Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health

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Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is a not-for-profit health system in Lancaster, PA.

Lancaster General Health, a member of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (Penn Medicine), is a 631-licensed bed not-for-profit health system with a comprehensive network of care encompassing Lancaster General Hospital (LGH), Women & Babies Hospital and the Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital (in partnership with Kindred Healthcare). Our membership in Penn Medicine brings together the strengths of a world-renowned, not-for-profit academic medical center and a nationally recognized, not-for-profit community healthcare system. Outpatient services are provided at the Downtown and Suburban Pavilions, along with additional outpatient locations and Express and Urgent Care locations throughout the region. Lancaster General Health Physicians is a network of more than 300 primary-care and specialty physicians, at more than 40 offices throughout the region. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences is a private, co-educational, Middle States-accredited four-year college offering a variety of associate and baccalaureate degree and certification programs in healthcare. Thrice designated a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence, LGH has been recognized regionally and nationally for clinical excellence and patient safety; and ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best hospitals in 2015-16 in three specialties.

04/06/2026

During Physicians Week, we highlighted the “behind the white coat” passions that help our doctors recharge, reconnect, and bring their best selves to caring for others.

Dr. Mrinalini Meesala, chief of Cardiology at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, embodies this philosophy, both in her personal life and as chair of the LG Health Physicians Well‑Being Committee.

For Dr. Meesala, restorative pursuits are lifelines. She turns to acrylic painting, classical dance, SKY meditation, and time in nature to stay grounded and energized. These activities help her balance the demands of work, supporting colleagues, and raising two children.

She’s seen firsthand how prioritizing well-being strengthens patient care. She explained that by nurturing her own resilience, she deepens her empathy and connection her patients.

Dr. Meesala's commitment to clinician well-being took shape during the pandemic, when she found herself nearing burnout. “I was looking for tools I could use to move through it," she shared. “When my internal stressors were addressed, I felt I could better take care of my patients.”

Recognizing that many colleagues were facing similar challenges, she stepped forward to help. “There are others who want to give 100% to their patients while navigating work-life balance,” she said. “Often, they just keep pushing forward without realizing the toll it’s taking.”

Today, as chair of the Provider Well-Being Committee, Dr. Meesala is helping lead a vital effort across Penn Medicine, supporting physicians, so they can continue delivering exceptional care while also caring for themselves.

04/03/2026

At LG Health Physicians Family Medicine Abbeyville, this week's Doctors’ Day festivities had an unexpected twist. Dr. Brian Sullivan, one of the physicians being celebrated, graciously chose to share a food truck he won through a Lancaster City & County Medical Society raffle with his entire team.

"It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together, enjoy a great meal, and show appreciation for the dedication and hard work of our providers." said practice manager David Brunelli."

Dr. Sullivan's generosity made the day even more meaningful, reminding everyone that caring for patients is truly a team effort.

04/02/2026

Outside Lancaster General Hospital, staff and patients joined Gift of Life Donor Program members for a flag-raising ceremony marking the start of Donate Life Month. Among them was heart transplant recipient Kevin Poff, who shared powerful reflections on the impact of organ donation.

Kevin was diagnosed with dilated nonischemic cardiomyopathy in 2009 after experiencing rapidly worsening shortness of breath. His condition ultimately led him to Penn Medicine, where in 2014, he received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a mechanical heart pump that helps circulate blood when the heart can’t do the job on its own.

“It kept me alive, but it was also a daily reminder that my heart wasn’t going to recover on its own,” he said.

Kevin was placed on the transplant waitlist in 2015. “Waiting for a heart is a strange place to be,” Kevin recalled. “You’re incredibly hopeful, but you’re also living with the reality that your second chance depends on someone else’s loss.”

On June 20, 2015, Kevin received the call that changed his life. “I remember telling my parents, ‘They have a heart. We need to go to Philly right now.’”

Hours later, he woke up at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with a new heart, a gift from a donor he will never meet but will always carry with him.

The whole experience led Kevin to change careers. Today he is a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer with Lancaster General Health, caring for patients using the same technology that helped save him. “We see people who are at their worst,” he said. “To be able to say, ‘I know how you feel,’ and truly mean it — that makes a difference.”

His message is simple and powerful: “Please know that your choice has the power to give someone another chapter, another purpose, and another chance. I am who I am today because someone said yes to organ donation. Because a family in the midst of unimaginable grief, chose to give the gift of life.”

04/01/2026

Earlier this week, something simple but meaningful happened at LG Health Physicians Family Medicine Twin Rose in Columbia.

There was a cake. A whiteboard filled with appreciation. A group of teammates taking a moment to pause together.

But behind it all was a bigger message: our doctors matter.

On Doctors’ Day, the staff made sure their physicians felt just how deeply they’re appreciated for the tireless care, the long days, and the personal connections they build with patients every single day.

It’s easy to move from one appointment to the next without stopping. But this moment, captured in smiles, a sweet treat, and heartfelt words, was a reminder of the impact these physicians make not just on their patients, but on their entire team.

03/31/2026

For Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Jeremy McGarvey, a wide range of interests challenge his mind, spark creativity, and reconnect him with the world beyond medicine. All are essential for his well-being and ability to bring his best to his patients.

One perhaps unexpected outlet? Competitive gaming. Dr. McGarvey is an avid player of the video game Call of Duty, where fast-paced strategy, teamwork, and split-second decision-making keep him sharp and have shown to improve hand-eye coordination.

He also has a passion for contemporary art, building an expanding collection of international artists that reflect his appreciation for creative expression. In many cases, he finds unforeseen parallels to medicine.

And when it’s time to truly unplug, you’ll often find him outdoors with his family. Dr. McGarvey is an enthusiastic traveler to national parks and beyond. As an Eagle scout, he formed a strong bond with the outdoors and natural beauty at a young age. He hopes to bestow that same appreciation to his son with whom he enjoys exploring some of America’s greatest treasures. One recent family adventure included a visit to the Grand Canyon, where he and his son hiked deep into the canyon and took in the vast views.

03/30/2026

Back in 1985, a group of Lancaster physicians decided it would be fun to practice their brass instruments in addition to practicing medicine. They formed Auscultation Brass, a name that playfully nods to the clinical skill of listening with a stethoscope. Over the years, the ensemble has built a rich repertoire of classical and popular music, performing at community events, medical gatherings, local churches, and retirement communities. They’ve even played outside the iconic Carnegie Hall.

Their music has supported causes close to our community’s heart. Through the PA Academy of Music, they funded the “Auscultation Brass” scholarship until 2008. They've also contributed to organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association, OperaLancaster, SWAN, and the Lemonade Concert Series.

But their story isn’t just about where they perform or the organizations support. While their performances bring joy to audiences, something just as meaningful happens for the musicians themselves.

In lives often filled with responsibility, urgency, and the steady rhythm of clinical care, gathering to rehearse and play together offers something restorative. It's a chance to breathe, connect, and create music simply for the love of it.

This Doctors' Day, we’re grateful for all the dedicated physicians who, like the Auscultation Brass members, care for their own well-being so they can bring their very best to the patients and communities they serve.

03/29/2026

The work of a physician involves much more than diagnosing and treating illness. For Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health family medicine physician Dr. William Fife, caring for patients means listening closely to their concerns, understanding the many facets of their lives, and reflecting on those encounters well beyond the exam room.

To stay grounded, he turns to community, time outdoors, and physical activity, which help him process his experiences, cope with challenges, and relieve the stresses of his work.

“Bicycling back and forth to work daily readies me for my work day and refreshes me after seeing patients at the end of a day,” he shared.

In addition to bicycling, Dr. Fife enjoys running with friends, swimming with the Lancaster YMCA Masters team, playing community Ultimate Frisbee, and spending time hiking, kayaking, dancing, surfing, and playing racquet sports. And at home, “growing food and cooking for people combines creativity, community and good tasting food.”

This winter, however, an unexpected accident changed his routine. “My love for the outdoors and physical activity mixed with attempts to ice skate like a teenage hockey player led me to take an ankle fracturing fall during a forest ice skating adventure in Quebec," he said. During his seven weeks of non-weight bearing, he he crutched from patient to patient, grateful for supportive patients, family, and friends. “Without my wife's care, it would be almost impossible for me to leave my home."

With many of his usual coping outlets temporarily out of reach, Dr. Fife has found renewal through community at the YMCA, refreshing moments on his knee scooter along the Susquehanna, and "many living room visits where I am practicing radical elevation of my leg," he said.

The experience has deepened his understanding of how challenging disabilities can be, and why it is so important to create equitable access to life-giving activities.

03/27/2026

Beyond the white coat, there’s a whole world that helps keep physicians grounded, joyful, and well. For Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Robert Wenger, it's an unexpected love story.

After 30 years of owning Labrador Retrievers, he and his wife decided to try something new—their first Great Danes. Enter Margot and Imani: “large, loving, and very goofy, in spite of their regal appearance,” he said.

Time away from healthcare, became filled with “lots of work, lots of drool, and lots of love,” Dr. Wenger shared. And plenty of humor, too: “They aren't the smartest, but they always keep you laughing. If you don’t have a sense of humor, don’t get a Great Dane!”

03/26/2026

In March 2023, Veronica Ruiz, then a first-year medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, spoke passionately at a Donate Life ceremony at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. She encouraged everyone who was able, to consider becoming an organ donor. Her beloved aunt, Lillian Fuentes, had been a housekeeper at Lancaster General Hospital and helped save more than 50 lives as a donor.

Last week on Match Day, an overjoyed Veronica Ruiz, DO, shared that she will be among our Family Medicine Residency Program Class of 2029. The first doctor in her family, Dr. Ruiz hopes to pave the way for others as a mentor.

“I'm beyond blessed to match as a Family Medicine doctor at my #1 top choice," shared Dr. Ruiz. "Words are not sufficient to even touch the surface of how I’m feeling." Born and raised in Lancaster, she takes pride in her Puerto Rican roots and said she "cannot wait to serve my wonderful community as a physician. It's truly a dream come true.”

Dr. Ruiz was filled with gratitude for her family's support, including parents Jackie and Rey Ruiz, her aunt Brenda Ruiz, who works in the Laundry at Lancaster General Hospital, and her angel, Aunt Lillie: “She always wanted to see me working as a doc…especially at LGH. I hope to honor her legacy and I know she's smiling down upon me in heaven! Her impact is a reminder that one person can truly influence many lives for the better both in the present and future."

We can't wait to welcome Dr. Ruiz—and 12 other outstanding interns—this summer as they begin their residency training.

03/25/2026

By day, Dr. Stephen Renaldo is a hospitalist at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital, coordinating care, making critical decisions, and navigating the fast pace of inpatient medicine.

But when his shift ends and the white coat comes off, his world looks very different.

For Dr. Renaldo, recharging isn’t just about rest, it’s about getting his hands in the soil and reconnecting with nature. "I grow my own garlic and tomatoes to fuel my pizza addiction, and grow native plants to support the monarch population," he shared. “My family loves collecting the monarch caterpillars and protecting them until they grow into butterflies that we then release.”

“We also have native solitary bees (not honey bees) that we harvest and hatch to help support their dwindling numbers,” he added.

His outside passions reflect the same attention, patience, and compassion he brings to his patients every day. From hospital rooms to garden beds, Dr. Renaldo’s work is all about care, whether for his patients, the world just outside his door, or his family's and his own well-being.

03/24/2026

Patients at Lancaster General Hospital often arrive feeling vulnerable, uncertain about what the days ahead will hold. But when patient care assistant Sarah Stoltzfus steps into their room, something changes.

“On my first morning with Sarah, she lit up the room,” one patient recalled. “I instantly felt at ease, comfortable and seen.”

It’s a feeling echoed by others. Sarah brings warmth, attentiveness, and a genuine human connection that patients remember long after they leave the hospital.

“She is so kind, so easy to talk to, a warm sense of humor all mixed in with true compassion,” another shared. “She was always checking in, always at the ready with fresh water, fresh towels and a warm smile; the little things that turn out to be the big things in someone’s day.”

For patients who are feeling especially low, her presence can be exactly what they need.

“When you’re feeling rough, unwell, low, Sarah would be the one you’d want. The compassionate care she provided helped make the stay here easier.”

That care also earned Sarah recognition as a Daffodil Award recipient. Congratulations, Sarah. Your exceptional care and kindness leaves a truly lasting impression.

03/23/2026

We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate three outstanding student interns from the Project SEARCH Class of 2026 who are now officially part of the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health team!

Join us in congratulating:
▪️Miley Hoey, patient transporter, pictured with Brian Klees, Patient Transport manager
▪️Cyklaly Mendoza-Fernandez, patient care assistant, pictured with Jesse Fillgrove, 7 North nurse manager
▪️Davontay Roberson, sterile processing technician, pictured with Erica Welch (left), 2nd shift manager, and Rachel Edkin (right), lead for Education

For the past 16 years, we’ve proudly partnered with Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation through Project SEARCH—a transition program that empowers students to successfully move into adult life by providing workplace internships and employability skills training, with the goal that each participant is prepared for competitive employment by the end of the program year.

This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the incredible mentors and leaders who guided, coached, and championed these students every step of the way. Thank you for making a lasting impact.

We are honored to welcome these dedicated, hard-working new team members. The future is brighter because of you!

Address

555 N Duke Street
Lancaster, PA
17602

Website

https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home

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