Weekly Updates: Week of Oct. 5
Your opportunity to make a United difference starts Monday
Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine’s 2020 United Way campaign kicks off Monday, Oct. 12, and runs through Friday, Nov. 20.
The annual community fundraiser supports basic needs, school readiness, access to health care and workforce development.
“Now more than ever, our community needs United Way,” said Jim George, Penn State Health director of community relations. “Invest in its proven programs that improve lives and help individuals and families become self-sufficient.”
Penn State Health and the College of Medicine will focus on increasing the percentage of employees who give to United Way. The easiest way to give is through a small payroll deduction. Employees can direct their pledges to a specific nonprofit organization or to United Way’s general campaign.
- Penn State Health employees can make a pledge or donation online beginning Oct. 12.
- College of Medicine employees will receive their pledge form in an email from Dr. Kevin Black, College of Medicine interim dean, and Steve Massini, Penn State Health CEO, on Oct. 12.
EdVenture 2020 celebrates College of Medicine educators, trainees
More than 100 faculty, residents and students were recognized as outstanding educators during EdVenture 2020 on Oct. 1.
The College of Medicine’s annual celebration of teaching and learning featured virtual workshops for faculty and a lecture from Dr. Vivian Lewis, director of ombuds programming and development and professor emerita of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Rochester.
Read the full list of award winners.
Gender Health Clinic provides guidance on working with transgender patients
Doctors and other health care professionals can struggle to know how to have an open, honest discussion with a transgender patient, especially during their initial visit.
Because the number of younger people who identify as transgender is increasing, Penn State Health is putting this issue front and center.
Amy Keisling, coordinator of Penn State Health’s Gender Health Clinic, says she always starts her initial conversations by telling patients her name and what pronouns she uses. She then allows them to talk about how they want to be addressed. She says it is all a matter of treating patients with dignity.
The Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has partnered with the LGBT Center of Central PA and the LGBT Center of Greater Reading to provide health system employees with a one-hour session on best practices for providing care for transgender patients. Departments can email diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu to participate.
Conversation continues on finding ways to tackle racial, ethnic concerns
Penn State Health and College of Medicine employees shared a wealth of ideas on how to reduce or eradicate racism in our organization during a town hall meeting on Sept. 30.
Among the topics covered during the session, entitled “Insights into our Identities: Race and Ethnicity”:
- Working toward a more welcoming culture
- Ending workplace and patient bias
- Assessing the experience of minority patients
The town hall was a follow-up to nine other sessions held in June. Some recommendations include addressing the presence of Confederate flags in the workplace, creating opportunities for employees to greet each other and make eye contact, education on diversity and inclusion and identifying ways for employees to apply what they have learned at work about inclusion at home.
Zgierska, colleagues work to reduce stigma in addiction terminology
The stigma associated with addiction can haunt people in recovery from substance use disorders. For many, it means the inability to pursue dream careers or get life insurance policies.
Dr. Aleksandra Zgierska, vice chair for research, and Dr. David Rabago, vice chair of faculty development in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the College of Medicine, wrote an article on the importance of changing the way people talk about addiction and suggestions for getting started.
“The stigma around addiction may prevent some patients from getting the treatment they need,” Zgierska said. “Everyone from policymakers and health care professionals to families, patients and the public should adjust the way they talk about substance use disorders and the people who live with them.”
Read the full story for tips on reducing stigma when discussing addiction.
Penn State Health Human Resources provides on-site interview guidance
To ensure the safety of all our employees, patients and visitors, Penn State Health Human Resources has provided on-site screening and interview guidelines for conducting on-site interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Using virtual tools for candidate screening is preferred. However, in those instances where on-site interviews are necessary and approved, please use the screening form and interview guidelines provided on mySolutions.
These policies and practices are aligned with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. You may reach Human Resources Recruitment at talentacquisition@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or for assistance, contact the Human Resources Solution Center, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 717-531-8440.
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