Reading Hospital Tower Health and Drexel University College of Medicine announced recently they will collaborate on a cystic fibrosis clinic to be based in West Reading.
Dr. Cecilia Smith, chairwoman of the hospital’s Department of Medicine, and Dr. Michael Stephen, director of the Drexel University College of Medicine Cystic Fibrosis Center, said the new clinic is slated to be operational by April at the doctor’s office building at Reading Hospital and will be the first adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic in Berks County.
The latest feature in the ongoing collaboration between Tower Health and Drexel’s medical school, the clinic will help make it possible for residents in the community with cystic fibrosis to lead active lives and will provide vital care to patients, said Jessica Bezler, hospital spokeswoman.
“Reading Hospital is proud to provide this great new service for the community that is made possible through our ongoing relationship with Drexel,” said William M. Jennings, president and CEO of Reading Hospital. “Now patients across the region will have easy access to receive the treatments – and resources – they need.”
Patients in the clinic will be seen by pulmonary medicine physicians from Drexel as well as members of the Reading Hospital medical staff. Patients with cystic fibrosis require a multidisciplinary approach to care for optimal health and the providers at the clinic will make the important referrals to critical services such as respiratory therapy, infectious disease, nutrition services, and otolaryngology, Smith said.
“We look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with Reading Hospital and Tower Health for the benefit of the patients and communities that we serve. The new clinic will participate in clinical trials and important research initiatives, demonstrating our growing relationship and ongoing commitment to the patients and communities,” Stephen said.