New Jersey and Pennsylvania are among the top 10 states in the U.S. with the most reported cases of Lyme disease, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of a deer tick. In its early stages, the disease can be cured with oral antibiotics. When left untreated, serious complications such as arthritis, neurological disease and cardiac disease can occur.

To meet the region’s growing need for Lyme disease care, St. Francis Medical Center recently opened a Lyme Disease Center in Hamilton. Led by experienced infectious disease specialist Dr. Richard Porwancher, the center can diagnose and treat adults and children at all stages of Lyme disease.

"Lyme disease can be hard to diagnose, and blood tests aren’t always reliable at the earliest stages,” said Dr. Porwancher, who served as the chief of Infectious Diseases at St. Francis Medical Center for 25 years.“This is why it’s important to consult with a physician who has experience in caring for patients with Lyme disease. This is especially true when the disease has reached more advanced stages, when it can be particularly challenging to treat and when it can cause many serious complications.” 

Dr. Porwancher has published multiple articles about Lyme disease in peer-reviewed medical journals and was the recipient of two grants awarded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health to study new methods for Lyme disease diagnosis. He has also collaborated on Lyme disease research with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Public Health Service.

The St. Francis Lyme Disease Center is located at 1225 Whitehorse Mercerville Road in Hamilton. For more information or to make an appointment, call 609-581-6060.