October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer, the impact of early detection, and the availability of community services. Understanding risk factors and warning signs is crucial for early detection, regardless of age, gender, medical history, or ethnicity.

At Heritage Valley, we want to ensure that our community has access to a comprehensive breast care program, including services and support for prevention, detection and continuum of care planning. The Heritage Valley BreastCare program offers a range of services, from screening and diagnostic breast imaging to treatment plans for breast cancer delivered by committed, high-quality technologists and physicians. All of these services are available within the Heritage Valley Health System network, so you don’t have to travel far for services.

The primary BreastCare locations are the Heritage Valley Women’s Health Centers located in Center and Robinson Townships. Additionally, there are screening locations in our Medical Neighborhoods located in Chippewa, Edgeworth, Ellwood City, and Calcutta, Ohio.

We are proud to note that each of the Heritage Valley Women’s Health Centers is designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Furthermore, our customers recently voted our Center Township location as the best in Women’s Health Services in the 2025 Best of the Valley Community Choice Awards.

Self-Requesting Mammograms … All of our mammography locations offer Self-Requesting Mammograms, which means that a patient (with an established PCP and/or OB-GYN who was seen within the last 12 months) may schedule a screening mammogram without obtaining an annual order from a physician. To self-schedule, go to the My Care Link and click on the Mammography Exam icon.

Walk-in Mammograms ... On Mondays in the Robinson Township and Ellwood City Medical Neighborhoods, women may walk in and request a screening mammogram. No appointment needed! Simply bring your prescription from your physician.

Screening Mammograms ... may be scheduled through My Care Link on iHVHS/aHVHS, Heritage Valley’s app. Click here to access My Care Link.

To schedule Breast Imaging Services at any of our locations, call 1-866-901-MAMO (6266). Click here for more information and to visit our website.

At the present time, all ConvenientCare Walk-in Clinics are currently stocked with limited supplies of both regular and high-dose (for those over the age of 65) flu vaccines. Information on Covid vaccine availability and coverage will be provided at a later date.

Upon arrival at ConvenientCare, please register at the kiosk. Those requesting flu vaccines will be given priority. Click here for a listing of ConvenientCare locations and hours.

Please note that the Baden Laboratory Draw Site permanently closed as of October 6, 2025. Patients are encouraged to utilize the Edgeworth Medical Neighborhood, located in the Esmark Building at 100 Hazel Lane, Sewickley, PA 15143. Lab Draw hours of operation at Edgeworth are: Monday – Friday from 6 am – 7:30 pm; Saturdays from 7 am – 3:30 pm; and Sundays from 8 am – 3:30 pm. Please call 412-749-6800 for information.

Alyssa

Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation Services

Alyssa has been a dedicated employee of Heritage Valley for over nine years, at both the Sewickley and Beaver campuses. She enjoys working with her colleagues on the rehab team, who are always willing to lend a helping hand and are supportive of one another. Alyssa strives to make a positive impact on both her patients and guests, and is proud to be a Heritage Valley team member!

The Heritage Valley Diabetes Prevention Program, launched in January 2025, is showing promising results among participants. Some lowered their A1C levels and no longer have pre-diabetes! Others are experiencing improvement in fatty liver disease; have lost 5-9% of body weight; and have seen a decrease in blood pressure. Reported benefits also include elevated energy, improved mood, and greater confidence in health management.

If you've been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This year-long, evidence-based lifestyle change program empowers you with the tools and support to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes; lose weight through sustainable, healthy habits; become more physically active; and improve your overall health and well-being.

The next series of classes begins on November 10, 2025, and will be offered via Zoom. Classes meet weekly at 5 pm for the initial 12 weeks, transitioning to bi-weekly, then monthly. Another series of classes is planned to begin in January 2026.

To register for the classes or to learn more about the program, please contact Krista Michalski, Certified Lifestyle Coach, at 724-773-4708. Click here to access our webpage.

As a previous Exercise Physiologist and current Certified Lifestyle Coach for the Diabetes Prevention Program at Heritage Valley, Krista is a strong advocate for nutrition education and sustainable behavior change, reflecting her own commitment to a healthy lifestyle. She helps people improve their health through evidence-based lifestyle interventions, emphasizing physical activity, balanced eating, and long-term habit formation. 

Krista focuses on empowering patients to take charge of their health through personalized coaching, helpful tools, and continuous support. Her commitment to patient well-being drives her passion for health education and allows her patients to thrive.

Please reach out to Krista at 724-773-4708 for information or to register for the Diabetes Prevention Program classes.

We want to remind everyone that Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. This is the time to review your Medicare health or drug coverage and decide if you want to make changes for coverage that begins on January 1 of the following year. Remember, Medicare costs, benefits and providers can change each year. Comparing your options could help you find better coverage or save money. If you have questions, Medicare.gov, the Medicare & You handbook and 1-800-MEDICARE are your official sources of Medicare information.