Weekly Updates: Week of Aug. 31
Twilight museum: Anesthesiology Department to display century’s worth of equipment
If he wasn’t already chair of Penn State College of Medicine’s Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Dr. Berend Mets could work as a tour guide in the museum he’s building.
On a recent walk through his department’s growing collection of medical gadgets from throughout history, Mets talked about anesthesiology the way some people talk about exploring space.
Anesthetists like Mets rarely make headlines, but they cast big shadows. They have been center stage throughout COVID-19. The ventilators you’ve heard so much about are their equipment. And without them, surgery and much of medical science would be unthinkable.
And now the College of Medicine will inaugurate a new facility ― named the Dr. Berend Mets Museum of Anaesthesia ― at an event memorializing the 50th anniversary of Mets’ department in October.
Flu in the time of COVID: Protect yourself
Flu season is coming, and against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State Health and the College of Medicine are gearing up to protect employees.
Teams across the organization will soon launch vaccination plans to provide employees with safe, convenient alternatives that eliminate crowds. From unit-based flu shots for clinical staff to appointment-based, on-campus vaccines, the goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to get protection from a flu shot.
National and state experts are strongly recommending that everyone, except those with medical contraindications, get a flu shot. Managers will share additional details soon about the timing and options for flu shots.
Interim Dean Dr. Kevin Black: Change starts with us
Dr. Kevin Black, interim dean of the College of Medicine, sent the following email on Aug. 28 to College of Medicine employees and students:
Dear Students:
The recent shooting of Jacob Blake is yet another reminder that prejudice, hatred and inequality exist in our country. In many situations it is based upon the color of a person’s skin, while in others it is motivated by religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, political belief or a disability. This communication, from me to you, does not change the senseless behavior that has occurred around us.
We can, however, change what we can control and, therefore, it starts with us. There is significant and much-needed work occurring related to your curriculum and learning environment. While that work is essential, meaningful change can only occur when each one of us reflects deeply, admits that we have fallen short and commits to supporting and embracing each other. We would never tolerate a family member being treated unfairly, let alone hurt physically or emotionally. We must take the same approach to our College of Medicine family. Although I have spoken with your student leaders, I want each of you to know that you can reach out to me directly. You have my complete support, both as a student and human being.
Penn State Health, Lebanon Valley College partner to provide student health care
A Penn State Health physician will serve as medical director at Lebanon Valley College’s Shroyer Health Center, through a partnership between the college and the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Dr. Levelle Drose-Bigatel, a family medicine physician at the Medical Center, will be joined at the clinic by an advanced care practitioner (nurse practitioner or physician assistant) from Penn State Health. A licensed practical nurse from the health system will oversee the college’s contact tracing program, for which 18 college staff members have completed training.
DeWaters recognized for Exceptional Moments in Teaching
Dr. Ami DeWaters, assistant professor of Internal Medicine and assistant director of Health Systems Sciences Education, is featured for September in the “Exceptional Moments in Teaching” program.
“Dr. DeWaters is swamped working in the COVID unit, working long days and risking her own health to better the health of others,” the student wrote. “Despite the incredibly high demands of this job, she was still committed to being the director for the Principles of Medicine course that is used to prepare the new graduates for their intern year. She definitely could have passed this responsibility on to someone else due to the circumstances and her schedule, but she chose to stick to it.
“She was working in the unit, managing our class and then returning to the unit to provide care. She is a true star in medical education, an exemplary example of what true servant leadership is in the medical field. I am proud to have been trained by Dr. DeWaters. If I become even half of the quality of a physician as she is, I will consider my career a success.”
Retired pediatrics professor Kulin passes away at 83
Dr. Howard Kulin, former professor of pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine, passed away Aug. 17 after a long illness. He was 83.
Kulin, who retired from the Medical Center in 1999, came to Hershey in 1972 after his years as a senior investigator in the Reproductive Research Branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
At Hershey, the clinical programs and referral patterns were in their infancy. Founding Dean George Harrell recruited young, energetic, talented faculty who would be given the liberty of developing innovative programs without the restraint of a long history of successes and failures inherent in a long established medical school.
For Kulin, this meant working in a division consisting of both adult and pediatric endocrinologists and being able to collaborate with them.
Virtual race relations and inclusivity town hall set for Sept. 30
Penn State Health is committed to sustaining its focus on addressing race relations and continues to follow up on the recommendations provided during the June race relations town hall meetings.
The Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will hold a virtual town hall on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from noon to 1 p.m. to provide an overview of those recommendations and discuss the next steps toward greater equity and inclusivity at Penn State Health.
The Zoom link will be provided in advance of the town hall for those who register.
If you have questions or need special accommodations to participate, email diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email Penn State Health Marketing & Communications.