Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine to Host Black Ties for White Coats Gala Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, with learning venues throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania, will host its Black Ties for White Coats gala on Saturday, April 20, at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre to benefit medical student scholarships. Prominent community members who embody aspects of the school’s founding principles, community service and well-being will also be honored. When: Saturday, April 20, 6 – 11 p.m. Where: Mohegan Pennsylvania 1280 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre This year’s honorees are: Community Honoree:The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children Well-being Honoree:Shubhra Shetty, MD Founders Honoree:Tom Churilla, MD ’13
LIFE Geisinger Hosting Open Houses Across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania LIFE Geisinger locations are hosting open houses for employees and the community this spring. The open houses will feature tours of the facility, giveaways, refreshments and informal ways to learn about the LIFE Geisinger program. “We’re looking forward to opening our doors to our community members,” said Teena Kubasti, director of LIFE Geisinger. “Here at LIFE, we build stronger seniors — and these events let us showcase how our participants benefit. Guests will be able to meet our compassionate, experienced team members who coordinate care for those we serve, offering caregivers relief and support.” Join us at a LIFE Geisinger open house near you: Wednesday, April 10, 4 – 6 p.m. at LIFE Geisinger Schuylkill, 2 Lewis St., Minersville Wednesday, April 17, 4 – 6 p.m. at LIFE Geisinger Lewistown, 106 Derry Heights Blvd., Yeagertown Wednesday, April 24, 4 – 6 p.m. at LIFE Geisinger Wilkes-Barre, 592 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre Thursday, May 16, 4 – 6 p.m. at LIFE Geisinger Scranton, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton Geisinger Kulpmont will host an open house at a later time. A program for adults age 55 and older, LIFE Geisinger is designed to give seniors the support they need to live at home. You or your loved one can keep living independently while using our comprehensive daily living and health services. To RSVP for the event or to ask questions, call 800-395-8759.
Geisinger Places Pinwheels to Raise Awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, staff members from the Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center in Sunbury planted dozens of blue mylar pinwheels in the entrance of Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. The pinwheels symbolize the positive childhood every kid deserves. They serve as a reminder to protect and nurture our children and that prevention is possible if we are brave enough to intervene. Pinwheels for Prevention is a national campaign for child abuse prevention. “More than 600,000 children are abused in the U.S. each year. Educating our communities and raising awareness on child abuse can help to protect children who are at risk,” said Melissa Wagner, program director of child safety and advocacy at Geisinger. “We hope the pinwheel garden reminds people that if they suspect abuse, they should report it. You just never know when you might save a child’s life.”
Four Geisinger Hospitals Recognized as Leaders in Caring for People with Diabetes Four Geisinger hospitals have been named Recognized Leaders in Caring for People Living with Diabetes, a designation bestowed by The Leapfrog Group in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association. The recognition means that Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre and Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital met the most rigorous standards for delivering safe, high-quality care to patients with diabetes. Geisinger’s hospitals were among 17 to achieve the distinction across the country. With four hospitals recognized, Geisinger has the most recognized facilities in the country. “This recognition highlights our decade-long and systemwide multidisciplinary approach to helping our patients with diabetes manage their disease, reach their personal treatment goals and avoid complications,” said Brian Jameson, D.O., Geisinger director of endocrinology. “A big thank you to all our colleagues in nursing, pharmacy, primary care, endocrinology and information technology who made the programs and practices to improve diabetes care part of the Geisinger culture. We look forward to the future and continuing our efforts to improve the lives of our patients with diabetes.” Hospitals were assessed based on key indicators that demonstrate the highest level of training on caring for diabetic patients, including: Evaluating policies and protocols that support patient-centered care Adherence to evidence-based guidelines in preparing patients for surgery as well as managing all diabetic patients in the hospital Implementation of robust planning for high-risk diabetes patients from the day of admission to discharge and facilitating a seamless transition from hospital to home. Robert Gabbay, M.D., chief scientific and medical officer at the American Diabetes Association, emphasized the importance of this recognition. “There is an immense need to ensure hospitals provide safe, patient-centered care for all people who live with diabetes,” he said. “Hospitals recognized through this program are leading the way.” “Eight million people living with diabetes are hospitalized each year in the United States, and a disturbing number of them experience safety breakdowns due to preventable medical errors,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “This program is a powerful tool to promote facilities that can appropriately accommodate and safely manage care for these at-risk patients.”
Geisinger to Host Free Community Shred Events across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania In observance of Earth Day, Geisinger will host free community shred events across northeastern and central Pennsylvania throughout the month of April. Employees and members of the public are invited to bring any personal or professional confidential documents — such as bank statements, credit card bills and tax forms — to be securely shredded on-site and recycled. Each person is limited to three boxes. Do not use bins for non-paper waste or garbage. For more information, call 570-271-6030. Community shred events: Monday, April 8 – Geisinger Mt. Pleasant, 531 Mt. Pleasant Drive, Scranton, 7 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 9 – Geisinger Healthplex State College, 132 Abigail Lane, Port Matilda, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 12 – Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 1175 E. Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, 7 – 11 a.m. Monday, April 15 – Geisinger Health Plan Hughes Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville, 7 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 16 – Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, 1020 Thompson St., Jersey Shore, 7 – 11 a.m. Thursday, April 18 – Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, 400 Highland Ave., Lewistown, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 19 – Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital, 4200 Hospital Road, Coal Township, 7 – 11 a.m. Monday, April 22 – Geisinger Medical Center Muncy, 255 Route 220, Muncy, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 23 – Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, 549 Fair St., Bloomsburg, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 26 – Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 1175 East Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Noon – 4 p.m. Monday, April 29 – Geisinger Health Plan Hughes Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville, Noon – 4 p.m.
Geisinger Recognized in Gartner’s Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 For the third consecutive year, Geisinger’s supply chain operations were named among the nation’s top healthcare organizations in the Gartner Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 for 2023. “Supply chain challenges continue to wreak havoc across the industry, and health care supply chain is no exception. Geisinger’s response has been vital in keeping our staff supplied with what they need to support the communities we serve,” said Kate Polczynski, Geisinger’s vice president of enterprise supply chain services. “Our position in this national ranking is a credit to the team’s commitment to making better health easier, and it highlights the industry leadership Geisinger as a whole represents.” Some of Geisinger’s top focuses include strategic partnerships with suppliers, data quality and standardization and technology innovation — all of it centered around patient care. Now in its 15th year, the Gartner Healthcare Supply Top 25 helps guide supply chain leaders of health systems to build stronger operations to improve patient outcomes and control costs. The rankings program highlights supply chain excellence, recognizing investment in technologies, talent retention and innovation. It is a renowned annual ranking of global supply chains.
Geisinger Announces Importance of Pap Smears for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Routine Pap smears are one of the best (and simplest) ways to prevent and detect cervical cancer.Scott C. Purinton, MD, PhD, chief of gynecologic oncology at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Whether it’s your first or fifth time, it’s completely normal to feel nervous or have questions before a Pap smear. But knowing what to expect can help put your mind at ease before your appointment. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Staying up to date on your Pap smears is a big part of that. Here’s what to know about this valuable procedure. A Pap smear, or Pap test, checks for changes in your cervical and vaginal cells that could develop into cancer over time. One of the biggest advantages of these tests is their ability to detect abnormal cells before they even become cancerous. This leads to earlier treatment and better outcomes. During the procedure, your healthcare provider gently scrapes cells from your cervix. These cells are examined for changes and can also be tested for human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer. While these screenings can be a little uncomfortable and awkward, they should never cause pain. How often you need a Pap smear depends on your age and health history. The guidelines are: Women ages 21 – 29: You should have a Pap smear every three years. Women ages 30 – 65: Discuss the following options with your doctor: Have both a Pap smear and an HPV test every 5 years Have only a Pap smear every 3 years Have only an HPV test every 5 years Women older than 65: You might no longer need to be screened, depending on your health history and doctor’s recommendation. Whether you’re sexually active or not, you still need a Pap smear. While most cervical cancers are caused by HPV (which is sexually transmitted), this isn’t the case for all cancers. Pap smears don’t screen for STIs like HPV, gonorrhea or chlamydia. Instead, they test for any abnormal cell changes that could lead to cervical cancer. If you want additional testing for STIs, ask your healthcare provider during your appointment. A Pap smear is different from a pelvic exam but you should have both. A pelvic exam is typically performed at your annual well-woman visit with your healthcare provider. During this exam, they’ll check your vulva, vagina, cervix, ovaries, uterus, rectum and pelvis for any abnormalities. A Pap smear specifically screens for precancerous changes. If you’re due for one, you can get a Pap smear during your annual pelvic exam. Depending on how heavy your flow is, your period may affect the results of your Pap smear. A lot of blood can make your sample harder to read, which could produce inaccurate results. This shouldn’t be an issue if your flow is lighter. The best thing you can do is call your provider’s office and talk about your options. There’s no reason to avoid it while on your period unless you’re having the exam because of abnormal discharge or another concern. P.S. Your period does not bother your healthcare provider. Cervical cancer is preventable — and receiving regular Pap tests is the best way to prevent it. Remind your mom, sisters, friends — every woman in your life — to schedule their appointment (especially if it’s been a few years). And if you still have questions, don’t be afraid to ask your provider. There are no bad questions when it comes to your health. We want you to be open and honest so we can help you achieve your best health. For the latest health and wellness tips and advice, visit geisinger.org/balance.
Geisinger Working to Make all Emergency Rooms Ready for Kids When emergency rooms are equipped to care for children, outcomes are significantly better for young patients — which is why Geisinger is preparing every ER in the system to specifically treat children. The effort is led by Sarah Alander, MD, Geisinger director of pediatric emergency medicine, who has made readying Geisinger ERs for the 45,000 kids seen each year, systemwide, a priority. “A 2019 landmark study found that if an emergency room is trained and equipped to care for children, they are four times less likely to have a child die in their care,” Dr. Alander said. “It is important to provide the training to our emergency room staffs so they’re equipped to treat children safely and effectively and not treat them as small adults.” A nationwide program called the National Pediatric Readiness Project offers a voluntary survey to assess a trauma center’s level of preparedness for children’s care. Beginning in June 2025, the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation — the trauma center accreditation body for state hospitals — will require hospitals to conduct pediatric readiness assessments and have plans to address gaps. Geisinger has already voluntarily participated in the survey and created a council to help improve gaps at its hospitals. Geisinger’s Emergency Medical Services for Children Council, led by Dr. Alander, focuses on six areas improve pediatric readiness: Identifying personnel as “pediatric champions” at each emergency department Educating nurses and providing a pediatric critical care course and simulation training for physicians Joining national quality improvement programs on pediatric sepsis and airway management Attending regular safety meetings and reviewing safety events Compiling a collection of policies and procedures for children Working to standardize specialized equipment for the emergency care of children The council’s work on these priorities has yielded remarkable results. “In 2019, our system participated in the national pediatric readiness survey for the first time and had scores ranging from 40% to 68%,” said Megan Zelonis, RN, pediatric emergency care coordinator. “In the repeat 2021 assessment, our scores significantly improved to a range of 83% to 94%.”
Geisinger Employee Named on 2023 Becker’s Healthcare’s for CMO Don Stanziano, chief marketing and communications officer (CMCO) for Geisinger, has been named one of Becker’s Healthcare’s 60 hospital and health system chief marketing officers (CMO) to know for 2023. The list includes bold strategic leaders who drive the planning and execution of marketing and communications initiatives for their organizations. “It is an honor to be recognized by Becker’s,” said Stanziano. “As a non-profit health system CMO, I recognize that the system’s growth and success is a critical element in achieving our mission to make better health easier for the people of Pennsylvania.” Mr. Stanziano leads all strategic marketing, communications, and consumer digital engagement across the 10-hospital health system, 650,000-member health plan and college of health sciences. Since 2018, he has led a brand modernization initiative that unified all Geisinger hospitals, clinics, health plan and academic programs under one brand platform, as well as launched a content marketing program and award-winning creative campaign. The result to date is a 10% improvement in brand awareness and 11-point lead in brand preference above other competitors. To drive growth marketing, he implemented an enterprise customer relationship management solution, created a marketing analytics team, and is leading the build of a customer data platform and website redesign to expand the marketing technology stack. Also, under his leadership, the entire employee communications program was redesigned, resulting in 85% of staff and 96% of leaders rating their communications as effective. Mr. Stanziano joined Geisinger in 2018 after leading marketing and communications at Scripps Health in San Diego where he spent 16 years in a variety of marketing and communications roles.
