Call the Doctor

Friday Mar 12

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Call the Doctor

callthedoctor

Tuesdays 7pm on WVIA-TV

The live show moderated by George Thomas features area medical and health care professionals informing viewers about important and relevant health issues, and answering call-in questions and emails. Viewers may call in questions during the show at 1-800-326-9842 or click here prior to or during the show to submit your questions online.

ALL-NEW LIVE
Tuesday, March 16 at 7pm
Varicose Veins: New Treatments for Success
Varicose Veins affect approximately 25 million people. For some, the veins are a cosmetic concern only, but for others, the bulging, protruding veins leave their legs feeling achy, heavy, tired or restless. Valves in normal veins keep blood moving toward the heart, but with varicose veins, the valves do not function properly. They allow blood to pool in the vein, which then causes it to enlarge.

Joining our host, George Thomas, to discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments of varicose veins will be Edward Batzel, M.D., a vascular surgeon in Scranton and Todd Stefan, M.D., a general and vascular surgeon from Central Susquehanna Surgical Specialists in Lewisburg.

Learn more, Society for Vascular Surgeons or 1-800-258-7188

ALL-NEW LIVE
Tuesday, March 23 at 7pm
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Protect Yourself at Any Age

Information from previous programs:

Pregnancy and Beyond: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby
Learn more, Eager Study at The Commonwealth Medical College and American Academy of Pediatrics or 847-434-4000

Subtle Suicide: Could it be You?
Learn more, National Alliance on Mental Illness or 1-800-950-NAMI

Electrophysiology: the science of a beating heart
Learn more, Heart Rhythm Society or 202-464-3400 and American Heart Association or 1-800-AHA-USA1

Dental Health: a perfect smile for life
Learn more, American Dental Association or 312-440-2500

Nutrition: Eating for Healthy Living
Learn more, American Dietetic Association or 1-800-877-1600

Exercise: The Fountain of Youth
Learn more, American Council on Exercise or 1-888-825-3636 & American College of Sports Medicine or 317-637-9200

Diabesity: A Deadly Combination
Learn more, Obesity Action Coalition or 1-800-717-3117, American Diabetes Association or 1-800-diabetes, or Obesity Help or 1-800-957-4636

Panic Attacks: Control Your Anxiety
Learn more, Anxiety Disorders Association of America or call 240-485-1001

Headaches and Migraines: Conquering the Pain
Learn more, The National Headache Foundation or call 1-888-643-5552

Alzheimer's Disease: What You Need to Know
Learn more, Alzheimer's Association or at the helpline 1-800-272-3900 or NEPA Alzheimer's and Memory Clinic or call 570-262-0664

Swine Flu: Questions Answered
Learn more, Centers for Disease Control at 1-800-CDC-INFO or 1-800-232-4636.

Pancreatic Cancer: Fighting for Life
Learn more, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or 1-877-272-6226.

George Thomas

Meet the team

George Thomas, Vice President of Membership for WVIA, started at the station on 10/31/94 ... yep Halloween! (How spookie!) He is responsible for the WVIA TV & FM membership fundraising programs which account for 1.7 million dollars annually, which is the significant portion of revenue the stations need in order to operate. "It's all about our members," George states. "If we didn't have generous people in our area supporting the programs and efforts of WVIA, it would close tomorrow. That's how important each member is to the station."

George started as the manager of the Telemarketing Department in 1994. In 1996, he was promoted to Membership Manager overseeing the installation and running of the new membership software program as well as all renewal, acquisition, and additional gift mailing programs.

In 1998, he was promoted to Director of Membership and On-air Pledge and given responsibilities of the on air TV and FM pledge drives. He also oversaw the Call Center with 7 employees, the matching gift program, the thank-you gifts sent out, and many annual member appreciation days.

In 2003 in support of a national PBS Major Giving Initiative, George's direct reports were re-aligned to work with the new Vice President of Major Gifts and included overseeing the operations of the Data Entry Department and the Front Desk.

In June of 2007, George was promoted to Vice President of Membership overseeing all aspects of entire WVIA membership program including major giving.

George adds, "I've have the privilege of working with great people in the department. With them, we are proud to have a great customer service record and run one of the more mature membership programs in the country."

He trains the on air pledge drive talent and can be seen in WVIA's membership campaigns "pitching" the station's popular programs. He also loves to create funny promotional spots you see on air from time to time. In fact, he has received two national Telly Awards for his collaborative creative efforts.

Amid literally hundreds of television channels available to you by cable and satellite, and dozens of radio stations, WVIA is the only regional broadcaster with the sole purpose of education, public service and community enrichment. "I am proud and consider it an honor to go on the air and ask people to support a station that provides so much."

In 2003, George was offered the seat as moderator for Call the Doctor, a popular weekly live call-in program.

Just starting his 6th year as moderator of Call the Doctor, George Thomas is excited about what he and producer Mary Theresa Mazur have been able to do with the show working with a tremendous Promotions team and Production Department.

"The capacity of this show to help people, change lives, and in some cases actually save them .... there's no other local newscast or show that can do that."

"Call the Doctor" airs Tuesdays at 7:00PM. The show is an informative, interactive program featuring medical experts from the WVIA 22 county viewing area. With each episode, viewers are encouraged to call in their questions to a panel of health care experts. "Call the Doctor" is one of WVIA-TV's longest running local programs; it has been airing from the studios of WVIA for 20 years.

George Thomas is a graduate of Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA earning a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing. He is also a graduate of Ambassador University, Pasadena, CA with a bachelor's degree in Theology and a minor in Computer Science. George achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and currently serves on the board of the region's Boy Scout Council.

His passion for presenting and public speaking goes back to high school when he convinced his principle to let him take the senior public speaking course in his junior year. That passion continued through college and beyond by taking numerous public speaking courses and attending speaker's clubs.

George resides in Alden, PA with his wife Colleen and their two sons, Christopher and Collin. Jack James, his stepson, currently attends college at Luzerne County Community College.

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