Geisinger Selects Cloud Provider Geisinger, one of the country’s most well-established and innovative integrated health systems, has chosen Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its strategic cloud provider. As part of the agreement, the health system plans to transition its entire digital portfolio of more than 400 applications and numerous workflows to AWS. Geisinger will be one of the largest electronic health records migrations to AWS to date and is planning to transition the majority of its systems and applications to AWS. The decision comes after a detailed multi-year review and selection process that identified transitioning to AWS will assist Geisinger in saving several million annually after implementation is completed – cost savings that can be used to make investments that support Geisinger’s mission to make better health easier. In addition to the significant cost savings, Geisinger’s cloud migration to AWS will enable the healthcare system to develop new, innovative technological advancements in areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning and more that will help improve access to and quality of care. It will also enable teams to create workflow efficiencies for employees to increase productivity while streamlining and simplifying daily work. “This is more than migrating applications to the cloud,” said John Kravitz, Geisinger’s chief information officer. “We know that rapidly evolving technology, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, can help save lives. Not to mention that this will make our staff more agile and responsive so they can spend more time at the bedside, where our patients need them most.” As part of the effort, Geisinger has also committed to comprehensive cloud skills training for the vast majority of its 24,000 employees. Training is already underway with many Geisinger employees, and the training will be ongoing over the next five years. “At the end of the day, everything we do at Geisinger is about making better health easier,” said Kravitz. “This effort is no different. Technology is something that enables us to carry out our vision. Migrating to AWS does just that. Being more nimble with technology development and deployment lets our teams focus on doing what they do best – providing compassionate, world-class, easily accessible healthcare to the communities we have the pleasure of serving.” “AWS is thrilled to collaborate with Geisinger to support their mission ‘to make better health easier’ for their communities,” said Phoebe Yang, General Manager, Health at AWS. “It’s a privilege to enable their teams with power of the cloud to gain operational and clinical efficiencies, upskill their workforce, and ultimately enable the health and wellness of those they serve.”
Geisinger Fundraiser ‘Moves Mountains’ for Cancer Geisinger will raise funds for cancer services during a night of fun, fine food and live music. Moving Mountains for Cancer begins at 6:30 p.m. May 20 at Montage Mountain, 1000 Montage Mountain Road, and proceeds benefit the newly expanded Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. The Henry Cancer Center provides care for the whole person and includes the patient’s family and loved ones. The center provides all the services a patient needs under one roof, so no one has to leave northeastern Pennsylvania for world-class care. By participating in Moving Mountains for Cancer, patrons can enable even more patients to get the care they need at the Henry Cancer Center. The event will be held rain or shine, and the evening features: Social hour and hors d’oeuvresWelcome and dinnerLive music by the Elegance QuartetCampfire and glow night activitiesFireworks Tickets cost $150 and can be purchased at go.geisinger.org/MovingMountains or by calling 570-214-0400. Those who can’t participate in person can donate on the event page, and sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Geisinger Hosts Free, Virtual Lung Cancer Screening Information Session Geisinger will host a free, virtual lung cancer screening information session from noon to 1 p.m. May 10. For at-risk patients, lung cancer screening is quick, easy and painless and just as important to the early detection and treatment of cancer as regular mammograms and colonoscopies. Patients may be eligible for lung cancer screening if they are: Between the ages of 50 and 80Have a 20-pack-year smoking historyCurrently smoke or quit within the last 15 years The event will be hosted by Matthew Facktor, M.D.,director of the lung cancer screening program and chair of Geisinger’s Department of Thoracic Surgery, and George Ruiz, M.D.,chair of Geisinger’s Department of Cardiology. The session will cover: An overview of lung cancer screeningWho is a good candidate for regular screeningHow to calculate pack-year historyA question-and-answer session Anyone interested in learning about lung cancer screening can register for the information session by visiting go.geisinger.org/lungcancerscreeningevent. During registration, participants can submit questions they’d like addressed during the session.
Geisinger To Host Hiring Events for All Positions As Geisinger continues recruitment efforts to make better health easier for northeastern and central Pennsylvania,the health system will hold in-person hiring events in Danville, Scranton, Williamsport and Lewistown on Wednesday, April 27. Attendees can discuss career opportunities at Geisinger, as well as potential recruitment incentives. They can also learn about benefits such as retirement programs, parental paid leave, tuition reimbursement and health insurance that starts on the first day of employment. Those who plan to attend should bring an updated resume,as certain positions will offer on-site interviews. Geisinger offers a variety of career opportunities in departments that provide direct patient care and those who support operations. Openings throughout Geisinger in northeastern and central Pennsylvania include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses,respiratory therapists,patient companions, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomists, social workers, environmental services technicians, and food service workers, among others. The hiring events will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 27 at the following locations: The Pine Barn Inn, 43 Pine Barn Place, DanvilleHilton Scranton, 100 Adams Ave., ScrantonFarrington Place, 416 W. Third St.,WilliamsportGeisinger Lewistown Hospital, 400 Highland Ave., Lewistown Registration is encouraged, but notrequired for the April 27 hiring events.Walk-ins are welcome. Visitjobs.geisinger.org/hiring to register and view all roles that are eligible for hiring incentives.To learn more about job opportunities at Geisinger or to sign up for Geisinger job alerts, visit jobs.geisinger.org.
Geisinger Loosens Visitation Policy for Hospitalized Adult Patients With the decrease in COVID case counts, Geisinger has removed the limit on the number of total visitors a hospitalized adult patient can have. However, only two may visit at a time. Emergency room patients may also have two visitors for the duration of their stay. Patients having a baby as well as patients under age 18 are allowed a total of four designated visitors with only two visiting at a time. The visitor must be designated and wear a wristband the entire time the patient is hospitalized. Visiting hours for adult inpatients are between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Patients having a baby or pediatric patients may have visitors 24/7. All patients and visitors must wear a mask when on Geisinger property, regardless of vaccination status. Visitors who do not comply with Geisinger’s policies, such as masking, will lose their visiting rights. For general questions and information about COVID-19, visit geisinger.org/coronavirus.
Geisinger Aims to Curb Aggressive Behavior Against Staff with Visitor Pledge Geisinger has instituted a partnership pledge between its patients and visitors and its healthcare workers to remind people that hospitals and outpatient clinics are places of hope, healing and respect. Incidents of aggression and violence against Geisinger staff have noticeably increased over the past two years. This partnership pledge outlines behaviors that are not acceptable as employees work to care for patients. According to Sean McGinley, senior director of security operations at Geisinger, there was a 21%rise in incidents involving patients or visitors exhibiting combative behavior across Geisinger from 2020 to 2021. Combative behavior can range from unusual verbal aggression to full-blown physical assault. “Healthcare workers are trained to take care of patients on their worst days. It’s part of the profession they accept and handle with grace and compassion,” said Ron Beer, chief administrative officer in Geisinger’s northeast region. “That said,they deserve to do their jobs without fear of violence or aggression. For healthcare workers, verbal abuse or physical injury from the patients and guests they care for is not acceptable.” The pledge specifies that aggressive behavior will not be tolerated. That means: •No abusive language •No threatening behavior •No physical assaults •No weapons or illegal drugs •No harassment or discrimination of any kind Those who violate these guidelines will lose visitation privileges. The pledge also calls out that in Pennsylvania, it’s a felony to assault a healthcare worker. Anyone who does so will be removed from the property and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Posters and flyers with the pledge are displayed in emergency rooms, hospital screening areas and outpatient facilities.All patients and visitors are asked to read the pledge when entering Geisinger hospitals and clinics. By choosing to help keep healthcare workers safe,everyone can guarantee better care for themselves and their community Beer added, “Our caregivers have devoted their professional lives to the communities they serve. They should never feel unsafe at work.I’m humbled to be part of a care team that never wavered in their commitment during the COVID pandemic. They have been there —and continue to be there —to care for their communities.They simply ask that their communities be there for them in return.”
Local Veterans Honored During National Vietnam War Veterans Day As part of its commitment to military members and veterans, Geisinger recognized National Vietnam War Veterans Day by holding a “welcome home” ceremony at its Geisinger 65 Forward Health Center locations on Tuesday, March 29. Nearly 50 Vietnam War veterans and guests were honored during the event, which concluded with a pinning ceremony. Events took place at eight 65 Forward locations, including Coal Township, Hazleton, Scranton and State College. The ceremony included local Vietnam War veterans sharing their experiences both in Vietnam and at home. Staff presented certificates and recognized each veteran for their service. “We have an ongoing commitment to military members and veterans at Geisinger,” said Chris Grill, Geisinger’s diversity, equity and inclusion program manager, who is a U.S. Army veteran. “Many of our local Vietnam War veterans returned home to no fanfare or ‘thank you,’ and they deserve our gratitude for their service. It was humbling to see many of them moved by the ceremony and appreciative of recognition on this special day.” Geisinger’s commitment to the military community includes military and veteran recruitment programs and educational initiatives to help care teams understand military culture and veterans’ unique health needs. The health system has been recognized for its work, including being named a Military Friendly employer. 65 Forward Scranton Vietnam Vets (pictured above): From left, Vietnam War veterans John Frank, Dan Hulse, David Lennick, William Bechtel, Perry Hoffpauer and Kenneth Anderson Sr. Also in attendance but not pictured was Jack Neuls.
Geisinger Holds Ribbon Cutting for Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center Expansion Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, March 23, to celebrate the expansion of the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center. The conclusion of the $80 million expansion brings world-class cancer care closer to home for patients and their support systems, which is critical in improving outcomes for those battling cancer. Since 2008, Geisinger has invested more than $515 million into better and more accessible care for people in Luzerne County and the surrounding area. Patients of the Henry Cancer Center in northeastern Pennsylvania will no longer need to seek advanced care in cities like Philadelphia and New York. “This commitment in Luzerne County means our neighbors in northeastern Pennsylvania can stay close to home for the most advanced, lifesaving cancer care,” said Geisinger’s president and CEO, Jaewon Ryu, M.D., J.D. “It’s the fulfillment of the vision that the Henry family and Geisinger established 30 years ago.” Patients who previously had to seek care outside the region will soon be able to visit the 92,150-square-foot, four-story cancer center expansion with an 18-bed inpatient unit. The new 51-bay infusion center doubles the previous number of bays used for chemotherapy and other intravenous treatments. Besides improving accessibility to care, the cancer center expansion will reduce wait times and increase appointment availability. State-of-the-art technology includes the non-invasive CyberKnife S7, which delivers precise doses of radiation anywhere in the body without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. “For nearly three decades, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center has developed a program that brings exceptional cancer care to residents of northeast PA,” said Rajiv Panikkar, M.D., chair of the Geisinger Cancer Institute. “Today marks another step forward as we expand cancer services for our neighbors and their caretakers, providing what they need in their own community.” The opening of the cancer center reinforces Geisinger’s pledge to offer the best quality care to everyone it serves. “When our patients enter Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, they’ll know they’re getting world-class care in the same hospital that’s taken care of generations of their neighbors,” said Ron Beer, chief administrative officer of Geisinger’s northeast region. “Our patients will no longer have to travel far for advanced cancer treatment, thanks to the continued support of our community. The Henry family’s vision for state-of-the-art cancer care in northeastern Pennsylvania has changed the lives of countless people, and that vision lives on today.” For more information on cancer care at Geisinger, visit Geisinger.org/CancerExpansion.
Geisinger Hosts Free Community Shred Day Event Across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania In observance of Earth Day, Geisinger is hosting free Community Shred Days at several locations across northeastern and central Pennsylvania. Community members can bring their confidential personal and financial documents, such as bank statements, credit card bills and tax forms to be securely shredded on site and recycled. Limit of three boxes of documents per person.Paper only,please —do not place other waste into bins. Join us for a Shred Day event near you: •Friday, April 1, 7 –11 a.m.at Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 1175 E. Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre •Monday, April 4, 7 –11 a.m. at Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital, 4200 Hospital Road, Coal Township •Thursday, April 7, 7 –11 a.m. at Geisinger Health Plan, Hughes Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville •Monday, April 11, Noon–4 p.m. at Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 1175 E. Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre •Tuesday, April 12, 7 –11 a.m. at Geisinger Healthplex State College, 132 Abigail Lane, Port Matilda •Friday, April 15, 7–11 a.m. at Geisinger Medical Center Muncy, 255 Route 220, Muncy •Monday, April 18, Noon–4 p.m. at Geisinger Health Plan, Hughes Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville •Tuesday, April 19, 7 –11 a.m. at Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, 1020 Thompson St., Jersey Shore •Friday, April 22, 7 –11 a.m. at Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, 549 Fair St., Bloomsburg •Monday, April 25, 7 –11 a.m. at Geisinger Mt. Pleasant, 531 Mt. Pleasant Drive, Scranton •Friday, April 29, 7 –11 a.m. at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, 400 Highland Ave., Lewistown Call 570-271-6030 for more information
Geisinger Receives Donation to Help Launch Innovative Programs A local woman with a passion for programs for improving children’s behavioral health services has donated $1 million to Geisinger’s department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health to help launch innovative programs for young people. Susan McDowell of Selinsgrove made the commitment to create a pediatric behavioral health catalyst fund that will support projects and programs to promote innovation in the behavioral health care of children and adolescents, something she has been personally invested in for more than 20 years. In 2009, McDowell developed House of Hope, a faith-based, residential treatment center for at-risk children that served a five-county area of Montour, Snyder, Columbia, Union and Northumberland. McDowell then partnered with Bloomsburg University to create the McDowell Institute in 2012. The mission is to train education students to deal with at-risk children, giving future teachers tools to handle students’ behavioral health issues. McDowell also has partnered with Geisinger for more than 20 years. Five years ago, through her philanthropy and advice, Geisinger began the Pediatric Primary Care Behavioral Health program and placed 11 pediatric psychologists in pediatric offices. The program has been tremendously successful and, McDowell hopes her recent gift will help Geisinger continue this mission and help recruit talented behavioral health providers to launch similarly innovative and impactful programs. “Compared to 20 years ago, we have more professionals in the field. We have better places to take care of patients, with the development of a pediatric emergency room and in-patient pediatric psychiatric care,” McDowell said. “Those are things I feel really good about contributing to.” Psychiatric caregivers are excited to have the catalyst funds to help address the ongoing adolescent mental health crisis. “It will be exciting to see what our friends and colleagues come up with to build new programs, bring new expertise and partner with the community in new ways to make better behavioral health for our young people,” said Justin Coffey, MD, chair of Geisinger’s department of psychiatry and behavioral health. “Young people are dying from suicide now more than any other cause besides accidents. It’s a crisis. Our children deserve better, our families deserve better, and our families deserve better. It’s time to think differently. Geisinger has a strong tradition of innovation, and we’re ready to bring that expertise and energy to the work of improving behavioral health for young people” Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital Chair, Frank Maffei, MD, says the gift will have a huge impact for youth in the community. “We believe behavioral health care should begin in our general pediatrician’s office in close collaboration with our partners in pediatric psychology and psychiatry,” Dr. Maffei said. “Our partnership has improved access and allowed us to be innovative — seeking new ways to provide these vital services such as telehealth and advancing pediatric behavioral health education in our community. We’re on the precipice of significant change and progress in an area that truly has been in crisis.” Addressing the crisis requires more than just one person or one gift, but the entire community working together for prevention, according to McDowell. “Anyone considering a gift to behavioral health should know that it’s money well spent. Write the check, but bring your passion with it,” she said. “I encourage others to begin the conversations with people here. You will be inspired. You will be educated and better prepared to be out there fighting the good fight.”
