Weekly Updates: Week of Oct. 26
Penn State Health Benefits Open Enrollment coming soon.
Benefits Open Enrollment is Nov. 3-17. For information on what’s new and what’s changing, head over to the Virtual Benefits Fair, starting today. This is your go-to destination for all 2021 benefit-related materials this year.
The fair can be accessed from any device, including smartphones and tablets, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To access the Virtual Benefits Fair go to: bit.ly/pshbenefits. The URL is case-sensitive.
Starting Tuesday, Oct. 27, chat live with a member of the benefits team through the Virtual Benefits Fair from 7 a.m. till noon. Review the Open Enrollment newsletter for more information.
For one-on-one support, reach out to the HR Solution Center, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 717-531-8440. Support is also available through mySolutions, where you can submit your benefit questions any time, day or night.
COVID-19 online compliance training due Nov. 1
Penn State Health and College of Medicine employees must complete two COVID-19 online learning modules on safe work environment practices by Sunday, Nov. 1. This required training supports compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Health regulations.
Employees were assigned the modules on Sept. 1. Those who have not completed them by Nov. 1 will receive regular out-of-compliance reminders from Compass or LION. Managers can review compliance and course completion for their teams in Compass or LION.
Survey: Vaccine for SARS-CoV-2
A vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, is expected to become available later this year or in early 2021. Health care workers are very likely to be among the first priority group offered the vaccine.
In order to anticipate how much vaccine will be necessary to meet the needs of our employees, we are conducting a preliminary survey to gauge employee interest in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
Please take a few minutes to answer the questions in the survey. Responses will be anonymous.
Video: Penn State Health holds topping off ceremony at new Lancaster County hospital
Penn State Health celebrated the “topping off” of its newest acute care hospital, Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center, on Oct. 22. The future five-story, 341,000-square-foot facility is set to open in 2022.
A “topping off” ceremony is a longstanding construction tradition that marks the completion of a building’s structure.
For those on clinical workstations, view the video here. Click the cc button to turn on closed-captioning.
Berini says employee feedback key to improving work environment, shares highlights from pulse survey
Hershey Medical Center President Deborah Berini stresses the importance of employee feedback to improve the work environment, shares highlights from the recent pulse survey and sets the stage for next steps in the latest edition of the President’s Perspective.
Among the key points:
- The results of the pulse survey are encouraging and show that the first round of improvement plans had impact, but there is more work to do.
- Positive comments focused on factors such as collegiality, learning opportunities, benefits and remote work flexibility. Areas for improvement included issues such as engaging managers, improving accountability, reducing administrative burdens and work pace and pressure.
- The results have been shared with department chairs, managers and directors who will be engaging with employees to share the results and discuss ways to improve. Leaders will gather information from top-performing managers and teams to disseminate best practices.
Safety Reset: Practice social distancing among colleagues
When around patients, Penn State Health employees understand the importance of donning personal protective equipment. Masks and eye protection, worn properly, help protect staff from a patient who may be asymptomatic with an active COVID-19 infection. But away from patients, some have been letting their guard down.
There’s been an increase in the number of employees who have tested positive for COVID. Tracing efforts show that some have acquired the virus by not practicing social distancing with colleagues in the workplace, especially in the cafeteria. Now in the ninth month of responding to COVID, “pandemic fatigue” can cause all of us to become complacent with safety efforts.
Just as our employees should assume any patient who comes through our doors may have COVID and take the necessary precautions, they should also take the same approach with their co-workers.
United Way program helps children get Ready for School, Ready to Succeed
When Nikki Hoover of Shiremanstown called her school district to ask for guidance in getting her daughter, Savannah, ready for kindergarten, she learned about United Way’s Ready for School, Ready to Succeed program.
“I can’t say enough good things about this program and how much it’s helped prepare my daughter for school,” Hoover said.
Ways to Give to United Way
- Hershey Medical Center, Shared Services and Medical Group employees: Click on this link: United to Give pledge site.
- College of Medicine employees: Download the College of Medicine United Way pledge form from Box (Penn State access ID login required). Fill it out, save and email it to UnitedWayPayroll@psu.edu.
- Joseph employees: Visit uwberks.org/PSH and log in with “2972” as both the user name and password. The St. Joseph campaign launched on Sept. 16 and runs through Oct. 31 with an employee giving goal of $20,000.
Penn State Health experts: Safety and prevention are priority as COVID-19 pandemic continues
The number of new daily cases of COVID-19 is rising sharply statewide – and the trend is reflected in central Pennsylvania and in Penn State Health’s hospitals and outpatient clinics. As the increase is not unexpected, care teams across Penn State Health remain prepared to provide care for all patients who need it – whether for COVID or any other health issue.
Over the last several months, the health system has adapted and implemented a range of policies and procedures pertaining to COVID-19. Dr. Peter Dillon, Penn State Health’s executive vice president and chief clinical officer; Dr. Jeffrey Held, vice president for medical affairs at Penn State Health St. Joseph; and Dr. Cynthia Whitener, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Hershey Medical Center, briefed the media on what Penn State Health has done to provide patients with the care they need and deserve.
College of Medicine faculty, staff may be eligible for coronavirus benefits
Due to recent U.S. Department of Labor revisions to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), the College of Medicine is no longer considered exempt from its paid sick leave and paid leave provisions. The FFCRA notice outlines provisions under this regulation, which will apply from Sept. 16 through Thursday, Dec. 31.
Dr. Kevin Black, College of Medicine interim dean, sent employees an email Oct. 28 detailing the update. Among the important takeaways:
College of Medicine employees may be eligible for the benefits under the FFCRA, including paid sick leave and expanded family medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19:
- Up to two weeks (80 hours, or a part-time employee’s two-week equivalent) of paid sick leave based on the higher of their regular rate of pay, or the applicable state or federal minimum wage
- A part-time employee is eligible for leave for the number of hours that the employee is normally scheduled to work over that period
Starting immediately, all College of Medicine employees should report any COVID-related absence to Penn State Occupational Medicine at 814-863-8492 instead of Employee Health.
New golf cart helps patients, visitors navigate Hershey Medical Center
Patients and visitors who navigate the long halls at Hershey Medical Center can now catch a ride on the new golf cart, thanks to Dan Barry, Facilities Maintenance, and the Patient and Guest Experience Department.
Hershey Medical Center President Deborah Berini was shadowing with Barry when he expressed concern that the large and growing campus can be difficult for patients and guests to navigate. Staff had previously considered an indoor electric golf cart, and Barry suggested it might be time to revisit the idea.
Following extensive investigation, the Patient and Guest Experience Department purchased a Cushman Minute Miser 3-Passenger Conversion cart with a grant from the Hershey Medical Center Volunteer Advisory Board, Gift Shop and Penn State Store. The patient transport pilot began this week.
Governor’s Advisory Commission honors Rosado for contributions to Latino community
The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs honored Gloria Rosado, a social worker at Penn State Health St. Joseph — Downtown Campus, for her contributions to the Latino community during its Hispanic Heritage Month virtual celebration. The event aired Oct. 15 on Berks Community Television.
Penn State Health highlights National Disability Employment Awareness Month
People with disabilities make up the largest diversity group in the country. Because of their numbers and the issues they face, October highlights National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine are holding the following program related to disability:
“Insight into our Identities: People with Disabilities and Inclusivity”
Thursday, Nov. 19: Noon – 1 p.m.
Town hall session on developing strategies to advance a more inclusive work environment for employees with disabilities at Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine. Hosted by the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Register here.
Look for information about the upcoming Self-ID campaign that will run from Nov. 9 through Nov. 23. Health system employees can confidentially disclose disabilities as a way of helping to create a more inclusive environment.
Hershey Patient Safety Department accepts nominations for I AM Patient Safety achievement awards until Nov. 23
Hershey Medical Center’s Department of Patient Safety is accepting nominations from any Penn State Health entity for the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority’s 8th Annual I AM Patient Safety Achievement Awards until Monday, Nov. 23.
The award recognizes health care staff members or teams for their commitment to adopting patient safety best practices and reducing patient harm.
Three new award categories are available:
- Conquering COVID-19 – Honors the front-line heroes, leaders and administrators fighting the pandemic
- Nationwide Warriors – Recognizes an individual or a group from outside the commonwealth
- Physician Offices – Honors outpatient staff members’ work to prevent harm
See descriptions of all 10 award categories and a nomination form here or visit the Patient Safety Infonet page. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.
Breast cancer patients at St. Joseph Cancer Center benefit from community partnership
While the pandemic has affected the lives of most people, breast cancer patients face the added concern of being at higher risk for serious complications from COVID-19.
At St. Joseph Cancer Center, Breast Care Patient Navigator Lisa Spencer has noticed her patients feel especially isolated, and many are in need of additional support.
“We have patients out of work or with reduced hours, so financial resources for many have been limited,” Spencer said. “The referral sources that normally help out are also facing a financial crunch, meaning not much money is available per patient.”
Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks is one of those resources. Like organizations everywhere, it was forced to cancel its main source of funding due to the pandemic. Thanks to community partners like St. Joseph Cancer Center, they have come up with a solution — The Big Pink Auction.
Visit St. Joseph’s blog to learn more.
Kienle Center ‘Ripple Effect Competition’ deadline extended to Nov. 22
The Doctors Kienle Center for Humanistic Medicine has changed its deadline for the “Ripple Effect Competition” to Sunday, Nov. 22. All employees of Penn State Health and the College of Medicine are invited to participate and submit proposals with a budget of up to $10,000.
College of Medicine pandemic response Friday round-up – week of Oct. 19-23
College of Medicine leaders updated faculty, staff and students on Oct. 23 about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- On-site testing will be offered to any College of Medicine student who would like be tested for COVID-19 before heading home for the Thanksgiving holiday. On-site testing will be offered by Vault. Testing is tentatively planned for Nov. 16-18, and scheduling will begin on Nov. 6.
- All laboratory PIs should continue to develop work schedules for their lab and post these in the vicinity of their lab so they can be confirmed by Biosafety and Pandemic Officers. Weekly research lab schedules no longer need to be submitted to your department chair or safety officer for posting in BOX. Continue to adhere to mask use and appropriate distancing of at least 150 square feet per person.
Mark calendar for next Penn State Health town hall Nov. 18
The next Penn State Health town hall is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at noon:
- Zoom: zoom.us/j/94106307241
- Phone: 929 205 6099
- Webinar: 941 0630 7241
To submit a question in advance, send it to askacovidq@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Did you miss the Oct. 21 town hall meeting with Penn State Health leaders? Watch the replay here.
Employees honored for work milestones
Congratulations to the following Penn State Health employees who are celebrating a milestone work anniversary between Oct. 21 and Oct. 27. They put our values into action every day:
45 Years of Service
- Janice Bicksler, Information Services Laboratory Information Systems, Hershey
40 Years of Service
- Margarett Livingston, Information Systems Business Applications, Hershey
30 Years of Service
- Lisa Kiscadden, Provider and Patient Access Services Revenue Cycle, Hershey
- Bertha Rhoads, Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute, Hershey
20 Years of Service
- David Braucher, Information Systems Business Applications, Hershey
- Benjamin Kelly, Information Services End User Services, Hershey
- David Malin, Security, Hershey
- Lori Pocius, Medical Group Clinic Schedule Maintenance, Hershey
15 Years of Service
- Heather Stokes, Security, Hershey
- Shannon Turner, Cardiac Catheterization, Hershey
10 Years of Service
- Jennifer Batz, Provider and Patient Access Services Revenue Cycle, Hershey
- Henry Boateng, Orthopaedics, Hershey
- Elizabeth Conner, Department of Medicine, Hershey
- Christina Diaz, Operating Room, Hershey
- Allison Eberly, Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute, Hershey
- Troy Enders, Life Lion Emergency Medical Services, Hershey
- Jodi Muscalus, Pharmacy Services, Hershey
- Linda Rosenberry, Patient Access, Hershey
- Heather Smith, Patient Access, Hershey
- Jacqueline Speece, Contact Center, 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: Shannon Orehek, licensed social worker, Department of Neurology, Hershey Medical Center
From: Brian Spector, director of operations, Department of Neurology, Hershey Medical Center
Shannon took it upon herself to improve the morale of her co-workers by buying them candy (putting it in small cups she calls “chill pills”) and leaving them notes of encouragement on their desks or cars. She also set up a “Sunshine Cart” in the clinic for everyone to take from. I’ve never heard of anyone doing this. She is a role model.
Wellness Wednesday – New Sharecare challenge begins Nov. 1
Sharecare is back with a new voluntary challenge: Choose Your Own! In order to receive the incentive for completing the challenge, you must complete the RealAge test and track your steps, sleep and/or mood for 60 days between Nov. 1, 2020, and Feb. 28, 2021.
Click here for more information.
For additional wellness resources, visit the PRO Wellness BeWell Employee Wellness website.
Penn State Health sponsors virtual Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot
The 19th annual Carlisle Family YMCA Turkey Trot has gone virtual this year. Participants can run or walk (1 mile, 5K or 10K) between Nov. 22 and Nov. 30. Registration is $10. Register by Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11:45 p.m. to receive your SWAG by race week.
Penn State Health Drug Take-Back nets 747.5 pounds of prescription drugs
Penn State Health collected 747.5 pounds of medication and 33 sharps containers during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Oct. 24.
Penn State Health partnered with Derry Township, Lower Paxton Township and North Londonderry Township police departments on the event.
Webinar: Creating research coalitions Nov. 12
Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute presents “Collaboration Across Borders: Creating Coalitions in a Fragmented World” on Thursday, Nov. 12, from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required.
If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email Penn State Health Marketing & Communications.