On March 31, Temple Health – Chestnut Hill Hospital hosted an appreciation event with State Senator Art Haywood and State Representative Tarik Khan in recognition of their role in securing $400k in Commonwealth funding which will be used to upgrade mammography equipment for the Women’s Center at Chestnut Hill Hospital.
Critical Support for Community Care
“Investments like this allow our physicians and clinical teams to detect health issues earlier, which can lead to better outcomes for patients,” said Abhi Rastogi, MBA, MIS, President and CEO of Temple Health. “Put another way: there’s a straight line from a budget item in Harrisburg to a life-saving early diagnosis for one of our neighbors.”
“The dedication of community partners, and ongoing support from leaders like Senator Haywood and Representative Khan, have been essential to this hospital’s transformation since joining Temple Health,” said Richard Newell, MPT, DPT, President and CEO of Temple Health – Chestnut Hill Hospital. “Their advocacy and investment have positioned us to thrive, while remaining deeply rooted in the community we serve.”
During the event, Senator Haywood, who serves as minority chair of the Health and Human Services committee, shared a moving reflection on the importance of early detection and its downstream impact on the families and communities of each patient who receives the care they need.
In his own remarks, Representative Khan, a nurse practitioner and former president of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, emphasized the importance of supporting healthcare workers and ensuring they have the tools and resources to continue providing high-quality care – particularly in community hospital settings.
Celebrating Cindy Zimmerman
The event also provided an opportunity to formally recognize and celebrate Cindy Zimmerman, DNP, RN, Clinical Nurse Manager in the Chestnut Hill Hospital Emergency Department, who recently helped save the life of a driver in distress on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. While presenting Zimmerman with an official citation on behalf of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Rep. Khan praised her quick action to provide CPR to the driver and noted that her example and commitment to caring for the community beyond the hospital setting represents the highest aspirations of the nursing profession.