility,” said Jessica Bargilione, director of marketing for HNL. “This latest move embodies our dedication to providing proper patient care when needed, where needed.”
A public Grand Reopening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The new facility’s hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
HNL Lab Medicine’s new Mt. Bethel facility in Mt. Bethel Plaza – PHOTO/PROVIDED –
HNL Lab Medicine is celebrating the opening of a patient service center at Mt. Bethel Plaza on Thursday with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
HNL Lab Medicine’s new location offers walk-in appointments and wait times are typically less than 15 minutes. Patients may check-in online through HNL Lab Medicine’s website.
Tissue embedded in paraffin for use in genome testing at HNL Lab Medicine – PHOTO/PROVIDED –
HNL Lab Medicine knows the future of medicine is in diagnostics and is ramping up its use of genetic testing to help doctors find the right tools to treat patients quickly.
In addition to pathology tests, the company has moved into genomics to help the most severe cancer patients find the right “cocktail” to treat their specific needs and is testing COVID samples to see what variants are showing up in the area.
Dr. Geetika Trivedi, clinical genomics scientist, HNL Lab Medicine – PHOTO/PROVIDED –
Geetika Trivedi, a clinical genomics scientist for HNL, said doctors have had access to genome testing, but in the past, had to send samples elsewhere to get results.
Now, they can send them to HNL, shortening the time it takes to determine the right course of treatment, which she said can save up to a week.
“For the most severe cases,” she said, “that can make the difference in a patient’s outcome.”
Trivedi said she and her team are working on bringing genomic testing and have tested for solid tumors. “Cancer is complex because it is directed by genetics. We look at the DNA signature – the genetic makeup of the tumor and can predict if the patient will respond to a certain treatment or not.”
If not, doctors can enroll patients in the proper clinical trials based on the information extracted from the DNA results extracted from the tumor samples, she said.
HNL began when the pathology services of Lehigh Valley Hospital Center and Allentown Hospital merged in 1985, leading to the creation of HealthEast Laboratories.
By 1998, the organization consolidated as Health Network Laboratories and became a for-profit limited partnership, with Lehigh Valley Health Network as its primary equity partner.
In 2020, the organization rebranded as HNL Lab Medicine.
Shortly after, HNL acquired a company called Connective Tissue Gene Tests (CTGT). “Our goal is to become a leader in this field, not just locally but nationally,” the company said.
Currently, HNL produces more than 60 million pathology results for more than three million patients a year, the company said.
With genetic testing, “we look at the human genome that drives the cancer,” she said. “We get a lot of information and can’t look at each mutation, so we use a computer program to break them down.”
Some mutations specific to a patient’s tumor type might have FDA approved therapy or NCCN guideline. This information can help doctors to determine the best treatment, she said. “Based on the information we get; doctors can determine the best treatment.”
All of this, she said, can be completed in two-to-three days, allowing treatment to start earlier. HNL is looking to move into Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) testing soon. MRD uses blood samples to diagnose and monitor how the patient is responding to treatment.
“This is more minimally invasive and extremely important for diagnosis,” she said. It can also be used to monitor patients during treatment, especially if testing is needed on a regular basis.
HNL works with Lehigh Valley Health Network and other clients with genetic testing and is looking to expanding into more facilities in the future. “We work with more than 30 hospitals for pathology,” said Leanne Aquino, spokesperson for HNL.
“Our goal is to expand this to other hospitals,” Trivedi said. “It’s very exciting and we have an amazing team.”
HNL has also been doing genome sequencing for COVID-19 samples, she said. “We can find out what variant is here and report it to the state Department of Health. This is not being used for treatment purposes and is only used for making recommendations and updating guidelines”.
Trivedi said the testing not only finds trends but can find new variants as they emerge.
“We have seen trends since 2021 and have reported all the variants to the state,” she said. “Some variants are more transmissible than others and that helps the DOH make recommendations on travel restrictions, mask wearing and other issues.”
While other labs are doing diagnostics, “we are a major lab doing sequencing.”
HNL is monitoring for two new omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 but hasn’t seen them in data yet. These have been seen in the U.S, she said.
In the past few weeks, Trivedi said there has been a 10-15% increase in Omicron cases, which were down to below 3%.
While it is spreading, HNL can alert the DOH and local medical facilities, who can then put proper protocols in place to protect the public.
“We have great tools to provide better care,” she said. “So, we will expand outside Lehigh Valley to offer a full menu of genetic testing.”
HNL operates in more than 60 locations and employs more than 1,100 people, including 35 pathologists. The company’s labs serve over 12,000 healthcare providers in communities as far away as Chambersburg and southern New Jersey.
HNL Lab Medicine’s new Mt. Bethel facility in Mt. Bethel Plaza – PHOTO/PROVIDED –
HNL Lab Medicine has opened a patient service center in Mt. Bethel Plaza, Mt. Bethel, Northampton County.
The laboratory medicine service company said the new facility will be open from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“HNL remains committed to the health and well-being of residents in and around the Lehigh Valley, and we continue to expand patient access to laboratory testing in the region,” said Jessica Bargilione, director of marketing for HNL Lab Medicine. “We are proud to now offer a patient service center in Mt. Bethel, with plans underway to grow our network locally and beyond.”
In addition to offering a full-range of testing and related services, HNL Lab Medicine plays an ongoing role in the region’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, having processed nearly 500,000 COVID-19 specimens in 2021, she said.
At HNL Lab Medicine’s new Mt. Bethel location, and at all patient service centers, no appointments are needed and wait times are typically less than 15 minutes. Patients may check-in online through HNL Lab Medicine’s website, www.hnl.com/Locations.
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