The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Homepage

July 22, 2008

Ex-Conemaugh official joins Windber hospital staff

WINDBER — Another high-profile Conemaugh Health System executive is moving to Windber Medical Center’s “Healing Hillside.”

Dr. Matthew Masiello has resigned as Conemaugh’s vice president for the Office of Community Health to become chief wellness officer and director of community health initiatives at Windber Research Institute.

“Clinical health promotion has become the new buzzword,” Masiello said.

“Windber Research Institute is the optimum environment for that. Windber has long embraced a holistic approach with integrative medicine along with clinical programs for health promotion and disease prevention.”

A board-certified pediatrician with expertise in the care of critically ill children, Masiello also holds a master’s degree in public health from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

He is founder of the Child/Adolescent Health & Wellness Council of Cambria County, which developed a school-based bullying prevention program that serves as a model for statewide programs in the “Highmark Healthy High 5” initiative.

Masiello’s devotion to improving community health makes him an asset to the region, said F. Nicholas Jacobs, chief executive officer of Windber Medical Center and Windber Research Institute.

“Matt and I have been talking since he first came to town (in 1997),” Jacobs said. “We found out, philosophically, we are on the same wavelength in terms of wellness and preventive medicine.”

While Masiello wouldn’t talk about why he left Conemaugh, he said it’s important for a health system to “walk the walk” when it comes to preventive medicine.

“We in the United States have to go beyond the flavor of the day in regard to agencies and groups that comment about health promotion and disease prevention from the business end,” Masiello said. “We have to look at it from the clinical and research side.”

While Windber was part of the Conemaugh Health System in 2000, Jacobs and Windber’s board built the Medical Arts Building to house the research institute, HealthStyles community fitness center and an integrative medicine program with acupuncture and music therapy.

Masiello’s attention to ongoing evaluation of intervention efforts fits well with the research institute’s growing community-based research, Jacobs said.

Led by Darrell Ellsworth, senior director of cardiovascular research, the programs include a childhood-obesity prevention initiative that has Windber Elementary School students dancing to better health on electronic dance pads.

Working with organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Masiello hopes Windber can develop a system to improve health-care providers’ reimbursement for health promotion.

He is developing a questionnaire to evaluate patients’ health risks and provide referrals.

Conemaugh leaders would not discuss Masiello’s departure but released a statement that the office of community health and its staff will be maintained.

“In the future, we see the potential to work more collaboratively with other organizations that already operate in the communities we serve to better coordinate services for maximum impact,” the hospital said.

Masiello isn’t the first to move down the road.

In January, Conemaugh Health System Vice President Tom Kurtz left to form his own company.

His first client is Windber Research Institute. Kurtz is coordinating the research being done there with health care at Windber Medical and its Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Tribune-Democrat News Slideshow
Latest News
Local News
Pennsylvania Budget_Denn.jpg

Gov. Tom Corbett unveils his 2012-13 state budget proposal before the Pennsylvania House Chamber on Tuesday in Harrisburg.

  • $27.1B budget proposed

    Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday proposed a budget of $27.1 billion, with no tax increases, deep cuts to higher education assistance and a range of cost-cutting in services for the poor, elderly and disabled.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • Pennsylvania Budget.jpg Highlights of Gov. Corbett's state spending plan

    Read on to see a bulleted list of Gov. Tom Corbett’s $27.1 billion state spending plan for the year that starts July 1.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Universities face steep cuts

    State universities still trying to recover from deep cuts last year would have their public funding slashed even further under a budget plan unveiled Tuesday, leading some institutions to warn of a choice between maintaining buildings and offering academic programs students need to graduate.

    February 7, 2012

  • Plan hurts middle class, local Democrats contend

    While members of his own party praised Gov. Tom Corbett’s fiscal restraint, some local Democratic lawmakers said the Republican’s proposed budget panders to corporate interests while inflicting pain on the middle class.

    February 7, 2012

  • Senate approves proposed fee on shale drilling

    The state Senate voted today to impose a fee on natural-gas drilling in Pennsylvania and expand regulations for the booming industry, a milestone in a debate that has raged in the Capitol for several years.
    Senators voted 31-19 to approve the 174-page bill that would fund road work and environmental clean-ups and give local governments the power to decide if the fee would be imposed on their local wells.
    “Could we have done better? Supposedly, but it has taken three years to get this far,” said supporter Sen. John Wozniak, D-Johnstown, among a handful who crossed party lines. “It is time to turn the page.”

    February 7, 2012

Sports
Features
Lifestyles
Multimedia
Featured Ads
Facebook
Tribune-Democrat News Videos
Front page
Front page
Poll

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2012-13?

Yes, I support his proposed budget.
No, I don't support his proposed budget.
I don't know anything about it.
     View Results
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter

AP Video
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House' Triple Win: Santorum Takes MN, MO, CO Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate' Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
House Ads
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com