Cole Memorial Hospital | Cole Today | Spring 2016

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SAY YES TO A TEST
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
THERE MIGHT BE a thousand things you’d rather do than get screened for colorectal
cancer. But if you’re 50 or older, it’s time to say yes to a test. Why? According to Saket
Prasad, MD, and Leo Sillick, PA-C (pictured), of the gastroenterology services depart-
ment at Cole Memorial, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is a good time
to consider an examination, because:
●Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death by cancer in the U.S. Getting
screened helps you avoid becoming a part of that statistic.
●Screening can spot cancer early, when it’s easiest to treat. If you wait for symptoms to
develop, the disease is likely to be in an advanced state.
●Screening may prevent cancer. That’s because most cases of colorectal cancer start as
a growth, or polyp, inside the colon. Some screening tests allow a doctor to find and
remove these growths before they become cancerous.
●Colorectal cancer can run in families. If your test reveals polyps or cancer, your
children or other close relatives may be at a higher risk for the disease. Knowing
that, they may choose to get screened sooner than age 50, which can reduce their
chances of developing the disease.
Besides a colonoscopy, which is considered the best screening method, the gas-
troenterology providers at Cole Memorial offer less invasive types of procedures for
lower gastrointestinal disorders as well.
For more information, speak with your primary care provider about when to
begin screening for colorectal cancer, what tests to have, and the benefits and risks.
To schedule an appointment with the gastroenterology services team at Cole
Memorial in Coudersport or Emporium, visit or call
814-274-9024.
The Cole Memorial Medical Group is pleased to announce the recent addition of the follow-
ing health care providers:
Ahmad Awada, MD, joins fellow Obstetrician and Gynecologist Mazen
Fouany, MD, in the Women’s Health Center located on the main floor
of Cole Memorial Hospital. He completed his medical degree, an
internship and an OB/GYN residency at the George Washington
University Medical Center after attending the American University of
Beirut Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon. Prior to joining Cole Memo-
rial, Dr. Awada worked at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia.
Dr. Awada is accepting new patients. Call 814-274-7101.
Victoria Copp will share her expertise as a certified registered
nurse practitioner and certified wound care nurse in the wound clinic
coordinator position. Copp received a master of science degree from
Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, to become a family nurse
practitioner. She also graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of
science in nursing and an associate of science degree from University
of Pittsburgh’s campus in Bradford, Pennsylvania. For more informa-
tion or to make an appointment with the Wound Center, located at
Cole Memorial Hospital’s Irwin Medical Arts Center in Coudersport, call 814-274-5540.
Osama E.A. Essa, MD, has joined general surgeons Frank Horn III, MD,
and Moheb Mohareb, MD, at the Surgical Services office at 1001
E. Second St. in Coudersport. He received a degree from the Royal
College of Surgeons in the United Kingdom and comes to Cole
Memorial after completing a general surgery residency at the
Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and the University of Illinois–Metropolitan
Group Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Essa is accepting new patients. Call
814-274-7474.
Steven Herrmann, MD, PhD, FACC, FASE, brings over 15 years of
experience to the cardiology department. He earned a PhD in cardio-
vascular physiology and biophysics at the University of Washington and
a medical degree at St. Louis University, where he also completed an
internship and residency in internal medicine and fellowships in cardio-
vascular diseases and interventional cardiology. He is board-certified
in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, adult echocardiography
and nuclear cardiology. For more information, call 814-274-5576.
Susan Silvis, CRNP, is now part of the Shinglehouse Community
Health Centers’ primary care team of A. Ramani Arya, MD, and
Eric Schreiber, PA-C. Silvis received a master of science degree
and bachelor of science degree in nursing from Daemen College in
Amherst, New York. She also holds an associate of science degree in
registered nursing from the Jamestown Community College campus
in Olean, New York. Silvis has over 11 years of direct patient care ex-
perience as a nurse. For more information or to make an appointment
with the health care professionals in Shinglehouse, call 814-260-9352.
Mike Wilt, PA-C, is teaming up with Cyril Gunawardane, MD, and
Steven Herrmann, MD, of Medicor Associates, a part of UPMC Hamot
Heart and Vascular Institute. Wilt graduated in 2006 from Gannon
University in Erie, Pennsylvania, with a master of physician assistant
science degree after completion of a bachelor’s degree in health sci-
ence. He brings several years of experience in general cardiovascular
care. For more information or an appointment with the cardiology
services department—located in Cole Memorial Hospital,
1001 E. Second St., Coudersport—call 814-274-5576.
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