New Cancer Genetics Program at Diagnostic & Imaging Center

D. Lawrence Wickerham, M.D.
Board Certified Geneticist

Sharon Regional recently started a new Cancer Genetics Program at its Diagnostic and Imaging Center, 2395 Garden Way, Hermitage. To accommodate this new service as well as the growth in patient utilization of other sub-specialists who see patients at the Center, the Health System completed an additional 2,000 square feet of space in the Center.

The new space includes five patient exam rooms, two physician offices, a breast nurse office, and an additional patient waiting room. Contractor for the project was Rien Construction, Brookfield.

Specialists seeing patients at the center include Donald Keenan, M.D. and Ravi Sachdeva, M.D., breast surgeons; Betty Shindel, M.D. and William Poller, M.D., breast imaging specialists; and John Comerci, M.D., gynecologic oncologist. Due to growing patient utilization, those specialists see their patients in the expanded area of the Center.

John Zidansek, president and CEO of Sharon Regional, reinforced the concept behind the Diagnostic and Imaging Center and the growth it has experienced.

"Our whole philosophy in developing the Center was to bring patients the most beautiful and advanced environment available for diagnostic testing coupled with convenient access to a number of sub-specialists that traditionally wouldn't be available in our area," Zidansek stated. "From the growth in patient utilization we've experienced and now through the addition of a Cancer Genetics Program, we've been very successful in fulfilling that goal."

The new Cancer Genetics Program is the newest specialty service to utilize the Diagnostic and Imaging Center. The program is a cooperative effort with the West Penn Allegheny Health System's Allegheny Cancer Center and offers families local access to genetics counselors and D. Lawrence Wickerham, M.D., a board certified Geneticist. Patients at Sharon Regional's Cancer Care Center will have a particular interest in the new Cancer Genetics Program.

Genetic counseling may be especially important for families who have many relatives who developed cancer at a young age, multiple cancers occurring on the same side of the family, more than one type of cancer in one relative, or relatives with a rare type of cancer.            

Understanding that these families may have an inherited link to cancer, the Cancer Genetics Program will offer an opportunity to meet with a genetics counselor to review family history in detail, explain basic concepts about genes and heredity, and answer questions about family history and chances for developing cancer.

In addition, the genetics counselor will discuss how to make healthy lifestyle changes, recommend specific cancer screening options, and offer necessary information to make a well-informed decision about genetic testing, should it be indicated.

The 30,000 square foot Center opened last July. Imaging services include a 64-slice CT scanner, large bore MRI, screening and diagnostic mammography featuring 100 percent digital technology, DEXA bone density scans, ultrasound, and general diagnostic x-ray. Diagnostic services include comprehensive laboratory draw services and EKG tests.

There are dedicated areas for women's health services (including Sharon Regional's Breast Care Center), and community health education, plus a Seattle's Best coffee kiosk.

Karen Piccirilli, BA, R.T.R. (M), director of the Diagnostic and Imaging Center; Michalene Gula, RN, BSN, director of Women's Services; Gayle Linden, LPN, community education coordinator; and a staff of 25 are based at the Center.

For more information about the Cancer Genetics Program at Sharon Regional or other services offered at the Diagnostic and Imaging Center, please call 724-983-5492.