Penn State Health News

Employee Flu Vaccination Clinics: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
2025-11-17 07:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Room HG305 (Anteroom) – Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
Oct. 7, 9, 10, 13, 20, 29; Nov. 4, 14, 17
7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hospital Anteroom HG305

Grief Services Support Group
2025-11-17 10:30 - 23:30 | Virtual
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers patients a grief therapy support group.
A cancer diagnosis or death of a loved one from cancer can create feelings of loss and grief as well as unwelcomed changes. You may find new demands are made on your time and energy, and it can be difficult to know where or who to turn to for support. Caring for yourself and those around you can be especially difficult.
This support group offers a form of psychotherapy that brings together individuals with shared experiences, such as being diagnosed or treated for cancer, or coping with cancer-related loss. Group members support one another, share coping strategies, and offer meaningful connection during difficult times.
Click here to join the virtual meeting. Meeting passcode is aBE3Sm. Held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month.
For more information, please contact the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 4). Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Embark with CARE – Introduction to Yoga Therapy
2025-11-17 12:00 - 12:30 | Zoom
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers patients an introduction to yoga therapy through the Embark with CARE program. This group session provides a welcoming space for patients to learn about yoga therapy, ask questions, and explore how it compares to traditional yoga – highlighting both its unique benefits and shared practices. No prior experience or personal practice is required.
For more information or to register for an upcoming session, patients can contact the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 4). Alternatively, inquiries can be directed to Beth Voss via email at bvoss@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Sessions are held virtually via Zoom and last approximately 30 minutes.

CTSI BERD Webinar: An overview of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis techniques
2025-11-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
BERD Webinar, “An overview of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis techniques ”
November 17, 1-2:00 p.m.
The Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD) Recent Topics in Research Methods seminar series is held during the academic year. Lectures on fundamental research methods are given in the fall semester, with more advanced topics presented in the spring semester. Statisticians and methodologists from multiple Penn State departments present these seminars. Presented by: Vonn Walter, PhD.
REGISTER

Live Music in Lobbies Today
2025-11-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Main Entrance Lobby – Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
1-2:30 pm • Main lobby
Kate McCutchan (Piano)

The Strategic Exchange ft. David Quillen in Ophthalmology and Jeff Miller in Dermatology
2025-11-17 17:00 - 18:00 | Room C3621 – Penn State College of Medicine, 700 HMC Crescent Road, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
David Quillen, MD, and Jeff Miller, MD, MBA, will present as part of The Strategic Exchange on Monday, Nov. 17 from 5 to 6 p.m. in Room C3621 and also available on Microsoft Teams: Meeting ID: 210 424 767 950; Passcode: [REDACTED]
Quillen is chair of the Department of Ophthalmology. Miller is chair of the Department of Dermatology.
The Strategic Exchange is presented by the Dean’s Office and College of Medicine leadership. Learn more and stay up to date on upcoming presentations here.

Inclusion Academy, Experiential Learning: Why Your ZIP Code Matters. Exploring the Link Between Place, Poverty, and Health
2025-11-18 07:30 | Webinar
Where you live shouldn’t determine how well you live—but too often, it does.
Join us for a powerful session that explores how geography, income, and access intersect to shape health outcomes. Learn how to recognize and respond to these disparities with empathy and cultural awareness.
In this session, we’ll explore:

The powerful link between ZIP codes, poverty, and health outcomes
How socioeconomic disparities impact access to and quality of care
Respectful, culturally sensitive strategies to support patients from all backgrounds

This is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action for equity in healthcare and beyond.
Register now: 7:30a – Registration link, 3:30p – Registration link
Let’s work together to close the gap in healthcare access and outcomes—one ZIP code at a time.

Penn State Health Life Lion Virtual Hiring Event
2025-11-18 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Join Penn State Health Life Lion, a nationally recognized leader in emergency medical services, for a virtual hiring event and explore career opportunities with a team known for lifesaving expertise, innovation and community impact.
On-the-spot interviews available for:

EMTs and Advanced EMTs
Flight Nurses
Paramedics

Positions are available in Reading, Hershey, Camp Hill, Enola and Lancaster.
*Sign-on bonuses available.
REGISTER NOW

LION Mobile Clinic at the Bellefonte Senior Center
2025-11-18 09:30 - 10:30 | 110 North Spring Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823, 110 North Spring Street, Bellefonte, 16823
Free flu shot clinics for ages 3+. No insurance required.
Free Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar checks. No insurance required.

Live Music in Lobbies Today
2025-11-18 11:30 - 13:00 | University Physicians Center (UPC) Lobby, 200 Campus Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
11:30 am – 1 pm • UPC lobby
Dani Fiore (Percussion)

CDI Lunch and Learn - “Arthritis Central: How to diagnose, document and deliver UNDER 20 minutes”
2025-11-18 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for the next topic in the CDI Lunch & Learn Series, “Arthritis Central: How to diagnose, document and deliver UNDER 20 minutes” presented by Dr Shirley Albano-Aluquin
Teams Meeting ID: 225 765 283 976
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Learning Objectives – participants will be able to:

To demonstrate how to ask the tactical questions that will distinguish osteoarthritis from inflammatory arthritis – PMR, rheumatoid, spondylarthritis or crystal arthritis or SLE

To list and practice the complete MSK exam and order the right tests
To enumerate the 3 major medications that will deliver RELIEF – NSAIDs, SAIDs and neuromodulators

Target audience: Adult
CME credit offered.
This activity has been approved for 1 nursing continuing professional development hour. Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the America Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Getting Started with the IRB Training
2025-11-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Description:
This training will provide a high-level overview of working with the IRB at Penn State. We will cover IRB structure, general information about Penn State IRB, and useful information about the CATS IRB system. We will also discuss how to prepare and submit materials via CATS IRB, the web-based application system for IRB submission.
Note: This training DOES NOT count toward SARI credit.
Registration:
To register in Penn State’s Learning Resource Network (LRN):

Click the LRN Registration Link.
Click Request.

College of Medicine and Penn State Health: LRN Registration Instructions
Attempting to log in to the LRN using a browser where you are already logged in to a Penn State Health website or system will result in an error message. Use the following instructions to register:

Open an incognito window in your current browser.

Chrome: select the Menu (three vertical dots) in the upper right corner and select New Incognito Window.
Microsoft Edge: select the More Actions menu (three dots) in the upper right and choose New InPrivate Window.
Firefox: select the Menu (three vertical lines) in the upper right corner and select New Private Window.

Copy the LRN registration link from the Registration section above.
Paste the link in the incognito browser’s address bar.
Log in with your Penn State email address (abc123@psu.edu) and password, not your Penn State Health credentials.

SurviveWELL
2025-11-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers patients the SurviveWELL program.
What does it mean to be “well”? And how might we treat ourselves “well” even when we are ill or having a “bad day”? SurviveWELL – this program, the community of participants, the practices, and the monthly themes – are offered in support of treating ourselves well. Doing so on a regular basis represents important acts of kindness for one’s self in service of self-care.
Program Overview
SurviveWELL consists of four sessions – one per week – each month over the course of six months. All sessions are being conducted virtually via Zoom, which supports joining where ever participants are able to access the internet. The weekly sessions greater health and wellness. The program strives to support patients during the active phase treatment for cancer and beyond. Each session is facilitated by professional(s) with expertise in nutrition, yoga, mindfulness and energy work | quigong, respectively. Participants are encouraged to invite a wellness partner to join them for each of the sessions.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting password is [REDACTED].
Registration
SurviveWell is held every Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., offered in two sessions each year: January-June and July-December. Register prior to beginning the program by contacting the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 4). Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Inclusion Academy, Experiential Learning: Why Your ZIP Code Matters. Exploring the Link Between Place, Poverty, and Health
2025-11-18 15:30 - 16:30 | Webinar
Where you live shouldn’t determine how well you live—but too often, it does.
Join us for a powerful session that explores how geography, income, and access intersect to shape health outcomes. Learn how to recognize and respond to these disparities with empathy and cultural awareness.
In this session, we’ll explore:

The powerful link between ZIP codes, poverty, and health outcomes
How socioeconomic disparities impact access to and quality of care
Respectful, culturally sensitive strategies to support patients from all backgrounds

This is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action for equity in healthcare and beyond.
Register now: Registration link
Let’s work together to close the gap in healthcare access and outcomes—one ZIP code at a time.

Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
2025-11-19 08:00 - 09:00 | Zoom
No-cost, CME-eligible educational program for providers held virtually every other Wednesday, 8-9 a.m. starting Jul. 30 through Dec. 3, 2025. This program offers knowledge, support, & resources to increase the capacity & confidence of primary care providers to effectively practice using MOUD. Together, experts & providers collaborate to discuss patient cases & develop recommendations for care.
Schedule and Curriculum

Session Date
Brief Lecture Topic
Flash Talk Presenter

Jul. 30, 2025
Introduction to MOUD
Sarah Kawasaki, MD

Aug. 13, 2025
Brief Interventions in the Clinical Setting
Stephen Sandelich, MD

Aug. 27, 2025
Risk Reduction & Safe Use of Opioids
Sarah Kawasaki, MD

Sep 10. 2025
OUD & HIV Prevention
Jonathan Nunez, MD

Sep. 24, 2025
Adolescents with OUD/ACEs
Corey McBrayer, DO, MPH

Oct. 8, 2025
Pregnancy & Postpartum Care
Jaimey Pauli, MD

Oct. 22, 2025
OUD in the ED
Eleanor Dunham, MD

Nov. 5, 2025
Co-Occurring Mental Health
Julie Graziane, MD

Nov. 19, 2025
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing
Salena Culton, MS, CAC-AD, ICAADC

Dec. 3, 2025
Perioperative Management on MOUD
David Giampetro, MD

Live Music in Lobbies Today
2025-11-19 10:00 - 11:30 | Main Entrance Lobby – Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
10 – 11:30 am • Main lobby
Jonathan Frazier (Piano)

Mothers Circle
2025-11-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, 2200 Good Hope Rd, Enola, PA, 17025, United States
All are welcome! Share your journey and connect with other moms and future moms at our weekly support group every Wednesday. Our lactation team will be available to answer your questions and address your concerns regarding any type of feeding. We will be sharing our stories and discussing anything and everything motherhood related.

Office for Professional Mental Health Gratitude event
2025-11-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Room C1746 – Penn State College of Medicine, 700 HMC Crescent Road, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
The Office for Professional Mental Health is sponsoring an event to celebrate “the Attitude of Gratitude” please stop by suite C1746 for a small treat and share your gratitude with us!

Catholic Mass
2025-11-19 12:00 - 12:30 | Di and Dallas Krapf Interfaith Chapel, 500 University Dr, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
Catholic Mass will be held weekly in the interfaith chapel. All are welcome.

TheraPaws: Stress Check-In and Dog Visit at the Harrell Library
2025-11-19 12:00 - 12:45 | Harrell Health Sciences Library, 500 University Drive Room C1618, Hershey, PA, 17033
Please join Chaplain Kelly and Dog-tor Skye from 12pm to 12:45pm inside the Harrell Library’s Tech Sandbox.
This time is available to let go and decompress in a mediated space with colleagues and a furry friend.

Connecting Through Literature: Classic American Short Stories Session 2
2025-11-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Online Discussion – Short Story: “Hills Like White Elephants,” Ernest Hemingway
Description from Wikipedia:
“Hills Like White Elephants” is a short story by Ernest Hemingway. It was first published in August 1927 in the literary magazine transition, then later that year in the short story collection Men Without Women.
The story focuses mainly on a conversation between an American man and a young woman, described as a “girl,” at a Spanish train station while waiting for a train to Madrid. The girl compares the nearby hills to white elephants. The pair indirectly discuss an “operation” that the man wants the girl to have, that was taboo to talk about.
Reading link: https://www.rvclibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/May-Short-Stories.pdf
Register to receive the Zoom link the week of the event. Please add to your own calendar.

The Connecting Through Literature Book Club’s Classic American Short Stories series is a collaboration between the Harrell Health Sciences Library and Department of Humanities. Join in on one, a few, or all of the discussions in the series as suits your time and interest. You do not even need to have read the story beforehand to listen in on the conversation – are welcome.

Contact edonne@pennstatehealth.psu.edu if you would like to receive email updates for all of this year’s discussions.

Learn more here.

Public Health Sciences Education Programs Winter Open House
2025-11-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Academic Support Building (ASB) Room 1101, 90 Hope Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
Feeling anxious about the future of public health? Come join us to learn more about how our education programs in public health sciences are tackling the challenges that we are facing as healthcare providers.
Shape the Future of Health with Penn State Public Health Sciences
At Penn State College of Medicine, our Public Health Sciences Education Programs empower tomorrow’s changemakers to tackle today’s most pressing health challenges. Whether you’re passionate about disease prevention, health equity, data-driven policy, or community wellness, our programs offer the tools, mentorship, and real-world experience to turn your passion into impact.
Located in Hershey, Pennsylvania—home to world-class medical research and a vibrant healthcare community—our programs blend rigorous academics with hands-on learning. Students benefit from close collaboration with faculty who are not only educators but also active researchers, clinicians, and public health leaders. This dynamic environment fosters innovation and prepares graduates to lead in diverse settings—from government agencies and nonprofits to hospitals, research institutions, and global health organizations.
What Sets Us Apart?

Interdisciplinary Approach: Our curriculum integrates epidemiology, biostatistics, health services research, and behavioral health, giving students a comprehensive understanding of public health from multiple angles.
Flexible Learning Paths: Choose from graduate degrees (MPH, MS, PhD), dual-degree options, and certificate programs designed to fit your career goals and schedule.
Real-World Impact: Through internships, practicum experiences, and community-based projects, students apply classroom knowledge to real public health issues—locally and globally.
Research-Driven Education: Penn State is a top-tier research institution, and our students are at the forefront of groundbreaking studies in cancer prevention, health disparities, environmental health, and more.
Supportive Community: Small class sizes, dedicated advisors, and a collaborative culture ensure every student receives personalized guidance and support.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or advancing your career, Penn State’s Public Health Sciences programs provide a launchpad for meaningful work that improves lives. Our graduates go on to become epidemiologists, policy analysts, health educators, researchers, and leaders who shape the future of public health.
Join a Legacy of Excellence. Make a Difference.
Discover how Penn State can help you turn your commitment to health into a career that matters. Explore our programs, connect with faculty, and take the next step toward becoming a public health leader.

Live Music in Lobbies Today
2025-11-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Main Entrance Lobby – Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
10 – 11:30 am • Main lobby
Anthony Haubert (Piano)

Nese Project ECHO: Empowering Rural Primary Care Through Online Collaboration
2025-11-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
NO-COST, CME-ELIGIBLE PROGRAM
Monthly Sessions | 12-1 p.m. EST | Sep. 25, 2025 – Mar. 26, 2026 | 100% Virtual
Are you interested in?

The newest developments in treatments.
Exchanging knowledge with experts and peers.
The role of primary care to treat complex, medical scenarios.

Register Here
Growing a Learning Community to Champion Primary Care Providers.
Attend this innovative, CME-eligible program to learn about trending topics and receive timely information to expand the scope of your primary care practice. Held monthly, this “all teach, all learn” community offers you the opportunity to:

Join a supportive network of primary care providers regardless of your location.
Improve access to information, especially if you are in a low resource area.
Receive expert insight to treat advanced or specialized conditions in your patients.
Explore the role of primary care to treat a variety of medical scenarios.

Connecting Providers Across Communities
Primary care providers in rural and high need communities are experiencing unprecedented barriers in accessing health care resources. In a survey, clinicians identified practical and timely information sharing through a multi-disciplinary network of specialists as an impactful way to uplift primary health care in limited access areas.
SCHEDULE & CURRICULUM

Session Date
Brief Lecture Topic
Flash Talk Presenter

Sep. 25, 2025
Adult ADHD
James Waxmonsky, MD

Oct. 23, 2025
To Be Announced
To Be Announced

Nov. 20, 2025
Concussion
Matt Silvis, MD

Dec. 18, 2025
Genitourinary Syndrome
of Menopause
Cynthia Chuang, MD, MSc

Jan 22, 2026
Assessing Red Eye
Christine Callahan, MD

Feb. 26, 2026
Alcohol Use Disorder
Paul Williams, MD, FACP

Mar. 26, 2026
Psoriasis Treatment
Sara Ferguson, MD

Inclusion Academy, Culturally Responsive Care: Serving Holistically - Caring for Nepalese, Bhutanese, and Refugee Patients
2025-11-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Refugee communities bring with them rich cultural traditions, resilience, and unique healthcare needs. Join us for a meaningful and practical webinar focused on delivering culturally responsive care to Nepalese, Bhutanese and other refugee patients—ensuring dignity, trust and compassion in every interaction.
What You’ll Learn:

Recognize both the differences and shared values in providing culturally responsive care to Nepalese and Bhutanese patients.
Identify effective strategies to foster caring, respectful, and trusting relationships between providers and patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Learn culturally sensitive practices to better serve immigrants and refugees in healthcare settings.

This session is ideal for healthcare professionals, social workers, and community advocates who are committed to inclusive, equitable care for all.
Registration
Let’s work together to ensure every patient feels seen, heard, and valued—no matter where their journey began.
The following credits have been approved for this webinar session:

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ – 1 Credit(s)
PSNA – 1 Credit(s)

If you have any questions or require accommodation for a disability to participate, please email inclusionacademy@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
We look forward to having you attend this event!
Let’s build a more inclusive future—together.

Live Music in PSCI Lobby Today
2025-11-20 13:00 - 14:30 | Penn State Cancer Institute Lobby, 400 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
Shelba Purtle, hand pans
1:00 – 2:00pm, PSCI lobby
Sponsored by the Penn State Cancer Institute

Jonathan Frazier, painter
1:00 – 2:30pm, PSCI lobby
Sponsored by the Penn State Cancer Institute

Condensed Childbirth Preparation
2025-11-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Auditorium – Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, 503 N. 21st St., Camp Hill, PA, 17011, United States
This one-evening, two-hour class is a condensed version of our weekend childbirth preparation class, focusing on comfort measures and breathing techniques for labor. It can also be taken as a refresher class if you’ve given birth before. Class runs from 6-8 p.m.

Update in Advanced Heart Failure Therapies: A Multidisciplinary Approach
2025-11-21 07:30 - 17:00 | University Conference Center, 30 Conference Dr., Hershey 17033, 30 Conference Drive, Hershey, 17033
Registration is now open for the Update in Advanced Heart Failure Therapies: A Multidisciplinary Approach, a continuing education service of Penn State College of Medicine taking place Friday, November 21, 2025, as an internet live course and live at the University Conference Center.
This conference is designed to provide an in-depth exploration of the latest advancements and strategies in the management of advanced heart failure. This conference aims to address the evolving challenges faced by healthcare professionals in diagnosing, treating, and managing complex heart failure cases, incorporating both innovative therapeutic approaches and practical management strategies.
View details and register here.

Cancer Community Mindfulness Practice
2025-11-21 13:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers a cancer community mindfulness practice.
This program is open to everyone – no prior experience or personal mindfulness practice is required. Sessions are offered free of charge and take place every Friday afternoon virtually from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting password is [REDACTED].

Donate life. Donate blood.
2025-11-24 09:00 - 18:00 | University Conference Center, 30 Conference Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
Your friends and neighbors need your help. Every day, health care workers race to provide care to accident victims, surgical patients and those needing regular transfusions. That care starts with you and your donation.
Schedule your appointment today
Appointments are strongly recommended to ensure a smooth experience.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Sponsor Code: PS Hershey to view available appointments or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
Save time by completing your pre-donation reading and health history online at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass
Please remember to bring a photo ID to your blood drive appointment
Snacks and refreshments are provided

How to prepare for your appointment
View additional dates and times
Questions? Contact Sean Erony at 717-531-8232.
