Penn State Health News

Donate life. Donate blood.
2025-11-24 09:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Loved Ones Support Group
2025-11-24 10:30 - 11:30 | Virtual
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers a Loved Ones Support Group for those supporting someone with cancer.
This support group provides a therapeutic space for adult caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals undergoing cancer treatment. 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 2nd and 4th 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.

Getting Started with the IRB Training
2025-11-24 14:00 - 15:00 | 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.

Live Music in Lobbies Today
2025-11-25 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
Frances Drost (Piano)

SurviveWELL
2025-11-25 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-02 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.

Mothers Circle
2025-11-26 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-03 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.

Live Music in Lobbies Today
2025-11-26 11:30 - 13:00 | Main Entrance Lobby – Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
11:30 am – 1 pm • Main lobby
Michael Marini (Piano)

Catholic Mass
2025-11-26 12:00 - 12:30, 2025-12-03 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.

Embark with CARE – Introduction to Yoga Therapy
2025-11-26 16:00 - 16:30, 2025-12-01 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.

Cancer Community Mindfulness Practice
2025-11-28 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].

LION Mobile Clinic at the Active Adult Senior Center
2025-12-01 09:00 - 12:00 | 2901 E College Ave Suite #990, State College, PA 16801, 2901 E College Ave Suite 990, State College, 16801
Free health screenings and flu shots! No appointment required.

Live Music in Lobbies Today
2025-12-01 10:00 - 11:30 | University Physicians Center (UPC) Lobby, 200 Campus Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
10 -11:30 am • UPC lobby
Seasons (Harp and Violin)

Grief Services Support Group
2025-12-01 10:30 - 11:30 | 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.

CATS IACUC Submission Training
2025-12-01 14:30 - 15:30 | Webconference
Description:
The CATS IACUC Submission training gives an overview of how to create and submit a protocol to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for review. Participants will learn the basic steps to create and submit an animal protocol, and how to communicate and follow-up with IACUC staff regarding submissions.
Note: This training is strictly regarding the CATS IACUC software and does not count towards 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.

Live Music in Lobbies Today
2025-12-02 13:00 - 14:30 | University Physicians Center (UPC) Lobby, 200 Campus Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
1 – 2:30 pm • UPC lobby
Shelba Purtle (Hand Pans)

Breastfeeding Basics Class
2025-12-02 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 class covers basic techniques for positioning and latch, how to assess a good feeding, mechanics of producing milk, pumping and storage of breastmilk, and available resources. For registration information, call 717-981-8238 or e-mail hmoretz@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
2025-12-03 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

Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center Walk in Wednesday
2025-12-03 08:00 - 12:00 | Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, 2500 Bernville Road, Reading, PA, 19605, United States
On-the-spot interviews – Connect with recruiters and hiring managers and learn more about Penn State Health
First Wednesday of the Month
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Critical open roles for our health system are:

Nursing
Respiratory Care
Lab
Pharmacy
Imaging/Radiology
Behavioral Health
Surgical

Register Now
For more information, contact:
Erin McCaw
emccaw@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
610-378-2310

Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center Walk-In Wednesday Hiring Event
2025-12-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, 503 N. 21st St., Camp Hill, PA, 17011, United States
On-the-spot interviews – Connect with recruiters and hiring managers and learn more about Penn State Health
First Wednesday of the Month
9:00 am – noon
Critical open roles for our health system are:

Nursing
Respiratory Care
Lab
Pharmacy
Imaging/Radiology
Behavioral Health
Surgical

Register now >
For more information, contact:
Samantha Leiss
sleiss@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Live Music in PSCI Lobby Today
2025-12-03 10:00 - 14:30 | Penn State Cancer Institute Lobby, 400 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
Julie Nevel, keyboard
10:00 – 11:30am, PSCI lobby
Sponsored by the Penn State Cancer Institute

Carrie Feidt, painter
10:00 – 11:30am, PSCI lobby
Sponsored by the Penn State Cancer Institute

Seasons, harp and violin
1:00pm – 2:30pm, PSCI lobby
Sponsored by the Penn State Cancer Institute

CTSI TSS Webinar: Trends and Cost of Telehealth Use Among Mental Health Patients
2025-12-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM / December 3, 2025

The Translational Science Seminar (TSS) Series is held monthly. Each month, speakers present practical information related to clinical and translational topics, with the goal to expose participants to contemporary issues and tools that can accelerate the translation of research to benefit human health. This session is presented by Poonam Bai, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the College of Medicine; and Emily Brignone, PhD, from Highmark Health.
Register here.

Live Music in Lobbies Today
2025-12-03 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
Julie Nevel (Piano)

Live Music in Lobbies Today
2025-12-04 10:30 - 12:00 | University Physicians Center (UPC) Lobby, 200 Campus Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
10:30 am – 12 pm • UPC lobby
Mark Wesling (Guitar)

Long-Term Care RISE ECHO Program
2025-12-04 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

Upstander Café - Microaggression & Unconscious Bias
2025-12-05 07:30 - 08:30 | Webinar
This session is organized by the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and will focus on Microaggression and Unconscious Bias Education.
Learn how to stand up to microaggressions and bias and create a more welcoming workplace at Penn State Health. Sessions are held virtually on the first Friday of the month, from 7:00-8:00 am.
Register here
**This session will NOT be recorded.
If you have any questions or require accommodation for a disability to participate, please email diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Upstander Cafe, Social Justice: The Link Between Organizational Culture, Individuals’ Culture, and Well-Being: Reducing Stress, Distress, and Anxiety at Work
2025-12-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Let’s Talk Culture, Wellness, and the Workplace
Join the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for an insightful and interactive session where we’ll explore how organizational culture and individual identities shape our well-being at work. You’ll also get to practice your Upstander Skills—tools that empower you to support others and foster a healthier, more inclusive environment.
This session’s focus: The Link Between Organizational Culture, Individual Culture, and Well-Being
Reducing Stress, Distress, and Anxiety at Work
This is more than a conversation—it’s a step toward a more supportive, inclusive, and mentally healthy workplace.
Register now
