HARRISBURG, PA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 10/25/07 -- Weight-loss surgery is the first surgery PinnacleHealth is scheduled to host on the Internet over the next year. On Wednesday, November 7 at 6 pm, Luciano DiMarco, DO, FACOS, medical director of bariatric surgery at PinnacleHealth, will perform the gold standard of weight-loss surgery, Roux-en-YGastric Bypass, at the PinnacleHealth Community Campus, on www.OR-Live.com. Since 1998, Luciano DiMarco, DO, FACOS, and his partners, Doctors Scot A. Currie and Matthew Davidson, have performed this surgery laparoscopically, reducing chance of infection, shortening hospital stay and improving recovery time.

"Airing weight-loss surgery online gives prospective and current patients a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during surgery," says Dr. DiMarco. "It showcases our laparoscopic technique and serves as another visible example of the high level of quality of care available at PinnacleHealth."

Since Dr. DiMarco founded the program, PinnacleHealth's surgeons have completed over 1,700 bariatric procedures. PinnacleHealth, through collaboration with the Weight Loss Clinic, approaches bariatric surgery with an interdisciplinary team of professionals who offer in-depth medical evaluation, psychological screening and counseling, nutritional consultation, education and support before, during and after surgery.

PinnacleHealth has achieved the prestigious national designations as a Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) and Blue Distinction Center(SM) for Bariatric Surgery by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, coordinated by Highmark. Both programs recognize consistent delivery of top-quality care and favorable overall outcomes for bariatric surgery patients.

More than 15 million Americans have surgery each year, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. PinnacleHealth is the first in the area to broadcast surgeries online, allowing patients to watch a surgery before they experience it themselves. Partnering with OR-Live, Inc., PinnacleHealth will make three surgeries available online over the next year. Not only will viewers be able to watch the surgery, but they will have the opportunity to join a forum, ask the surgeon questions and read answers to other viewers' questions.

Visit http://www.or-live.com/PinnacleHealth/2119 to learn more and view a program preview. VNR: http://www.or-live.com/rams/pin-2119-mkw-q.ram

Video-Link Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=610003

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Contact:
Alex Fraser, MBA
Director of Marketing
OR-Live, Inc.
860-953-2900 x 214
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