Skip to content

Weekly Updates: Week of Nov. 16

COVID News

Remote work continues for Penn State Health, College of Medicine employees

Thousands of Penn State Health and College of Medicine employees continue to work remotely and perform their jobs well. As cases of COVID-19 are increasing in Pennsylvania and across the U.S., employees will continue to work remotely through at least Thursday, April 1, 2021.

Employees and teams should continue to work directly with their managers and supervisors on remote work arrangements.

Resources:   

Penn State Health stops pre-travel COVID-19 employee testing

Penn State Health laboratories will no longer accommodate employees or their travel partners requesting a COVID-19 test prior to travel to a state that requires proof of a negative test for entry.

Employees who want to be tested because they have decided to travel or attend large gatherings locally for the holidays should use an alternate source for testing, such as Vault Health, which offers an in-home, saliva collection test that is completed under remote supervision. Some insurance carriers may reimburse the $150 cost for the test. Vault Health will return the test results within 72 hours of receiving the sample in its lab.

Read the full story.

Hershey, St. Joseph campuses announce holiday closings for drive-thru testing

The COVID-19 drive-thru testing locations at the Westview Parking Garage and 35 Hope Drive on the Hershey Medical Center campus and off the Red Bridge Road entrance to the St. Joseph Bern Township campus will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, Friday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, respectively.

Alternate preoperative COVID testing dates for the Hershey Medical Center campus are as follows:

  • Procedure date of Tuesday, Dec. 1
    Pre-op COVID test date of Friday, Nov. 27
    35 Hope Drive or Westview Parking Garage
  • Procedure date of Wednesday, Dec. 31
    Pre-op COVID test date of Saturday, Dec. 26
    35 Hope Drive
  • Procedure date of Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021
    Pre-op COVID test date of Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021
    35 Hope Drive

Hershey Medical Center designates more safe break spaces

Starting Monday, Nov. 23, Hershey Medical Center employees will have three additional safe break spaces. These spaces can accommodate a total of 17 employees.

Additionally, three rooms in the University Physician Center on the Hershey campus have been designated as spaces for breaks and meals:

The new break rooms are the second part of a plan to make additional safe space available for employees to take breaks.

Read the full story.

Westview Garage COVID-19 testing moves Nov. 23

In preparation for the winter months, Hershey Medical Center is moving the Westview Parking Garage COVID-19 swabbing location to Internal Medicine West, 10 Conference Drive on Monday, Nov. 23. Business hours will remain Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As announced last week, the holiday schedule will apply to this location as well. COVID testing at Internal Medicine West will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, Friday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, respectively.

Alternate preoperative COVID testing dates for Hershey Medical Center:

  • Procedure date of Tuesday, Dec. 1
    Pre-op COVID test date of Friday, Nov. 27
    35 Hope Drive or 10 Conference Drive
  • Procedure date of Wednesday, Dec. 31
    Pre-op COVID test date of Saturday, Dec. 26
    35 Hope Drive
  • Procedure date of Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021
    Pre-op COVID test date of Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021
    35 Hope Drive

Penn State Health Nov. 18 town hall addresses COVID concerns

More than 1,300 employees joined the Penn State Health town hall on Nov. 18, including some of the more than 2,400 employees who recently joined the system from Holy Spirit Medical Center and affiliated outpatient sites.

Steve Massini, Penn State Health CEO, provided COVID-related updates and, with other system leaders, answered employee questions about COVID issues as cases surge and Pennsylvania officials announced new restrictions this week. Massini also shared how the addition of Holy Spirit as well as the future Hampden Medical Center and Lancaster Medical Center will greatly increase Penn State Health’s presence in central Pennsylvania as it expands across five counties.

Research

Study confirms spit testing may help doctors diagnose concussions

Doctors may soon be able to more accurately diagnose concussions by measuring the number of certain molecules in a person’s saliva, according to College of Medicine researchers. The results of a recent clinical study confirmed that a patient’s spit may be used to aid concussion diagnosis in a non-invasive, non-biased fashion.

Researchers analyzed the saliva of more than 500 study participants for tiny strands of genetic material called micro ribonucleic acid (microRNA). These molecules play an important role in cellular processes and exist in high amounts in the brain. The investigators hypothesized that due to the presence of cranial nerves in the mouth, altered microRNA levels could indicate whether a patient is experiencing a concussion.

Read the full story

College of Medicine researchers investigate ‘entourage effect’ in CBD study

Cannabidiol (CBD) oils are equally or less effective at inhibiting the growth of certain cancer cells compared to pure CBD, according to College of Medicine researchers.

The results of their study indicate that future research into the clinical applications of cannabinoids should include an analysis of whether the pure cannabinoid compound or intact plant material is more effective at achieving the therapeutic effect.

Prior research found that CBD or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can reduce cancer cell viability in some cancer cell models. Proponents of medical marijuana argue that there is an additive effect between the various compounds in the plant material that increases its therapeutic efficacy compared to individual, pure cannabinoid compounds. Kent Vrana, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology, said that the study did not support this concept, known as the “entourage” effect.

Read the full story.

News

Holy Spirit employees reminded to complete Compass training by Dec. 1

Employees from Holy Spirit Medical Center and the affiliated outpatient sites who transitioned to Penn State Health on Nov. 1 were assigned two training modules in Compass, the health system’s training portal: Compliance – new hire and 2020 Holy Spirit Transition Orientation.

Penn State Health employees are required to complete new hire trainings within 30 days of when they transition to the health system. The trainings for those who officially transitioned Nov. 1 are due Tuesday, Dec. 1. Employees will receive email reminders through Compass. Additionally, managers will verify that their direct reports complete the training on time.

Health care organizations are required by law to ensure employees take the compliance and cybersecurity and privacy awareness trainings annually. Holy Spirit employees will also be required to complete both the annual compliance and the annual cybersecurity and privacy awareness trainings scheduled for Jan. 26 through April 15, 2021.

Questions regarding compliance trainings can be directed to Compliance at: compliance@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Questions regarding cybersecurity and privacy awareness trainings can be directed to Cybersecurity at:

CybersecurityGovernance@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Health care sector faces credible, ongoing cyber threat

Federal government agencies are continuing to monitor a credible and ongoing cyber threat targeting the health care sector. While the Office of Cybersecurity and Privacy has taken action to protect Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine, employees and faculty must remain vigilant:

College of Medicine wants to expand health care opportunities for Native Americans

In its ongoing quest to create greater diversity in the health care field, the College of Medicine is seeking connections with Native American medical students.

The College of Medicine’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is in discussions with a college that has a large number of Native American students to create a pipeline for admitting those students to the medical school.

As part of the Research on Race and Ethnicity-Based Disparities: RRED Talks, a session focusing on Native American and indigenous populations is scheduled at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Sign up for the virtual program here.

“It is important to grow the number of Native American doctors to improve the quality of health care in Native American communities and combat the health disparities they face,” said Lynette Chappell-Williams, vice president and chief diversity officer of Penn State Health and associate dean of diversity and inclusion at Penn State College of Medicine.

Read the full story.

United Way campaign heads for strong finish

With just one day to go in Penn State Health and the College of Medicine’s 2020 United Way campaign, 4.8% of employees have pledged their support. If you haven’t, there’s still time. The campaign ends Friday, Nov. 20.

How to give 

St. Joseph United Way campaign exceeds goal
The St. Joseph United Way campaign surpassed its goal of $20,000 by raising $21,088 in support of United Way of Berks County. The campaign ran from Sept. 16 to Oct. 31 and had 4% participation from employees.

Read the full story.

Hershey provides on-duty faculty, staff Thanksgiving meal vouchers

Hershey Medical Center will ensure that on-duty faculty and staff can enjoy a safe and socially distanced Thanksgiving meal in the Rotunda Cafe.

Staff and faculty working third shift on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and first and second shifts on Thursday, Nov. 26, will be given a meal voucher valued at $12 – one voucher per person. These vouchers will be valid from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Nov. 25, and from 6 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 26.

Contact Leslie Einhorn Ravitz with any questions.

National Diabetes Month shines spotlight on importance of education, support

Angie Evans knows the value of diabetes education because she’s seen it firsthand.

The Harrisburg resident watched her mother work to control her diabetes effectively and her sister stumble – and it’s a lesson she took to heart.

“As long as you are mindful about managing diabetes, you can live with it,” said Evans, who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes when she was in her mid-20s and with multiple sclerosis a decade later.

During November―National Diabetes Month―and every other month, Penn State PaTH to Health’s diabetes project seeks to support and educate people living with any form of diabetes. Its website hosts current articles on diabetes (including diabetes and COVID-19), biannual study newsletters and diabetic-friendly recipes.

Read the full story.

Hershey Medical Center, College of Medicine adjust temperature settings for cost savings

To help maintain their record of energy conservation, Hershey Medical Center and the College of Medicine are adjusting the settings of its heating, ventilation and air conditioning units during nighttime or unoccupied times.

The strategy could save the health system and the College hundreds of thousands of dollars on its energy bills.

Due to the current occupancy and activity levels, the facilities team has evaluated and enhanced the existing air conditioning and heating settings. The campus strategy is designed to allow a 2-degree drift on either side of the established thermostat setting. For example, if a thermostat is set at 72 degrees, the actual temperature in the space could range from 70 to 74 degrees.

The strategy does not include areas with critical temperature requirements, such as patient areas, operating rooms, pharmacy or animal holding areas.

Annual cost savings estimates:

  • College of Medicine (Crescent buildings) ― $300,000
  • University Physician Center ― $35,000
  • 30 Hope Drive ― $65,000

The strategy comes from the 2009 leadership-sponsored energy management plan initiated in 2009. Since then, the current annual energy cost savings from the program totals $3.1 million, with an overall total energy cost savings of $18 million.

Pay 4 Play on WQXA 105.7 The X raises $315,981 for Children’s Hospital

The 14th annual People’s Pay 4 Play on WQXA 105.7 The X on Nov. 12 and 13 raised $315,981.35 for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. That brings the event’s 14-year fundraising tally to $2.39 million.

Jen Shade, Nipsey and Robb from The People’s Morning Show hosted the 28-hour event. Listeners made a donation for a song request. Due to COVID-19, guests joined a video live stream virtually. Several patients and their families shared why kids can’t wait for COVID-19 to be over. They continue to need life-saving care and vital family-centered programs at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

“Every day and every hour, kids at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital like my daughter Kennedy need procedures and CMN-funded programs like Child Life, which uses developmental psychology to anticipate what a child needs,” said Jayna Davis of Harrisburg. “For a person like me who lives 1,200 miles away from friends and family, Child Life has been vital to my welfare as a mom and to Kennedy’s development as a child.”

Read more.

Nominations for I AM Patient Safety Achievement awards due Nov. 23

Hershey Medical Center’s Department of Patient Safety is accepting nominations for the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority’s 8th Annual I AM Patient Safety Achievement awards until Monday, Nov. 23. Submit nominations to recognize individuals or teams from any Penn State Health entity.

The award recognizes health care staff for their individual or collective commitment to adopting patient safety best practices and reducing patient harm.

Descriptions of all 10 award categories and a nomination form are here, or visit the Patient Safety Infonet page. The Department of Patient Safety will forward all nominations to the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority for consideration. The Authority will judge the nominations and announce the winners Feb. 2, 2021.

Contact the Department of Patient Safety with questions.

College of Medicine pandemic response Friday round-up – week of Nov. 9-13

College of Medicine leaders updated faculty, staff and students on Nov. 13 about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • This week, we had a few instances of COVID spread happen in small gatherings among students without masks (both instances were asymptomatic and were caught during surveillance testing).
  • Registration is now open for students to schedule an appointment for COVID-19 testing before leaving for Thanksgiving break. Mandatory testing prior to returning to campus after Thanksgiving and winter holiday breaks is being considered.
  • The University has extended asymptomatic testing to College of Medicine faculty and staff who work on campus and wish to be tested.
  • Currently, there are no plans to implement a quarantine period for faculty and staff who will travel domestically during Thanksgiving and winter breaks, but we urge extreme caution to minimize COVID exposure. See the updated travel and quarantine guidelines.

Read the full email.

Wellness Wednesday – Cooking healthier Thanksgiving turkey

Turkey is the main attraction at most Thanksgiving dinners – and that’s a good thing. It’s one of the healthier options you can choose for a meal known for fat, sodium and carbs.

Not sure what part of the turkey is healthiest to eat? If you’re watching calories or fat, here are some stats to consider (based on a 4-ounce serving):

  • White meat with skin – 185 calories, 1.4 grams of saturated fat, 33 grams of protein
  • White meat without skin – 158 calories, 0.4 grams of saturated fat, 34 grams of protein
  • Dark meat with skin – 206 calories, 2.4 grams of saturated fat, 33 grams of protein
  • Dark meat without skin – 183 calories, 1.6 grams of saturated fat, 33 grams of protein

For more information, click here.

For additional wellness resources visit the PRO Wellness BeWell Employee Wellness website.

Understanding microaggressions, unconscious bias: Share your stories by Nov. 25

Penn State Health asks employees to share their experiences of microaggressions or unconscious bias ― either in or outside of the workplace ― through a short video, photo or email.

Submissions are due Wednesday, Nov. 25. They will be used in a video shown to all current employees and during New Employee Orientation.

Upload a selfie photo or video (30 seconds or less) or send a short description of the experience to diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

The Penn State Health video will introduce a systemwide education training set to start on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. The video will show examples of microaggressions and unconscious bias and how to speak up against them in a positive way as an “upstander.”

Read the full story

Self-ID program: Update disability status in Pulse/Lawson by Nov. 23

Penn State Health is asking employees with disabilities to voluntarily update or create their disability status in the Pulse/Lawson system by Monday, Nov. 23. The Self-ID program, coordinated by the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will help the health system understand how it can improve the work environment for employees with disabilities.

See the Americans with Disabilities Act list of recognized disabilities.

To update your status, log in to Pulse/Lawson. Select “My Profile” and scroll down to “Personal Information.” In the Disability field, select yes or no and click on the “save” button.

The information is confidential and will only be used internally. The broad results will be shared with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which is a federal requirement. For questions, email diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

People

Fall Nursing Award winners receive funding to advance professional growth

Eighteen nurses from Penn State Health were honored in the 12th Annual Fall Nursing Awards for outstanding patient care and professional achievements.

The recipients will use the awards, which ranged from $500 to $4,000, to further their academic education, attend a professional nursing conference, pursue innovation or achieve community-based goals. A total of $32,100 was distributed.

See the full list of winners.

Obstetrics/gynecology resident Chase honored for exceptional teaching

Dr. Tess Chase, an obstetrics/gynecology resident at Hershey Medical Center, was honored in November 2020 as part of the Exceptional Moments in Teaching program of Penn State Health and the College of Medicine.

Read the full story.

Employees honored for work milestones

Congratulations to the following Penn State Health employees who are celebrating a milestone work anniversary between Nov. 11 and Nov. 17. They put our values ­into action every day:

35 Years of Service

  • Dianna Fidler, Medical Records, Hershey
  • Cherryl Ranta, Cardiology, Holy Spirit

30 Years of Service

  • Terry Kreiser, Facilities Buildings and Grounds, Hershey
  • Tracey Smith, Revenue Integrity, Hershey
  • Carey Wilson, My Visit, Holy Spirit

25 Years of Service

  • Jill Enck, Operating Room, Hershey

20 Years of Service

  • Kent Eckerd, Strategic Planning and Ambulatory Services, Hershey
  • Michelle Sholly, Penn State Health Medical Group – Mechanicsburg

15 Years of Service

  • Melissa Adams, Labor and Delivery, Hershey
  • Beth Andrews, Penn State Cancer Institute Outpatient Pharmacy, Hershey
  • Jean Bruggemeier, Neurology, Hershey
  • Michelle Davis, Ophthalmology, Hershey
  • Karen Demko, Perianesthesia, Hershey
  • Mary Geib, Patient Access, Hershey
  • Jennifer Goumas, Pediatrics Support Services, Hershey
  • Paul Hurst, Receiving and Shipping, Hershey
  • Sean Irwin, Patient Access, Hershey
  • Dana Lesh, Clinical Staffing Office, Hershey
  • Ashley Lutz, Penn State Health Medical Group – Lime Spring
  • Emily Pinos, Pediatric Critical Care, Hershey
  • Eric Saylor, Automated Testing Lab, Hershey
  • Jennifer Swierczynski, Anesthesiology, Hershey
  • Lisa Vonhauser, Medical Image Management, Hershey
  • Robin Wolferd, Patient Access, Hershey

10 Years of Service

  • Richard Ziegler, Information Services – Clinical, Hershey

Employees are recognized for their time at Penn State Health. Recognition begins on the 10th anniversary and is given in five-year increments. Employees from every entity within Penn State Health are included in these recognitions, but not every entity may have an employee with a work anniversary during this time period. For questions about work anniversary dates, contact the HR Solution Center at hrsolutions@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or 717-531-8440.

Saying thanks

Have you witnessed a colleague or department going above and beyond? Tell us about it by completing this form. We’ll include it in our Thanks and Kudos feature on Mondays.

TO: Virology lab, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital

From: Terry Shapiro, nurse practitioner, Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital

The pandemic has affected so much in how we care for patients, especially our pediatric stem cell transplant patients. Although COVID-19 has eclipsed many of the other viruses of importance to our patients, we rely heavily on our ability to test for many other viruses that can be fatal to the children we care for. Despite the added stress of COVID-19 testing, the staff in our Virology lab come through time and time again! Although they never have the opportunity to see these kids’ faces, they are always willing to go the extra mile to test our kids multiple time every week for a myriad of additional viruses. Such a patient-focused department! Shout out to Julia, Jeri, Angie (s), and Dr. Green! We would be unable to optimally care for the Stem Cell Transplant patients without their tireless commitment.

Events

St. Joseph announces holiday pie sale

To help employees prepare for Thanksgiving, St. Joseph Medical Center’s Food and Nutrition Services is continuing its tradition of selling freshly made pies.

Baked the day before pickup, the 10-inch pies are $10.99 for apple, pumpkin or pecan and $15.99 for old-fashioned cherry, old-fashioned blueberry or fruits of the forest pie, which is a mix of strawberries, apples, raspberries, rhubarb and blackberries. To order, email Erik Aponte by noon Monday, Nov. 23. Employees can pick up pies Wednesday, Nov. 25, in St. Joseph Medical Center’s cafeteria.

If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email Penn State Health Marketing & Communications.

Your browser is out-of-date!

The version of the browser you're using is not supported, and some features of this website may not work properly. Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×