Pennsylvania Doctors Taking a Close Look at Fracking and Public Health

Date: October 7, 2011 Media Contact: Chuck Moran
    Pennsylvania Medical Society
For Immediate Release   (717) 558-7820

(Harrisburg, PA) As part of the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s annual House of Delegates, about 200 Pennsylvania physicians are slated to investigate what potential impact exists for gas fracking to have on public health.

The session, titled “Overview for Physicians on Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Fracking,” features three speakers who will provide an overview of the gas fracking processes, the potential impact on public health, and a study of the population health impact in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Samantha Lynn Malone, MPH, CPH, of the University of Pittsburgh will describe the science of gas fracking as well as the potential public health impact.

Samuel Lesko, MD, MPH, director of research and medical director for the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, will talk about his study to gain baseline health assessments in Northeastern Pennsylvania where drilling is occurring.

And, Ralph Schmeltz, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, will speak about the governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission and its recommendations.

The 90-minute session will occur on October 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pa.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This event is open to working members of the media. If interested in covering the topic, please contact Chuck Moran at (717) 558-7820 before October 13 or (717) 580-6150 on October 14 and 15 to attain press entry into the event. Seating is limited.

The patient-doctor relationship has been the priority of the Pennsylvania Medical Society since its founding in 1848. While there are always issues being debated about health systems and reform, the physician members of the Medical Society continue to focus on better health for all Pennsylvanians. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Medical Society, visit its website at www.pamedsoc.org or its patient website at www.myfamilywellness.org.

# # #

Add Your Comments


The Pennsylvania Medical Society encourages lively debate, but please behave courteously and responsibly. Comments that include profanity, personal attacks (including language that could potentially identify an individual), or any other inappropriate, offensive, or illegal material will be removed. For more information, please see our Terms of Use. We do not answer legal questions on line. Members seeking general information about laws and regulations affecting medical practice may call our member resource line, (800) 228-7823.

Display name as (optional):

Comments (max 2000 characters):




Comments: 0



Last Updated: 10/7/2011
From: 
Email:  
To: 
Email:  
Subject: 
Message: