Monongahela Valley Hospital now offers a proven surgical procedure designed to protect the quality of life for men undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer. MVH uses hydrogel SpaceOAR to reduce the radiation dose delivered to the rectum which can cause bowel side effects. The hospital’s physicians inject the hydrogel SpaceOAR in the space between the prostate and rectum to temporarily position the rectal wall away from the prostate. Local or general anesthesia is used for the outpatient procedure. The biodegradable hydrogel SpaceOAR maintains the shape for the entire course of the prostate radiotherapy treatment and is completely absorbed by the person’s body over a short period of time. Read more...

Dr. Lowell C. Shinn joined the staff of Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Charles L. and Rose Sweeney Melenyzer Pavilion and Regional Cancer Center. As part of MVH’s Regional Cancer Center team, he delivers expert and compassionate care.

Monongahela Valley Hospital recently installed new monitoring equipment in its Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to provide an even higher level of care to surgical patients. The new Mindray N-Series monitors complement the monitoring system which has been in use in MVH’s Operating Rooms for the past two years.

Q: Why should I consider becoming a professional caregiver?

A: Caregiving in home care as a career is often overlooked because a person may think they either don’t have the skills necessary to be a capable caregiver or there is no viable career path in caregiving. Nothing could be further from the truth!