Penn State Health Archives - Central Penn Business Journal

Pa. hospitals look to new nursing hires as regulations soften

Penn State Health, like all major health care systems, is looking to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) to help fill about 200 nursing positions.

On Sept. 5, the Department of State began permitting RNs and LPNs who hold a multistate license (MSL) from compact member states/territories to practice in the commonwealth. Those nurses will be able to provide in-person or telehealth services.

Michele Szkolnicki, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, said that since the Shapiro Administration implemented one component of the NLC Sept. 5, she was prepared to file the necessary forms to enable the hospital to hire nurses from any one of the 41 states that are part of the NLC.

She said she hopes to start hiring sometime later in September.

While the full NLC is not being implemented yet, Szkolnicki said the ability to attract nurses from other states will be a big help in staffing the hospital and providing patients with the care they need.

Full implementation of NLC would mean nurses from Pennsylvania would be able to work in other states that have adopted NLC.

“We are appreciative to the Shapiro Administration for making this a priority,” said Nicole Stallings, president and CEO, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania. “The (nursing) shortage is real and this is an important first step.”

Hospitals have been implementing new models of care and utilizing virtual care when possible, Stallings said.

“The effect is not enough. When we don’t have enough nurses, it means beds have to be closed. We have to grow the workforce,” she said.

To participate in the program, Szkolnicki said Penn State Health must file an exemption form requesting participation. That request will then be posted on the PA Bulletin for public comment.

“This is a formality, and we will get it approval,” she said. “We expect it sometime in September.”

Bringing nurses to Pa.

Once approved, Szkolnicki said she doesn’t know if 200 nurses will apply, but said it gives nurses who want to work in the area an option.

“There is a lot of talk about this increasing the number of nurses, but we are just shifting the population. We are not creating more nurses, they can just move around,” Szkolnicki said.

That said, Szkolnicki said Pennsylvania has a lot to offer nurses, especially those looking for places where they can choose their specialties.

“We have a lot of major medical centers and universities,” she said. “And here in Hershey, we have an entertainment park. I think it’s an attractive place to work.”

Stallings agreed, saying, “Pennsylvania has a high concentration of nationally recognized hospitals, and we are in the top five states in the nation with 41 Magnet Hospitals.”

“Pennsylvania has the best medical care in the country,” Szkolnicki said. “We are a Magnet facility and offer the highest level of practice for nurses.”

According to the American Nurse Association, the Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nurse leaders align their strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes.

The ANA says for nurses, the recognition means education and development through every career stage.

Through Penn State Health’s tuition options at Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State University, Szkolnicki said nurses are expected to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) within four years of joining the network.

A BSN is an undergraduate degree for registered nurses (RNs) that teaches patient care techniques, research, health promotion and safety, and quality within the health care system, according to ANA.

In addition to the “elite” colleges of nursing in Pennsylvania, Szkolnicki said the state is geographically a good place to live with major cities within a few hours’ drive and lots of outdoor recreation.

Stallings added that hospitals across the state offer competitive salaries, bonuses and tuition reimbursement, all of which are attractive, especially for nurses just graduating.

Szkolnicki said all nurses are licensed by the American College of Nursing, so everyone gets the same license. However, each state has a board that governs the licensing and must agree to NLC.

As the NLC progresses, Szkolnicki said a nurse’s license will be like a driver’s license in that it will be accepted by other states.

Penn State Health, like most other health systems, relied heavily on traveling nurses through agencies even before the pandemic, which created an even larger nursing shortage.

Szkolnicki said the ability to get a license in another state was always an option; the process was just long and often complicated. With the NLC, the process will be much easier.

“We’ve had some very good (agency) nurses,” she said. “We just hired six.”

Szkolnicki said she sees agency nurses as “outside eyes.”

“We have to have great teams to provide great care. I use them to see what we can improve on and where we exceed,” she said.

Finding new nurses

While the NLC is a step to ease the nursing shortage, Szkolnicki said the country needs to increase the number of nurses. She cited the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s 2019 survey that showed 75,000 qualified applicants were turned away from schools due to a lack of faculty.

Another issue, she said, is the cutback in available foreign nurses. In 2022, 81% of new visa applicants were RNs, she said. The U.S. State Department capped the number of visas to 40,000.

“We are waiting to see what they do in October. We are working with an international nursing agency to bring them in,” Szkolnicki said.

Stallings said the state is addressing the nursing shortage, as well as all health care workers, by partnering with community colleges and four-year institutions.

“I want to emphasize that you don’t need a four-year degree to get into the medical field,” Stallings said. “Once you start, continuing education is available while you’re working.”

“We struggle every day to make sure our patients get the nurses they need because we need nurses,” Szkolnicki said. “We get them at a steep cost.”

Looking ahead to NLC, Szkolnicki said, while it isn’t a panacea, it is a step to helping fill the vacancies.

Partnership offers fully funded health care courses

HACC and Penn State Health are partnering to offer fully funded educational opportunities in health care.

As part of Penn State Health’s Grow Career Pathways, Penn State Health and HACC launched a pilot program in July for medical assistants and phlebotomists.

Thirty-nine students are enrolled in the first of three pilot programs.

“HACC is excited to partner with Penn State Health on this workforce development initiative and train individuals with a desire to enter health care occupations that continue to be in demand in our communities,” said Al Griswold, HACC’s vice president of academic affairs. “At HACC, we are dedicated to providing exceptional, affordable health care training and education options for all. We are grateful to have a partner like Penn State Health to join us in this endeavor.”

HACC said through the programs, Penn State Health covers 100% of tuition and materials for its employees and for community members in exchange for one year of employment after they complete the program.

“To deliver on our mission and commitment to our community, we knew we needed to develop a portfolio of programs that removes financial barriers for those who want to start or advance their career,” said Hillary Miller, vice president and chief learning officer for Penn State Health. “With GROW, we are empowering these individuals with choices.”

The partners plan to build program offerings over the next two years for current and future employees.

“We have to take care of our employees first,” said Miller. “People are no longer spending their lifetime in a single occupation. It’s critical we provide them and future employees the guidance and support they deserve to advance their careers for the jobs and skills we need tomorrow.”

Hershey Medical Center adds new facility dog to work with adult patients

The newest member Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s facility dog program will work with adult patients to help with their healing.

Thor, who started working at the hospital this week, is helping adult patients in the acute care at Hershey Medical center and those at Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State Health said.

Thor is the brother and litter mate of Captain, a golden retriever who began working in Penn State Health pediatric specialty clinics in 2022.

Thor works with his primary handler, Janelle Krantz, a recreational therapist, and his secondary handler, Alyson Yost, a clinical staff leader. He will assist patients with dementia and memory loss, as well as inpatients undergoing treatment at the Cancer Institute.

Penn State Health said Thor will work with Krantz and Yost as part of Hershey Medical Center’s I-MOVE initiative, helping patients to get out of bed and move around during their time in the hospital. The I-MOVE program helps patients with their recovery, including decreasing the length of patient stays and increasing patient satisfaction.

“We’re so happy Thor is joining our team. His unique skill set and comforting presence will be a big benefit to our adult patients,” Krantz said.

Thor was raised by Canine Assistants in Georgia. Krantz and Yost traveled there to meet Thor and learn how to integrate him into their daily tasks while maintaining safe patient care.

Hershey Medical Center became the first hospital in Pennsylvania to establish a facility dog program in 2016 when its first employee, a golden retriever named Kaia, started on the job. Since its inception, Pilot, a black golden retriever, Captain, and Skye, a golden retriever, have also joined the team.

Kaia, Pilot, Captain, Skye and Thor are full-time employees of Hershey Medical Center and Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. Each of them spends 40 hours a week at work with their primary handlers, with time allowed for downtime, naps and walks.

The facility dog program is separate from the Pet Therapy Program, which continues to have an important presence in both the Children’s Hospital and adult hospital. Penn State Health said the two programs have different kinds of training and help patients in different ways.

Facility dogs undergo extensive training to work in a health care environment and provide emotional support, as well as learn specific tasks to help patients cope with major and minor hospital procedures, Penn State Health said.

Pet therapy dogs offer companionship and a calming and therapeutic influence for patients.

Thor is joining Kaia, Pilot, Captain and Skye through support from the Simpson Family Facility Dog Program Endowment and a gift from Barbara Dashiell, Penn State Health said.

The facility dog program is sustained by ongoing funding from many donors including the inaugural anonymous benefactor who helped purchase the first facility dog. The Kelso Facility Dog Endowment, in honor of their dog, a Belgian Malinois named Kelso, provides support across the program, including the cost of caring for the dogs and their eventual retirement.

Campaign to expand No Shave November to top $1 million

A partnership that expands on No Shave November hopes to raise more than $1 million for prostate cancer and men’s health.

Penn State Health and Mid Penn Bank announced the partnership and the bank’s commitment to lead a campaign over the next four years that will bring their fundraising total since 2020 to $1.1 million for prostate cancer and men’s health at an event at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Wednesday.

The organizations said the effort is an expansion of their No Shave November partnership. Each November since 2016, participants from both organizations have ditched their razors and grown their facial hair with the goal of raising cancer awareness and starting conversations about prostate health.

“We’re proud to deepen our long-time partnership with Penn State Health and the College of Medicine and contribute to our shared goal of improving men’s health,” Mid Penn Bank President and CEO Rory Ritrievi said.

Money raised supports the Department of Urology’s involvement in the Pennsylvania Urologic Regional Collaborative (PURC) which connects physician scientists at Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine focused on cancer care with community urology practices.

“We’re so grateful that Mid Penn Bank has joined us as a champion for men’s health,” said Dr. Jay Raman, interim chair of the Department of Urology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine. “Community partnerships are important in growing awareness, educating our communities and getting men the care they need.”

The collaborative is a physician-led, data sharing and improvement initiative aimed at advancing the quality of diagnosis and care for patients with prostate cancer, the organizations said.

This commitment also supports the research of physician-scientists in the Department of Urology that focuses on cancer care in the aging population, addresses cancer disparities in minority populations and increases genetic testing of cancer patients to better determine risk and personalize therapies.

In addition to supporting cancer research, the money helps provide free prostate cancer screenings for the community, supports mission-based work by the department to underserved areas regionally and nationally and makes available educational conferences for patients and health care professionals covering elements of cancer prevention and screening.

“Philanthropy is absolutely vital to medical research. This support helps dedicated researchers uncover groundbreaking, lifesaving treatments for prostate cancer and other diseases affecting men’s health,” said Dr. Kevin Black, interim dean of the College of Medicine.

In honor of Mid Penn Bank’s leadership and financial commitment to this fundraising effort, Penn State will name the second-floor outpatient clinic at Penn State Cancer Institute the Mid Penn Bank Outpatient Clinic.

Fully leased Camp Hill office building sold

Evergreen Center, a fully occupied, multi-tenant office building at 101 Erford Road, East Pennsboro Township, has been sold by Szeles Real Estate Development Co. LP for an undisclosed price.

Landmark Commercial Realty handled the transaction involving the 25,925-square-foot brick edifice, which sits on 2.41 acres. The buyer is 101 Erford Road LLC.

At the time of the sale, the property, which has plenty of windows to bring in natural light, was fully leased with a strong mix of local, regional and national tenants, a release from Landmark said.

The site, also known for its “prominent visibility” and close proximity to Penn State Health and UPMC health care systems, “presents a unique investment opportunity. With staggered lease expirations and significant remaining terms, it offers long-term potential for prospective buyers. The tenant mix is carefully curated, ensuring a diverse and stable source of income for investors.”

Near the Penn State Health Holy Spirit Hospital campus, Camp Hill Commons and various multi-family developments, 101 Erford Road is undergoing renovations, expected to be completed later this year, that will improve all common areas, bathrooms and lobbies with new flooring, lighting and ceilings.

Recent upgrades to the property include the installation of a solar panel system and a new energy-efficient white roof.

State-of-the-art ionized air purification equipment also has been added to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning units. This eliminates odors, air pollutants, chemical odors, smoke, mold, bacteria and viruses, significantly reducing airborne microbes.

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer

Penn State Health recruits leading researcher to fight pediatric cancer

An internationally known physician-scientist and her research consortium have joined Penn State Health to continue efforts to eradicate pediatric cancer.

Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine said Dr. Giselle Saulnier Sholler and her research team will be on board Sept. 1 to provide greater access to pediatric care and research, including clinical trials, for Penn State Health patients.

Sholler, a pediatric hematology-oncology clinician and researcher, will serve as the division chief of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and will be the director of pediatric oncology research at Penn State College of Medicine.

Sholler’s consortium, Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium, is a worldwide network of more than 55 universities and children’s hospitals dedicated to discovering new therapies and cures for children with cancer. It has enrolled more than 1,800 pediatric cancer patients in more than 23 trials to date.

“This is an important and exciting advance toward our vision to be a leader in the fight against childhood cancer, building on strong existing expertise in pediatric cancer care and research,” said Dr. Yatin M. Vyas, vice president and physician leader for Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

“The research consortium’s vital research and patient trials under Dr. Sholler’s leadership and coordinated by the College of Medicine will save lives and help our Children’s Hospital make enduring impacts across the globe,” Vyas said.

“There is significant value in housing the consortium within an academic medical center, where we can combine the pillars of research and care to advance knowledge, drive medical discoveries and change lives,” said Sholler. “The consortium team and its international infrastructure will ensure that these children have access to a full range of medical services, including more targeted therapies such as precision immunotherapy to fight neuroblastoma, brain tumors, sarcomas and rare cancers in a more directed way.”

Four Diamonds, a leader in childhood cancer care, treatment and innovative research, provided support to bring Sholler and the research consortium to Children’s Hospital and the College of Medicine.

The recruitment follows the creation one year ago of the Four Diamonds Initiative for Childhood Cancer Innovation, a collaboration between Four Diamonds and Penn State Health Children’s Hospital to expand Four Diamonds’ ongoing work to find a cure for all pediatric cancers. That initiative is focused on enabling philanthropic support to help accelerate the timeline for clinical research.

“Bringing Dr. Sholler and the research consortium here to our campus allows us to make significant steps forward in our quest to conquer childhood cancer,” said Suzanne Graney, Four Diamonds executive director. “Together, our organizations and experts in pediatric cancer will continue to provide every Four Diamonds child hope through superior care, comprehensive support and an unwavering commitment to innovative research.”

The College of Medicine will serve as the home of the consortium by providing oncology team members with dedicated research space and opportunities to explore and identify treatments in the field of pediatric oncology.

Penn State Health said their work will then be shared with consortium members across the globe, including the Children’s Hospital, for patient trials.

“The College of Medicine is thrilled to add Dr. Sholler and the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium to our team of nationally recognized scientists in Hershey,” said Dr. Kevin Black, the College of Medicine interim dean. “She and her team are conducting leading-edge research and pioneering treatments and cures in pediatric cancer, giving families hope and supporting our vision to be a world leader in the transformation of health care and in the enhancement of health for people everywhere.”

Sholler joins Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine from Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., where she is a pediatric hematology and oncology physician.

Area health care systems receive honors; accreditations

Two area health care systems received honors for patient care, and one has been reaccredited as a Level 1 trauma center.

U.S. News & World Report recognized Penn State Health’s Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Holy Spirit Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center in its annual Best Hospitals rankings for excellent care for the most complex cases in 15 adult specialties and performance in treating common surgical procedures and medical conditions.

UPMC in Central Pa. received the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

And Lancaster General Hospital received reaccreditation as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF), making it the only Level 1 trauma center in Lancaster County.

Deborah Addo, president and COO at Penn State Health, in a statement regarding the U.S. News & World Report rankings, said, “This recognition is well-deserved for the dedicated teams across our health system that strive each day to deliver the highest quality care.”

U.S. News ranked the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at Hershey Medical Center as one of the best in the country for orthopedic care for the seventh year in a row.

It also ranked the Penn State Neuroscience Institute at Hershey Medical Center as one of the best for neurological and neurosurgical care.

Hershey Medical Center is recognized as high performing in six additional specialties: cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, urology and pulmonology and lung surgery.

Overall, U.S. News ranked Hershey Medical Center as #1 in the Harrisburg metro region and #5 in Pennsylvania.

Holy Spirit Medical Center is rated as a high performing hospital for treating heart attack and stroke and St. Joseph Medical Center earned a high performing rating for treating heart failure, heart attack, pneumonia and stroke.

Recognizing UPMC in Central Pa.’s achievements, Dr. John Warner, past president of the American Heart Association and CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said, “We are pleased to recognize UPMC in Central Pa. for its commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care. Hospitals that follow the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols often see improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

UPMC in Central Pa. Hospitals received the following recognitions:

UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Community Osteopathic and UPMC West Shore achieved the Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus award, Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Gold Plus award, Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. UPMC Harrisburg and UPMC West Shore were awarded the Mission: Lifeline NSTEMI Gold achievement award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat heart attack patients more efficiently and rapidly. UPMC West Shore was also awarded the 2023 Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Gold Plus award.

UPMC Lititz achieved the Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus award, Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.
UPMC Hanover achieved the Get With The Guidelines. – Stroke Gold Plus award and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

UPMC Memorial achieved the Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus award, Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

UPMC Carlisle achieved the Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus award, Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Gold Plus award, Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and the Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Referring Gold Plus award.

“UPMC in Central Pa. is committed to providing quality care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes,” said Lou Baverso, president, UPMC in Central Pa. “The Mission: Lifeline and Get With The Guidelines programs make it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which helps us ensure more people in central Pennsylvania experience longer, healthier lives.”

Lancaster General Hospital, in a statement regarding its reaccreditation, said the hospital is one of the busiest trauma centers in the region, seeing approximately 3000 trauma cases a year.

Trauma centers offer 24-hour availability of a team of specially trained health-care providers with expertise in the care of severely injured patients, the hospital said. Traumatic injuries commonly occur as the result of falls, motor vehicle accidents and assaults.

The PTSF grants accreditation to Pennsylvania trauma centers at four levels. Level I trauma centers provide the highest degree of resources, offering a full spectrum of medical specialists, as well as trauma research and surgical residency programs.

Carlisle-based Sadler Health Center is hosting its annual National Health Center Week event on Aug. 9th at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park in Mechanicsburg prior to the opening of its new facility on the West Shore later this year. The event, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. will offer free health screenings to the community.

Penn State Health names new president, COO

Deborah Addo has been promoted to president and chief operating officer for the Penn State Health system.

In this role, she will still report to Penn State Health’s CEO, Steve Massini.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to continue to make a difference for the health care of the people of central Pennsylvania with this new role,” Addo said. “Every day we work to improve the lives of people across our region, and I look forward to working with our executive and clinical leaders to deliver the high-quality care that our communities need and have come to expect.”

Addo has more than 30 years of leadership experience in health care operations management. She served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer since 2021. Addo oversees the hospitals and in her new role oversees Penn State Health Medical Group. Her areas of expertise include financial management, LEAN, organization re-engineering, physician engagement, population health, and strategic management.

Addo leads Penn State Health’s Center for Operational Excellence, designed to better promote tools and expertise throughout the health system. Before joining Penn State Health, she spent more than seven years as senior vice president of Inova Health System, first as CEO of Inova Mount Vernon Hospital and then as CEO of Inova Loudoun Hospital. Prior to joining Inova, Addo was chief operating officer and senior vice president of Meritus Health in Hagerstown, Md.

Becker’s Hospital Review has on several occasions named her as one of the “50 Great African American Leaders in Healthcare to Know.”

Addo earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in public health from Walden University. She is a licensed minister ordained through the Church of God.

Penn State Health launches subscription-based virtual care

Penn State Health is launching a subscription-based virtual care service for patients.

COMMpanion is a personalized approach to primary care that provides members with access to a provider, nurses and care navigation from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through secure messaging, phone calls and video chats, Penn State Health said.

Subscribers will have access to unlimited urgent care visits through the service and Penn State Health said COMMpanion also enables members to build a relationship with a specific primary care provider, just like a traditional clinic.

The initial launch includes a staff of two physicians and three nurse practitioners, and a care team consisting of nurses and health navigators.

Penn State Health said the patient’s experience is enhanced beyond what is traditionally available in an in-person clinic by having access to a care team to help answer questions, provide health coaching and care navigation services.

COMMpanion is currently in a private beta testing phase, working with select employers and educational institutions in central Pennsylvania to offer the service to their employees and students. Penn State Health said it plans to expand access to individuals, employers and educational institutions statewide later in the year.

“It’s important to provide much-needed primary care where it’s most convenient for our patients,” said Chris LaCoe, vice president of virtual health at Penn State Health. “Subscribers will be able to connect with a provider within minutes and keep in touch as often as necessary through the text and call functions.”

Subscriptions to COMMpanion start at $9.99 per month and will be available for employees and students of participating organizations. Tiered plans will offer different levels of access depending on subscription, the health system said.

As part of the beta testing phase, Penn State Health is offering COMMpanion services to students in the medical, graduate and physician’s assistant programs at Penn State College of Medicine and their dependents.

“We are pleased to be partnering with COMMpanion to offer our students easy access to high-quality care with flexibility to suit their unique schedules and needs,” said Cassie Farrelly, chief operating officer at the College of Medicine.

COMMpanion is the latest expansion of Penn State Health’s virtual care offerings. Penn State Health OnDemand provides care anytime, including urgent care and some specialty care.

Penn State Health said it also offers critical care, including respiratory therapy, through its virtual intensive care unit. All services provided through Penn State Health’s virtual ICU coordinate with bedside providers and intensive care clinicians connecting with on-site staff through technology.

Specially trained critical care nurses remotely provide around-the-clock monitoring and regular check-ins with patients with technology that immediately alerts the bedside care team of urgent situations, Penn State Health said.

Penn State College of Medicine hires first Korean female dean

Dr. Karen Kim, vice provost for research at the University of Chicago, will take over the role from Dr. Kevin Black, who has served as interim dean since 2019, effective Sept. 1.

Kim is the Sara and Harold Lincoln Thompson Professor of Medicine, associate director of community outreach and engagement for the National Cancer Institute-designated University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, and founder and director of the Center for Asian Health Equity at the University of Chicago.

Penn State Health said Kim previously served as inaugural dean for faculty affairs for the university’s Division of Biological Sciences. She brings more than 25 years of clinical, educational and research expertise with her to this leadership role at Penn State and is a nationally recognized leader in Asian health disparities.

“Dr. Kim’s outstanding service over more than 25 years as a clinician, teacher, mentor, administrator, and community-minded leader and advocate for health equity make her a perfect fit for this role,” said Justin Schwartz, Penn State’s executive vice president and provost.

“In her discussions with the hiring committee it became immediately clear that Dr. Kim’s experience and vision will help to advance Penn State College of Medicine’s mission and increase community impact, in service to all Pennsylvanians, and with a focus on those who are members of rural and minoritized communities statewide,” Schwartz said. “We could not be more excited to welcome Dr. Kim to Penn State and the College of Medicine.”

Kim will lead the College of Medicine in furthering its education, research and clinical missions, and will maintain and continue to build a strong culture of innovation and team-based interdisciplinary collaboration, Penn State Health said.

She will play a critical role in shaping the clinical environment of the health system and will collaborate with Penn State Health CEO Stephen Massini to advance new and continuing initiatives across the University, including the other health science colleges.

“Penn State has an excellent track record as a leader in interdisciplinary research and I want the college to continue to build partnerships and add to those collaborative successes,” said Kim. “I have spent my professional career in Chicago, but even as an observer in the Midwest it has always been plain to see that the love people have for Penn State is palpable, and that its reputation as a leading public research university is outstanding. To have the opportunity to be a part of that is amazing; I am excited to join my colleagues in the college to build on their success and further Penn State’s impact across Pennsylvania and beyond, including among underserved rural and underrepresented populations.”

As dean, Kim will lead a college of about 1,400 faculty, 1,600 full- and part-time staff, an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students (medical, physician assistant and graduate) represented at both the Hershey and University Park campuses, and approximately 590 resident trainees and 140 fellows as part of the learning community at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

In addition to being Penn State College of Medicine’s first woman dean, Kim joins a small number of Asian women in leadership positions across U.S. medical colleges and will be the first Korean American woman serving in such a role nationally.

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Karen Kim to Penn State, and to my leadership team,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. “Her track record in service to others, speaks volumes about Dr. Kim’s qualities as a leader and visionary.”

Bendapudi said she is taking the helm of a college of medicine that produces cutting-edge research and helps to advance understanding of health sciences across many disciplines.

“The college’s educational and research excellence are part of what attracted me to Penn State, and Dr. Kim is the ideal person to lead continued growth, with a focus on interdisciplinary research, community outreach and impact, and service to underserved populations across Pennsylvania, the U.S. and internationally,” he said. “At a time when there is a growing need for qualified physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals in Pennsylvania and nationally, the educational and research missions of the college have never been more vital.”

In addition to serving on Penn State’s President’s Council, the Academic Leadership Council, and the Council of Academic Deans, Kim will serve as co-chair of the University Health Sciences Council to advance the college’s and the University’s research portfolio and interdisciplinary education programs in biomedical and health sciences, Penn State Health said.

She will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Medicine, with a focus on working with department chairs, other leaders, faculty, staff and students to advance the college’s educational programs; strategically growing the research portfolio ; ensuring cutting-edge primary and subspecialty clinical care; actively engaging in the community; and continuing to invest in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across the enterprise.

Kim also will serve as a director ex officio of the Penn State Health board and as a member of the board’s finance committee. In addition, she will serve as the physician-in-chief of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health said.

Penn State Health increases four-legged staff for emotional support

Staff at Penn State Health have a new team member to help them destress.

Skye, a golden retriever, will wander the halls of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital to help employees relax.

The pup joins Penn State Children’s Hospital’s facility dog program and will work with her primary handler, Kelly Fuddy, the staff-assigned chaplain at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and secondary handler, Laura Ramsey, the staff-assigned chaplain in the Children’s Hospital.

Skye will work alongside Fuddy and Ramsey providing comfort and support to caregivers, including managing crises and helping staff who are dealing with stress and the after-effects of crises, while also helping to prevent potential problems like burnout and fatigue, Penn State Health said.

“Skye offers a comforting, non-judgmental presence to staff amidst the demands of their day. She elicits smiles wherever she goes just by being herself,” Fuddy said. “Caregivers need and deserve the kind of unconditional love she so expertly gives. Her visits encourage them to take a moment to pause and reset.”

Skye was raised by Canine Assistants in Georgia. Fuddy and Ramsey traveled to Georgia to meet Skye and learn how to integrate her into their daily tasks while maintaining a safe environment of care, Penn State Health said.

The Children’s Hospital became the first children’s hospital in Pennsylvania to establish a facility dog program in 2016 when its first employee, a golden retriever named Kaia, started on the job. Since its inception, Pilot, a black golden retriever and Captain, a golden retriever, have also joined the team. Kaia, Pilot, Captain are Skye are full-time employees of the Children’s Hospital who spend 40 hours a week on the job with their primary handlers, with time allowed for downtime, naps and walks.

The facility dog program is separate from the Pet Therapy Program, which continues to have a presence in both the Children’s Hospital and adult hospital. The two programs have different kinds of training and help patients in different ways, Penn State Health said.

Facility dogs get extensive training to work in a health care environment and provide emotional support, as well as learn specific tasks to help children cope with major and minor hospital procedures. Pet therapy dogs offer companionship as well as a calming and therapeutic influence for patients, the health system said.

Skye is joining Kaia, Pilot and Captain through a donation from JP and Teresa Bilbrey, who are providing funding for the purchase of Skye and an endowment to cover comprehensive support, including the cost of caring for Skye and her eventual retirement.

“When we learned that staff wellness is the focus of the newest facility dog, we were so moved to support it because we’ve been blessed to share meaningful and loving relationships with our own animals, and we know the importance of taking care of your team,” said JP Bilbrey.

Penn State Health names new priorities in Community Health Needs Assessment

Penn State Heath identified mental health, health equity and wellness and disease prevention as priorities through its most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CNHA).

To improve overall health for residents of Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Perry counties, Penn State Health’s Community Relations department led the development of five task forces consisting of employees across all Penn State Health hospitals, Penn State College of Medicine and community partner organizations to create and execute strategies to address health needs, Penn State Health said.

These teams continue to implement programs designed to improve mental health, including a focus on groups such as LGBTQ+ and marginalized populations, Penn State Health said.

“The programs we are developing, improving and continuing to scale reflect our commitment to improving the health of residents across the region,” said Ashley Visco, community health director for Penn State Health. “Our promise is not just helping to improve immediate health, but to build and provide long-term, sustainable resources that best serve our communities and address health disparities.”

Health equity programs cover top-ranked concerns that include access to care, social determinants of health, racism, diversity and transportation, Penn State Health said.

The team said it is working to improve food access and nutrition across the region, help prevent substance abuse, address and prevent chronic disease, and create health education programs that include teaching about the benefits of physical activity.

All non-profit hospitals are required by the Affordable Care Act to conduct a CHNA every three years.

Select Region or Brand

Upcoming Event

Tag: Penn State Health

Fully leased Camp Hill office building sold

Penn State Health names new president, COO