Geisinger Children’s Hospital Receives Party from Spirit Halloween. Spirit Halloween held a Halloween-spirited event for pediatric patients and families at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital on Monday. Spirit Halloween brought dozens of costumes to share with Geisinger pediatric patients and their families. Patients and families were invited to pick from dozens of Halloween costumes and participated in spooky crafts and face painting. The party was held in celebration of Spirit’s 2023 fundraising efforts with the hospital. Miranda Peruso, Geisinger’s director of annual giving, said Spirit Halloween hosts parties at healthcare facilities that reach a $50,000 fundraising goal during the previous year’s in-store campaign. “This was the first party at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital,” Peruso said. “Our partnership with Spirit has raised nearly $300,000 for the Child Life department since 2019. We’re so grateful to everyone who supported Geisinger when shopping at Spirit Halloween.” Pediatric patient Kevin O’Brien of Glen Lyon, PA, dressed as Marshmello from Fort Nite, poses for a photo with the Spirit Halloween volunteers. Geisinger’s Child Life specialists make kids more comfortable at the hospital by explaining procedures using play, helping children cope with pain and supporting their efforts to stay up-to-date with their school work. Child Life has the motto of “making the hospital less scary for patients and families. Nearly a dozen patients and their siblings attended the party. Leftover costumes were taken to Geisinger pediatric clinics to share with more patients. “This is part of who we are,” said Jeremy Simpson, zone manager for Spirit Halloween, “It can be sombering to see kids in the hospital, but it is wonderful to see their faces light up for an event like this.”
Geisinger’s Pediatric Neurologist Recognized for Patient Advocate Award Anne Marie Morse, DO, director of pediatric neurology and pediatric sleep medicine at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, was recognized with the Patient Advocate Award by the organization Wake Up Narcolepsy. The award is given to individuals who have touched the lives of patients living with narcolepsy and other rare sleep disorders and who have set a high benchmark for their unwavering commitment to patient partnership and advocacy for health and well-being of children and adults living with narcolepsy. Dr. Morse is passionate about the need for transformational healthcare change that empowers the patient and delivers on achieving outcomes that the patient values. She executes on this belief using channels within the healthcare system and through research, but also via social media platforms, public appearances and patient interactions and partnerships. “My commitment and mission for healthcare progress starts and ends with the person on their own healthcare journey. Every effort is centered on empowering people living with any chronic disease, but especially those living with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia,” Dr. Morse said. “My intention is to augment understanding, awareness and knowledge, while combating stigma about sleep disorders. And finally, I want to advance care through personalized treatment that allows every patient to live fully despite a chronic medical condition trying to limit them.” Dr. Morse has been the director of pediatric neurology since 2018 and has grown the department from 5 providers to 15 to serve more families throughout the region. She also created and is the director of the Department of Pediatric Sleep Medicine and is the program director for the child neurology residency program. Her commitment to growth and development extends into the community. She founded with her pediatric residents a program called LEAP (Launching the Empowerment of Adolscents Program), with a mission to provide social support and decrease stigma for teens living with a chronic disease. She created a school-based program called Wake Up and Learn that empowers teens, families and schools to learn about using sleep as a tool for wellness, health and performance and helps identify teens struggling with sleep wake difficulties. The program has been a success in many central Pennslyvania middle and high schools. She replicated this success with the development of Sleep to Be Well, a-first-in-the-country program that educates people about sleep as a resource for better health. Morse received the award during Wake Up Narcolepsy’s Shadows to Light Gala held in New York City on Sept. 20. Wake Up Narcolepsy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving narcolepsy awareness, education and research toward improved treatments and finding a cure.
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.”
Geisinger Welcomes New Pediatric Neurosurgeon Geisinger has welcomed a new pediatric neurosurgeon to serve Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and northeast clinics. Cameron Brimley, MD, joined Geisinger late last year after serving a residency at the children’s hospital. Dr. Brimley specializes in brain, head and spine procedures for pediatric patients from newborns to 18 years of age. He received his medical degree from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, completed his residency at Geisinger and St. Jude/Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis. He completed fellowships at the University of Tennessee and at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Brimley served as a combat medic for 8 years for the U.S. Army and National Guard. “I specialize in pediatric brain and spine tumors, but I enjoy taking care of any pediatric patient with brain, head or spine issues,” he said. “I love interacting with my patients, taking care of their needs and seeing them succeed, grow and progress after we’ve helped them with the care they need.” Geisinger uses the latest technologies and specialized treatment options to care for your child and care for a wide range of conditions. To learn more, visit Geisinger pediatric neurosurgery online.
