Penn State Health News

Mothers Circle
2026-05-13 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-06 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Donate Gently Used Books for the United Way Book Sale
2026-05-13, 2026-05-12, 2026-05-11, 2026-05-10, 2026-05-09, 2026-05-08, 2026-05-07, 2026-05-06 and 3 more dates | Room H1233F/H1233G (Dining Room A/B), 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
Please Donate Gently Used Books for the United Way Book Sale
Book Drop Off Locations
Harrell Library (South Entrance)
COM Ground Floor CG721
100 & 200 Crystal A Lobby
30 Hope Dr, Building B entrance
Donations accepted until 5/29/2026

SurviveWELL
2026-05-12 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-05 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers patients and loved ones the SurviveWELL program.
What does it mean to be “well”? 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.
SurviveWELL consists of weekly one-hour sessions over the course of six months. All sessions are conducted virtually via Zoom, which supports joining wherever participants are able to access the internet. The program strives to support patients in greater health and wellness during the active phase of treatment for cancer and beyond. Each session is facilitated by professional(s) with expertise in wellness coaching, nutrition, yoga, mindfulness and energy work | qigong, respectively. Participants are encouraged to invite a wellness partner to join them for each of the sessions.
SurviveWELL is held every Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., offered in 6-month sessions each year: January-June and July-December. Feel welcome to begin or join at any time.
For more information or to register for an upcoming session, please call the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 4). Alternatively, questions can be emailed to Dawn Shawley, CARE Center Program Manager, at dshawley@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
SurviveWELL Zoom Meeting Invite:
https://psu.zoom.us/j/93409694519?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 934 0969 4519
Password: [REDACTED]

Grief Services Support Group
2026-05-11 10:30 - 11:30 | Zoom
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 or to register for an upcoming session, please call the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 4). Alternatively, questions can be emailed to Dawn Shawley, CARE Center Program Manager, at dshawley@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

One Health Event: PSU, Pets, and People
2026-05-09 12:00 - 16:00 | PA
Come see us to receive free preventative screening tests, such as Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar, free of charge. No insurance required.

Cancer Community Mindfulness Practice
2026-05-08 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.
For more information or to register for an upcoming session, please call the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 4). Alternatively, questions can be emailed to Dawn Shawley, CARE Center Program Manager, at dshawley@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting password is [REDACTED].

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.

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

Symposium on Reproductive Health and Aging
2026-05-07 09:00 - 17:00 | The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College, PA, 215 Innovation Boulevard, State College, PA, 16803, United States
The Huck Center for Reproductive Biology and Health and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Endocrinology and Infertility, are offering a joint symposium focused on Reproductive Health and Aging. This symposium explores how reproductive processes and aging shape one another from early gametogenesis to puberty and fertility changes during pregnancy and beyond.

Through interdisciplinary talks and poster presentations, experts will examine the roles of hormones, gonadal function, and other diseases in shaping reproductive trajectories and healthy aging. Sessions will translate emerging research humans and animal models into practical strategies for clinical care, public health, and patient education. Attendees will leave with a clearer framework for anticipating age-related reproductive transitions and improving reproductive health.
Event Details and Registration

Bereavement Support Group
2026-05-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, 2500 Bernville Road, Reading, PA, 19605, United States
The Bereavement Support Group is for anyone experiencing grief due to the death of a loved one. The support group will assist you in understanding how to cope with grief and how to begin turning your mourning into cherished memories of your loved one.
Dates and Topics

May 6 – Telling the Story/Setting the Context
May 13 – About Grief
May 20 – Feelings and Grief
May 27 – Stress and Grief
June 3 – Finding Meaning in Loss
June 10 – Holiday Coping
June 17 – Rituals and Grief

Registration
Please register by calling the Spiritual Care Office, Penn State Health St. Joseph – 610-378-2297, and leave your name and phone number. If you have questions, ask for Sr. Rose Dvorak, staff chaplain.

Catholic Mass
2026-05-06 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.

Mental Health Awareness Month
2026-05-06 11:30 - 13:00 | BMR breezeway
May is designated as Mental Health Awareness month. The Office for Professional Mental Health is hosting a wellness event to recognize and emphasize the importance of mental health.

Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center Walk in Wednesday
2026-05-06 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

Breastfeeding Basics Class
2026-05-05 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.

Promotion and Tenure Dossier Preparation Workshop for Faculty Members
2026-05-05 17:00 - 18:30 | Zoom
P&T Dossier Preparation Workshop for Faculty Members
Presented by:
John Boehmer, M.D.
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, College of Medicine
Who Should Attend? All faculty members who may be undergoing promotion and/or tenure reviews in AY 2026-27 are strongly encouraged to attend to ensure their dossiers are complete and meet current requirements. This annual workshop provides an overview of dossier preparation for both tenure-line and non-tenure line faculty members.
Presented virtually on PSU Zoom:
https://psu.zoom.us/j/93442131876?pwd=[REDACTED]
Password: [REDACTED]

Embark with CARE | Weekly Chair Yoga sessions
2026-05-04 12:00 - 12:30 | Zoom
Embark with CARE – Weekly Chair Yoga sessions
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers cancer patients and their loved ones to weekly 30-minute chair yoga sessions held virtually via Zoom. Each session provides a welcoming atmosphere and awareness-based movement to ease potential side effects of cancer treatment and support whole-person wellbeing. No prior experience or personal practice is required.
For more information or to register for an upcoming session, please call the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 4). Alternatively, questions can be emailed to Dawn Shawley, CARE Center Program Manager, at dshawley@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Embark with CARE | Zoom link to join: https://psu.zoom.us/j/94641681690?pwd=[REDACTED]

Loved Ones Support Group
2026-05-04 10:30 - 11:30 | Zoom
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 from 10:30AM to 11:30AM.
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.

Weekend Childbirth Preparation
2026-05-02 09:00 - 16:00 | Auditorium – Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, 503 N. 21st St., Camp Hill, PA, 17011, United States
This all day class covers phases/stages of labor and delivery, comfort measures and breathing techniques to use during labor, pain medication options and what to expect postpartum. It is best if taken in the last 4 months of pregnancy. For registration information, call 717-981-8238 or e-mail hmoretz@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
