West Penn Allegheny Health System Announces Recruitment of Leading Burn S...( PITTSBURGH Jan. 1 /- Officials of...)

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials of the West Penn Allegheny Health System and The Western Pennsylvania Hospital announced today the recruitment of nationally recognized burn surgeons Larry M. Jones, MD, FACS, and Roger R. Barrette, MD, formerly of the UPMC-Mercy Trauma and Burn Center.

Drs. Jones and Barrette will direct the West Penn Burn Center, one of the country's preeminent programs for the treatment of burn injuries. West Penn is the region's only burn center verified by the American Burn Association and American College of Surgeons and the only center in the state to earn that verification four times.

West Penn's long tradition of excellence and compassion in burn care attracted them to the West Penn Burn Center, Dr. Jones and Dr. Barrette said.

"We are proud to welcome these distinguished physicians and look forward to working with them as they continue West Penn Burn Center's long record of outstanding care," said Dawn M. Gideon, President and Chief Executive Officer, West Penn Hospital.

Dr. Jones will serve as Medical Director of West Penn Burn Center. Current West Penn burn surgeon Ariel Aballay will remain as a key part of the center's team.

Established in 1969, West Penn Burn Center treats more than 500 inpatients and approximately 1,500 outpatients each year. The Burn Center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical systems, special equipment for treating burns, 14 private rooms including six critical care rooms, a family waiting room and children's playroom.

"We are very happy to join the West Penn Burn Center and to continue its outstanding work in caring for burn patients," Dr. Jones said.

Every admitted patient has a Burn Center team dedicated to meeting individualized needs including specialized medical care, emotional and psychological counseling, nutrition planning and physical therapy.

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