Monday, April 23, 2012

UPMC Hamot Medical Park – Mt. Jewett to open to patients April 30 with expanded care and services


“The new UPMC Hamot Medical Park – Mt. Jewett, 18 W. Main Street, will open for patient care and services on Monday, April 30,” announced J. Gary Rhodes, Vice President, UPMC Hamot and CEO of Kane Community Hospital (KCH).

“This service of KCH, an integrated affiliate of UPMC Hamot, is a testament to three decades of the right care of one family doctor who lives, dedicates her life and care to serving her patients and their families right here in the community," Rhodes stated.

“We are happy to be able to acknowledge Dr. Rettger's dedication and that of her growing care team with a new, larger facility.  This Medical Park is built to last, for her patients and for the community that she has served so well.  Dr. Rettger built a large family practice, one patient and one family at a time.  From newborns to seniors, her family practice continues to flourish,” said Rhodes.



For most of the past three decades Dr. Rettger was an independent practitioner with privileges at KCH. Nearly four years ago she decided to join Kane Community Hospital and continue her practice as a hospital-based clinic.  At the time she joined KCH, Eric Asp, PA-C joined the Mt. Jewett clinic allowing Dr. Rettger to expand her practice to Kane. 

“Both we and the community are looking forward to the change of location," said Dr. Rettger, "with more room to grow and allowing for additional care and services."  The Medical Park has five exam rooms and a treatment room, expanded waiting room, storage and it is fully handicapped accessible.  "Our patients are just as excited as we are,”  Rettger commented.

Dr. Rettger received her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1974.  She did her Family Practice residency at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Maryland and began her career at Port Alleghany Community Hospital in 1978.  She received privileges at KCH in 1981 where she remains today on the active medical staff.  She is board certified by the American Board of Family Practice. 

Dr. Rettger has held every position on the medical staff and currently serves (again) as president of the KCH Medical Staff.   She has chaired or served on many committees including Utilization, Quality Assurance, Credentials, and Pharmacy & Therapeutics.

In addition, Dr. Rettger is Medical Director of two major nursing homes in McKean County – Sena Kean Manor in Smethport and the Lutheran Home in Kane.  She is also assistant director of the Hospice Program for Community Nurses.

She served as School Physician for the Kane Area School District for four years and in her early years was McKean County Coroner. 

Dr. Rettger was born in Warren. She married Denis in 1981 at which time she moved to Mt. Jewett.  Denis owns Mountain Top Machine Co. in Mt. Jewett, a manufacturer of steel panels for construction.  They have two grown daughters.   Allison is a teacher of home economics in the area.  Andrea is a pediatrician in residency in Indiana.

Dr. Rettger enjoys time with her family and is very involved with her church, Seventh Day Adventist in Mt. Jewett.  She works with the 10-15 year old youth group known as the Pathfinders.  (Their Easter Egg project  -- hand formed coconut and peanut butter, chocolate coated, and decorated eggs -- is an eagerly anticipated annual event in the community and at Kane Community Hospital.)

The new, two story, 6,000 square foot facility is in the final days of preparation for opening its doors to the public on Monday. A grand opening celebration is planned for Thursday, May 10, 5-7 pm.  KCH invites you to mark your calendar and come join the celebration.

Other members of the Mt. Jewett care team will be introduced or reintroduced to the community in the coming days.


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