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Adolescent medicine and eating disorder clinic opens in Hershey

Penn State Children's Hospital to open new off-campus facility

Hershey, Pa. --On Monday, July 21, a new facility for adolescent medicine and eating disorders will open at the Briarcrest Building in Hershey, Pa. The new facility, an off-campus clinic of Penn State Children's Hospital, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, will provide adolescent and adult patients with outpatient and intensive outpatient care for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders. Adolescent medicine specialty services include the medical evaluation and treatment of teenagers with complex medical problems.

The new facility is the first and only comprehensive program for these specialties in Central Pennsylvania.

Multidisciplinary treatment will be provided for all programs including medical evaluation and treatment, psychiatric evaluation and treatment including medication management, individual, group and family psychotherapy and nutritional counseling. Complementary therapy techniques are also offered including movement therapy, yoga and art therapy. The new office will offer a partial/day program running five days a week, including ages 14 and older. Hospitalization will continue to be offered on the inpatient units at the medical center.

Over the past three decades, eating disorder cases have more than doubled. Although the majority of patients are typically Caucasian adolescents and young adult women, the numbers of men and women with eating disorders from other ethnic and demographic backgrounds, are increasing.

Penn State Hershey Medical Center offers a full range of treatment options for individuals with eating disorders. The medical center specialists treat conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, other non-specific eating disorders, and binge eating. From outpatient treatment and intensive outpatient treatment to inpatient hospitalization, patients work with an experienced and multi-disciplinary treatment team to maximize potential for recovery.

Specialists involved in the eating disorders program at the medical center include adolescent medicine specialists; psychiatrists; licensed psychologists; licensed clinical social workers; clinical nutritionists; registered nurse clinicians; and certified recreational therapists.

For more information on the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders or to schedule an appointment, call 717-531-2099.

Last Updated March 20, 2009

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