LVH–Cedar Crest Marks Golden Anniversary, Hospital’s Longest Tenured Colleagues Recognized

Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest is celebrating 50 years of being the region’s most trusted health partner and continues to fulfill the original vision of founder Leonard Parker Pool. Pool’s vision was to build a premier hospital to provide world-class care to the region. This meant the community could stay close to home while receiving the best treatments available.
 

LVH–Cedar Crest has grown significantly to meet the needs of the community. It has blossomed from a single seven-story building in Salisbury Township into a hospital center that serves the entire region. LVH–Cedar Crest is home to the region’s first Comprehensive Stroke Center, a Level I Trauma Center, Regional Burn Center, inpatient rehabilitation center and the Breidegam Family Children’s ER at LVH–Cedar Crest.

It also serves as the hub for Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute and Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the region’s first and most trusted children’s hospital, is also based at LVH–Cedar Crest.

These services are among the reasons why the community has trusted LVH–Cedar Crest with its care over the past five decades. The other reason so many people choose LVH–Cedar Crest is the compassionate and caring colleagues who have been a part of the hospital’s history since it opened in 1974. Colleagues work tirelessly to heal, comfort and care for our community, and they’ve built a reputation for their dedication.

Judy Dorsam, RN, and Marilyn Rohrbach, RN, were there when LVH–Cedar Crest’s tradition of excellence began. Both have been colleagues since the hospital opened in 1974. They have seen many changes during their tenure, including expansions, enhancements to care, name changes, the addition of institutes, a merger with Jefferson, and many more.

Dorsam began her nursing career in 1972 at LVH–17th Street, known then as Allentown Hospital. She took a job at LVH–Cedar Crest when it opened two years later. She worked in the intensive care unit at both hospitals. In 1980, Dorsam began working as a triage nurse in the critical care unit, but decided she needed a job with daytime hours so she could spend more time with her family. She transferred to the gastrointestinal lab in 1993 and has worked in this role since.

“LVH–Cedar Crest is an amazing place to work,” says Dorsam. “There have been so many changes over the past 50 years, but something that has not changed – my colleagues continue to be like my family. This is why I’ve stayed at this hospital campus for so long.”

Dorsam has seen a great number of changes throughout the past 50 years, but the biggest has been LVH–Cedar Crest’s size.

“I remember Florence Brown, the first director of nursing services, holding job interviews in a barn that used to sit on LVH–Cedar Crest property while the hospital was being built,” says Dorsam. “This hospital  has expanded so much over the years, and I’m so proud to have been a part of that, because growth means providing new and leading-edge care for our community.”

Like Dorsam, Rohrbach began her career at LVH–17th Street. She started as a medical-surgical nurse in 1974 and took a position in the LVH–Cedar Crest emergency room (ER) when it opened and has remained there since.

“I applied to an opening at LVH–Cedar Crest after getting my feet wet as medical-surgical nurse,” says Rohrbach. “Working in the ER has provided me with so many opportunities and I just love my job because I’m part of an amazing team that makes a difference in our community.”

Since taking on the role as an ER nurse, Rohrbach has held a few positions in the department. She’s been a core charge nurse and triage nurse. Rohrbach inspired her daughter, Mollie Charles, to follow in her footsteps. Charles works in the ER at LVH–Cedar Crest as a patient care coordinator.

“Working at LVH–Cedar Crest gives me a deep sense of pride and working alongside my daughter just adds to that,” says Rohrbach. “I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else, because so few hospitals have our reputation. People from across the region come to LVH–Cedar Crest because of our exceptional colleagues and care.”

Dorsam and Rohrbach participated in the LVH–Cedar Crest anniversary celebration on Sept. 10. They answered questions about their experiences and provided insights about how care has evolved since they began working as nurses. Colleagues also heard remarks from Bob Begliomini, PharmD, Senior Vice President, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), President, LVH–Cedar Crest, and President, Lehigh Region; and Michael Rossi, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, LVHN.