Penn State Health June 27 town hall highlights RITE values, diversity, optimization of leadership structure
Steve Massini, Penn State Health CEO, opened the organization’s June 27 virtual town hall town hall with a video featuring a patient who received a liver transplant at Hershey Medical Center in May after the program reactivated in April. Massini said that Christi Sherbert’s experience reflected the health system’s mission and RITE values. “How you treat your staff, how you treat each other… your patients appreciate all these things, and they are what differentiate us as an organization,” he said.
Health system leaders also discussed progress toward organizational goals, diversity and optimization of the leadership structure.
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Massini thanked Joe Clement and James Anderson, two valet employees at Hershey Medical Center who rushed to the aid of an elderly patient using a walker when they saw that he was struggling in the heat to reach his car. “James and Joe delivered on our values of respect, integrity, excellence and teamwork,” he said.
The health system’s RITE values came up later in the town hall, too, as Danielle Iovino, director of Human Resources strategy, announced a new recognition initiative, “Engaging the RITE Way.” Employees can nominate colleagues who live the health system’s values by emailing EmployeeEngagementSurvey@pennstathealth.psu.edu. Those selected will be recognized during future Penn State Health town halls. Mary Ndebele, manager of Hershey Medical Center’s radiology scheduling and authorization teams, was the inaugural “spotlight” employee. She was recognized for always welcoming and valuing input from her team and ensuring that they are connected and supported, even when working remotely.
Health system milestones
Joe Frank, regional hospital president, Lancaster and St. Joseph medical centers, shared highlights of St. Joseph’s 150-year history. “I know I speak on behalf of our board of directors when I say that we are so proud of our entire team at St. Joe’s,” he said. Frank also honored nurse Cathy Thomas, who will celebrate 60 years of caring for patients at the hospital in September.
Other milestones featured during the town hall included the one-year anniversary of Penn State Health Children’s Lancaster Pediatric Center and U.S. News and World Report’s recognition of Penn State Health Children’s Hospital as one of the best in the nation for pediatric cancer care.
Organizational goals and diversity dialogue
David Swift, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, provided an update on Penn State Health’s third-quarter performance toward its four fiscal year 2023 goals, noting, “We have done exceptionally well on our quality and safety.” Patient experience is below target.
Financially, the health system’s third quarter is -4.5% off its operating margin. Leaders continue to focus on market adjustments and steps to maintain market position. Swift also announced that the health system plans to return to merit-based raises in fiscal year 2024.
The final fiscal year goal is to improve employee engagement while continuing the health system’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Lynette Chappell Williams, vice president and chief diversity officer, discussed the history and importance of diversity. She also led an interactive session, using instant polling to get attendees’ perspectives on diversity and with which aspects of it they most strongly identify.
Optimization of leadership structure
Massini ended the presentation portion of the town hall with an overview of the health system’s efforts to optimize its leadership structures to position Penn State Health most favorably for future success. The health system continues to recruit actively for front-line staff.
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