In Brief – Nov. 28, 2018

Announcements

Giving Thanks

Penn State Health senior leaders, managers and employees served approximately 2,500 free Thanksgiving meals to on-duty staff, faculty, patients and families on Nov. 21 and 22 in the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s Rotunda Café. The volunteers and food service workers served turkey and all the trimmings to those who couldn’t be at home for the holiday.

Heart and Vascular Institute Honored

Becker’s Healthcare named Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to its 2018 list of the “100 hospitals and health systems with great heart programs.” The Heart and Vascular Institute offers the only heart transplant center in south central Pennsylvania. U.S. News & World Report recognized it as high performing in cardiology and heart surgery in 2017-18. The Joint Commission awarded the institute advanced certification for heart failure and left ventricle assist device destination therapy for patients with advanced heart failure. Aetna Institute of Quality for Cardiac Medical Intervention and Cardiac Surgery also recognized it for rhythm disease diagnosis and treatment.

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine has lit the iconic Crescent purple Nov. 24- 29 in honor of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. The best protection against pancreatic cancer is a healthy lifestyle. Don’t smoke or abuse alcohol, maintain a proper weight, eat a healthy diet and stay physically active. Learn more at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. 

People

Smart Talk

Dr. Jarrett Sell, a family medicine physician at Penn State Health, discussed advances in HIV treatment and HIV prevention methods on WITF-FM 89.5’s “Smart Talk” on Nov. 26. Listen to the program on the WITF website. World AIDS Day, which raises awareness of the fight against the disease, is Saturday, Dec. 1.

PTO/Vacation Donation

Jill Gingrich of the Penn State Health Revenue Cycle Department has been approved for the primary Paid Time off (PTO)/Vacation Donation Program. Employees interested in donating their primary PTO hours may do so by going to mySolutions, search “PTO Donation” (log-in may be required) and submit the request electronically.

Upcoming Events 

Good Day PA!

“Good Day PA!” on abc27 will feature Penn State Health providers in two episodes this week. Dr. Brad Zacharia, a neurosurgeon at Penn State Neuroscience Institute, will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors:

• Thursday, Nov. 29
• 10-10:40 a.m.

Viewers can submit questions to abc27.com/BrainTumorsChat and participate in a webchat from 10 to 11 a.m.

Mid Penn Bank will present a donation in support of prostate cancer research to Dr. Jay Raman, chief of the Division of Urology:

• Friday, Nov. 30
• 10-10:40 a.m.

Dr. Ann Rogers, director of the Penn State Surgical Weight Loss program, will answer questions about weight loss surgery during a live abc27 webchat:

• Friday, Nov. 30
• 10-11 a.m.
• abc27.com/chat

Facility Dog Stuffed Animal Sale

The Child Life Program at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital will offer plush facility dog stuffed animals for sale in support of the Child Life Gift Fund:

• Nov. 29 and Dec. 14
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Children’s Hospital – near TreeHouse Café
• Cost: $10 (cash or check only)

Kaia and Becky, Children’s Hospital facility dogs, and their handler teams will be there to thank donors in person. Learn more about the facility dog program. 

Alive @ 25

Hershey Medical Center will offer a free driver’s awareness class for young drivers ages 15 to 21 and their parents:

• Alive @ 25
• Tuesday, Dec. 4
• 6-8 p.m.
• University Conference Center

Designed by the National Safety Council, the course covers defensive driving and strategies to keep safe on the road. Call 717-238-4354 to register.

OB/GYN Grand Rounds

Dr. William Curtin, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and pathology, will discuss “Placental Pathology” at the OB/GYN Grand Rounds:

• Wednesday, Dec. 5
• 4-5 p.m.
• C3621

If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email Penn State Health Marketing & Communications.