CURRENTSA weekly publication for UPMC Susquehanna Service Partners and Volunteers

December 4, 2019 • UPMCSusquehanna.org

Edwin Hoffman, APRNUPMC Susquehanna welcomes Edwin Hoffman, APRN to the neuroscience team.

Hoffman earned his bachelor of science in nursing and health management systems from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, and his master of science in family nurse practitioner from Chamberlain University, Downers Grove, Ill. Hoffman previously served as a student nurse practitioner at Allied Medical Center, Berwick, as well as a registered nurse in the neurovascular intensive care unit at UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, and the post-anesthesia care unit at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

“As a registered nurse, I was able to gain experience working in surgical units and found a passion for surgical services,” said Hoffman. “As a nurse practitioner, I’m able to explore that passion further, provide a new level of care to my patients, and work alongside the surgeons supporting our patients through their entire care journey.”

Hoffman joins Rodwan Rajjoub, MD; Hani Tuffaha, MD; Holly Shadle, CRNP; and Charlie Fohringer, PA-C at the Neuroscience Center, 740 High St., Suite 3002, Williamsport.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 570-321-2820.

Said Al Zein, MDUPMC Cole welcomes Said Al Zein, MD, to the nephrology team.

Dr. Al Zein earned his medical degree from the University of Damascus, Syria. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and his fellowship in nephrology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey.

“Kidney disease affects 37 million people in the U.S., and many people may not know that they have it until it’s progressed to an advanced stage,” said Dr. Al Zein. “The treatment options at early detection versus advance-stage diagnosis are significant and can greatly affect a patient. When caught early, I work with my patients to prevent kidney failure by applying lifestyle modifications, medications, and insuring optimal management of other diseases that can harm the kidneys such as high blood pressure and diabetes. However, when treating more advanced stage kidney disease, the damage is irreversible and requires dialysis or kidney transplant. That’s why education, awareness, and early detection are key.”

Dr. Al Zein is accepting new patients and referrals from northcentral Pennsylvania and southcentral New York at Nephrology Services, UPMC Cole Irwin Medical Arts Center, 1001 E. 2nd St., Coudersport.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 814-260-5576.

Suzet Moawad, MDUPMC Cole welcomes Suzet Moawad, MD, to the pediatrics team.

Dr. Moawad earned her medical degree from El Demrdash University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, and she completed her residency in pediatrics at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Bronx, NY.

“When your child is sick, the last thing you want to worry about is traveling to get them the care they need,” says Dr. Moawad. “Luckily for families in the region, we have access to pediatric specialists right here in Coudersport and close to home. I’m excited to join the pediatrics team and become a member of this community.”

Dr. Moawad joins Mary Ann Rigas, MD; and Nitin Kumar, MD; Patricia Stegman, PA-C; and Korin Trumpie, PA-C at UPMC Cole, 1001 E. 2nd Street, Coudersport and Port Allegany Community Health Center, 45 Pine St., Port Allegany. She is accepting new patients and referrals from northcentral Pennsylvania and southcentral New York.

To schedule an appointment at UPMC Cole, call 814-274-9198.

To schedule an appointment at Port Allegany Community Health Center, call 814-642-5072.

UPMC Welcomes New Providers

Say Hello to Infonet

A Donation to NFP

MyHealth@WorkOnsite NurseAll the information on InsideSH (UPMC Susquehanna's intranet)

and Tomorrow’s Healthcare (UPMC Cole's intranet) will be transitioning to Infonet on Monday, Jan. 13. Don’t fret — you’ll have plenty of help knowing how to find your resources.

The Infonet team will also be on-site at UPMC Cole on Monday, Jan. 13, to help you find what you need and support you through the transition. What is Infonet? Infonet, UPMC’s systemwide employee intranet, is a mobile-friendly, personalized site where you can find relevant information for your job, such as:

• News and events at UPMC• Policies• Consent forms• People directories• Benefits information• Dining menus• Employee discounts• Recognition programs• Leadership feedback• Parking information• Career development opportunities

Infonet will be your default homepage on your work computer starting Monday, Jan. 13. You can access it wherever you are, on any device. To access it on your phone, simply type “Infonet.UPMC.com” into your browser. You will need to log in using your network (UPMC email) credentials.

In the coming weeks, you will learn more about what types of information are available on Infonet, how you can use that information to do your daily job, how you can submit feedback about the site, and more. Stay tuned!

Woodlands Bank recently presented the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) with a donation raised from the bank's Dress Down fund. The Nurse-Family Partnership is a community health program that helps transform the lives of women who are pregnant with their first child. Each mother served is partnered with a registered nurse (RN) early in her pregnancy, and receives ongoing nurse home visits throughout pregnancy that continue through her child's second birthday. Thank you, Woodlands Bank!

A nurse will be onsite at the MyHealth@Work kiosk from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the following locations:

• UPMC Susquehanna Lock Haven, the third Monday of each month

• UPMC Susquehanna Soldiers + Sailors, the third Thursday of each month

• UPMC Susquehanna Sunbury, the third Friday of each month

While the nurse is on campus, you can get your blood pressure checked, learn about the MyHealth@Work kiosk and the UPMC AnywhereCare app, ask about programs available to earn Take a Healthy Step credits, grab a healthy snack and giveaway, or ask general employee health questions.

For SaleSolid oak Cochrane oval pedestal table with four leaves (expands to 110 inches), two captain chairs, six regular chairs, lighted china hutch, and buffet.

If interested, contact Tammy at 570-772-9724.

Congratulations, Andrea! Your Role in Fundraising

The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH) recently recognized Andrea Reed, director of nursing, UPMC Susquehanna Muncy, with the 2019 Rural Health Hero of the Year Award. The award was presented during Pennsylvania Rural Health Week, Nov. 18 to 22, by Lisa Davis, director of Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health and outreach associate professor of health policy and administration at Penn State University.

The PORH Rural Health Hero of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding leader in the area of rural health who demonstrates a personal and professional commitment to the rural health needs of a community, works with relevant organizations and resources to develop or expand a program that addresses a rural health issue, and goes above and beyond the call of duty. Reed was nominated by Matt McLaughlin, president, UPMC Susquehanna Muncy.

“Since taking on her role as the director of nursing last year, Andrea has led multiple initiatives to improve hospital operations,” said McLaughlin. “Her efforts are evident in the results of our inpatient Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores which improved by 33 percentile points from her date of hire. Additionally, she’s made significant impact in patient safety and quality by leading teams committed to reducing fall, infection, and readmission rates. I couldn't be more impressed with how quickly she hit the ground running and how impressive her outcomes have been in her new role. It’s an honor to see her receive this recognition.”

The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health was established in 1991 to enhance the health status of rural Pennsylvanians and strengthen the delivery and quality of care in the communities in which they live.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, visit porh.psu.edu.

What is your role in creating a culture of gratitude at UPMC Susquehanna?

• Doing your job well. Patient satisfaction plays an enormous part in inspiring patients to make an investment into the organization, and every person in the system plays a part. Your responsibilities add up to how our patients feel about our services, and dramatically increase the possibility of them donating in gratitude for the outstanding care they received.

• You can help us identify grateful patients. Listen for the magic words “Thank you so much — is there anything the hospital needs?” or “How can I give back for the care I received?” First, thank the patient, this helps to acknowledge their gratitude. Then, offer to connect them with the Foundation to continue the conversation. Just as you might refer to physical therapy, occupational therapy, or the pharmacy, you can refer to the Foundation if a patient is interested in recognizing a caregiver or sharing their story.

• If you have a need in your department that could impact our patient care, tell your supervisor and your supervisor will contact us. We rely on those who have direct patient interaction, to identify needs. It’s the Foundation's job to connect the needs of the hospital and those who are passionate about funding it.

— A favorite example of this from the past was when a former nurse leader came to the Foundation and said, “We need Victoria.” Victoria is a simulation manikin. The nurse wanted a tool that allowed her team to practice life threatening emergencies, so when mom and baby are in distress in The Birthplace, the clinical team could jump into action. Simulating emergencies improves communication, in turn drastically improving mom and baby outcomes. A Foundation representative and the nurse went to speak with a donor about the department needs, and walked away with the funds to cover the cost of the manikin. Had we not known about the need, we would never have been able to make that match. This donor is a retired registered nurse, and understands the value this tool brings to the clinical teams.

• Become a donor yourself. We are gearing up to invest heavily into our organization, and philanthropy is an important piece of the picture. We can’t do it without your help!

For more information, contact the Foundation at 570-320-7460.

Tips for a Heart-Healthy Holiday SeasonWe’re getting into the heart of the holiday season, a time packed full of gift-giving, shopping extravaganzas, parties, and activities galore. While this season is meant to bring feelings of love and cheer, it can also be one of the most stressful times, putting added strain on your heart.

Beat the holiday stress this year and learn to love the holidays while keeping your heart health in check with the following simple tips:

• Eat Healthfully – Plan ahead when you’re attending big gatherings. Look over all the food offerings and pick and choose carefully — moderation is key. Remember, you don’t have to sample everything. Make sure you are choosing nutritious options such as fruits and vegetables for more energy.

• Limit Alcohol Consumption – Just like food, moderation is key. Enjoy the holiday, but remember to treat your body well, so you have the energy, stamina, and health to make it through the New Year celebration. Alcohol can interrupt sleep patterns, cause stomach issues, worsen heart rhythm problems, and increase depression.

• Exercise – Just because you’re busy, keep up with your normal exercise routine. Regular exercise is a great stress-reducing tool and outlet for the body. Additionally, it helps you sleep better at night, keeps the blood flowing and heart pumping, and encourages the body to release endorphins — the feel-good chemical in our bodies.

• Substitute Healthy Indulgences – If you’re feeling stressed, don’t reach for the cheesecake or the eggnog. Instead, look for a healthy way to relax such as taking a hot bath, lighting a scented candle, turning on your favorite Christmas movie, or calling an old friend.

• Get Your Sleep – If you’re struggling with fatigue and sleeplessness, it is a signal that you need to step back and take some time for yourself. Sleep is your body’s way to recharge, and people who don't sleep enough are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease — regardless of age, weight, smoking, and exercise habits.

• Don’t Overcommit – Stay focused on what is important during the holidays. You don’t have to say yes to every invitation or holiday get-together. Consider what is best for you, it will help you deal with the stress of this busy time of year.

• Manage Your Expectations – You don’t have to be perfect to enjoy the holidays. Sometimes good enough is just perfect. Set realistic expectations and don’t worry when things may not go according to plan.

• Listen to Your Body – If you start to get tired or worn down, it’s time to look at rebalancing your life commitments. Recognizing the signals your body is sending you will allow you to take the steps to slow down and evaluate your health and wellness, helping avoid a potential health issue. If you have symptoms such as chest pains, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fatigue, listen to what your body is telling you and call 911 as these could be warning signs of a heart attack.

• Plan for the New Year – The New Year is a perfect time to set your health and wellness goals. Look ahead and set realistic diet and exercise goals for the coming months. It takes time and effort to develop new habits so don’t get discouraged. Even little improvements can have big results in the long run.

• Talk About It – Stress is not something you have to handle alone. Let your family and friends know if you’re feeling overly stressed. Sometimes just talking about your stress will help you feel better, and those you’re sharing with may be able to help you reduce your stress.

Stress can really take its toll on the heart, so it’s important to learn to manage your stress levels, not just over the holidays, but year-round. If you’re looking for help, talk to your provider who can help you develop an effective stress-reduction plan tailored to your lifestyle and needs.