Monongahela Valley Hospital officials welcomed U.S. Representative Murtha to Monongahela Valley Hospital today.

During his visit, Congressman Murtha toured the $8-million expanded MVH Emergency Department. Through the efforts of Congressman Murtha, Monongahela Valley Hospital received a total of $ 1.05 million in federal funding to assist in that expansion.

Murtha also discussed other health care issues with hospital officials including the neurosciences program and the hospital’s diabetes services.

" We are deeply appreciative of Congressman Murtha’s visit and his interest in our Emergency Department expansion and our Neurosciences Program in particular," Louis J. Panza Jr., president and chief executive officer of the hospital, said.

"The event was beneficial in many ways. Congressman Murtha had the opportunity to see first-hand what we're doing and we had the opportunity to discuss current and upcoming projects personally with him."

Meanwhile, Murtha said: “It is important that the residents of the Mon Valley are provided with quality health care and the most up-to-date health facilities."

Congressman Murtha has inserted $500,000 in the House 2007 Labor, Health & Human Services appropriation for MVH’s Neuroscience Program. The funding will help MVH offer expanded neuroscience services and neurosurgery on a regular basis while introducing key improvements in medical imaging to improve access to this critical form of care.

Congressman Murtha has dedicated much of his career to trying to shape national policies on health care and leading the fight to direct funding to key programs and medical research. He also has a keen interest in diabetes prevention, education and outreach programs.

MVH hospital officials discussed regional funding for diabetes education with Murtha and they outlined the diabetic services that MVH provides to the residents served by the health system.