WellSpan York Hospital nurses recognized for their exceptional caring

Mark Reisinger, left, congratulates Melissa Grove, center, and Lindsey Rankin, right, on receiving the Kitty Reisinger Heart of Nursing Award.

WellSpan York Hospital nurses Melissa Grove and Lindsey Rankin believe they are doing jobs they were meant to do.

Grove works on the behavioral health unit, while Rankin works on 7 South with oncology patients.

“Behavioral health is where my heart is,” said Grove. “It’s where I want to be. It’s a very challenging field.”

Rankin said, “Nursing is not a job at all to me. I was meant to do this. My interactions with patients come very naturally.”

Grove considered a career in nursing or teaching, but chose nursing because she thought she could fulfill both roles as a nurse.

Rankin was a pre-med student, but chose nursing when she realized she needed more patient interaction and a greater connection to patients.

Grove and Rankin were recently honored with the Kitty Reisinger Heart of Nursing Award.

“I was ecstatic to hear I had won,” said Grove. “It’s a blessing, and great recognition for behavioral health. It shows that people are aware of the small things you do.”

Rankin said, “I was totally shocked. It’s nice to be honored. I work with an amazing group of people and unbelievable patients.”

Respect among their peers

Their attitudes, care of patients and respect among their peers stood out in their nominations.

Part of Melissa Grove’s nomination read, “Melissa is a kind and caring nurse and is always fully engaged in the care of her patients.  When you say ‘heart of nursing,’ Melissa epitomizes it. She is always kind and considerate when speaking with her patients.  They could be a well-versed professional or a poorly educated individual and Melissa would not care. She offers everyone the same kindness, compassion and nursing proficiency.

“She is always polite, always offers a smile and always answers their questions to the best of her knowledge without judgment or harsh opinion.”

Lindsey Rankin's nomination read, "She uses her vast clinical knowledge to provide supreme care for patients. But what really makes her an amazing nurse is her compassionate ability to be an extra sensitive hand to hold and her ability to make patients laugh during their hardest struggles.

“Nights can be long and dark in the mind of terminal cancer patients and their families.  Ms. Rankin is a shining star, a smiling bright spot of clarity. She truly listens to what a patient wants and needs.

“She truly makes the patient have the ultimate experience in times when their morale is the lowest, she is able to uplift them. Her ability to care is unmatched. She shows patients heart and compassion, and inspires other nurses to do the same.”

Kathyrn “Kitty” Reisinger practiced nursing in York for more than 40 years until her death in 2002. Her son, Mark, and his wife, Tamara, established the award to honor his mother. The winner or winners are selected by members of the Reisinger family.

WellSpan York Hospital Excellence in Caring & Practice Award winners were:

Angela Calvert, Sharon G. Hardy Caring at the End of Life Award; Megan Keeney and Kristine Phillips, Charles T. Spurlock “Care for the Caregiver” Award; Robin McCallister, Glenn and Dorothy Stafford Magnet Nursing Award; Eric Eakins, Deborah K. Lookingbill Patient First Award; Hope Delp, Sandra E. Repman Nursing Legacy Award; Nelson Aegbuniwe, Clinical Nurse III; Heather Rivera, Clinical Nurse II;  Joshua Beland, Clinical Nurse; Kristy Glass, Preceptor/Mentor.

An interactive summer program in Adams County is underway that encourages kids and parents to get active while providing a hands-on way of learning about Civil War history.

Roads to Freedom is a summer-long program that encourages children and parents to get outdoors and be physically active by engaging in an adaptation of letterboxing, a hobby in which participants must follow written clues to locate hidden items.

The program, spearheaded by WellSpan Community Health Improvement, combines elements of physical activity, reading and problem solving to create a fun-filled family adventure – all while teaching participants about the rich history of Adams County.

“Getting families outdoors and physically active this summer is the goal of Roads to Freedom,” said Kevin Alvarnaz, director of community health improvement, WellSpan Health.

“With this year being the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, Roads to Freedom offers a great opportunity for people of all ages to learn about and appreciate our area's rich history."

Interested particpants can visit any Adams County library, the Historic Train Station (35 Carlisle Street) in downtown Gettysburg, or other select community locations to pick up a free Roads to Freedom Civil War journal to get started.  The journal provides clues to finding as many characters as possible. The Roads to Freedom program will officially end on Monday, September 2 (Labor Day).

In addition to WellSpan, organizations involved with planning Roads to Freedom include Adams County Library System, Gettysburg Area School District, Gettysburg Borough, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Healthy Adams County, Hospitality Lodging Investors, National Park Service - Gettysburg National Military Park, Seminary Ridge Museum, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve and the YWCA of Gettysburg and Adams County.

In partnership with WellSpan Health, financial support of the program was provided by Adams Electric Cooperative Inc., the Optimist Club of Gettysburg and Gettysburg College.

WellSpan York Hospital staff member looks forward to returning to work

Physical therapist Eric Semke watches as Glenna Harden descends a flight of stairs during her rehabilitation session at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital.

Glenna Harden is looking forward to returning to work at WellSpan York Hospital sometime this month.

Harden is eager to work without the sometimes excruciating arthritis pain she experienced before undergoing two hip replacements at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital.

“I had trouble walking because of the pain in my hip,” said the 61-year-old Harden, a 40-year WellSpan staff member.

“A couple times Security had to take me to my car because the pain was so intense I couldn’t walk that far.”

Now, Harden said she has only occasional pain and is much more mobile.

“Going through the hip replacements was well worth it,” she said.

Hip pain was limiting Harden’s activities and decreasing her quality of life. She had trouble walking, and she frequently used a walker at home or when she went to the mall.

“I was reaching a crossroads of either having hip replacement surgery or getting a scooter. But, I wasn’t ready to be on the sidelines. I wanted to keep working and be active.”

Harden was apprehensive, however, about surgery. Then one day she received a direct mail postcard from WellSpan asking “Is arthritis pain holding you back?” It was just the impetus she needed. She put it on her refrigerator.

“I wanted to get my life back,” said Harden, who made an appointment with Dr. David Whiddon of WellSpan Orthopedics.

Dr. Whiddon examined her hips, reviewed her x-rays and discussed the options. Her arthritis was so advanced that nothing short of a hip replacement would offer her relief.

After seeing Dr. Whiddon, Harden began physical therapy to strengthen her leg muscles and she lost 30 pounds. She also attended pre-op classes.

Went home one day after first hip replacement

She underwent her first hip replacement at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital on Dec. 3. She went home one day after the surgery.

Dr. Whiddon uses a minimally invasive direct anterior hip replacement technique that allows for a much quicker recovery.

The procedure involves a 3-6-inch surgical incision on the front of the hip. In a regular hip replacement, the incision is 10-12 inches long.

Dr. Whiddon uses special instruments to work through the small incision. Instead of cutting through muscles and detaching them, he works between muscles preserving their function. Because no muscles are detached from the hip, patients have less pain and recover sooner.

The same implants used in regular hip replacements are also used in the minimally invasive procedure.

“I had a wonderful experience at the WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital,” said Harden. “Dr. Whiddon worked with me and I felt like I was in excellent hands the entire time.”

Harden decided to have her second hip replaced on January 22.

“I just wish I hadn’t waited so long to have my first hip replaced,” she said.

Tremendous collaboration among agencies on all levels

The town of Gettysburg is expecting four million visitors this year, including 500,000 this summer, as it celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Many of those 500,000 visitors are expected from June 28 through July 7 when dozens of commemorative events are planned.

The unprecedented crowds, national media interest and demands on the resources of a small town have driven extensive planning on the part of area hospitals, emergency personnel, fire companies, police departments, the National Park Service and other state and federal government agencies.

The goal is for commemorative events to run as smoothly as possible and for the celebration to be relatively uneventful.

WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital and WellSpan York Hospital began planning for the event about a year ago. WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital staff members were notified that during peak events, vacations would be limited to ensure adequate staffing.

George Steckert, director of safety, security and emergency management for WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, said the hospital has reviewed its disaster plans and conducted drills to enhance preparedness.

“With the tremendous influx of visitors, we have to consider how we would handle a surge in patients,” said Steckert.

A number of incidents, ranging from heat exhaustion to a bus accident, could create a surge.  Steckert said individual departments have developed plans on how they would respond to a surge in patients.

ReadyCare expands its hours

To alleviate the potential pressure on the Emergency Department, ReadyCare at WellSpan Adams Health Center will expand its hours on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and add Sunday hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Additionally, Dr. Kratz at Herr’s Ridge Family Medicine and Dr. Farkas at Fairfield Family Medicine have agreed to take walk-ins during the two-week celebration of the 150th Battle of Gettysburg.

“There’s been tremendous collaboration among community agencies,” stressed Steckert. “Safety and security have been major issues. A community table-top drill was recently conducted to help in our planning.”

Steckert said there would be a heavy police presence with many officers directing traffic. EMS and fire personnel plan to re-deploy equipment throughout the community to facilitate quicker responses.

Jay Johnson, manager of disaster response at WellSpan York Hospital, emphasized the consistent communication and joint planning with WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital.

“WellSpan York Hospital is prepared to handle patients from Gettysburg, if the need should arise,” he said. “We have met with our vendors and reviewed plans that would provide additional supplies, should we need them.”

In fact, Johnson said all 17 hospitals which are members of the South Central Pa. Task Force/Hospital and Health Facilities Subcommittee are prepared to respond in a disaster.

YAMMRS has discussed plans

Additionally, the York Area Metropolitan Medical Response System (YAMMRS) has met and discussed plans. YAMMRS was founded in 2002 with the idea of bringing together community organizations that would cooperate and share resources and expertise during the crisis.

YAMMRS includes all WellSpan entities and other health care organizations in York and Adams counties, including Memorial Hospital, Hanover Hospital, HealthSouth Rehab Hospital, the Red Cross, school districts and others.

“Local, state and federal organizations and agencies have been involved in this planning,” stressed Johnson. “It’s been very impressive.”

Steckert advises WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital staff members to leave extra time to get to work and return home; consider an alternate route to work to avoid heavy traffic; put together a “go bag” and be prepared to stay at work, if necessary; and be aware of what’s happening around you.

Pennsylvania State Police are encouraging residents to report any suspicious activity as part of its “See Something, Say Something” program by calling 888-292-1919 or emailing tips@pa.gov.

“Hospitals and health care organizations are used to planning for disasters and crises,” said Steckert. “And, we feel confident that we’re well prepared, as a community and a region, for this historic celebration in Gettysburg.”

Tower Drive located along the west side of the Patient Care Tower on the WellSpan York Hospital Campus will be closed beginning Saturday June 29th for construction activities. The anticipated duration of the closure is approximately three months.

Access to the WellSpan Pharmacy, located on the terrace level, will be from level 2 of the front parking garage.

Signage will be in place at the south end of Tower Drive redirecting visitors to the front garage for parking and through Level 2 of the garage to access the WellSpan Pharmacy and Patient Pick-up.

Aligning Forces For Quality – South Central PA has teamed up with the Central PA library systems as well as WITF to encourage residents to start discussing health care in our communities and ideas for making improvements.

To help jumpstart the conversation, the public is being asked to participate in A Summer Reid, a special program that invites residents to visit local libraries to borrow The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper and Fairer Health Care, written by New York Times bestselling author T.R. Reid.

Residents are encouraged to hold a discussion with their book clubs, friends, family members and co-workers.

In the book, Reid explains the handling of health care in other countries, including France, Great Britain, Germany and Japan. He shares the details of his tour of successful, affordable universal health care systems.

Using a plain-English explanation, Reid helps individuals understand the state of health care in the United States and around the world.

Thirty individuals who read the book have a chance to win a copy of the book, attend a private book signing with the author and enjoy an invitation-only dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 11, to hear him speak.

The dinner is hosted by Aligning Forces For Quality – South Central PA.

After reading the book, you can participate in a discussion using the guide available at www.transforminghealth.org. Those who complete a survey by Aug. 30, will be entered into the drawing for the invitationonly dinner.

The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper and Fairer Health Care is available through the York County Library System and other area library systems.

Tower Drive located along the west side of the Patient Care Tower on the WellSpan York Hospital Campus will be closed beginning Saturday June 29th for construction activities. The anticipated duration of the closure is approximately three months.

Access to the WellSpan Pharmacy, located on the terrace level, will be from level 2 of the front parking garage.

Signage will be in place at the south end of Tower Drive redirecting visitors to the front garage for parking and through Level 2 of the garage to access the WellSpan Pharmacy and Patient Pick-up.

Capital Blue Cross has named WellSpan York Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery and Knee and Hip Replacement.

The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program is a national designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality specialty care—which expanded recently to include more robust quality measures focused on improved patient health and safety, as well as new cost-efficiency measures.

The selection criteria used to evaluate facilities were developed with input from the medical community and include general quality and safety metrics plus programspecific metrics.

Research confirms that Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients, with lower rates of complications and readmissions than their peers.

Variety of factors attract residents from across the country

Internal medicine resident Jeet Lund, left, and orthopedic resident Christopher Rashidifard, right, practice a procedure during the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Program which they completed during their orientation in June.

Fifty-four medical and dental residents have begun their careers at WellSpan York Hospital.

Having graduated from medical or dental school, residents are starting another phase of their careers.

They have come from various parts of the country. Some knew a lot about the facility before coming here, while others knew very little.

In the end, however, they were all attracted here.

Sara Siddiqu, a graduate of Eastern Virginia Medical School, is a Family Medicine resident.

“I was very surprised at what I found at the hospital,” she said.

“It has a great program. I enjoyed meeting the faculty. Everyone seems very supportive.”

Siddiqu said she also was impressed by the Medical Simulation Center and the strong pediatric training.

Jeet Lund, a graduate of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, is an Internal Medicine resident.

“WellSpan York Hospital has four ICUs and treats a wide variety of patients,” he said. “And, that’s something that appeals to me.”

When he interviewed, Lund said the residents were very friendly to him and he saw a lot of one-on-one teaching.

Kedesha Sibliss, a graduate of Howard University School of Medicine and an Internal Medicine resident, said she was impressed that people interviewing her knew a lot about her and had thought about what she could bring to the program.

“There’s a strong support system with attending physicians at WellSpan York Hospital,” she said. “Residents are assigned mentors early on, and I think that’s very helpful.”

Christopher Rashidifard, a graduate of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and an Orthopedic resident, rotated through WellSpan York Hospital.

“It’s important to me that York is a Level 1 trauma center and that the attending orthopedic physicians are all specialized. I think I will have a great experience.”

The 54 residents are in seven programs: Dentistry (5); Emergency Medicine (13); Family Medicine (8); Surgery (5); Internal Medicine (14); Ob-Gyn (5) and Orthopedics (4).

Group excited about the food, recipes and interactivity

Chef Sharmini Goins, center, explains to Doris Rhoden, left, and Arielle Johnson, right, how they are going to prepare a special nutritional dish.

One day last week when the temperature hovered around 90 degrees, Laurette Murray of York made some green tea with peach nectar. In the past, she may have had a soda.

She obtained the green tea recipe from the For Heart’s Sake nutritional cooking program which was sponsored by WellSpan Community Health Improvement and held at YorKitchen in Central Market.

Although the three nutritional cooking classes concluded less than a month ago, Murray has already made a number of changes.

“I had never had tofu before, but I bought some the other night and prepared it using one of the recipes from the class,” she said. “I was surprised by how much I liked tofu.

“I also started my own window herb garden. I’m growing chives, basil, parsley and cilantro. Chef Sharmini Goins showed us how to use more spices in our cooking in place of unhealthy condiments.”

Murray was one of 20 African American women who attended the Healthy Eating classes, which consisted of education and demonstration. She said she’s motivated to eat healthier as she grows older.

“The program was designed as a followup for continued outreach regarding the prevention and maintenance of cardiovascular disease among African American women,” said Joann Henderson, community health worker.

“Most of these ladies had participated in previous For Heart’s Sake programs. As a group, they’re battling obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.”

Henderson said lay leaders were asked to bring two friends to the classes. After they completed the program, lay leaders will pass on the knowledge they gained to other city residents.

Chef Goins introduced new vegetables to the group, and showed them how to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their menus. The chef also demonstrated to the group how to cook traditional foods such as collard greens, fried chicken and potato salad in a healthier manner.

The final class consisted of hands-on cooking. Attendees were divided into three groups, each preparing a different dish.

The dishes included tofu with peanut sauce, roasted eggplant dip, honey glazed roasted root vegetables and green tea with peach nectar.

“The hands-on session was fun,” said Murray. “And, it was great to be able to taste the dish you made. It was eye-opening to learn some alternatives to unhealthy ways of preparing food.”

Although Henderson initially was unsure of how the attendees would respond to the class, she said the feedback was “very positive.”

“The women loved it,” she said. “They were excited about the food, the recipes and the interactivity. It’s clear by their feedback that they would enjoy more programs like this one.”

U.S. News & World Report has recognized WellSpan York Hospital as one of the Best Regional Hospitals in its 2013-14 Best Hospitals publication.

WellSpan York Hospital is one of five central Pennsylvania hospitals to meet the standards for strong performance.

WellSpan York Hospital, ranked 21st in the state, was cited for seven high-performing specialties: diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology and urology.

“A hospital that emerges from our analysis as one of the best has much to be proud of,” said Avery Comarow, U.S. News & World Report health ranking editor. “Only about 15 percent of all hospitals earn a national ranking in any specialty.”

U.S. News & World Report publishes Best Hospitals to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face a particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age.

Objective measures such as patient survival and safety data, the adequacy of nurse staff levels and other data largely determined the rankings in most specialties.

Other central Pennsylvania hospitals to make the Best Hospitals list are Lancaster General Hospital, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Holy Spirit Hospital and Lancaster Regional Medical Center.

Only fourth hospital in the state to receive recognition

WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital nurses and leaders gathered in the hospital board room on Friday, July 12, to listen to a conference call that years of effort went into making possible.

The call came from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Commission on Pathway to Excellence.

The commission’s representative wasted little time as she offered Kris O’Shea, RN, vice president of patient care services, WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, official congratulations on their designation of WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital as a Pathway to Excellence hospital.

The announcement triggered a roar of applause from those in the board room and others who joined the call remotely via cell phones.

According to the ANCC, the Pathway to Excellence designation identifies the elements of work environments where nurses can flourish.

The designation substantiates the professional satisfaction of nurses at WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital and identifies it as one of the best places to work.

Gettysburg became only the fourth hospital in Pennsylvania to achieve this designation. It is one of only 107 hospitals nationwide with the designation.

“WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to improving quality and the patient experience through the continuing efforts and focus of our nurses and support staff,” said O’Shea.

“Being designated a Pathway to Excellence hospital validates these efforts. It is certainly a mark of quality for other health care providers and the larger community to see.”

The Pathway to Excellence designation is granted on the confirmed presence of characteristics known as “The Pathway to Excellence Criteria.”

For an organization to earn the Pathway to Excellence distinction, it must successfully undergo a thorough review process that documents foundational quality initiatives in creating a positive work environment — as defined by nurses and supported by research.

These initiatives must be present in the facility’s practices, policies and culture to achieve the designation. Nurses in the organization verified the presence of the criteria in the organization through participating in a confidential online survey.

“Everyone should be extremely proud of what the Pathway to Excellence designation means for us now and in the future,” said O’Shea.

“A tremendous amount of work went into the process over the course of the past three years. It is very rewarding to see that work reflected in becoming a Pathway to Excellence hospital.”

Alison Arrowood, center, accepts congratulations for winning the Esther G. Little Nursing Scholarship from Judy Alder, manager of community philanthropy, Gettysburg Hospital Foundation, left, and Esther G. Little, right.

Alison Arrowood, a registered nurse in the WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital Emergency Department, is this year’s recipient of the $1,000 Esther G. Little Nursing Scholarship.

Arrowood will apply her scholarship toward earning her MSN at Jacksonville University in Education.

“Emergency Nursing is my passion,” said Arrowood. “I feel what I have learned makes the greatest impact in this type of nursing.

“I love working with new upcoming nurses. With the additional skills I will learn in obtaining my master’s, I will continue to teach the newest of our nursing students, helping them to become part of a team with their skills, teamwork and critical thinking.”

Arrowood said her goal is to work as a clinical educator in the Emergency Department.

A staff member who recommended Alison for the scholarship wrote, “Alison goes above and beyond for her patients, from a simple gesture such as holding their hand, supplying them with a blanket and wiping a tear from a crying child’s eye.”

She added, “While Alison assists in performance improvement on a daily basis in the Emergency Department, her passion is obvious as she mentors and coaches the entire team on current initiatives. Even if the department is achieving benchmark results, she consistently strives for 100 percent goals.”

Another staff member wrote, “Alison acts in both the mentor and preceptor role in the Emergency Department. She is respected by her colleagues and peers as well as leaders throughout the hospital.”

Arrowood is an active participant and leader in shared-decision making, A3 projects and the redesign of processes in the Emergency Department. She is also a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) nurse in the Emergency Department.

“Alison is an excellent example of the importance of scholarship support for continuing nursing education,” said Judy Alder, manager, community philanthropy, Gettysburg Hospital Foundation.

“It is through the generosity of donors like Esther Little that our staff can access funding support to further their nursing careers and make a difference in our community.”

Goal is to reduce ED visits and hospital stays

Lisa Emig, health coach, right, discusses the progress of a Bridges to Health patient with internal medicine physician Nadia Khan, left.

WellSpan’s Bridges to Health is a cutting-edge program for “high utilizers,” people with more ED visits and hospitalizations than others with similar problems.

“These patients are consuming more health care resources than appear to be in their—or the community’s—best interest,” said Chris Echterling, M.D., the Bridges to Health medical director.

His team seeks out high utilizers, tries to learn the circumstances that have led to this situation and works with the patient to figure out a better plan moving forward.

Determining the patient's goals and how those goals can be addressed as opposed to seeing the patient as simply "non-compliant" is a foundational principal of the Bridges to Health's approach.

“Our patients have legitimate medical problems, but it usually becomes pretty clear that other issues are complicating their ability to deal with those medical problems,” said Echterling, who is also the WellSpan Medical Group’s associate medical director for quality and innovation, and medical director of the Healthy York Network.

“Often there is a history of loss or trauma in their lives, which has made it difficult for them to build trusting relationships,” he explained. “Sometimes their priority is not their diabetes, but other issues like the grandchild for whom they have sole responsibility.”

High utilizers typically share a common thread: they’ve fallen into a health care gap.

“In almost every situation it seems that despite our best efforts, we as a health system have not communicated very clearly with the patient, or with one another,” Echterling said.

Bridges to Health spans those gaps. Its physicians, nurses, and social workers do whatever is necessary to restore effective care. They visit patients’ homes. They solve transportation and insurance problems. They sit in on specialist appointments, ensuring good communication.

It’s slow, arduous work, but it can help interrupt the cycle of high utilization. The team enrolled its first patient in September 2012. Currently they have 40.

Most patients, since joining the program, have significantly reduced their ED visits and hospital stays.

In May, Bridges to Health reached a pivotal milestone—its first patient transitioned back to his previous patient-centered medical home. A patient named David, who spent nearly eight months in the program, successfully transitioned back to his primary care provider.

The team helped him solve some personal problems that were creating barriers to his utilizing health care services effectively. Now his chest pains and fainting spells are managed via normal care.

“That represents our goal in this program,” Echterling said. “We have two or three other people in the same position, and if all goes as planned, we should soon be able to transfer them back to their primary care physician within the next month or so.”

Bridges to Health shares space with the York Hospital Community Health Center at 605 S. George St., York.

Dr. Paul Tolerico, cardiologist with CDA, appeared live on FOX-43 last evening during their 5:00 p.m. news program. FOX had a report about former President Bush’s blocked coronary artery. Dr. Tolerico was in studio to discuss the stenting procedure with anchor Evan Forrester. 

Link to the report

Must commit to a minimum of 100 hours during the summer

Summer volunteers Keely Cunningham, left, and Naomi Frey, center, talk to volunteer Doris Wilson, right, about a task that needs to be performed in the Short Stay Unit at WellSpan York Hospital.

Mimi Knaub of York beamed when Caesar Vulley entered her room at WellSpan York Hospital to help her take a walk down the hallway.

“Caesar has been a tremendous help,” she said. “He’s very attentive and kind. I enjoy his company and all he does for me.”

Vulley, a junior at Bucknell University who is considering a career as a physician, is one of 45 summer volunteers at WellSpan York Hospital and WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital.

“It’s been a wonderful experience,” said Vulley, discussing his summer volunteer experience.

“I learn something new every day, and I really enjoy having close contact with patients. They are very grateful for everything I do.”

Summer volunteers range in age from 14 to college students. They must commit to a minimum of 100 hours of service during the summer. Most volunteer at least three days a week.

“We have an outstanding group of summer volunteers,” said Christi Brown, director, volunteer services. “They are very committed, and most of them are interested in health care-related professions.”

Brown said some summer volunteers are helping to pilot patient experience positions such as a housekeeping advocate, greeters at the front entrances, patient escorts and menu assistant.

They also serve in traditional positions such as patient aides and clerical assistants.

Keely Cunningham, a junior at Dallastown High School, and Naomi Frey, a sophomore at Central York High School, volunteer in the Short Stay Unit at WellSpan York Hospital on Mondays.

Cunningham is considering a career as a psychiatrist while Frey is interested in becoming an obstetrician. Both agree that the first-hand experience has been invaluable.

“We’ve learned a lot just by observing the nurses,” said Cunningham. “There haven’t been any real surprises. Maybe the biggest surprise has been how nice all the staff members have been to us.”

Frey added, “It’s very organized in the Short Stay Unit. The hospital isn’t as chaotic as it seems on television programs.”

The summer volunteers try to do whatever they can to help staff members and patients. Sometimes it means making the litters, stocking supplies or folding patient gowns.

“Summer volunteers are a tremendous asset to our staff members and patients,” said Brown. “They have been well received.”

Each recipient receives $2,500

Emily Smith	Michele Chronister	Alaina Szocik

Mary Fortney and Stephanie Workinger of Human Resources agree that Bev Malloy would be proud of the recipients of the nursing scholarships named in her honor.

Bev was a dedicated nurse, nurse recruiter and community servant for more than 40 years. She touched thousands of lives through her joy, kindness, compassion and love.

“This is more than a nursing scholarship,” offered Workinger. “It’s about capturing the spirit Bev demonstrated.”

Fortney added, “Bev could connect with people, regardless of who they were. She was the kindest person I have ever known.”

Fortney and Workinger were part of the scholarship selection committee. This year, three Bev Malloy Memorial Nursing Scholarships for $2,500 were awarded.

The recipients are: Emily Smith, a recent graduate of Dallastown High School who also works in Food Service; Michele Chronister, a clinical nurse in the lactation center; and Alaina Szocik, a nursing student at York College who also works in the NICU as a unit secretary/nursing assistant.

Comments about Emily:

• “She is always among the first to consider the needs and feelings of others. She is sweet to all.”
• “She has demonstrated capacity in leadership; effective and dependable.”
• “A potential career in medicine unequivocally fits well with Emily’s exceptional medical interest and insight, her high level of intelligence, her dedicated pursuit of her dreams, and her pleasant, confident demeanor.

Comments about Michele:

• “Michele’s soft spoken and gentle manner has calmed and encouraged countless new mothers and fathers. Her professional demeanor encourages a sense of trust and her compassion when dealing with uncertainties and frustrations gives fresh hope and new perspective on a daily basis.”
• “Her personality and behavior reflect the joy, kindness, compassion and love evident only in a true passion to help others.”
• “The relationships Michele has built with co-workers, patients, and patients’ families are evidence of not only the clinical knowledge and skills she possesses, but also of the kindness and compassion that is inherent in her.”

Comments about Alaina:

• “Alaina is a bright, energetic, caring young lady. She is committed to being the best RN she can be.”
• “Alaina spent a great deal of time with all of her patients. Her compassion, caring and kindness was at a level that I rarely see in a student.”
• “She is truly a remarkable young lady who exudes a kindness that is genuine and infectious. She always presents herself with a broad smile, a joyful demeanor and a sincere interest in helping others.  She is a unique individual who truly can light up a room with her smile and the warmth in her heart is immediately apparent.”