Weekly Updates: Week of Aug. 10
Massini, Black: Your feedback matters
Penn State Health CEO Steve Massini and Dr. Kevin Black, College of Medicine interim dean, encouraged employees to complete this year’s engagement survey after receiving the link via email from Press Ganey Associates. The topics predominantly focus on the health system and the College’s culture, leadership and communications.
“This survey is important because it tells us how we are doing in building upon the strengths and addressing the challenges you identified in last year’s in-depth engagement survey,” they wrote in an email to employees.
“We learned a lot through that survey. Perhaps most important is this: while we are an organization of people who love what we do, our recent and rapid growth has caused real and significant stress that is impacting morale and job satisfaction. You told us about challenges you face regarding our communications, collaboration, coordination and accountability.”
College of Medicine study explores the association of malaria, HIV with anemia during pregnancy
Pregnant women from sub-Saharan Africa with malaria and HIV have a higher prevalence of anemia than pregnant women without infections according to College of Medicine researchers. The findings may have implications for reducing the risk of death in pregnant women and preventing low birth weights and neurocognitive impairment in their children as a result of anemia.
Coinfections of HIV and malaria are common among expectant mothers in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Paddy Ssentongo, a Ph.D. student in epidemiology, led a study published in BMS Pregnancy and Childbirth that assessed the association of malaria with anemia and the effects of malaria and HIV on anemia in pregnant women.
You’ve got memories – we’ve got plans
October will mark 50 years since Hershey Medical Center welcomed its first patient, and we want to celebrate. The past five decades have combined innovation, expansion and an ever-growing mission to bring the best health care closer to home for those we serve.
We’ve accomplished much and have much more in store, thanks to you, our dedicated team. Whether you have been here five days or all 50 years, we want to hear your milestones and memories. We can’t wait to share your unique stories of teamwork, challenge, triumph and all that has made Hershey Medical Center the trusted health care organization it is today.
Please send your story, name, title and department to ThisIsPennStateHealth@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Siren named Hershey’s May DAISY Award winner
Chris Siren, a nurse in the Heart and Vascular Institute Critical Care Unit, was selected as the May DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award winner at Hershey Medical Center.
A patient’s sister-in-law nominated Siren. “From the moment I met Chris, he excelled at being able to continually comfort and support my brother-in-law, my sister and the rest of our family, in the most critical and vulnerable of times,” she said.
The family was in crisis when they arrived at the unit, the writer said. Siren provided support, guidance and understanding, serving as a source of information about the disease’s harder-to-grasp aspects.
“For Chris, this was effortless,” she said. “There is no one more deserving than Chris for the DAISY Award.”
St. Joseph to reopen Maidencreek Urgent Care Aug. 17
St. Joseph will reopen Maidencreek Urgent Care, 108 Plaza Drive, Blandon, Pa., on Monday, Aug. 17.
Hours are: 1 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, except for Christmas Day.
University Fitness Center moves to next phase Aug. 17
The University Fitness Center will move to the next level in capacity starting Monday, Aug. 17. Hershey campus employees and their families and students are eligible to return during Phase 2.
In the next phase:
- Direct pay memberships will be adjusted to account for the period of time the fitness center was closed.
- Biweekly payroll deductions will reactivate with the pay period starting Sunday, Aug. 16. Monthly payroll deductions will not restart until September.
- Employees who wish to modify deductions may make changes at any time by visiting our facility during operational hours to complete an update form.
- All employees and students should continue to utilize the on-campus screening process prior to visiting the fitness center. Campus ID cards are required for entry.
The center will continue to operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visits are restricted to a maximum of 75 minutes. Until Aug. 17, only Hershey campus employees and students may use the fitness center.
National Institutes of Health officer to give Lunchtime Lecture
Richard Baumann, biological safety officer at the National Institutes of Health, will present Research Quality Assurance’s virtual Lunchtime Lecture on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from noon to 1 p.m.
He will speak on “Institutionally important safety communications and IBC risk assessments delivered through pathogen and rDNA registrations: Work with lentiviral vectors and COVID-19 related research.”
- Zoom: pshealth.zoom.us/j/2805045311
- Meeting ID: 280 504 5311
- Dial by Phone: 312-626-6799
Mark your calendar for Aug. 25 employee blood drive in Hershey
Hershey Medical Center will hold an employee-only blood drive Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Biomedical Research Building, C1847 A/B, 800 Campus Drive, Hershey. To donate you must be in good health, feeling well and weigh at least 110 pounds.
You must schedule your appointment so social distancing can be safely maintained. Search available times here.
For a limited time, the American Red Cross will test all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Donors may view their results through their American Red Cross blood donor app or by logging onto the American Red Cross website about seven to 10 days after their donation.
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