Weekly Updates: Week of April 5
COVID news
College of Medicine updates meeting, training, gathering guidelines
Penn State College of Medicine has updated its meeting guidelines to allow small group meetings when necessary. Meetings, training events and gatherings should still be held virtually when possible.
The updated guidelines, which apply only to the College of Medicine, state that:
- Small group meetings are permitted in the College, but attendees need to adhere to masking, distancing and room occupancy restrictions posted on the door.
- The number of attendees will depend on the size of the room, taking into account proper social distancing. Meetings or events with more than 25 people remain suspended.
- The length of meetings should be minimized, and attendees should be given the option to attend virtually.
- Food and drink are not permitted in any College of Medicine meetings, events, lecture halls or conference rooms.
Penn State College of Medicine Pandemic Response Friday Round-Up – week of March 29-April 2
College of Medicine leaders updated faculty, staff and students on April 2 about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Individuals who are unvaccinated are urged to consider scheduling an appointment for their COVID vaccine.
- Graduating students will be required to complete rapid COVID PCR testing the week of May 10 prior to graduation. Stay tuned for more information.
- As we approach the season of celebration for graduates, remember that any University-funded event or gathering (on-campus or off-campus) needs to adhere to University policy, which states 15% capacity for indoor events and 25% for outdoor events.
Research
Clinical trial completion rates decline during COVID-19 pandemic
A new study by Penn State College of Medicine researchers showed that clinical trial completion rates were down worldwide in 2020. They reported that studies sponsored by pharmaceutical, biotechnology and therapeutic companies were more likely to complete enrollment than those sponsored by government, academic or medical entities.
The Department of Public Health Sciences research team analyzed data from more than 117,000 trials in the United States, Europe, Asia and other regions. They also found that 11% of the trials submitted between April and October 2020 were pandemic-related.
“Clinical research response to the pandemic has been robust,” said Arthur Berg, associate professor of public health sciences and Penn State Cancer Institute researcher. “But the impact of the pandemic on other types of clinical trials will be felt for decades to come.”
College of Medicine faculty receive grants for cancer, addiction, community health research
Penn State College of Medicine researchers secured more than $15.3 million in grant funding from 110 awards during the months of October, November and December 2020. They will use the funds to study the role of genetics in causing disease, further develop a child abuse online learning program and increase influenza vaccination in Hispanic communities.
Read more about these studies.
Researchers reflect on 50 years of women in science at College of Medicine symposium
Faculty, staff and students gathered for the virtual, day-long event “A Celebration of Women in Science” on March 12 to hear about the contributions of women in biomedical sciences during the past 50 years at Penn State College of Medicine and Hershey Medical Center.
The day touched on research accomplishments and discussions about the importance of mentors. Women who were pioneers in their fields and faculty and researchers at the College of Medicine and Hershey Medical Center also shared their professional journeys.
“From the very beginning of our College of Medicine, women scientists, physicians, trainees, students, technicians, administrative staff and nurses have made exceptional contributions to all of our missions — research, teaching, innovation, patient care and community outreach,” said Dr. Leslie Parent, vice dean for research and graduate studies at the College of Medicine.
People
Jones-Lapp named Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center interim chief nursing officer
Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center has named Jennifer Jones-Lapp interim chief nursing officer, succeeding Sharon Strohecker, who stepped down April 2. She is responsible for oversight of all nursing activities and clinical operations.
Since 2017, Jones-Lapp has served as St. Joseph’s director of inpatient services, leading multiple initiatives to improve patient and staff experience, including the creation of policy, procedures and staff education to ensure patient and staff safety during the pandemic. Prior to joining the hospital, she was director of critical care and emergency services for WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon.
An Advanced Board Certified Nurse Executive, Jones-Lapp is enrolled in a doctorate of nursing program in health care systems leadership with Chamberlain College of Nursing.
College of Medicine employees mark work milestones
Congratulations to College of Medicine employees who celebrated a milestone work anniversary in April:
30 Years of Service
- Debbie Firestine, Family and Community Medicine
25 Years of Service
- Celeste Stalk-Ortenzio, Family and Community Medicine
15 Years of Service
- Cesar Aliaga, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Employees are recognized for their time at the College of Medicine, and recognition is given in five-year increments starting on their 10th year. For questions about work anniversary dates, contact HR Shared Services at 814-865-1473 or submit an inquiry via worklion.psu.edu.
Employees honored for work milestones
Congratulations to Penn State Health employees who are celebrating a milestone work anniversary between March 31 and April 6. They put our values into action every day.
Events
Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute plans seminar April 13
Francesca Chiaromonte, director of the Genome Sciences Institute at the College of Medicine, will present “How Functional Data Analysis Contributes to Biomedical Research: The Genetics of Childhood Obesity and the Unfolding of COVID-19 in Italy” Tuesday, April 13, from 4 to 5 p.m. Register here.
The event is part of Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Research Methods Seminar Series.
Diversity at work: explore three events April 15
Learn more about diversity, inclusion and leadership in the workplace during three virtual events on Thursday, April 15:
“Unconscious Bias and Its Relation to Health Disparities”
- 7:30-8:30 a.m.
- Speaker: Dr. Avery Ince, vice president in medical affairs at Janssen North America, a pharmaceutical company of Johnson & Johnson
- Participants can receive one AMA PRA Category 1 Credit or one PSNA credit. Claim the credit commensurate with the extent of your participation in the session.
- Presented by: Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Sign up here.
“Create a Seat, Build Your Own Table or Both: Leadership and Negotiation in 2021 and Beyond”
- 11 a.m.-noon
- Speaker: Chriscelyn Tussey, a forensic and clinical neuropsychologist at New York University
- Presented by: Group on Women in Medicine and Science, Penn State Health and College of Medicine chapter
- Sign up
“Implicit Bias, Privilege and Microagressions: How to Recognize, Minimize and Counter Their Effects”
- 4-5 p.m.
- Speaker: Pamela Hays, an author and speaker who holds a PhD in clinical psychology
- Presented by: Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Sign up here.
For questions or to request accommodation of a disability to participate, email Penn State Health’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Webinar: “Enhanced Models of Translating Research to Policymakers” April 15
Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute presents “Enhanced Models of Translating Research to Policymakers” webinar on Thursday, April 15, from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required.
St. Joseph offers registrations for Women2Women virtual conference April 22
Women2Women will take virtual participation in its 10th Annual Conference and Expo, Thursday, April 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., to the next level with registrants creating a personalized avatar within Degy World, an immersive virtual experience.
Using their avatar, they will explore the interactive community, walk from booth to booth, choose their breakout conference rooms, network and more. Get details here.
As a founding sponsor of Women2Women, Penn State Health St. Joseph has a limited number of free event registrations available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Julia Nickey, regional director of marketing and communications, if you’d like to attend.
Day of Understanding offers opportunity to create culture of belonging April 28
Learn where diversity and inclusion efforts must focus to create a more welcoming workplace at Penn State Health during the third annual CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion: Day of Understanding on Wednesday, April 28. The day will feature a variety of speakers and activities:
- 8-9 a.m.: Diversity and Inclusion in a Post-COVID World: Where We Have Been and Where We Need to Go
Register. - 10-11 a.m.: The Doctors Kienle Center for Humanistic Medicine Update: Creating Ripples for Diversity
Register. - Noon – 1 p.m.: The Message Behind the Action: Addressing Bias Against Our Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
Register. - 4-5 p.m.: Readings from “Enough! Say Their Names,” a book of poetry that speaks to advancing justice and equity and addressing bias and violence against people of color. Register.
For questions or to request accommodation of a disability to participate, email diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Attend Hershey Medical Center town hall April 29
Hershey Medical Center President Deborah Berini and members of the executive team will host a virtual town hall every other month, beginning Thursday, April 29, from 5 to 6 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m.
“COVID-19 will continue to be part of the new normal in health care delivery, but there are many other issues and initiatives of interest to Medical Center staff,” said Hershey Medical President Deborah Berini. “The town hall meetings provide an important communication opportunity for employees and faculty to ask questions, share ideas and engage in a dialogue with leaders.”
Staff are encouraged to send questions in advance to the President’s mailbox.
Meeting login information will be provided in future editions of the Daily Brief.
Register for Stop the Bleed training at Holy Spirit May 20
Holy Spirit Medical Center will present Stop the Bleed training for employees on Thursday, May 20, from 8 to 9 a.m. and 10 to 11 a.m. in the Trauma Services conference room on the second floor of the main hospital.
Stop the Bleed is a public health campaign focused on saving lives by training people how to stop traumatic bleeding, a major cause of preventable deaths. Participants will learn three quick techniques to help save a life before someone bleeds out: how to hold pressure, pack wounds and apply tourniquets.
To learn more or register for the training, email Sunny Goodyear.
Other news
Behind the Scenes on the Front Lines: Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
The past year has been mentally exhausting for everyone, let alone people who already struggle with mental health issues – but for patients, colleagues and community members, the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health staff stepped up to the plate.
“Learning telehealth was a challenge,” said Lanae Ampersand, Behavioral Health program manager, Hershey Medical Center. ”It’s hard to console someone when they’re crying – hand them a tissue – when they’re on video.”
How has your department contributed during COVID?
We joined with the Offices of Professional Mental Health and Pastoral Care Services to rapidly …develop…mental health and emotional support programs and make them accessible to staff members within our organization. ~ Dr. Sanjay Yadav, psychiatrist, Hershey Medical Center
What about your department are you most proud of?
I think our unit…provides the best care to our patients in these chaotic times. ~ Kristy Keegan Leitz, Holy Spirit Medical Center
Penn State Health Reimagined synchronizes business practices July 1
Penn State Health will launch on Thursday, July 1, an initiative designed to merge systems and processes used to develop and manage budgets, hiring decisions and supplies.
Under the name “Penn State Health Reimagined,” the health system will install what the industry calls an enterprise resource planning system. The system ― Infor CloudSuite ― links computer systems that previously didn’t communicate well with one another, creating a more seamless and integrated way of doing business. The end result will give staff more time to focus on patients, communities, partners and peers.
For staff, the move will mean fewer logins and other administrative steps to perform basic jobs, such as checking inventory or expenses.
For the health system as a whole, Penn State Reimagined will inform business decisions, address operational pain points and help it stay competitive.
To learn more about Reimagined, review the attached FAQS, also available on the Reimagined Infonet site. Contact the Reimagined project team at PSHReimagined@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
St. Joseph increases patient access to PET/CT to five days a week
Patients can access the multiple benefits of PET/CT imaging five days a week at St. Joseph Medical Center, following recently completed renovations to the Nuclear Medicine Department.
A newly installed Siemens Biograph PET/CT offers:
- Improved technology and diagnostic accuracy for cardiac perfusion imaging
- Potential for earlier diagnosis and more definitive treatment strategy
- Accommodations for patients weighing up to 500 pounds
- Access for cardiology, oncology and bariatric surgery screenings
Survey seeks to improve Penn State Health’s translation services
A Penn State Health team is evaluating the health system’s ability to translate and interpret for its non-English-speaking patients with an eye toward making improvements.
The systemwide team is seeking input from employees, patients and families to find areas for better coordination, standardization and program enhancements. Employees and faculty can help by completing a 10-question survey by Friday, April 30.
The survey asks how easy the health system’s translation services are to use, how often employees use them and what obstacles they encounter.
Did you know? Holy Spirit honors
Get to know the newest member of our Penn State Health family ― Holy Spirit Medical Center. We’re sharing some facts about its history, people and services each week in the Daily Brief. As promised in Thursday’s Daily Brief, here’s the answer to question No. 4:
Q: Which clinical service lines at Holy Spirit Medical Center have earned Highmark Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center designation?
A: Holy Spirit Medical Center has been recognized as a Highmark Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center for cardiac care, spine surgery and maternity care, and a Blue Distinction Center+ for knee and hip replacement.
Other awards Holy Spirit has earned include:
- The Joint Commission: Advanced Primary Stroke Center and Advanced Certification in Inpatient Diabetes Care
- American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines: heart and stroke care
- Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade: “A” in fall 2020
Watch for future “Did you knows?” about Penn State Health’s other medical centers coming soon to the Daily Brief.
Nominate colleagues for Holy Spirit Nursing Excellence Awards by April 30
Holy Spirit Medical Center is accepting nominations for its annual Nursing Excellence Awards, which recognize those nurses who demonstrate exemplary caring, advocacy and clinical practice.
The categories include:
- Nursing Administration (Nurse Leader)
- Nursing Team Member
- Clinical Practice Registered Nurse
- Specialty Clinical Practice Registered Nurse or Advanced Practice Nurse
Staff should submit their nominations by noon Friday, April 30, to Colleen Kennedy. The forms can be found on the Holy Spirit Infonet under the Quick Links tab.
Holy Spirit will recognize the winners during National Nurses Week, which begins Thursday, May 6.
Wellness Wednesday: life insurance beneficiaries and employee demographics
Life insurance beneficiary designation is important for financial wellness. If you didn’t update your beneficiaries during open enrollment, you might want to make sure your designations are up to date. Click here for instructions on how to update your beneficiaries.
While confirming your life insurance beneficiaries, also check to ensure Penn State Health has your current address on file. Click here for instructions on how to update your demographics.
Check out the BeWell Employee Wellness Toolkit and for information on wellness resources, visit the PRO Wellness BeWell Employee Wellness website.
Pinwheels draw attention to prevention of child abuse
Pinwheels popped up on the lawn of Penn State Health Children’s Hospital on April 5 to raise awareness of the need to address the problem of child abuse. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the blue pinwheel is the symbol for the prevention of child abuse nationwide. It is a reminder that everyone can play a part in promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in the community.
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