milton S. hershey medical center Archives - Central Penn Business Journal

Penn State Health reestablishes transplant program

From left: Dr. Raymond Lynch, Dr. Johnny Hong, and Dr. Thomas Butler will lead Penn State Health’s abdominal organ transplant program – PHOTO/PROVIDED

Penn State Health has reestablished its abdominal organ transplant program for people with kidney or liver disease, after inactivating it last year.

The program at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center with a new team of surgeons, will allow patients to receive transplants close to home, completing the full spectrum of kidney and liver care already provided by medical and surgical specialists at Penn State Health, the health system said.

“We voluntarily inactivated our program in April 2022 to improve it, and we’ve since built the abdominal transplant program the people of central Pennsylvania deserve,” said Deborah Addo, chief operating officer of Penn State Health, who oversaw the project. “Our new surgeons join our medical specialty directors to lead one of the best kidney and liver care teams in the country.”

Penn State Health’s new team of abdominal transplant surgeons includes:

Dr. Johnny Hong, an internationally recognized leader in abdominal transplant and hepatobiliary surgery with a track record for building top programs, heads the Penn State Health abdominal transplant program as chief of the Division of Transplantation and director of liver transplant surgery.
Dr. Thomas Butler serves as surgical director of kidney transplant surgery. His clinical interests include expanding minority organ donations and equity in access to organ transplantation, as well as increasing the transplant workforce.
Dr. Raymond Lynch serves as director of transplantation quality and outcomes. Lynch is a board-certified, fellowship-trained abdominal transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon who specializes in treating patients with end-stage kidney and liver diseases.

Michelle Lorenz will serve as program administrator for Penn State Health’s transplant program, overseeing administration for both abdominal transplant and the system’s heart transplant program.

Lorenz joined Penn State Health from the University of Virginia Medical Center after 17 years of transplant and related leadership roles.

Hong has established priorities for the Penn State Health program since his arrival in November, including recruitment of Butler and Lynch to the surgical team, Penn State Health said. A fourth surgeon will also join the transplant team in August.

Hong has also focused on building the foundation for a destination center of excellence for end-stage organ diseases and transplantation and expanding access to include underserved communities and patients with the most medically challenging conditions, Penn State Health said.

“Transplant surgery can provide patients a second chance at life, and we want everyone in central Pennsylvania who needs this care to know that we have built a truly exceptional multidisciplinary program they can trust right here,” Hong said. “Our first priority will be achieving clinical excellence and providing the best care for our patients, and then we’ll focus on ways to remove the barriers that prevent some patients from accessing the transplant services they need.”

In rebuilding the abdominal transplant program under Addo and Hong’s supervision, Penn State Health overhauled its administrative procedures and updated its surgical equipment.

In addition to their work with patients, the surgeons will serve as faculty at Penn State College of Medicine, helping train the next generation of physicians and surgeons.

Healthgrades: Lancaster General Hospital among best in country

Lancaster General Hospital. Submitted photo.

Lancaster General Hospital was named one of the country’s top 50 hospitals by Healthgrades, ranking it in the top one percent.

Four other local hospitals made Healthgrades Top 100 and Top 250 list.

Healthgrades recognizes national leaders in overall clinical excellence annually as a guide for people to find a doctor or hospital.

LGH, which has made the list for three consecutive years, also earned a top 50 rating for cardiac surgery and a top 100 rating for cardiac care, gastrointestinal surgery and stroke care.

“Using proprietary data, Healthgrades simplifies the research process and empowers consumers to choose experienced doctors who practice at high-quality hospitals” Healthgrades said in a statement.

To determine the top 250 U.S. hospitals, Healthgrades evaluated clinical performance for nearly 4,500 hospitals across more than 31 of the most common procedures and conditions. In tandem with the national recognition, Healthgrades measured the hospitals across 18 key specialty areas to identify the highest-ranking hospitals in 32 eligible states.

WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, UPMC Harrisburg Hospital and Milton S. Hershey Medical Center were named to the Top 100 Hospitals list, which places them in the top two percent; and WellSpan York made the Top 250 Hospitals list, placing it in the top five percent.

“Healthgrades makes it easy for consumers to choose a doctor based on the three factors that matter most: compatibility, relevant experience, and the quality of the hospital where you’ll be treated,” said Burt Kann, executive vice president and head of product at Healthgrades. “With these awards, we are helping consumers identify the highest quality care in their community by celebrating the hospitals that consistently deliver better-than-expected clinical outcomes.”

WellSpan Chambersburg was also recognized in the Top 100 for coronary intervention and critical care.

UMPC Harrisburg earned the Top 100 rating for cardiac care, gastrointestinal care, gastrointestinal surgery, pulmonary care and stroke care.

Milton S. Hershey received Top 100 status for gastrointestinal care, gastrointestinal surgery and stroke care.

WellSpan York also made the Top 100 for gastrointestinal care and stroke care.

A recent Healthgrades survey revealed that 64% of consumers are more concerned with their health and wellness than they were before the pandemic, and more than half of Americans (57%) are more concerned with the quality of care provided by the doctors and hospitals they choose today.

By making hospital performance more transparent, Healthgrades said it helps increasingly engaged consumers become informed healthcare customers.

“Healthcare decisions are often complicated and fraught with emotion,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. “By giving consumers an easy-to-understand, data-driven way to identify the hospitals in their area with the best outcomes, Healthgrades is helping all patients – no matter their background – confidently choose higher quality care.”

Program to put emergency doctors in field in Lancaster County

Emergency physicians in fellowship will work with EMS teams in the field in Lancaster County to expand training – PHOTO/PROVIDED

Penn State Health is expanding its emergency medical services (EMS) education program to Lancaster County Thursday.

In partnership with Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Health will add emergency physician in fellowship training to field calls giving doctors experience in prehospital emergency care.

Penn State Health said its academic affiliation has allowed it to create an EMS fellowship program at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where physicians-in-training divide their time between working in the Emergency Department and in the field with Penn State Health Life Lion EMS crews.

Physicians in the EMS fellowship program at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center have worked with field crews in Berks, Dauphin and Lebanon counties for 13 years.

For select calls, a physician will work alongside Life Lion’s first responders to provide prehospital emergency care, as well as coaching and education, Penn State Health said. The collaboration enhances EMS education and strengthens the relationship between pre-hospital teams and emergency department providers.

“Expanding this innovative program is a reflection of our commitment to provide high-quality care to the community we serve, from the moment of an emergency call through a patient’s journey back to good health,” said Dr. Michael Reihart, director of emergency services at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center.

“The goal of our EMS fellowship is to give the next generation of emergency medicine physicians as many educational opportunities as we can and to help make emergency care as seamless as possible,” said Dr. Francis Mencl, chief of the Division of Life Lion Emergency Medical Services at Hershey Medical Center and program director of the EMS fellowship.

“Most emergency physicians in training do not have the opportunity to give prehospital care in the field, so we are working to enhance that educational access and in turn allow these doctors to bring field expertise back to the inpatient setting and ensure a continuum of care,” Mencl said.

In addition to support in the field, the emergency physician in fellowship training will participate in educational sessions with Penn State Health Life Lion’s in-house emergency medical technician (EMT) training course, Penn State Health said.

Life Lion launched an in-house program to recruit, train and hire new EMTs in late 2021. The four-month program takes place at Penn State Health’s EMS facility in Mount Joy. Upon completion of the program, EMTs are employed with Life Lion.

“Our EMS clinicians in the field have been appreciative of this way of coaching and growing their skills to provide for their patients,” said Keith McMinn, director of Penn State Health Life Lion Services in Hershey. “This type of collaboration, support and leadership is invaluable in an environment where a timely response is critical.”

Harrisburg-based LGBT Center celebrates anniversary, honors community leaders

Harrisburg-based LGBT Center of Central PA hosted “FAB 2022: Connecting with the Past & Celebrating the Future” last Saturday at Hershey Lodge. The annual gala celebrated 16 years of the LGBT’s work in Central Pennsylvania, honored community leaders, and invited attendees to become involved in the work of the LGBT Center.

This year’s FAB awardees include the following: 

Dr. Tyler Titus – Movement Leadership Award 
Michelle & Trum Simmons – Legacy Award 
Amy Keisling – Local Spotlight Award

Dre Ceja – Creatives for Change Award
Alexis Zeno Torres – Volunteer of the Year Award 
Brady Pappas – Rising Star Award

The Movement Leadership Award recognizes an individual, group, or organization whose work at the statewide or national level is advancing LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion within the movement and provides a model to strive towards in work being done in Central Pennsylvania. Awardee Dr. Titus is a Licensed Professional Counselor and in November 2017 became the first openly transgender elected official in the State of Pennsylvania. Dr. Titus is serving a term as co-vice chair of the State’s first Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs.

The Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and personal dedication over a significant period of time in furthering the work of local LGBTQ+ communities. Co-recipient Michelle Simmons is a member of the LGBTQ & Allies Committee and co-chair of the Anti-rascist & Racial Justice Task Force. Trum Simmons taught at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) for more than four decades. As senior professor of English and Journalism, he developed and taught the course introduction to LGBTQ studies.

The Local Spotlight Award recognizes an individual, group, or organization whose work is significantly contributing to building connected, engaged, and resilient LGBTQ+ communities in Central Pennsylvania. Recipient Amy Keisling is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Coordinator for the Pediatric and Adolescent Gender Health Clinic at Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Creatives for Change Award recognizes an individual, group, or organization who is cultivating community through artistic expression, providing unique opportunities for LGBTQ+ people to create and participate in art in a healing, joyful, and impactful way. Awardee Dre Ceja is a multimedia artist who creates physical and digital art.

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes and individual who has dedicated a significant amount of their personal time and energy as a volunteer to further the work of the LGBT Center. Awardee Alexis Zeno Torres is a full-time HACC student working toward a degree in Business Administration.

The Rising Star Award recognizes an individual or group who has recently emerged as a leader and has begun to make a mark within the local LGBTQ+ communities through significant contributions in a short period of time. Recipient Brady Pappas is an artist and digital creator bases in Lancaster.

The gala event also recognized founding members of the LGBT Center and acknowledged the 10th anniversary of the LGBT History Project. Established in 2006, the LGBT Center serves more than 2,000 people every year across Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, and York counties.

Hershey Medical Center and Teamsters ratify three-year contract

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Teamsters Local 776 signed a three-year contract June 30.

The collective bargaining agreement is effective July 1 through June 20, 2025.

“Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s Teamster-represented employees play an essential role in the excellent care we deliver to our patients,” said

, president, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

“We are proud to have worked together with our Teamster representatives to reach a new contract with competitive wages and benefits,” she said. “The agreement ensures that Hershey Medical Center is positioned to retain and recruit a talented workforce.”

Highlights of the new agreement include:

Guaranteed market-driven wage increases for each of the three years of the contract
Maintenance of employee contribution caps for health care costs

Creation of career paths for current and prospective employees through the addition of select “trainee” and “advanced” positions
Market-driven position upgrades to ensure the organization’s ability to recruit and retain employees

Teamster Local 776 represents approximately 1,100 Hershey Medical Center employees who work in various fields including food services, patient transport, housekeeping, facilities and other technical services.

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center expands Medical Intensive Care Unit

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s expanded Medical Intensive Care Unit – PHOTO/PROVIDED

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center opened its expanded Medical Intensive Care Unit today.

The 24-bed unit on the seventh floor of Hershey Medical Center replaces the previous 16-bed unit on the sixth floor, which will be renovated into additional patient care space, the hospital said.

The new MICU was designed with extensive feedback from patients, families and staff. The larger, state-of-the-art rooms are designed with a family space – with fold-out sofa – outside of the immediate care space. This layout allows family to be present while staff care for the patient.

Staff wellness areas include a “quiet room” to help team members recharge as well as a staff lounge and mothers’ lounge.

In addition, the MICU is designed with space for collaboration between doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and other team members.

“Our new MICU provides the most advanced medical intensive care in the region, which is what patients expect from the region’s only academic medical center,” said Deborah Berini, president of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “This new unit is special beyond the technology. It was designed by our physicians, staff and patients to create a care environment that supports our teams as they work together to deliver unparalleled outcomes and patient- and family-centered care.”

The unit includes infrastructure and flexibility for future surges of special pathogen patients, such as those with COVID-19 infections. In addition, one dual isolation room and two patient-of-size rooms will support patient and staff safety.

The addition is the latest in a series of projects designed to improve patient access at Hershey Medical Center. Others include the Emergency Department expansion, the three-floor vertical expansion of Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, renovations to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit on the second floor and the upcoming renovations to the third floor of the Medical Center.

Eight area hospitals receive top honors for patient care

Doctor talking to the patient about treatment options.

Eight area hospitals received top honors for patient care from Healthgrades, a Red Ventures business that evaluates hospital performance for the public.

Lancaster General Hospital, flagship facility for Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, again earned Healthgrades’ list of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for 2022.

The distinction places LGH in the top one percent of hospitals nationwide for consistently providing clinical excellence across a broad spectrum of conditions and procedures, an LGH statement said.

Healthgrades is an online resource that helps connect patients with a health-care provider or hospital. LGH, which was named to Healthgrades’ 50 Best Hospitals list in 2021, 2020 and 2019, also received multiple additional honors in cardiology surgery and care; gastrointestinal surgery and care; stroke care; and excellence in neurosciences, pulmonary care, bariatric surgery and critical care.

For the 2022 study period (Medicare Fiscal Years 2018-2020), Healthgrades analyzed the performance of nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide across 31 conditions and procedures, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, respiratory failure, sepsis and stroke.

Overall, patients treated in hospitals named as Healthgrades’ America’s Best Hospitals have, on average, a 27.8 % lower risk of dying than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive this award. If all hospitals, as a group, performed similarly to Healthgrades’ America’s Best Hospitals, 160,256 lives could potentially have been saved, according to Healthgrades.

“It is a great achievement to be awarded as one of Healthgrades’ America’s 50, 100 and 250 Best Hospitals,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer and head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “Now more than ever, patients are learning the importance of taking control of their health and using resources like Healthgrades to find the perfect hospital and caregiver match.”

LGH received the following awards:

America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award (2022, 2021, 2020)
America’s 50 Best Cardiac Surgery (2022)
America’s 100 Best Cardiac Care (2022, 2021, 2020)
America’s 100 Best Gastrointestinal Care (2022, 2021, 2020)

America’s 100 Best Gastrointestinal Surgery (2022, 2021, 2020)
America’s 100 Best Stroke Care (2022, 2021, 2020)
Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award (2022, 2021, 2020)
Critical Care Excellence Award (2022, 2021, 2020)
Neurosciences Excellence Award (2022, 2021, 2020)

Pulmonary Care Excellence Award (2022, 2021, 2020)

Chester County Hospital, which is also part of Penn Medicine, also again earned the 50 Best Hospitals distinction for 2022.

Three WellSpan Health hospitals, WellSpan Chambersburg, WellSpan York and WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospitals have each been named as Healthgrades’ 100 Best Hospitals, as was Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. This designation places hospitals in the top two percent of hospitals nationwide.

“Our team of physicians, surgeons and healthcare professionals from across the entire WellSpan Health system are dedicated to providing the highest quality care to our patients, and we are honored that Healthgrades has recognized that dedication,” said Dr. Michael Seim, senior vice president and chief quality officer at WellSpan Health.

WellSpan hospitals received the following awards:

WellSpan York Hospital

America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award
Neuroscience Excellence Award
Pulmonary Care Excellence Award

WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital

America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention Award for 11 years in a row (2012-2022)
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Critical Care Award for 5 years in a row (2018-2022)
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Care Award for 4 years in a row (2019-2022)
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery Award
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Pulmonary Care Award for 6 years in a row (2017-2022)

Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award for 4 years in a row (2019-2022)
Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award for 5 years in a row (2018-2022)
Surgical Care Excellence Award

WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital

Critical Care Excellence Award

Pulmonary Care Excellence Award

WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital

America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award for 2 years in a row (2021-2022)
Critical Care Excellence Award for 5 years in a row (2018-2022)
Pulmonary Care Excellence Award

WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital

Coronary Intervention Excellence Award

Milton S Hershey Medical Center received:

America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award (2022)
America’s 100 Best Gastrointestinal Care (2022, 2021, 2020)

America’s 100 Best Gastrointestinal Surgery (2022, 2021, 2020)
America’s 100 Best Stroke Care (2022, 2021, 2020)
Neurosciences Excellence Award (2022, 2021, 2020)

Healthgrades releases ratings for the region’s hospitals

Four local hospitals rated high on the 2022 Healthgrades Ratings and Specialty Excellence Awards.

Healthgrades is the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems. The ratings assess hospital performance across 31 of the most common procedures and conditions. The awards recognize superior clinical performance in 17 specialty areas and include a new category for overall surgical care.

As part of its analysis, Healthgrades has also released The 2022 Healthgrades Specialty Excellence Report: The Continuing Importance of Quality, which provides an in-depth review and data analysis to show how Americans can use quality ratings to find better specialty care.

“Every American should use this information to help them decide where to seek specialty care,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer and head of Data Science of Healthgrades. “Healthgrades also provides the tools for hospitals to understand how well they perform compared with other local, regional and national hospitals—and to make improvements accordingly.”

Area hospitals and awards are:

Lancaster General Hospital:

America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award

Outstanding Patient Experience

America’s Best 100: Cardiac Care, Critical Care, Gastrointestinal Care, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stroke Care

Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award

Neuroscience Excellence Award

Pulmonary Care Excellence Award

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center:

America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award

America’s Best 100: Critical Care, Gastrointestinal Care, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stroke Care

Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award

Neuroscience Excellence Award

UPMC Harrisburg:

America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award

America’s 100 Best: Cardiac Care, Critical Care, Pulmonary Care, Stroke Care

Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award

Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award

Neuroscience Excellence Award

WellSpan York Hospital:

America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award

Critical Care Excellence Award

Pulmonary Care Excellence Award

Stroke Care Excellence Award

The 2022 Healthgrades Specialty Excellence awards recognize hospitals that deliver superior patient outcomes across the most common in-hospital procedures and conditions, including surgical care, critical care, cardiac care and surgery, gastrointestinal care and surgery, bariatric surgery, and 10 other specialties.

The awards take into consideration Medicare patient data from 2018-2020 (excluding any patient with a COVID-19 diagnosis).

Healthgrades independently analyzes each short-term acute care hospital in the country—about 4,500 hospitals. Hospitals can’t opt into or out of the analysis.

Ratings are determined by actual clinical performance, including patient mortality or in-hospital complications. The ratings and awards do not take into consideration hospital reputation, financial information, perception, or predicted performance.

Healthgrades uses a risk-adjusted statistical model so hospitals with sicker patient populations are assessed based on their unique patient mix.

“Hospital quality ratings should be transparent and easily accessible so that all Americans can make the most informed decision about where they receive care,” said Brad Graner, president, Healthgrades. “Many people don’t realize that there is significant variation in quality among hospitals. Healthgrades is leading the way to make hospital quality information transparent and accessible so that all Americans can make the most informed decision about where they receive care.”

Hershey Medical Center’s sexual assault examiners join telehealth program

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s registered nurses trained in sexual assault examination will be offering remote care to patients in rural regions.

The Derry Township-based medical center is partnering with the Penn State College of Nursing to offer its examiners to the college’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Telehealth Center. The telehealth center targets Pennsylvania’s rural counties and provides sexual assault victims with experts in sexual assault examination over the internet.

During the telehealth process, a remote sexual assault nurse examiner offers support to the on-site nurse and patient by ensuring best practices and proper evidence collection.

The partnership will give the telehealth center more trained examiners to offer to Pennsylvania hospitals.

The medical center’s examiners are trained in medical, psychological and forensic examination related to sexual assault and are on-call at the medical center’s emergency department 24 hours a day.

“Historically, our nurses have provided specialized, compassionate care to victims of sexual assault. It has always been our priority to provide a safe space for these patients while documenting the effects of their trauma,” said Marie Hankinson, vice president of nursing for emergency services at Hershey Medical Center. “By partnering with the College of Nursing’s unique telehealth program, Penn State Health continues to be a leader in new and innovative treatments that better serve our patients.”

Penn State Health completes move into official headquarters

Penn State Health CEO Steve Massini, joined by employees from corporate services, unveiled a Nittany Lion statue at the health system’s headquarters in Hershey on Tuesday. PHOTO PROVIDED

Penn State Health finished moving its corporate employees out of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and into its first official headquarters this month.

The Derry Township-based hospital system closed a deal on the six-story, 210,000-square-foot building at 100 Crystal A Drive, along with two nearby buildings and 51 acres of land, on Dec. 2.

Penn State Health leased the 100 Crystal A Drive property for the past two years and slowly moved its corporate staff from Milton S. Hershey to the new location.

More than 500 Penn State Health employees now operate from the building, officials said, including staff in human resources, finance, supply chain, marketing and communications and executive functions.

The building previously served as headquarters for The Hershey Company before the company consolidated its current headquarters in downtown Hershey.

“This is a significant milestone in the evolution of Penn State Health,” said Steve Massini, Penn State Health CEO. “This historic building, which means so much to this community, is no longer rented space. It’s truly our home. It’s the place where we’re going to work together to help build the future of health care in the region. That’s a very good thing not only for us, but for those we serve who live in, work in or visit our community.”

Penn State Health’s former corporate offices at Milton S. Hershey will be used for clinical space.

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Tag: milton S. hershey medical center

Harrisburg-based LGBT Center celebrates anniversary, honors community leaders

Hershey Medical Center’s sexual assault examiners join telehealth program

Penn State Health completes move into official headquarters

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