COVID-19 testing for add-on surgeries at Hershey Medical Center available July 15
Beginning Wednesday, July 15, patients requiring COVID-19 testing for add-on surgeries can be swabbed 24 to 48 hours prior to surgery. For patients added on to the surgical schedule within the three-day window (24-48 hours until surgery) swab collection is available at the following locations:
- Monday–Friday: Westview Parking Garage, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Saturday–Sunday: Rear of 35 Hope Drive, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Patients will be asked their surgical date so the specimen can be appropriately triaged by the Hershey Medical Center lab. For questions, contact Kristen Kissell at 717-531-0003 ext. 289385.
In-person clinical research advances to next phase
On July 10, Dr. Lora Weiss, senior vice president for research at Penn State, released a statement allowing for an increase in in-person human subjects research, with appropriate approval, on campus.
For the College of Medicine, this does not affect previously approved observational studies (those conducted with subjects who are on campus for clinical reasons). Any other observational studies involving subjects coming to campus for research purposes must follow the procedures listed here. The link includes FAQs posted, as well as what is required from the Institutional Review Board.
Wellness Wednesday: Proven tips to get better sleep
Not sleeping as well as you would like? Consider turning off electronics one hour before bed. Watch your caffeine intake. Here are some additional tips to help improve your sleep. For more resources on stress reduction, meditation, easy recipes and more, visit the PRO Wellness BeWell Employee Wellness website.
Penn State offering online diversity series
Penn State Human Resources is offering a five-part series through Talent Management for anyone in the College of Medicine interested in advancing personal efficacy around diversity and inclusion-related skills. Each session is 45 minutes and starts at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 28, Cultural Competence vs. Cultural Agility
- Wednesday, Aug. 5, Race and Ethnicity, Not Race or Ethnicity
- Tuesday, Aug. 11, What About Us? Learning from Seldom Heard Minority Groups
- Wednesday, Aug.19, Microaggressions: From Confusion to Clarity
- Wednesday, Aug. 26, How Stereotypes Affect Social Influence Strategies
Participants must complete at least four of the five sessions in order to receive credit for participating in the series and a certificate upon completion. Register by Monday, July 27. There will be a waiting list for filled sessions.
Diversity and Inclusion will be offering 13 other trainings throughout the fall. All College employees should look for an email in the first week of August announcing all September through December programming.
Your town hall questions answered
Q. Do you know when the option of working remotely will end?
A. There is no firm end date. We have consistently stated that those operations with teams that are able to work remotely should continue. It is dependent on many factors (role, location, operation and organizational needs—with patient care as priority number one). These decisions are being made by managers at the operational level. Guidance and tools are underway to support leaders in managing remote teams.
Q. Will we close Holy Spirit when we open the Hampden Medical Center?
A. We will look at both facilities to see how we can use them both to best meet the needs of our patients. We feel we will need 250 beds to support the West Shore community. We have not determined what services will be available at each hospital yet. West Shore residents are excited to have access to the same care they can receive in Hershey, and with the additional resources we feel we will be able to close the gaps on the specialty needs of the West Shore.