Three physicians join Hospitalist Program
Date: 7/16/2010 12:00:00 AM
Physicians join hospitalist program at Clearfield Hospital; new director discusses details of program
Clearfield Hospital recently welcomed three new physicians – Jason E. Szymala, D.O., Jihua Cheng, M.D., Ph.D. and Robert R. Coll, M.D. – to establish its permanent hospitalist program. A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in caring for patients who are admitted to the hospital; he or she does not have an outpatient practice. The hospitalist team’s sole focus is on caring for patients in a hospital setting.
At Clearfield Hospital, a hospitalist cares for patients who either don’t have a family physician or whose physician does not have admitting privileges.
“We have a dedicated and experienced medical staff at Clearfield Hospital; they are committed to providing excellent care. We believe these new physicians will complement the exceptional care provided by our medical staff,” stated Gregory S. Sheffo, M.D., chief medical officer.
He continued, “It is a significant achievement to have recruited such high caliber physicians to the new hospitalist program. I’m grateful to the medical staff, administration, board of directors and, most importantly, the community for their support in this endeavor.”
A hospitalist program was implemented in 2008 at Clearfield Hospital for a number of reasons, including a shortage of physicians in the region and support to local physicians so they could spend more time in their offices and meet the needs of their patients.
Dr. Szymala is medical director of the new hospitalist program. He earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Louisville. Szymala is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.
Before relocating his family to this area, Dr. Szymala practiced as a hospitalist at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Maryland.
Dr. Szymala discussed the importance of having a dedicated team of hospitalists at Clearfield Hospital.
“Our team will be available for patients and their families not only to provide medical care, but also emotional and spiritual support. Having a hospitalist program also aids family physicians because they have more time to spend caring for patients in the office,” he said.
Dr. Szymala said his team will work closely with local physicians to ensure a seamless transition of care after the patient has been discharged.
“Our hospitalists communicate with a patient’s family doctor. Ongoing communication and cooperation with family physicians is a vital part of continuity of care, and one that we take seriously,” he said.
Dr. Szymala also emphasized the expertise of the physicians who are joining him, Cheng and Coll.
“We’ve assembled a team of highly regarded and knowledgeable physicians. Their top concern is making sure patients and their families receive immediate and expert medical care during a hospital stay,” Dr. Szymala said.
Dr. Cheng earned his medical degree from Harbin Medical University in China and his doctorate from Beijing Medical University. He completed an Internal Medicine Residency at PinnacleHealth Hospitals in Harrisburg, and is taking his Internal Medicine boards in August. His training also included clinical rotations at several hospitals, including Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Cheng will start in August.
Dr. Coll earned a Doctor of Medicine Degree from Ohio State University, College of Medicine, and completed a medical residency in Internal Medicine at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, OH. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and served as Chief of Staff at both Elmswood at the Springs Health Center and The Bellevue Hospital, both in Ohio, while maintaining a private practice for 23 years in Bellevue.
“It’s important for patients to know that we are committed to establishing local ties here. We plan to become familiar faces so patients will recognize us when they come to the hospital. We are privileged to be caring for the people here,” Dr. Szymala said.
Dr. Szymala is happy to answer questions from physicians and the public about the hospitalist program at Clearfield Hospital. He may be reached at (814) 768-2358.