Breaking News

Posted 6/7/18 3:16p

ATTENTION SVPAM FAMILIES

Dr. David Hennessey announces his retirement from the practice of pediatric medicine effective 12/21/18.

Dr. Hennessey has been with SVPAM since 1986 and an owner since 1987. His tireless dedication to his patients & their families will be greatly missed. Please join us in wishing him a retirement filled with good health and wonderful moments spent with his family & friends. He deserves it!

Posted 5/25/18 3:12p

All SVPAM offices will be closed on Monday 5/28/18 in observance of Memorial Day! We wish all our families a safe and fun holiday!

Posted 5/16/18 1:07pm

We are very pleased to announce the return of Amerigo N. Ceccarelli, M.D. to SVPAM effective 7/1/18!
A native of Aliquippa, PA, Dr. Ceccarelli earned undergraduate degrees in Biological Sciences and Italian Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, and his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He served his internship in pediatrics at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, OH, and his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American
Academy of Pediatrics. He has spent his entire career in private practice in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, and he was previously at SVPAM from 1993 to 2000. He lives with his wife in
Moon Township, and their interests include bicycling and traveling. They have two young adult children.
WELCOME BACK Dr. Ceccarelli!

Posted 5/16/18

SVPAM is pleased to welcome Susan Mihaljevic DNP, CPNP to our clinical team. Susan is a graduate of Robert Morris University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program. She has a Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and her undergraduate BSN from Penn State University in State College, PA. In addition to her nurse practitioner role with SVPAM, she also serves as a University Nursing Instructor with Carlow University for their Nurse Practitioner program. WELCOME SUSAN!!

Posted 4/24/2018 3:24pm

IMPORTANT MESSAGE ~ For Wed 4/25/18 the SEWICKLEY OFFICE will only have afternoon walk-in hours until 3:45pm. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Posted 2/7/2018 1:52pm

IMPORTANT MESSAGE ~ ALL SVPAM offices will be closing at 4pm today due to the weather/road conditions. The on-call physician and/or SVPAM/CHP Triage system is available as always for questions/concerns. All offices will open at 8am Thursday 2/8 at normally scheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience; it’s important to keep our staff safe.

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Posted 1/29/2018 10:47a

Attention SVPAM Families: There will be NO AFTERNOON walk-in appointments for Wexford/Rochester on

Wednesday 1/31/18. Sewickley will be available for walk-ins during the regularly designated times.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

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Posted 1/4/18 3:34p

January 4, 2018

To my irreplaceable patients and families,

It is with mixed emotions that I am resigning from Sewickley Valley Pediatrics as of June 30, 2018. I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me to care for your children over the past 10 years. Each patient, each parent, each visit has made me a better pediatrician and I cannot thank you enough. Thank you for teaching me and for allowing me to be a part of your lives. Your children’s accomplishments have been a constant source of joy- rolling over, finally using the big kid potty, making the team, getting into college. I mourn that I will not be able to share in all the accomplishments yet to come. The children you are raising are amazing, and they will make this world a better place.

Although my heart is heavy when I think of leaving, I am very excited to be joining Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as a pediatric faculty member. Teaching has been a passion throughout my career- many of you have met my trainees over the years. My new position will allow me to be much more involved in educating the next generations of pediatricians, ensuring that your children and your children’s children have wonderful, caring pediatricians.

My wish is that all of my patients will be able to build a strong relationship with one of my wonderful partners at Sewickley Valley Pediatrics. I am happy to help anyone connect with another provider to ensure a smooth transition around my departure.

My heart will always have a room filled with all of the people Sewickley Valley Pediatrics has brought into my life- my partners, the fabulous nurses and staff (without whom I could never have done my job), the parents and grandparents and caregivers, and most of all, the children who gave my days meaning.

With best wishes and deepest gratitude,

Jackie Saladino

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Posted 12/28/17 9:45am

SVPAM will be closed on Monday January 1, 2018 for the New Year holiday. The offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday January 2nd at 8:00am. Remember - for any urgent needs, we have clinical nurse triage and on-call physician available 24/7/365. Wishing you and yours are a happy/healthy New Year!

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Posted 12/28/2017 9:45am

Effective 1/1/2018, fees for missed appointments with Dr. Johnson are as follows:
60 minute appointment: $75
90 minute appointment: $100
Missed appointments include NO SHOWS and all CANCELLATIONS with less than 24 hours notice.

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Posted 12/13/17 11:25am

SVPAM will be closed on Monday December 25, 2017 for the Christmas holiday. The offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday December 26th at 8:00am. Remember - for any urgent needs, we have clinical nurse triage and on-call physician available 24/7/365.

May you and yours have a blessed holiday celebration.

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Posted 11/21/17 @ 2:27pm

SVPAM wishes all our patients & their families a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Our offices will be closed Thursday and Friday

so that our providers and staff may enjoy time with family & friends. The office will open for normal weekend business hours at

8:00am on Saturday November 25th. Should you have an urgent need that can not wait until Saturday, please call the office & you

will speak with our Nurse Triage or the on-call SVPAM physician. Remember - we are available for calls 24/7/365.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Posted 9/18/17 @ 3:02pm

Say “BOO TO THE FLU” with SVPAM!
Fall Flu Clinic Dates are here!
Sewickley: Sat 9/30 & Sun 10/15 9am - 12pm
Wexford:Sat 10/14 & Sun 10/29 9am - 12pm
Rochester: Sat 10/7 & Sun 10/22 9am -12pm
Call today to reserve your spot! SVPAM Staff will let you know what time slots are still available.

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Posted 9/8/17 @ 9:50am

IMPORTANT ~ SVPAM has been made aware that many families are receiving an influx of patient-related communication through

our Patient Portal via secure messaging. Our IT department monitors our portal and EMR 24 hrs a day / 365 days a year. There has

NOT been any breach or attempted threat to our systems. This is a known issue with Yahoo, Gmail and Hotmail email platform

pathways, unrelated to our portal or EMR systems. Thank you for making us aware of the problem.

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Posted 6/27/17 @ 3:15pm

SAVE THE DATE! Bring your little ones to Sewickley Public Library on Wednesday July 19th @ 6:30pm

for story tiime with SVPAM Docs, Nurse Practitioners, & Staff, who will be reading a variety of beloved

children’s books! We would LOVE to see you ~ come join us! Please call Sewickley Public Library to

register @ 412-741-0937

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Posted 5/16/18

SVPAM is pleased to welcome Susan Mihaljevic DNP, CPNP to our clinical team. Susan is a graduate of Robert Morris University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program. She has a Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and her undergraduate BSN from Penn State University in State College, PA. In addition to her nurse practitioner role with SVPAM, she also serves as a University Nursing Instructor with Carlow University for their Nurse Practitioner program. WELCOME SUSAN!!

Posted 12/27/16 @ 2:15pm

In honor and in memory of Dr. Pitcavage, all SVPAM offices WILL BE CLOSED on Tuesday 1/3/17, so that

all our staff & providers may attend the funeral in his honor. If you have an urgent need that can not wait until

the office reopens on Wednesday 1/4/17, please call the office and you will be put in touch with the on-call physician.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we know that you all understand. (In addition, please keep

in mind that the office is also closed Sunday/Monday in observance of the New Year holiday)

Posted 12/27/16 @ 2:10pm

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our beloved founder, Dr. James Pitcavage. Please

lift him & his family in your loving thoughts & prayers. If you choose to comment or offer a memory, we will

share your messages with the family. RIP Doc! You will forever be in our hearts as the cornerstone of SVPAM.

Posted 10/3/16 8:12am

https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm523468

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that homeopathic

teething tablets and gels may pose a risk to infants and children. The FDA

recommends that consumers stop using these products and dispose of any in their possession.
Homeopathic teething tablets and gels are distributed by CVS, Hyland’s, and possibly

others, and are sold in retail stores and online.

Consumers should seek medical care immediately if their child experiences seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, or agitation after using homeopathic teething tablets or gels.

Open link to read FULL FDA post.

Posted 9/30/16 8:42am

ATTENTION SVPAM FAMILIES
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT for all established SVPAM patients & families
Starting Monday October 3, 2016 – our SEWICKLEY and ROCHESTER offices

will join WEXFORD to offer MORNING walk-in hours Monday through Friday,

between 8:30 - 10am, for SIMPLE SICK VISITS with common, straightforward problems!
You can come at your convenience, during these times, for the following issues only:
Illness symptoms of 3 days or LESS
Children older than 4 months of age
Already established patient at SVPAM (pts who have seen us before)
Symptoms such as:
Sore throat
Earache
Cough/Cold/Sinus Symptoms
Fever
Minor injuries
IF we determine that your issue is more involved or your child has chronic/complex

health issues, we can better serve you by “scheduling” time specifically for you so

we can address all your concerns and not keep others waiting. Remember, walk-in time

is only for SIMPLE, quick issues that have begun recently.
Walk-in hours are offered on a first come/first serve basis. Our office staff will gladly

keep you informed about estimated wait times during hours that are particularly

busy. Patients will be seen by any available provider; specific provider requests may not be accomodated.
Walk-in hours may be limited or unavailable during bad weather or with unforeseen

emergencies. No walk-in hours will be available on the afternoon before a

holiday (i.e. Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve etc) or when the office is closed.

If possible, please call the office ahead of time to confirm availability.

We hope you & your family find this a benefit of being part of our practice!

Now all 3 SVPAM locations offer morning and afternoon “sick” walk-in slots to

accomodate our families!

Monday through Friday 8:30-10am and 3-5pm.

Posted 7/19/16

Sewickley Valley Pediatrics Begins Partnership with Stratus Video

Sewickley Valley Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine to Provide On-Demand Interpretation Services

for Patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Starting August 2016

Sewickley, Wexford, Rochester, PA – August, 2016 – Sewickley Valley Pediatrics

announced today the launch of a new partnership with Stratus Video for on-demand medical

interpretation services. Stratus’s video remote interpretation (VRI) technology will facilitate

better communication and timely care for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and

hearing loss.

Stratus Video is a cloud-based video remote interpretation service that provides interpreters in

more than 200 spoken and signed languages for healthcare providers. Through its state-of-the-art

technology, Stratus empowers health care professionals to touch an iPad and – within 30 seconds –

provide LEP patients direct eye contact with a certified interpreter who speaks their language.

“Stratus Video is changing the way patients and medical professionals communicate across all areas

of health care,” said Liz Yankello RN, CPN, CHM, Practice Administrator at Sewickley Valley Pediatrics.

“We’re thrilled to be working alongside a company that is focused on providing world-class patient

care through highly innovative technology.”

“We are proud of Stratus’s new partnership with Sewickley Valley Pediatrics and we are dedicated

to helping them provide the highest standard of care to LEP patients throughout their practice,”

said David Fetterolf, president of Stratus’s Video Remote Interpreting Division. “When patients are

able to converse in their native language, it significantly decreases the risk of misunderstandings that

can lead to costly or even fatal mistakes. In addition, it helps put LEP individuals at ease, reducing

their anxiety while the efficiency and quality of their overall experience grows exponentially.”

www.svpam.com

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Posted 6/14/16

Children MUST ride rear-facing until age 2 years!

Yesterday Gov. Tom Wolfe signed into law Senate Bill 1152.

There is a 60 grace period for compliance - all families will be subject to the law starting in mid-August.

There is a verbal warning period of 1 year, after that one year families will face fines for violations.

Here are the highlights:

1) All children under 4 years of age anywhere in a vehicle must be securely in a child passenger

restraint system

2) All children under 2 years of age must be in a rear facing child passenger

restraint system (and it must be appropriate for their height and weight)

3) All children between the ages of 4yrs and 8yrs must be in an appropriately fitting booster seat

4) All children between the ages of 8years and 18years must be secured in the

safety seat belt system of the vehicle regardless of position in the vehicle.

Posted Tuesday 4/19/16

On Friday 4/22/16 - our Wexford location will NOT have AM or PM walk-in hours due to a provider change.

AFTERNOON walk-in hours will continue to be available in Sewickley/Rochester only for this date.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Posted 3/25/16

SVPAM wishes all our families a Blessed Easter holiday. The offices are open Good Friday until mid-afternoon.

There will be NO afternoon walk in hours. MORNING walk in will be available in our Wexford location. Offices

are open Saturday morning as well.

Posted 2/25/16

ATTENTION SVPAM FAMILIES

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT for all established SVPAM patients & families

Starting Monday March 14, 2016 – our SEWICKLEY office will join Wexford & Rochester to have

afternoon walk-in hours Monday through Friday, between 3 and 5pm, for SIMPLE SICK

VISITS for common, straightforward problems!

You can come at your convenience, during these times, for the following issues only:

Illness symptoms of 3 days or LESS

Children older than 4 months of age

Already established patient at SVPAM (pts who have seen us before)

Symptoms such as:

Sore throat

Earache

Cough/Cold/Sinus Symptoms

Fever

Minor injuries

IF we determine that your issue is more involved or your child has chronic/complex health issues, we can

better serve you by “scheduling” time specifically for you so we can address all your concerns and not keep

others waiting. Remember, walk-in time is only for SIMPLE, quick issues that have begun recently.

Walk-in hours are offered on a first come/first serve basis. Our office staff will gladly keep you informed about estimated wait times during hours that are particularly busy. Patients will be seen by any available provider; specific provider requests may not be accomodated.

Walk-in hours may be limited or unavailable during bad weather or with unforeseen emergencies. No walk-in hours will be available on the afternoon before a holiday (i.e. Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve etc) or when the office is closed. If possible, please call the office ahead of time to confirm availability.

We hope you & your family find this a benefit of being part of our practice!

Wexford Walk-in Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30-10am & 3-5pm (changed to 2:30-4:30 mid 2017)

Rochester Walk-in Hours: Monday through Friday 3-5pm (changed to 2:30-4:30 mid 2017)

Sewickley Walk-in Hours: Monday through Friday 3- 5pm (changed to 2:30-4:30 mid 2017)

Posted 12/20/15

Another Award for SVPAM!!!

SVPAM has been recognized by the national Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) as a “better performer” in the MGMA 2015 Performance & Practices of Successful Medical Groups! Thanks to our staff, our patients & their families on helping to make SVPAM, one of few remaining PRIVATE pediatric practices, a success!