Latest news with #SummitHealth
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Nine Summit Health Physicians Named to Connecticut Magazine's Top Doctors List
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2025-- Nine physicians from Summit Health were recognized as 2025 'Top Doctors' by Connecticut Magazine. This prestigious honor demonstrates how highly regarded Summit Health's doctors are in the communities they serve and within the field of medicine. Physicians who receive this award are nominated by their peers as part of an annual survey from the healthcare organization, Castle Connolly. 'We are exceedingly proud of our physicians who were named Top Doctors and applaud them for their commitment to excellence within their fields,' said Adam Barrison, MD, Chief Physician Executive at Summit Health. 'This award is a testament to their unwavering dedication, compassion and high-quality care they provide every day, which has made a difference in the lives of so many patients.' Congratulations to Summit Health's Top Doctors (in alphabetical order): About Summit Health Summit Health helps patients with their primary care and specialty care needs. Whether it's getting annual checkups, raising a family, or prioritizing healthy aging, Summit Health works as a team to deliver care that helps patients make the right choices and stay a step ahead of any issues. Exceptional doctors are committed to providing the best care and supporting patients over their lifetime. And if patients ever need urgent care, they can visit CityMD, whose providers are part of Summit Health's connected care team. To learn more, visit View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact: [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CONNECTICUT NEW JERSEY INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GENERAL HEALTH HOSPITALS HEALTH PRACTICE MANAGEMENT MANAGED CARE SOURCE: Summit Health Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/22/2025 08:49 AM/DISC: 05/22/2025 08:48 AM
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Summit Health Announces Internalization of Genomic Testing Cooperative State-of-The-Art Next Generation Sequencing DNA and RNA Profiling Tests for Tissue and Liquid Biopsy of Solid Tumors and Hematologic Neoplasms
LAKE FOREST, Calif. & WOODLAND PARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Summit Health, part of Village MD and Genomic Testing Cooperative (GTC), the global leader in RNA innovation, are excited to announce today the launch of a newly established next generation sequencing service at the Summit Health laboratory in Woodland Park, NJ to offer comprehensive DNA and RNA profiling of solid tumors and hematologic neoplasms. The internalized GTC testing menu includes tissue and bone marrow-based DNA and RNA next generation sequencing of hematologic neoplasms and solid tumors. Summit Health will now offer GTC's peripheral blood and CSF-based liquid biopsy, Liquid Trace. This revolutionary liquid biopsy assay analyzes cell free DNA and RNA (cfDNA and cfRNA) for hematologic neoplasms and solid tumors. This testing provides Summit/Village MD clinicians with a comprehensive precision diagnosis and monitoring tools to deliver state-of-the-art precision care for their patients. By running the tests locally in-house, Summit Health will reduce their send-out burden to multiple labs, standardize collection of data, shorten turn-around time and have the opportunity to participate in R&D, clinical trials and the development of IP. As a member of the GTC Co-Op group, Summit Health will gain access to cutting-edge scientific capabilities, access to a pipeline of innovation in diagnostics, and proprietary technology and datasets for R&D. "We are very thrilled to partner with GTC in internalizing and adopting their comprehensive portfolio of tissue and liquid biopsy tests for hematologic neoplasms and solid tumors. We believe that this testing is currently essential for the practice of precision medicine,' said Dr. Gordana Katava, DO, Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Summit Health/Village MD. Dr. Maher Albitar, Founder, CEO and Chief Medical Officer at GTC, stated, 'We are excited to add Summit and Village MD physicians to our Co-Op network. GTC was established on the promise of democratizing genomic science and next generation sequencing. This partnership is a step forward toward achieving our goal,' Dr. Albitar added. 'The Co-OP model is not only standardizing next generation sequencing, but also providing ecosystem for cooperation, sharing knowledge and AI-based software, and reducing cost of internalizing NGS.' About Summit Health Summit Health, which is a part of VillageMD, helps patients with all their comprehensive primary care and multi-specialty care needs. Whether it's getting annual checkups, raising a family, or prioritizing healthy aging, Summit Health works as a team to deliver care that helps patients make the right choices and stay a step ahead of any issues. Summit Health offers high-quality connected care services covering nearly every medical specialty including orthopedics, urology, dermatology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and more. When patients need urgent care, they can visit Summit Health's urgent care partner, CityMD, which has 180+ locations throughout N.Y. and N.J. Together, Summit Health and CityMD are one connected care team. About GTC Genomic Testing Cooperative [GTC], the global leader in RNA innovation, is a privately owned molecular testing company located in Lake Forest, California. Since its inception in 2018 GTC has been focused on facilitating the acceleration of access to NGS enabled precision medicine in Oncology through innovative science and differentiated business models and practices and has grown through the realization of these strategies to become a leading partner/provider in the Oncology NGS space helping healthcare organizations to tackle the biggest problems in Next Generation Sequencing for Oncology today. Forward Looking Statements All the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on GTC and Summit Health management's current expectations and include statements regarding the value of Molecular profiling, testing, therapy, and the ability of testing to provide clinically useful information. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Summit Health or GTC undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
6 Important Blood Tests for Comprehensive Health
If you haven't had your blood drawn in years, it's probably time to chat with your primary physician about getting it done. Your blood work can tell you a lot about your health, revealing the truth about everything from your kidney function to your cholesterol levels. How often you should get your blood work analyzed depends on your age, the type of blood test and your personal health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, most healthy adults only need to have their cholesterol tested every four to six years. Meanwhile, the organization says people should get their A1C tested at the age of 45 and then every year or two if they are pre-diabetic or if they have risk factors for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Some tests, like hepatitis B, are only recommended once per lifetime for adults age 18 and older unless you have symptoms or are pregnant. With all these different types of blood tests available, it can be confusing to know which you should get and when. To simplify things, we talked to two doctors who explained which blood tests the average person should consider getting and why. The complete blood count routine test provides a snapshot of your body's blood production and immunity. The test measures a variety of components in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Dr. Soma Mandal, a board-certified internist at Summit Health in New Providence, New Jersey, says that getting a CBC test is "recommended for individuals of all ages as part of a routine health examination, or when symptoms suggest a potential health issue." Dr. Maria Knöbel, medical director of Medical Cert UK, agrees that this foundational test is appropriate for many patients. She says the test is ideal for anyone undergoing a routine health check-up. Still, she advises that you may want to get it if you're "experiencing symptoms like persistent fatigue, unexplained bruising or frequent infections." A CBC blood test can indicate lots of things, including: Anemia Infection Allergies Leukemia Inflammation Heart disease Iron deficiency Certain cancers Vitamin deficiency Immune system disorders Risk of clotting and bleeding Low platelets (can affect blood clotting) Mandal explains that each lab may have slight variations for what they consider "normal" test results. The ranges typically accepted as normal for adults are: Red blood cells: 4.5-5.9 million cells per microliter (men), 4.1-5.1 million cells per microliter (women) White blood cells: 4,500-11,000 cells per microliter Hemoglobin: 13.8-17.2 grams per deciliter (men), 12.1-15.1 grams per deciliter (women) Hematocrit: 40.7%-50.3% (men), 36.1%-44.3% (women) Platelets: 150,000-450,000 platelets per microliter Lipids are fats and fatty substances in your blood. One type of lipid is cholesterol, which is used as a source of energy. Too much "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) can damage your heart. You may need to get this test if you have cardiovascular disease or other risk factors. Mandal states this test is essential for anyone "at risk of cardiovascular diseases, including those with a family history of heart disease, smokers, people with hypertension or those who are overweight." Knöbel explains that a lipid panel measures total cholesterol and also breaks it down into HDL/LDL: Triglycerides LDL (bad cholesterol) HDL (good cholesterol) She says, "Elevated LDL levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, while high HDL levels are generally protective. Elevated triglycerides can also indicate a risk for heart disease and may be associated with other conditions like diabetes." The normal parameters for a lipid panel in adults are: Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL LDL cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL HDL cholesterol: 40 mg/dL or higher (men), 50 mg/dL or higher (women) Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL The basic metabolic panel measures what Knöbel calls "critical aspects of your body's chemistry." This includes glucose, calcium and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and bicarbonate. The test also looks for kidney function indicators, like blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Knöbel elaborates, "Glucose levels provide insight into blood sugar control. Electrolyte imbalances can reveal issues related to dehydration, kidney disease or metabolic imbalances. Abnormal calcium levels can indicate issues with bone health or parathyroid function." BMP is often part of a routine exam. It may also be recommended for patients with diabetes or kidney disease or those at risk for these conditions. The results of your BMP could indicate: Diabetes Dehydration Hypertension Kidney disease Deteriorating bone health For adults, Mandal says the normal ranges for results of this test are: Glucose: 70-99 mg/dL (fasting) Calcium: 8.5-10.2 mg/dL Sodium: 135-145 mEq/L Potassium: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L Bicarbonate: 23-30 mEq/L Chloride: 96-106 mEq/L Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): 7-20 mg/dL Creatinine: 0.6-1.3 mg/dL The Hemoglobin A1C test, also called the HbA1c, is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. Mandel explains that it's primarily used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and pre-diabetes. If you're overweight, have symptoms of diabetes, have a family history of diabetes or are over the age of 45, the doctor says you may also want to get this test. A daily sugar test gives you a short-term view of your blood sugar level. On the other hand, this test is a long-term view of how well your body is managing glucose. Getting an HbA1c test could reveal a few things about your health: Diabetes Pre-diabetes Poor blood sugar control (higher risk of diabetes-related complications) Normal ranges for test results are: Normal: Less than 5.7% Pre-diabetes: 5.7% to 6.4% Diabetes: 6.5% or higher If you are experiencing fatigue, weight changes, irregular heartbeat, hair loss or mood swings, you may want to get a thyroid function test. Typically prescribed only if you display symptoms such as those previously mentioned, this test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in your blood. Your doctors can use the results to see how well your thyroid (a small, hormone-releasing gland in the front of your throat) is functioning. Mandal tells us this test is commonly included in routine health screenings, especially in women over 60. Your blood test may indicate: High TSH levels/hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) Low TSH levels/hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) Abnormal levels of T3 and T4 (other thyroid disorders) Doctors typically consider the following normal ranges for test results in adults: TSH levels: 0.4-4.0 mIU/L Free T4 levels: 0.8-1.8 ng/dL Free T3 levels: 2.3-4.2 pg/mL According to Mount Sinai, a hospital system in New York, some older patients can benefit from getting a 25-hydroxy test to check their vitamin D levels. People who are over the age of 65, have osteoporosis, get limited sun exposure and/or have Crohn's disease, celiac disease or ulcerative colitis may benefit from the test. Most people get ample vitamin D from the sun. Both skin production and gut absorption of the vitamins decline as we age. It's important to find out if you don't have enough vitamin D because it helps with everything from bone health to immunity and energy levels. The 25-hydroxy vitamin D will reveal two things: 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 25 hydroxy vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) There is some disagreement among doctors about what a healthy range is for vitamin D, but one generally accepted range is 20 and 40 ng/mL. It's always important to discuss your health and any related concerns with your doctor before requesting any type of test. Based on your personalized situation and health plan, your doctor may request blood work not on this list or say that you don't need some of the above tests. As a general rule, many people can benefit from CBC, lipid panel, BMP and hemoglobin A1C even without any symptoms. Also, thyroid function and vitamin D tests should be considered if you experience any symptoms. If you're older, you may also want to talk to your physician about your vitamin D absorption. If your labs are abnormal, you may need additional screening and more frequent repeat labs. If your labs are normal, these labs may only need to be repeated once a year while doing your annual exam with your primary doctor.
