Penn State Health News

Practicing Safety: Mindfulness for Clinicians CME Course
2026-04-14 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-20 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Be in the moment. Care for yourself. Care for your patients. Learn how to use mindfulness to work with stress and provide safer, more effective care while combating harmful implicit biases. Offered in four consecutive weekly 90-minute sessions live online, this is unlike any CME you have experienced before. Earn 6 patient safety CME credits, connect with a community of colleagues, and develop mindfulness as a tool to improve your practice and your well-being.

Kidney Updates 2026
2026-04-21 08:00 - 17:00 | The Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
SAVE THE DATE: Kidney Updates 2026
Details to follow.

Inclusion Academy, Culturally Responsive Care for Patients with Mental Illness and Addiction
2026-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Mental illness and addiction affect individuals across all backgrounds—but cultural understanding can make all the difference in how care is received and outcomes are achieved. Join us for a powerful webinar that explores how culturally responsive care can transform the way we support patients facing mental health and addiction challenges.
What You’ll Learn:

Understand what mental illness is and how it uniquely affects diverse populations.
Recognize common addictions and how to provide culturally responsive care that respects patients’ backgrounds and experiences.
Identify actionable steps to effectively support individuals with mental health and addiction challenges in a culturally sensitive way.

This session is ideal for healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, and community advocates who are committed to equitable, person-centered care.
Register now to be part of this essential conversation!
Let’s work together to break stigma, build trust, and ensure every patient receives the care they deserve.

Inclusion Academy, Experiential Learning: Neurodiversity in Healthcare: Strategies to Better Serve Neurodivergent Individuals
2026-04-29 07:30 - 08:30 | Webinar
Every brain is unique—and so is every patient.
Join us for an enlightening session that explores how embracing neurodiversity can lead to more compassionate, effective, and inclusive care. Learn how to recognize and support the diverse ways people think, communicate, and experience the world.
In this session, we’ll explore:

What neurodiversity means and why it matters in healthcare
The unique needs and strengths of neurodivergent patients
Best practices for delivering inclusive, patient-centered care that respects neurological differences

Whether you’re a provider, caregiver, or team member, this session will help you build stronger, more respectful connections with patients of all neurotypes.
7:30a – Registration
3:30p – Registration
Let’s create a healthcare environment where every mind is valued.

Inclusion Academy, Experiential Learning: Neurodiversity in Healthcare: Strategies to Better Serve Neurodivergent Individuals
2026-04-29 15:30 - 16:30 | Webinar
Every brain is unique—and so is every patient.
Join us for an enlightening session that explores how embracing neurodiversity can lead to more compassionate, effective, and inclusive care. Learn how to recognize and support the diverse ways people think, communicate, and experience the world.
In this session, we’ll explore:

What neurodiversity means and why it matters in healthcare
The unique needs and strengths of neurodivergent patients
Best practices for delivering inclusive, patient-centered care that respects neurological differences

Whether you’re a provider, caregiver, or team member, this session will help you build stronger, more respectful connections with patients of all neurotypes.
Registration
Let’s create a healthcare environment where every mind is valued.

Long-Term Care RISE ECHO Program
2026-05-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
TRAINING FOR NURSING HOME PROFESSIONALS
(CE & NHA CREDITS AVAILABLE)
No-cost Monthly Sessions | 1-2 p.m. EST | Sep. 4, 2025 – May 7, 2026 | 100% Virtual
Are you working in long-term care or assisted living settings and want to:

Increase high-quality care for residents?
Join insightful conversations with experts & peers?
Foster confidence in providing specialized care?

Register Here
Grow Your Skills. Strengthen Your Network. Champion Long-Term Care.
JOIN our innovative, no-cost, virtual program—a monthly series designed to help long-term care facility leaders & staff improve health outcomes for residents—especially those facing age-related care challenges.
Sessions provide an evidence-based approach to increasing high-quality care for residents by bringing together specialists and non-specialists to improve care for residents in the communities where they live.
How It Works

Monthly live Zoom sessions (1–2 p.m. EST)
Rolling registration—sign up once and attend as you’re able
Each session features real participant cases + 15-minute expert “FlashTalks”

This South Central LTC-RISE program is offered in partnership with Project ECHO at Penn State College of Medicine, a trusted model that connects specialists with on-the-ground care teams to share knowledge and build community-based capacity.
Registration is free and open now. Sign up once to access all sessions

Schedule & Curriculum

Session Time 1–2 p.m. EST | ️ Upcoming Dates & Topics

Sep. 4, 2025 – Resident Councils

Oct. 2, 2025 – Family Councils

Nov. 6, 2025 – Advanced Care Planning in Assisted Living & Personal Care

Dec. 4, 2025 – Medication Reconciliation in Personal Care & Assisted Living

Feb. 5, 2026 – Introduction to the 4Ms of Behavioral Health Training from E4

Mar. 5, 2026 – Non-Ageist Approach to Care

Apr. 2, 2026 – Trauma-Informed Care

May 7, 2026 – How to Effectively Collaborate with Ombudsman

Heart & Vascular Institute Cardiovascular Symposium: Cardiovascular Disease from Prevention to Intervention
2026-05-08 07:30 - 16:30 | University Conference Center, 30 Conference Dr., Hershey 17033, 30 Conference Drive, Hershey, 17033
Save the date for the Heart & Vascular Institute Cardiovascular Symposium: Cardiovascular Disease from Prevention to Intervention, a continuing education service of Penn State College of Medicine taking place Friday, May 8, 2026, as an internet live course and live at the University Conference Center. Details will be announced at a later date.

Inclusion Academy, Experiential Learning: Understanding the Impact of Social Determinants on Healthcare Access and Patient Outcomes
2026-05-19 07:30 - 08:30 | Webinar
Health doesn’t begin in the exam room—it begins in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities.
Join us for a powerful session that explores how Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)—like housing, education, income, and environment—shape patient experiences and outcomes. Learn how to recognize these factors and use them to drive more equitable, effective care.
In this session, we’ll explore:

The critical role of Social Determinants of Health in shaping patient outcomes
Respectful and effective ways to collect SDOH data from patients
Practical strategies to apply SDOH insights and improve care delivery and health equity

Whether you’re on the front lines or behind the scenes, this session will help you see the full picture of patient care—and take action to close the gaps.
7:30a – Registration
3:30p – Registration
Let’s move beyond symptoms and treat the whole story.

Inclusion Academy, Experiential Learning: Understanding the Impact of Social Determinants on Healthcare Access and Patient Outcomes
2026-05-19 15:30 - 16:30 | Webinar
Health doesn’t begin in the exam room—it begins in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities.
Join us for a powerful session that explores how Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)—like housing, education, income, and environment—shape patient experiences and outcomes. Learn how to recognize these factors and use them to drive more equitable, effective care.
In this session, we’ll explore:

The critical role of Social Determinants of Health in shaping patient outcomes
Respectful and effective ways to collect SDOH data from patients
Practical strategies to apply SDOH insights and improve care delivery and health equity

Whether you’re on the front lines or behind the scenes, this session will help you see the full picture of patient care—and take action to close the gaps.
Registration
Let’s move beyond symptoms and treat the whole story.

Inclusion Academy, Experiential Learning: The Upstander Approach: Combating Unconscious Bias in Patient Care
2026-06-09 07:30 - 08:30 | Webinar
Bias can be silent—but its impact is loud.
Join us for a powerful session on how to recognize and interrupt unconscious bias in healthcare using the Upstander Framework—a practical, action-oriented approach to creating more inclusive and equitable care environments.
In this session, we’ll explore:

What the Upstander Framework is and why it matters in healthcare
How to apply it in real-world situations to address bias and promote respect
Best practices for using Upstander principles in both professional and everyday settings

Whether you’re a clinician, staff member, or advocate for equity, this session will equip you with the tools to speak up, stand strong, and support a culture of inclusion.
7:30a – Registration
3:30p – Registration
Be the voice that makes a difference. Be an Upstander.
**This session will be recorded, and participation constitutes consent to be recorded.

14th Annual Central PA Sports Medicine Symposium
2026-06-09 07:30 - 16:30 | University Conference Center, 30 Conference Dr., Hershey 17033, 30 Conference Drive, Hershey, 17033
Save the date for the 14th Annual Central PA Sports Medicine Symposium, a continuing education service of Penn State College of Medicine taking place Tuesday, June 9, 2026, as an internet live course and live at the University Conference Center. Details will be announced at a later date.

Inclusion Academy, Experiential Learning: The Upstander Approach. Combating Unconscious Bias in Patient Care
2026-06-09 15:30 - 16:30 | Webinar
Bias can be silent—but its impact is loud.
Join us for a powerful session on how to recognize and interrupt unconscious bias in healthcare using the Upstander Framework—a practical, action-oriented approach to creating more inclusive and equitable care environments.
In this session, we’ll explore:

What the Upstander Framework is and why it matters in healthcare
How to apply it in real-world situations to address bias and promote respect
Best practices for using Upstander principles in both professional and everyday settings

Whether you’re a clinician, staff member, or advocate for equity, this session will equip you with the tools to speak up, stand strong, and support a culture of inclusion.
Registration
Be the voice that makes a difference. Be an Upstander.
**This session will be recorded, and participation constitutes consent to be recorded.

Penn State Health Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) Day 2026
2026-06-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Hershey Country Club, 1000 E. Derry Road, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
SAVE THE DATE: Penn State Health Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) Day will be June 11, 2026.

30th Pennsylvania Immunization Conference
2026-06-18 08:00 - 17:00 | Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive Hershey, PA 17033, 325 University Drive, Hershey, 17033
SAVE THE DATE: Save the date for the 30th Pennsylvania Immunization Conference, a continuing education service of Penn State College of Medicine taking place Thursday, June 18, 2026, as an internet live course and live at the Hershey Lodge.
Details will be announced at a later date.

Clinical Oncologist Update: Highlights of the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) Meeting
2026-08-14 07:30 - 16:30 | Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive Hershey, PA 17033, 325 University Drive, Hershey, 17033
Save the date for Clinical Oncologist Update: Highlights of the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) Meeting, a continuing education service of Penn State College of Medicine, taking place Friday, August 14, 2026, as a live event at the Hershey Lodge.
More details will be announced at a later date.

30th Annual Challenges in Critical Care: A Multidisciplinary Approach
2026-08-14 07:30 - 17:00 | The Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
Save the date for the 30th Annual Challenges in Critical Care: A Multidisciplinary Approach, a continuing education service of Penn State College of Medicine taking place Friday, August 14, 2026, at The Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Rd., Hershey, PA. Details will be announced at a later date.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Summit 2026
2026-10-09 07:30 - 17:00 | Hershey Country Club, 1000 E. Derry Road, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
SAVE THE DATE: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Symposium.
Educate local and regional investigators and specialty providers about IBD-related research being undertaken at Penn State College of Medicine and facilitate scientific collaborations relating to IBD among basic, translational and clinical researchers.
Details will be announced at a later date.
