Weekly Updates: Week of Feb. 22
COVID news
Penn State Health, College of Medicine offer vaccine appointments to employees, students in March
Penn State Health and the College of Medicine are offering opportunities for employees and students to receive the COVID-19 vaccination in March at three locations:
- Penn State Health Camp Hill Outpatient Center, Employee Health: Wednesday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 24, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Hershey Medical Center, H3300: Thursday, March 11, and Thursday, March 18, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- St. Joseph Medical Center, Garden North: Wednesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 31, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
The health system and college will offer additional times in April depending on the supply of the vaccine.
Penn State Health and College of Medicine employees and students can click here to schedule their appointments. This scheduling link should only be used by Penn State Health and College of Medicine employees and students. Do not share it outside of the organization.
Kraschnewski joins national forum on COVID-19 vaccines
Dr. Jennifer Kraschnewski, professor of medicine, public health sciences and pediatrics at the College of Medicine, is participating in a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national forum on COVID-19 vaccines this week.
Health care providers and community organizations from across the nation are gathered virtually to hear experts speak on ways to optimize vaccine access in at-risk communities.
Kraschnewski, who is also director of Penn State REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health), will share experiences from REACH’s efforts to provide influenza vaccines to Hispanic and Latino communities during the 2020-2021 flu season and how they might be applied to COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
- Read a story about REACH’s work during COVID-19.
- Read more about the National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine.
Penn State Health OnDemand launches Vaccine Advisor
Penn State Health OnDemand Vaccine Advisor—a new, free service—allows patients and staff members to get quick, accurate answers to COVID-19 vaccine questions virtually using Penn State Health OnDemand from their laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Use it to ask Penn State Health nurses about:
- Overall vaccine safety
- Who is eligible for the vaccine
- What to expect after getting the vaccine
- How to register for an appointment
“Vaccine Advisor helps connect the dots for patients who don’t already have a primary care provider but have vaccine questions” said Chris LaCoe, vice president of virtual care for Penn State Health.
Vaccine Advisor is available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Patients can also use Penn State Health OnDemand for telehealth appointments and COVID-19 screenings.
COVID-19 vaccine research study seeks volunteers for survey
Penn State Health and College of Medicine employees and students will receive an email invitation for a short online survey about the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Sarah Al-Obaydi, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, and her study team are interested in learning about opinions and experiences with COVID-19 vaccines. Those who do not wish to receive an invitation to this survey should email Dr. Al-Obaydi at salobaydi@pennstatehealth.psu.edu. The study is IRB-approved, #00016979.
College of Medicine Pandemic Response Friday Round-Up – Week of Feb. 15-19
College of Medicine leaders updated faculty, staff and students on Feb. 19 about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- The College of Medicine (COM) currently has a vaccination rate of 78%, which includes all faculty, staff and students. This high vaccination rate is in alignment with the numbers at Penn State Health, which will be useful as we consider when it will be appropriate to reopen COM to its normal capacity.
- On Monday, March 1, the entry into COM will look a bit different. College leadership has determined in-person temperature readings are no longer necessary. However, all COM employees and students should continue to use the digital thermal scanners for a daily temperature check and the online check-in process to assist with contact tracing.
- Human Resources, in conjunction with Penn State Health, will offer vaccinations in early March for new employee hires and current employees who missed being vaccinated. Watch for future emails from Human Resources regarding vaccine availability for these individuals.
- Starting Saturday, Feb. 27, the University Fitness Center will expand its hours to 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Its full hours of operation will be: Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon.
Holy Spirit Medical Center discourages traffic near vaccination site
Only staff requiring direct access to Urgent Care, Plaza 21 or Dunkin Donuts should use the entrance in front of the dedicated vaccination tent on Holy Spirit Medical Center’s campus. When access is necessary, staff should proceed at a slow speed to ensure the safety of patients, volunteers and staff. Employees who need to go to the day care, Orthopedics or the American Office Center should use the hospital’s main entrance.
Research
Heart and Vascular Institute researchers assess heart failure treatment that ‘closes off’ damaged portion of heart
Researchers at Penn State Health and the College of Medicine are investigating a less invasive treatment for heart failure, which affects 6.2 million adults in the U.S. The new therapy does not require open-heart surgery and involves excluding damaged heart tissue caused by previous heart attacks from the rest of the heart so it can work more efficiently.
Principal investigator Dr. Michael Pfeiffer leads a team researching LIVE (Less Invasive Ventricular Enhancement) Therapy, which is designed for patients who have had a heart attack and suffer from heart failure who are not yet candidates for more invasive treatments like open-heart surgery or heart transplant or who want a less invasive alternative.
People
Penn State Health names Haggerty interim vice president of internal audit
To fill the vacancy created when John Gaspich left Penn State Health and as part of a partnership with RSM US LLP, Ryan Haggerty, the national leader of the RSM’s health care internal audit, regulatory compliance and enterprise risk practice, has been selected to serve as Penn State Health’s interim vice president of internal audit.
“As our organization continues its exciting growth trajectory, we will benefit from Ryan’s extensive experience advising health care organizations on the implications of emerging industry risks and his knowledge of leading internal audit department practices,” said Kim Lansford, executive vice president, business risk services and chief compliance officer, Penn State Health.
Haggerty has a lengthy, proven history of developing and delivering high-quality internal audit, regulatory compliance and enterprise risk services for health care organizations of all sizes and types. A certified internal auditor, Haggerty is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Association of Healthcare Internal Auditors, Health Care Compliance Association and Healthcare Financial Management Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Penn State.
Internal medicine resident Malamas honored for exceptional teaching
Dr. Peter Malamas, an internal medicine resident at Hershey Medical Center, was honored in February 2021 as part of the Exceptional Moments in Teaching program of Penn State Health and the College of Medicine.
“I was with Dr. Malamas on internal medicine consults, and he made sure we got the most out of each day,” a current student wrote. “If the day was a little slow, he would fill it with lectures and modules to make sure we were always learning. The day of our EKG quiz, Dr. Malamas actually took us through about an hour and a half of practice EKGs just to make sure we were ready. He is certainly the best resident educator I have worked with, and I cannot thank him enough for the amount of medicine he has taught me.”
Women in Science Month: Celebrating female leaders and mentors
Women have taken on leadership roles at the College of Medicine since its inception.
Elaine Eyster, MD
Judith Bond, PhD
In 1973, Eyster became the first female division chief. Almost two decades later, Bond became the first female department chair.
Leslie Parent, MD
Terry Wolpaw, MA, MD, MHPE
Today, the College of Medicine is led by Parent, vice dean for research and graduate studies, and Wolpaw, vice dean for educational affairs. Seven of the college’s departments are led by women, including:
- April Armstrong, MD
- Melissa George, DO
- Lori Grafton, MD
- Patricia “Sue” Grigson, PhD
- Bernice Hausman, PhD
- Susan Promes, MD, MBA
- Erika Saunders, MD
Shou Ling Leong, MD
The College of Medicine is dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of clinicians and researchers. Educators like Leong are researching new methods for training tomorrow’s physicians.
Read more about how female faculty are training the next generation and serving in leadership roles.
Learn more about the virtual Women in Science Symposium on March 12 and register to attend.
Hershey names Swetland, Machamer-Zimmerman 2020 September, October DAISY Award winners
Hershey Medical Center presented the 2020 September and October DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Awards to Karen Swetland, Medical Intermediate Care Unit, and Danielle Machamer-Zimmerman, Contingency Pool.
The accolade recognizes nurses for their skillful, compassionate care and their daily support of patients and families.
Employees honored for work milestones
Congratulations to the following Penn State Health employees who are celebrating a milestone work anniversary between Feb. 17 and Feb. 23. They put our values into action every day.
Events
Advancing diversity: Penn State Health invites employees to virtual events Feb. 26, March 4
Penn State Health presents two webinars on diversity and equity as it continues moving toward providing a fully inclusive and respectful place to work, receive health care and learn. The webinars are sponsored by the Office for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity.
“Research on Race- and Ethnicity-based Disparities” on Friday, Feb. 26, from noon to 1 p.m. will feature panel members engaged in research on disparities facing black communities and David Saunders of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Sign up here.
“Insight into our Identities – Race Relations and Inclusivity” on Thursday, March 4, from noon to 1 p.m. will focus on last summer’s Penn State Health and College of Medicine town halls on race issues. It will also include a discussion of bias experienced by Asians and Asian Americans as a result of COVID-19. Sign up here.
Read more about the webinars and progress Penn State Health has made toward equity and inclusion.
Association of Faculty and Friends plans virtual Barn Beer Tasting Feb. 28
The Association of Faculty and Friends (AFF) of Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine is hosting a virtual Barn Beer Tasting on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 6 to 7 p.m. Tickets include four growlers of craft-brewed beer, two 10-inch meat lovers and cheese pizzas and a chocolate pairing for each beer from C&M Treats. Click here for more information and to register for the event, which supports medical education, research, clinical care and scholarship.
Donors needed for March 2 employee blood drive in Hershey
Penn State Health will host an employee blood drive, Tuesday, March 2, from noon to 5 p.m., at the University Conference Center, 500 University Drive.
Schedule appointments here.
For blood donor eligibility requirements, visit the American Red Cross website.
Mini Medical School goes virtual beginning March 2
Members of the community are invited to attend Mini Medical School, which highlights the College of Medicine’s contributions to research and health care. The virtual conference will take place on Tuesdays, March 2, 9 and 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Topics include:
- Tuesday, March 2, 6-9 p.m.: COVID-19 Bench to Bedside
- Tuesday, March 9, 6-9 p.m.: Cannabidiol, Medical Marijuana and Vaping
- Tuesday, March 16, 6-9 p.m.: Nutrition and Obesity
For more information and to access the link to view the Zoom sessions, visit med.psu.edu/mini-medical-school.
‘Improving Patient-Provider Communication for Autistic Individuals with Complex Communication Needs’ webinar March 3
The Penn State Autism and Developmental Disorders Collaborative presents the webinar “Improving Patient-Provider Communication for Autistic Individuals with Complex Communication Needs” on Wednesday, March 3, from noon to 1:15 p.m. Register in advance.
For more information, email Danielle Alexander.
New Project ECHO series features severe acute pancreatitis March 3
Penn State Project ECHO is launching a no-cost, Continuing Medical Education credit-eligible ECHO series for all Penn State Health-affiliated physicians, including family and community medicine providers, gastroenterologists and internal medicine providers.
The severe acute pancreatitis ECHO series will begin on Wednesday, March 3, from noon to 1 p.m. The series will include nine, one-hour sessions every other week. Participants will present de-identified patient cases to each other in order to gain confidence and competence in the diagnosis and treatment of severe acute pancreatitis.
Over time, participants will become micro-specialists ― engaged in a wider community of learners and empowered to address complex situations.
Virtual ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’ program March 17
Preparing for the birth of a baby can be exciting and overwhelming. To help expectant parents prepare, Penn State Health Women’s Health is offering a free, virtual class, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” on Wednesday, March 17, from 6 to 8 p.m.:
Register, and you will receive an email confirmation with Zoom session attendance details, or use these to log in to the session:
- Click here to join webinar
- Telephone: 1-929-205-6099
- Webinar ID: 931-4141-1949
Other news
Penn State Health transitions Camp Hill orthopedic care March 31
Penn State Health will stop providing general orthopedic care at three locations starting in March:
- 20 Capital Drive, Harrisburg (Tuesday, March 4)
- 1211 Forge Road, Carlisle (Friday, March 5)
- 429 N. 21st, Camp Hill (Wednesday, March 31)
Office staff will contact patients who have appointments scheduled after March 31 to help them transition to Penn State Health Medical Group – Camp Hill Specialties, Penn State Bone and Joint Institute or Orthopedic Institute of PA (OIP), which has aligned with Penn State Health to provide care. OIP created a dedicated phone number, 717-245-5008, for patients to schedule future appointments. Its physicians will perform surgeries at Holy Spirit Medical Center, as well as Hampden Medical Center when it opens later this year.
“We will continue to provide orthopedic trauma care at the Camp Hill office and provide access to comprehensive orthopedic care through other Penn State Health practices and our affiliates,” said Dr. Bill Bird, senior vice president of Penn State Health Medical Group, Community Practice Division. “Our goal is to make sure patient care continues seamlessly.”
Penn State Health transitions to a unified food services program
Penn State Health is moving to a single vendor—Sodexo Health Care Services—to support its food services operations, including patient feeding, retail services such as cafeterias, Starbucks and Au Bon Pain (on the Hershey Medical Center campus), catering and vending.
This change, which should appear largely seamless to patients, visitors and staff, will increase long-term cost-effectiveness for the organization and provide an improved, consistent customer experience at food services locations and programs across the system.
No Penn State Health Food Services positions will be lost due to the change in approach to align food services operations with a single vendor.
Sodexo already operates food services locations at St. Joseph Medical Center and Holy Spirit Medical Center. By mid-May, Sodexo will transition management of all food services locations at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus and 100 Crystal A, the Penn State Health administrative building in Hershey.
St. Joseph Medical Center treats patients to elegant dinner following childbirth
In February, St. Joseph Medical Center began treating families who deliver babies at its Breidegam Family Birthing Center to a celebratory meal.
Plans to offer the special meal for the mother and one support person have been in the works since before the pandemic, said Stacey Border, clinical nurse manager.
“Chef Chris Dibiase came up with the idea to do something nice for the families, but we had to put it on hold until now due to COVID,” she said, adding that the response from patients has been extremely positive. “It’s a nice way to say thank you for having a baby with us.”
Patients select their meal from several high-end entrees that include seafood, beef, chicken and vegetarian options, as well as gourmet desserts from Sweet Street Desserts in Reading. Usually offered for lunch or dinner the day after delivery, the meals feature upgraded delivery service and a bottle of sparkling cider.
Penn State Health releases Fiscal 2021 organizational goals, second quarter results
Penn State Health has developed its Fiscal Year 2021 organizational goals, a guide for achieving key results across four critical themes:
- quality and safety
- patient experience
- employee experience
- financial performance
Learn more about the health system’s goals and review its second quarter results here.
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