The Reading Hospital Medical Executive Committee, with support from Reading Hospital Foundation, will be hosting a humorous evening of Continuing Medical Education for physicians, featuring William Flanary, MD, on Tuesday, May 9, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Dr. Flanary is a comedian and ophthalmologist who performs under the stage name Dr. Glaucomflecken and produces medical satire skits on social media. The event will be held at Miller Center for the Arts, Reading Area Community College, in Reading.
“Physician wellness and physician education are both top priorities for our team,” said Charles F. Barbera, MD, Reading Hospital President and CEO. “Our medical staff has managed the past three years of the pandemic with a constant focus on the health and safety of our community. Now, as we shift to our ‘new normal,’ this is an opportunity for physicians to make their own wellness a priority, and I encourage them to do so.”
The event, titled “20 Questions with Dr. Glaucomflecken,” will serve as the annual Charles B. Sullivan Honorary Lecture. During the presentation, attendees will learn why humor is a powerful coping mechanism for healthcare professionals, while recognizing the impact of medical trauma, and how physicians can have an appropriate social media presence.
“As a previous stand-up comedian and now a physician, Dr. Glaucomflecken uniquely intertwines both of his skills in a way that we don’t often see fused together” said Vinti Shah, DO, Chief, Division of Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Tower Health and Reading Hospital Medical Staff Secretary. “I’ve been following him on social media for about 3 years and his videos are a reminder that it’s ok - and often therapeutic - to laugh at ourselves. I’m so grateful the Executive Committee and the Foundation agreed to host this event. I look forward to an evening of laughter and connection with my colleagues.”
Katherine Thornton, Reading Hospital Foundation president, added, “The physicians from Reading Hospital are loyal partners to the Foundation. To be able to give back to them is important to our team and aligns with our mission of enhancing education throughout the organization.”
Media is invited to attend the event.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years (and moving up to America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022) and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.