The second annual Research Cores Symposium, taking place this December, will feature lightning talks of eight to 10 minutes each from researchers who utilize Penn State College of Medicine’s research cores. These researchers will explain how the various instruments and services of each core are being used for rapid progress in their research projects.

The free event will take place 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in rooms 302A/B/C at University Conference Center, on the College of Medicine’s campus in Hershey, Pa. Get conference center directions and details here.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Cores and services to be featured include:

• Bioluminescent imaging
• Flow cytometry
• Genome sciences
• Macromolecular synthesis
• Mass spectrometry
• Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy
• Microscopy imaging, transmission EM and cryo-EM
• Zebrafish

Learn more about all of the College’s research cores here.

To Register

Register online here

For Details

Email Kelly Arnold at karnold5@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

The AACR is a public charity that has been involved in the cancer research community for over 110 years.  Part of their mission is to promote education and research in the areas of cancer and related biomedical science by offering research funding opportunities including a variety of fellowships, career development awards, and mid-career and independent investigator grants.  A more comprehensive description recently communicated to its members highlights the following available funding options:

• Fellowships in basic, translational, breast, immune-oncology, pediatric, and cancer disparities research
• Fellowships supporting research experiences in both academia and industry
• Career development awards and independent investigator grants for Tumor Treating Fields Research
• AACR Gertrude B. Elion Award
• Mid-career female investigator grant
• Independent investigator grant for pediatric brain cancer research

We encourage students and faculty to explore and pursue these and other cancer research funding opportunities on the AACR funding website.

More than 4,000 runners competed in the 10^th annual Hershey Half Marathon on Oct. 20.

Organized by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, the event has raised more than $1 million for Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Children’s Hospital during the past 10 years.

CMN Miracle Kids gathered at Mile 11 to cheer on the runners.

Watch a recap video. (The video is on Facebook and might not be available at all work stations)

Many older Americans worry about their risk for developing some form of dementia, and with good reason. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, someone in the United States develops some form of dementia every 65 seconds. Dementia most commonly affects people age 65 and older. Even worse, right now, there is no cure.

“None of the major types of dementia have established therapies that change the course of the disease,” said Dr. Charles Duffy, a neurologist at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “But there are therapies that impact how people with dementia can continue to function well and lead good lives.”

Most people with dementia will need assistance from family members, friends and community members. That help takes different forms, depending upon where an older person is in his or her personal dementia journey. To provide optimal support, people should take these steps to educate themselves.

Learn more about dementia

Dementia is a syndrome marked by a decline of cognitive skills, such as memory and thinking. While some people use the terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s disease” interchangeably, they are different. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, contributing to approximately 70% of all dementia cases, according to the World Health Organization. “There are many different types and subtypes of both dementia and of Alzheimer’s disease,” Duffy said.

Know the symptoms

Possible signs of dementia may include forgetting names and words, becoming more easily distracted, struggling to stay organized or keep tasks straight, or failing to remember how to get to familiar places.

Those signs don’t necessarily mean someone has dementia, however. “Some of these, to a lesser degree, are also normal signs of brain aging after age 50,” Evans said. The only way to know for sure is to see a physician and get a memory test. But convincing someone to get that test is the hard part: only 16% of seniors receive regular cognitive assessments, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

“When supporting someone with dementia, people will have many such tough conversations,” Duffy said. “I encourage people to be polite, respectful, generous and kind in all interactions. Doing so will help to reassure a loved one that you are in this with him or her.”

Learn how to be supportive

When caring for a loved one with a dementia diagnosis, family members can help by providing emotional support. They also should encourage their loved ones to follow their treatment plan. That may include medications that attempt to slow the breakdown of certain brain chemicals related to memory. It also may include adapting healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, healthy eating, adequate rest and self-care. “We focus treatment on helping people maintain their independence so they can enjoy the activities they value most in their lives,” Duffy said.

Ongoing research may bring new hope to people with dementia. Duffy is currently conducting a study to identify healthy and unhealthy brain activity in people with dementia and how each might affect the progression of the disease.

Until researchers find a cure, support remains the best medicine because it helps people with dementia make sense of the unknown. As Duffy said, “Helping someone with dementia understand what is happening and what they can expect down the road is doing a great service.”

Learn more from Dr. Duffy on “Ask Us Anything About… Slowing Down Dementia,” at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 12 on the Penn State Health Facebook page.

The Medical Minute is a weekly health news feature produced by Penn State Health. Articles feature the expertise of faculty, physicians and staff and are designed to offer timely, relevant health information of interest to a broad audience.

Related content:

• The Medical Minute: Take steps to prevent Alzheimer’s disease
• Ask Us Anything About … Memory Loss
• The Medical Minute: Rate of Alzheimer’s deaths on the rise

On Thursday, Jane Mannon, vice president of Human Resources at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, sent the following email to managers and leaders:

Dear colleagues,

We are happy to share that we hired a new director/chief of security and a parking and transportation services manager.

William Losefsky is our new director/chief of security. He replaces Scott Sutherland, who left the organization this summer.  With Deborah Berini’s recently announced organizational changes, Security now reports to me.

As Penn State Health continues to grow, William will also have additional responsibility for Security for Penn State Health, and in that capacity he will have a reporting relationship to David Swift, chief human resources officer.

Kyle Sergott is our parking and transportation services manager for Hershey Medical Center. This is a new position and will oversee parking enforcement, parking allocation to align with best practices and valet and shuttle services on the Hershey campus. He will report to William.

Both will support our ongoing workplace and safety initiatives (helping to protect our employees, faculty and students. Kyle started with us earlier this week (Oct. 28), and William starts Nov. 11.

William joins our team from LRGHealthcare in Laconia, N.H., where he was chief of security services/transportation. While there, he oversaw all security protective operations and transportation for all LRGHealthcare system hospitals, medical office buildings and affiliated practices and wellness centers.

William earned his master’s degree in business administration from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Ala. He graduated from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass., with a bachelor’s degree in human services with a concentration in criminal justice.

His many certifications include: Crime Prevention through Environment Design, Healthcare Protection Administrator and Anti-Terrorism Specialist.

He has extensive Department of Defense and disaster/emergency management training.  He also earned certification in ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) and is an Active Shooter instructor.

Kyle comes to us from Lanier Parking Solutions in Philadelphia where he was territory manager. In that role, he oversaw managers and supervisors of three marquee center city parking facilities. He participated in planning committees on parking facilities usage and operational effectiveness and oversaw physical plant maintenance on recurring and special project basis. Kyle earned his bachelor’s degree in management from Lebanon Valley College.

Join me in welcoming William and Kyle to our Penn State Health family, and in thanking David Melhorn for serving as interim director.

Weekly Quick Hits recaps announcements and events from The Daily Brief email. Check your email inbox for more.

Have an item to be featured in Quick Hits? Email news@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

PEOPLE

Pediatric surgeon recognized for clinical expertise

Dr. Kathryn Martin, pediatric surgeon at Penn State Children’s Hospital and assistant professor of surgery and pediatrics, won the Dr. Sally Abston Distinguished Member Award from the Association of Women Surgeons Foundation (AWS). She received this new award for her nationally recognized clinical expertise and for serving as “a powerful mentor and role model, especially in her work as part of the Women in Surgery group at Penn State.” Read more.

Medical student selected for HIV Psychiatry elective

Erin Davidowicz, a fourth-year medical student at Penn State College of Medicine , was one of eight students selected nationwide to participate in the American Psychiatric Association’s Medical Student Elective in HIV Psychiatry in San Francisco. “I’ve always been interested in how marginalization contributes to a patient’s experience of disease,” Davidowicz said.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PRIDE and DAAG to host annual gala

On Saturday, Nov. 2, the College of Medicine’s LGBT students group (PRIDE) and its students with disabilities group (DAAG) will host their annual gala at the University Conference Center from 6 to 10 pm. Spouses/partners are invited. Admission is free. Register.

Get a free flu shot and slice of pizza

Get a free flu shot and a free slice of pizza at Penn State Health and Highmark free, drive-through flu shots on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lebanon High School, 1000 S. 8^th Street, Lebanon. Reservations are suggested by not required. Anyone 3 years old or older are permitted to receive the shot. No ID or insurance is required. Register here.

Drugs 101 session for parents and kids

Penn State Children’s Hospital will present “Drugs 101: What Parents and Kids Need to Know” on Monday, Nov 4 at the Jewish Community Center in Harrisburg. Each session is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The program educates parents about various forms of drugs and vaping and helps teens learn healthy decision-making in a fun, relaxed format. Register here..

Be a part of Penn State Health history

You’re invited to be a part of Penn State Health history! Stop by the Tree House Café at Penn State Children’s Hospital this Monday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and sign a flag that will be hung from the final steel beam of Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center at a topping off ceremony on Nov. 8. Staff and faculty members from throughout the health system and College of Medicine have signed the flag at the recent Fall Employee Meetings.

Fall 2019 employee meetings set for Nov. 4

Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine employees are invited to join the conversation at the Fall 2019 Employee Meetings. The remaining dates:

• • Monday, Nov. 4, Noon: St. Joseph Medical Center ― Downtown Campus ― Zoom link
  • Monday, Nov. 4, 2 p.m.: St. Joseph Medical Center ― Main Campus, Bern Township ― Zoom link

Manage unconscious bias and microaggressions

Join Shakoor Ward, professional development coordinator at University Park, as he leads the session “Subtle Slights: Understanding the Impact of Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions” on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Penn State College of Medicine, C3621. The session will focus on recognizing, validating and ultimately managing the display and impact of microaggressions. Register here.

Book club discussion: Arab women reporting from the Arab World

Penn State Commission for Women’s Fall 2019 Book Club will continue its discussion of “Our Women on the Ground: Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World” on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m.: Nov. 13, “Resilience and Exile” and  Dec. 11, “Transition” at Penn State College of Medicine, C1800. Bring your lunch; coffee and dessert will be provided.

Paid Time Off requests due by Nov. 18

The annual Paid Time Off (PTO) payout is available to all PTO-eligible employees, provided the payout is not more than 40 hours and does not reduce the balance of your PTO hours to less than 80 for the pay period that ends Nov. 9. The payout is available once every calendar year and will be paid on Nov. 29. Submit requests by Monday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. Submit your requests through the PULSE . Go to Employee Self-Service, click on My Payroll and then 2019 PTO Payout.

 Cope with stress through journaling

Dr. Martha Levine will give a presentation on ways to cope with stress and foster creativity through the art of journaling. The event is Tuesday, Nov. 19, from noon to 1 p.m., Penn State College of Medicine, C6616. Register here.

“Rethinking General Anesthesia” presentation Nov. 21

Dr. Emery N. Brown, Warren M. Zapol Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School, will present “Rethinking General Anesthesia” on Thursday, Nov. 21, noon to 1 p.m. at the College of Medicine, Junker Auditorium. Lunch will be provided. Continuing Medical Education credit will be provided to those who attend in person. The lecture will be livestreamed and available for viewing during and after the lecture.

The Penn State Alumni Association honored Penn State College of Medicine alumna Dr. Wendy E. Braund with the Alumni Fellow Award, the Alumni Association’s highest award, on Oct. 23. She was one of 16 alumni to receive the award.

Braund, who graduated from the College of Medicine in 2001, is the director of the Center for Public Health Practice, associate dean for practice and professor of health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Previously, she was a Wyoming state health officer and public health division administrator in the Wyoming Department of Health.

“Dr. Braund is considered a national leader in public health practice, preventive medicine and population health,” said Dr. Kevin Black, interim dean at the College of Medicine. “As such, she considers every American her patient, and her goal is for each of us to live longer, better lives.”

Braund currently serves on the College of Medicine Alumni Society Board, where she previously held the role of president, and is a former member of the Penn State Alumni Council and Executive Committee. She is a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association. She has established and led support for multiple scholarships within the College of Medicine and College of Agricultural Sciences.

Braund speaks and writes extensively and has testified before legislators regarding the best prevention science across a range of public health issues, including maternal and child health, substance abuse, HIV, geriatric medicine and veterans’ health. She has participated in more than 100 different capacities to a variety of universities, medical schools, hospitals and governmental and community-based organizations.

The Penn State Alumni Association administers the Alumni Fellow program in cooperation with the University’s academic colleges, campuses and the Office of the President. College or campus leaders nominate alumni who are leaders in their professional fields. The president of the University invites Alumni Fellow Award recipients to return to campus to share their expertise with students, faculty and administrators.

Fourteen of the 16 recipients of Penn State Alumni Association’s 2019 Alumni Fellow Award are seen during the award event Oct. 23, 2019.

Middle-aged adults with high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke could be at increased risk for cancer and early death when sleeping less than six hours per day, according to new research from Penn State College of Medicine published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Researchers analyzed data of more than 1,600 adults between 20 and 74 years old who spent one night in the sleep laboratory. Participants were categorized into two groups as having stage 2 high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes, and having heart disease or stroke.

Researchers found:

• Of the 512 people who passed away, one-third died of heart disease or stroke and one-fourth died due to cancer.
• People who had high blood pressure or diabetes and slept less than six hours had twice the increased risk of dying from heart disease or stroke.
• People who had heart disease or stroke and slept less than six hours had three times the increased risk of dying from cancer.
• The increased risk of early death for people with high blood pressure or diabetes was negligible if they slept for more than six hours.

“Our study suggests that achieving normal sleep may be protective for some people with these health conditions and risks,” said lead study author Julio Fernandez-Mendoza, associate professor of psychiatry at the College of Medicine and sleep psychologist at the Sleep Research and Treatment Center at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “However, further research is needed to examine whether improving and increasing sleep through medical or behavioral therapies can reduce the risk of early death.”

Read more about this study here.

Read the full manuscript published in the Journal of the American Heart Association here.

Penn State Health’s annual benefits open enrollment closes this Wednesday, Nov. 6. While this is the one time a year that you can make changes to your benefits, wellness resources and programs are available to you and your family all year long. As you’re setting your professional and career goals, start considering your wellness goals for the coming year.

The Penn State Health Total Rewards team has partnered with various providers to expand the programs and resources we offer across eight dimensions of wellness:

1. Intellectual
2. Emotional
3. Physical
4. Social
5. Occupational
6. Financial
7. Environmental
8. Spiritual

Many consider physical fitness the primary focus of wellness. However, wellness is made up of many dimensions, and it’s as unique as you are. Each dimension of wellness is an area of opportunity for improvement. Where are your strengths? What would you like to improve in 2020? Our goal is to inspire you and your family to lead a balanced, healthy lifestyle by offering helpful tools to support you in living the life you want, the way you want.

Virtual Benefits Fair

The Penn State Health Virtual Benefits Fair is a great online tool where you can learn about the many resources available, including a new Sharecare wellness app through Highmark, and Livingo, a diabetes management program, both coming in January 2020.

The Virtual Benefits Fair will stay open throughout 2020 so that you have an easy-to-access, mobile and family-friendly source available 24/7. Visit the Virtual Benefits Fair via your personal computer, tablet or mobile phone. It offers one interactive space where you can explore providers, benefits and wellness resources, access how-to videos and recorded town hall presentations, and learn more about the programs available to support your wellness goals.

Visit mySolutions for more Benefits and Wellness information, including the Penn State Health Wellness Toolkit, which addresses the eight dimensions of wellness and provides a valuable, comprehensive list of resources and tips to help you stay well every day of the year.

Do you know that if you have knowledge of or suspect any conduct in the workplace that may be illegal or unethical, it’s your duty to report it? In fact, you must act ethically and legally with every person you come in contact with, including patients, families, visitors, physicians, volunteers, vendors and other employees, according to the Penn State Health Compliance Code of Conduct.

“This is the promise we make to our patients and the communities we serve,” explains Nicki Campbell, director of compliance operations. “And it’s why every employee is required to complete compliance training each year.”

As Penn State Health shines a spotlight on National Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week, Nov. 3 to Nov. 9, here are five things every employee should know:

1. We all must take ownership of compliance to be successful. In addition to Compliance staff and Penn State Health senior leaders, every employee plays a part in ensuring that Penn State Health maintains the highest standards of legal and ethical excellence.
2. Calling the Compliance Hotline at 800-560-1637 is just one way to report illegal or unethical conduct. You also can make a report in person or in writing to your supervisor, department head or corporate compliance officer or submit an online form.
3. No one will face retaliation for reporting a concern in good faith. Any attempt at retaliation is a serious matter and will be dealt with according to federal and state laws.
4. Most health care non-compliance issues deal with patient safety, the privacy of patient information and billing practices. Our patients depend on us to be compliant. Doing so keeps them safe. It’s your responsibility to be aware of the policies and laws that apply to your job.
5. Electronic data breaches are on the rise and becoming a major compliance issue. As health care organizations move bigger and bigger pools of confidential data, the risk increases.

Watch for your 2020 annual compliance training assignment coming this January or February.

Learn what other issues should be reported to the Compliance Hotline on the Compliance Infonet site and stay informed about the latest compliance news.

Students in Penn State College of Medicine’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program won the 20th Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants Medical Challenge Bowl on Oct. 25 in Lancaster, Pa.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the College of Medicine has won this competition.

The team triumphed over eight other physician assistant programs in Pennsylvania.

In the first and second rounds, Penn State defeated the University of Pittsburgh and Drexel University respectively by answering a series of medical questions in a similar format to “Jeopardy.” In the championship round, Penn State defeated Mercyhurst University.

Penn State is the defending champion of the National Challenge Bowl, which occurs at the American Academy of Physician Assistants annual conference. To date, Penn State has graduated four physician assistant classes, each with a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the national certifying exam.

Team members were:

• Jamal Benson
• Alyssa Floyd
• Brandon Kinneman
• Eric Burfeind – alternate
• Christine Bruce – faculty adviser

Pictured from left are Alyssa Floyd, Brandon Kinneman and Jamal Benson, members of the 2019 Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants Medical Challenge Bowl Team from Penn State College of Medicine.

Heather Stuckey-Peyrot, associate professor of medicine, public health sciences and humanities, will present “Qualitative Analysis” at the next event in the Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD) Research Methods Seminar Series.

This seminar will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, in Room H4504 (Clinical Research Center) at Penn State College of Medicine. It will also be streamed to 116 Henderson, University Park, and stream online. A streaming link is provided upon registration.

Register here by 5 p.m. Nov. 11.

The Research Methods Seminar Series features lectures on fundamental research methods in the fall semester with more advanced topics in the spring semester. Statisticians and methodologists from multiple Penn State departments present these seminars.

Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design is part of Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute. To request a consultation with the core, complete a request form.

It’s tough to be a kid stuck in a hospital. But when you’re not able to go trick-or-treating or attend your school Halloween party, it can make the hospital stay even more difficult.

Pediatric patients at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital were able to experience the fun of the season with a costume parade and party organized by Child Life staff on Oct. 31. Wearing costumes donated by specialty retailer Spirit of Halloween, they visited departments throughout the hospital and received treats from Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine staff.

“Halloween is a big part of kids’ lives,” said Child Life support associate Sarah Miller. “If they weren’t expecting to be here, we can make it a little more fun.”

This was one of about 100 parties that Spirit of Halloween sponsored at children’s hospitals  nationwide as part of its Spirit of Children program, which raises money for Child Life Departments.

Since 2010, the program has contributed more than $489,832 to Penn State Children’s Hospital.  That money has been used to fund two, year-long Child Life fellowship positions, expand Child Life services into the weekend and add a full-time facility dog.

It has also been used to pay for special events such as football tailgate and holiday parties for pediatric patients and their families, as well as mobile gaming systems and Vecta machines to distract children during procedures.

Child Life staff provides non-medical treatment and healing through play for Children’s Hospital patients and works to make the hospital experience easier and more comfortable for them.

Watch video: See the NICU crew celebrate a construction-themed Halloween party at the Children’s Hospital.

Users on clinical workstations at Hershey Medical Center: Click here to learn how the construction theme previews the Children’s Hospital expansion.

Dr. Eileen Hennrikus, professor of medicine at Penn State College of Medicine, is featured for November in the “Exceptional Moments in Teaching” program.

“Dr. Hennrikus was wonderful throughout our Scientific Principles of Medicine (SPM) course, keeping us engaged and interested in the material by giving us the clinical application, encouraging us along the way and making sure to focus on what was most relevant,” wrote a current student. “She has an excellent teaching style ― I remember diabetic ketoacidosis more than any other topic because of the way she taught us during the lab simulation. She always brightened up SPM and contributed significantly to our learning.”

Hennrikus graduated from Mount Holyoke College, Georgetown Medical School and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of California, San Diego. She was a National Health Service Scholarship recipient and completed her medical service obligation as medical director of the National City Health Clinic.

Hennrikus initially practiced both inpatient and outpatient medicine, until 20 years ago when she became one of the first hospitalists. She worked as a hospitalist/critical care physician for 10 years before coming to Penn State College of Medicine where she is an academic hospitalist.  At Penn State, Hennrikus has been involved in medical education as co-director of first-year Scientific Principles of Medicine, clinical skills advisor in Foundations of Patient-Centered Care, teacher in the third-year integration course and teacher in the fourth-year internship preparatory course.

Penn State College of Medicine’s Office for a Respectful Learning Environment recognizes exceptional faculty, residents and fellows with the monthly “Exceptional Moments in Teaching” program. College of Medicine students are invited to submit narratives about faculty members, residents, nurses or any other educators who challenge them and provide an exceptional learning experience. Click here for the nomination form.

The Office for a Respectful Learning Environment fosters an educational community at Penn State College of Medicine in which all learners and educators feel supported, challenged, valued and respected. It serves all learners at the College of Medicine: medical students, graduate students, physician assistant students, residents and fellows.

Penn State College of Medicine MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program co-directors Robert G. Levenson, PhD, and Leslie J. Parent, MD, recently shared program highlights.

New first-year students

Penn State College of Medicine’s MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program officially welcomed seven new first-year MD/PhD students, including the first student in the joint MD/PhD-Anthropology program, during the 24th annual White Coat Ceremony held Aug. 2, 2019, at the Hershey Lodge.

The new MD/PhD students are:

• Farrah Alkhaleel from the University of Pennsylvania
• Timothy Helmuth from the University of Colorado
• Stephen Chih from the University of California – Santa Barbara
• Havell Markus from Arizona State University
• Matthew Molinaro from the University of Florida
• Laura Perez from Florida International University
• Afton Widdershins from The College of Wooster

Recruitment and admissions

The directors were pleased to report that the program’s applicant pool continues to grow, increasing in both quality and diversity. For the 2019 application cycle, the program had received more than 300 completed applications as of late October, a 9 percent increase over the number of applications received in all of 2018.

The increase in the number of applicants has made recruitment days (of which there are five between October and February) much more intense, as the program now invites as many as 15 students per interview day. The directors shared their thanks for program administrator Alison Smolinski for finding and juggling faculty reviewers and getting everyone’s schedules in order, and to the student members of the recruitment committee (Kyra Newmaster, Jasmine Geathers, Brianna Evans, Raul Nachnani, Esther Choi and Sarah Kazzaz) for all the help they provide in shepherding applicants to their interviews and showing off the program to visiting applicants.

Two new students will be joining the program in 2020. Anastasia Hale is coming from the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University Park. She is the third student to be admitted to the program from the Early Assurance/Schreyer Honors Program. Hale spent two summers in Hershey working with Lucian Moldovan as part of the Schreyer Honors College MD/PhD Summer Exposure Program.

Alisa Suen Wallach will be joining the program as the first NIH Track III student. The Track III program provides the MSTP with a supplemental training slot for students who have earned a PhD, worked in an NIH-sponsored lab, and wish to enter the clinician-scientist pathway by obtaining an MD degree. Dr. Wallach received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from University of California – Davis and a PhD in toxicology from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the NIEHS in Durham, N.C. Although Dr. Wallach will be on campus as an MD student, she plans to participate in MSTP activities and continue to do research.

Student Awards and Achievements

There have been several notable achievements in the program since the last update.

• Ernest “Ernie” Wang (a third-year graduate student mentored by Dr. Xuemei Huang) was awarded an F30 for his work on brain manganese accumulation and toxicity in humans carrying a hemochromatosis genetic variant.
• Andrea Schneider (a fourth-year graduate student mentored by Dr. Amanda Nelson) was awarded an F30 for her work on the role of UVB and its effect on TLR3 immune signaling and changes in keratinocyte physiology.
• Martin “Marty” Johnson (a third-year graduate student mentored by Dr. Mo Trebak) was awarded an F30 for his studies of mechanisms underlying airway smooth muscle remodeling in asthma.
• Heather Ren (a fourth-year graduate student mentored by Dr. Aron Lukacher) was awarded an F31 for her work on elucidating the mechanisms of cellular and humoral immune evasion and subsequent polyomavirus encephalitis.
• Monica Manglani (a fifth-year graduate student mentored by Dorian McGavern of NINDS) gave oral presentations of her work on cerebral malaria at several major conferences, including the Keystone Conference on Vascular Biology and Human Disease held in Santa Fe, N.M.; the NIH Intramural Retreat held in Rockville, Md.; and the Blood Brain Barrier Meeting held at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories in New York. Manglani was also the recipient of the NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence and was named an NIH Track II scholar, for which the MSTP received a supplemental training slot.
• Scott Tucker, currently a third-year medical student, is co-inventor on a U.S. patent application for a novel total wrist arthroplasty, and is principal investigator on a recently funded Innovation Grant from the Center for Medical Innovation.

Also, at the Faculty and Student Research Retreat held Aug. 6 at the Antique Auto Museum in Hershey, four Penn State College of Medicine MD/PhD students were among those to receive awards for their work.

• Carson Wills (mentored by Dr. H.G. Wang) and Andrea Schneider (mentored by Dr. Amanda Nelson) both received the Carl Beyer, MD/PhD, Scholarship.
• Eric Yau (mentored by Dr. Zissis Chroneos) received the Richard J. Courtney Graduate Student Award.
• Kristin Lambert, a third-year medical student, received the Alumni Society Award.

Retreat and Upcoming Events

The directors shared their thanks to the retreat planning committee for hosting an informative and fun event at the second annual Fall Retreat held Sept. 28, 2019, and also thanked photographer and student Spencer Katz for capturing many memorable MD/PhD moments.

The other two retreats this academic year are:

• Winter retreat: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at the University Conference Center in Hershey
• Spring retreat: Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5, 2020, at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College

Register now for these events.

New Courses

Two new courses specifically designed for MD/PhD students are now underway and running smoothly.

• BMS 597 (Introduction to Advanced Translational Medicine) has replaced the Clinical Exposure Program and is now a program requirement for students in the second through fourth graduate years (G1 optional). This is a for-credit course (one credit per semester; pass/fail) that is required for graduation, and is a prerequisite for the required Advanced Translational Medicine longitudinal clerkship for MD/PhD students during the third year of medical school.
• ATM-LS 700 (Advanced Translational Medicine – Longitudinal Selective 700) is a Phase II longitudinal selective designed to provide a continuity experience for third-year medical students with patients and with select clinical preceptors in a specialty of the student’s choice. Students spend two full days in clinic per month over the course of the clerkship. The focus of this selective is for MD/PhD students to utilize their experience and knowledge in biomedical research and translate that knowledge to help diagnose and treat patients presenting with a particular disease. This is a five-credit course (honors/high pass/pass) that will count as a required fourth-year selective.

During the MD/PhD Fall retreat, students interacted across cohorts and in small teams to complete a variety of activities under the direction of the College of Medicine’s Career Services team. Here, from left, Afton Widdershins (first-year medical student), Martin “Marty” Johnson (third-year graduate student) and Yun Kim (fourth-year graduate student) are seen in their small group.

Penn State College of Medicine’s Physician Scientist Student Association shared several highlights from its fall 2019 activities.

Marty Johnson, the group’s president, remarked about what a busy summer it was for students in the MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program, with fourth-year medical students starting to interview for residencies, first-year medical students now already in their second immunology and microbiology block of classes and many graduate students publishing papers and preparing for clerkships.

A particular highlight this season was the 2019 Fall Retreat. Students and faculty were particularly pleased with this retreat, and the PSSA gives special thanks to Maryknoll Palisoc (first-year graduate student), the retreat chair, and the entire retreat committee, as well as Alison Smolinski, MSTP program administrator.

The retreat began with a fun “Jeopardy” game hosted by Rahul Nachnani (second-year medical student). Following this “vertical integration” activity, there was a professional development workshop with Jessica Kirkwood, Director of Career Services for the College of Medicine. During this workshop, students learned the art of networking, shaking hands and getting the most out of academic conferences. Finally, a diverse panel of Penn State residency directors shared their wisdom on their particular residency training tracks, and tips for the application process. PSSA especially wishes to thank Dr. Ronald Panganiban for facilitating the discussion. The next retreat is in January.

PSSA also noted several students’ achievements:

• Andrea Schneider and Carson Willis (both fourth-year graduate students) received the Carl H. Beyer Jr., MD/PhD, Scholarship.
• Kristen Lambert (third-year medical student) received the Alumni Society Award.
• Eric Yau (third-year graduate student) received the Richard J. Courtney Graduate Student Award.
• Scott Tucker (third-year medical student) participated in the 2019 Invent Penn State Venture and IP Conference Tech Tournament.
• Maryknoll Palisoc (first-year graduate student) was awarded a TL1 fellowship through Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

In other personal and professional news from PSSA students:

• Greg Brown (second-year graduate student) danced at Penn State’s THON with the Rup family.
• Eric Yau (third-year graduate student) went to the Experimental Biology conference in Orlando, Fla.
• Andrea Schneider (fourth-year graduate student) got married.
• Derek Nye (sixth-year graduate student) went to an EMBO conference in Israel and a Life Sciences Symposium at State College, where he won best poster award. He also co-organized the annual MCIBS and Pathobiology graduate program retreat in State College.
• Marty Johnson (third-year graduate student) went to the Organellar Channel and Transporters GRC conference in Vermont and Calcium Signaling conference in Fes, Morocco.
• Ernie Wang (third-year graduate student) is training for a 5K with Marty Johnson.

PSSA will have its next meeting Dec. 12, 2019, after the lunch seminar. The group will discuss the upcoming retreat and other student concerns from the last meeting. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact Marty Johnson.

Penn State Health will significantly expand medical services in the Hershey community by adding internal medicine, endocrinology and nephrology to family medicine services currently offered at the CocoaPlex Center. The health system aims to improve patient access and convenience to these high-demand services.

CocoaPlex Center owner Room One Corporation announced plans today to close the CocoaPlex Cinema after the first of the year. Following the decision to close the theater, Room One chose to offer Penn State Health a lease option for the 20,000-square-foot space currently occupied by the theater.

The CocoaPlex Cinema space is in the same complex as the Penn State Health Medical Group – Cocoa family medicine practice site. The space is also adjacent to Penn State Health Medical Group – Fishburn family medicine practice and within less than a half mile of the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus.

Two Internal Medicine practices currently operating on the East and West side of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus will consolidate services to the CocoaPlex location. Adult Endocrinology and Nephrology services also will move to CocoaPlex from locations at the University Physician Center.

Moving these services off campus will provide easier access for internal medicine and adult endocrinology and nephrology patients. The move allows Penn State Health to create additional capacity for pediatric specialties on the Hershey campus. It also frees up more space for services remaining in the University Physician Center – including surgery; audiology; ear, nose and throat; dermatology and urology – to expand and treat more patients in need of these services.

“This new location is an opportunity to expand the specialized services that we provide as the region’s only university health center in a location that will enhance access and convenience for our patients.” said Deborah Berini, president of Hershey Medical Center.

“The pending availability of this additional CocoaPlex Center space is a real opportunity for Penn State Health to provide a better experience for our patients,” said Peter Dillon, president of Penn State Health Medical Group. “We believe it will be a win for the Hershey community as well.”

Pre-construction and design work on the project is underway. The project is expected to take 12 to14 months, with opening of the new space to patients anticipated for late 2020.

Nipsey, Earl David Reed and Jen Shade of The People’s Morning Show on WQXA-FM 105.7 The X will host the 13th annual People’s Pay 4 Play (#Pay4PlayXIII) from Thursday, Nov. 7 at 5 a.m. through Friday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m.

During the 28-hour marathon broadcast from the WQXA studio (2300 Vartan Way, Harrisburg), listeners can call 1-800-332-1057 to make a donation and request a song to be played. The further the request is from the station’s rock and roll format, the higher the required donation. Listeners can also donate at CMNHershey.org.

The event has raised $1,720,893 in the past 12 years for Children’s Miracle Network. This year, the team hopes to surpass $2 million in total fundraising. Funds will be used to purchase lifesaving equipment and support vital programs and research at Penn State Children’s Hospital.

In an Oct. 24 meeting with Penn State Health St. Joseph leadership, Lynette Chappell-Williams, chief diversity officer for Penn State Health, began a dialogue on the steps St. Joseph needs to take to implement a diversity action plan.

The project is an outgrowth of Penn State Health’s commitment to increasing the diversity of its workforce and advancing an inclusive respectful work environment at all of its locations.

Lynette Chappell-Williams, chief diversity officer for Penn State Health, visits Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center.

“Over the past five years, a diversity initiative has been implemented in Hershey to create diversity initiatives at an organizational level and, more recently, at a departmental level, establish systems to increase diversity of candidates in the selection process and to provide health care professionals with diversity skills through the Inclusion Academy,” Chappell-Williams explains. “Many aspects of this initiative have resulted in national recognition from outlets, such as Forbes, Military Times and the Human Rights Campaign Health Equality Index.”

Penn State Health also has established employee affinity groups in Hershey that provide opportunities for employees of similar backgrounds to both network with each other and to make recommendations for the organization to be more inclusive. Currently there are seven such groups, which are focused on those with disabilities, military status, LGBTQ communities, women in medical and science positions, religious faiths, racial minority groups and young professionals.

St. Joseph will hold follow-up discussions to identify priorities for its diversity action plan. Employees who would like to submit ideas for the plan, should send an email to diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Penn State Health CEO Steve Massini sent the following email to Penn State Health employees today:

Dear colleagues,

Thank you to all who responded to my last CEO message asking for feedback on Penn State Health’s proposed mission and vision statements.

Many of you called out the word “citizens” in the draft mission statement:  To continually improve the health and well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond…

You rightly noted that we exist to improve the health and well-being of all people, not just those who are citizens. Thank you for speaking up. Your comments reinforced one of the positive themes in our recent employee engagement survey, which is that as an organization, we value diversity and inclusion.

In a perfect world, every patient who comes to us for care would have an exceptional experience every step of the way. They would receive the highest quality and safest care. Our communications and coordination with them and each other would be exemplary. And, because we did everything right, they would have the best possible outcome.

This scenario is the backdrop of the first of our organizational goals for fiscal year 2020. In September, the Penn State Health Board of Directors approved four primary goals for the current fiscal year: quality and safety, patient satisfaction, employee satisfaction and financial performance. Each week in November, I’ll introduce you to one of the goals, as well as to a webpage that will track our progress throughout the year. The final week, you’ll hear about an organizational performance bonus program that will be tied to our success.

Today’s message focuses on Penn State Health’s 2020 goals to enhance quality and safety for our patients. Specifically, the goals are:

• Reduce the rate of serious safety events by 2.5%
• Reduce preventable inpatient mortality by 2.5%
• Ensure that a minimum of 61% of our Medicare patients receive their annual wellness visit

We chose those goals because they are meaningful and measurable. A serious safety event is when a patient is seriously harmed because we didn’t do something right. Real examples include giving the wrong dose of a medication, delays in care, lack of communication among providers and not doing what we should have done to prevent a patient from falling.

Across our organization, we are working toward becoming a high-reliability organization, where care is delivered effectively, efficiently and predictably for every patient, every time. There are key things we can do to help get there: follow evidence-based practices, communicate and collaborate with colleagues, coordinate care and speak up when we see an unsafe situation. The challenge is staying focused amid the details of our daily lives. I appreciate that nearly 9,000 managers and employees across Penn State Health have undergone safety behavior training and are putting those lessons into practice. In fact, I participated in a meeting with the Joint Commission recently in which surveyors complimented our training program and our unwavering commitment to zero harm.

I also appreciate that nearly 200 employees have been recognized for safety behaviors through our new PAWS UP category of safety and reliability. Tom Curfman, an environmental health worker at Hershey Medical Center, was recognized for speaking up while cleaning a patient’s room. He noticed the patient was about to take his own home medications and asked him to wait until he could call a nurse, which he did.

A few examples of actions all of us can take to enhance safety and quality:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Speak up when you see something unsafe.
• Get a flu shot.

Next week, I’ll talk about patient satisfaction. In the meantime, here’s my request: Please send me your ideas of ways that we can contribute to our quality and safety goal. It can be something you and your colleagues are already doing or something fresh we can try. With each future CEO message, I’ll share your tips so that we can learn from each other.

Thank you for all that you do, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Steve Massini

Chief Executive Officer