Geisinger Expanding COVID Vaccine Availability for Tier 1A Healthcare Personnel Geisinger is continuing to provide the COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare personnel who qualify as part of the state’s Phase 1A groups by expanding administration with new community-based vaccine centers throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Appointments are required to receive the vaccine, and can be made online using myGeisinger. A questionnaire must be completed prior to scheduling to ensure eligibility and for health screening purposes. Healthcare personnel must bring to their appointments their healthcare-related identification (certificate, license etc.) to verify eligibility as part of the state’s Phase 1A groups and a valid driver’s license. Healthcare personnel who have been cared for by Geisinger or have Geisinger Health Plan insurance, but don’t have a myGeisinger account, can create one online. Those who haven’t been cared for by Geisinger and don’t have Geisinger Health Plan insurance or anyone under the age of 18 can call 570-284-3657 for help setting up an account. In alignment with federal and state guidelines and as supplies, staffing and logistics allow, COVID vaccines will be available to all healthcare personnel who qualify as part of the state’s Phase 1A, including: ChiropractorsClinical personnel in school or university settingsContracted healthcare personnel not directly employed by a health care facilityDentists and dental hygienistsDirect support professionalsEMSMedical students and traineesNon-Geisinger providers and their staffsNurses, nursing assistantsPersons not directly involved in patient care but potentially exposed to infectious material that can transmit diseasePharmacists and Pharmacy TechniciansPhlebotomistsPhysiciansTechniciansTherapists Geisinger is administering the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna COVID vaccines. When scheduling appointments, it’s important to remember that two doses of the vaccine are required so healthcare personnel are encouraged to consider both doses when scheduling. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is needed 21 days after the first, and the second dose of the Moderna vaccine needed 28 days after the first. It’s required to receive both vaccines doses at the same location. Vaccines also remain available to Geisinger staff. To date, Geisinger has provided about 15,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Even as the vaccine becomes more available in our communities, preventive measures to help stop the spread of the virus continue to be important. Everyone, including those who receive the vaccine, should continue to properly wear a mask, avoid group gatherings, maintain physical distancing and practice proper handwashing. For answers to questions about the vaccine, visit the Geisinger COVID-19 vaccine resources center at geisinger.org/COVIDvax.
Progressive Care Unit Opens at Geisinger Community Medical Center A new Progressive Care Unit (PCU) featuring private rooms and a modern, evidence-based design is now open at Geisinger Community Medical Center and specializes in caring for the complex needs of trauma, medical and surgical patients. Located on the hospital’s fourth floor, directly above the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the PCU houses 18 private rooms and nursing alcoves that allow direct visual oversight of patient rooms through large glass windows. The care model decentralizes nursing stations to improve surveillance of each patient and enhances the care team’s communication with patient families, giving family members closer access to nursing staff. “The nursing model used in the new PCU allows for improved monitoring of critically ill patients from the nurses’ station that extends around the entire unit,” said Glenna Barletta, nursing operations manager at Geisinger Community Medical Center. “Nursing alcoves are located outside each room to ensure the care team is always close by.” Development of the PCU is part of a $16 million project that also begins the hospital’s approach to a private-bed model. Designed to improve patient experience, quality of care and efficiency of operation, the unit’s spacious, state-of-the-art, private rooms meet the need to care for critically ill patients. “We know the benefits of the private-room model on clinical quality and patient experience are well-studied and indisputable,” said Ujwal Tuladhar, M.D., hospitalist at Geisinger Community Medical Center. “They include reduced risk of hospital-acquired infection, reduced patient stress levels due to improved privacy and reduction of unwanted noise, and better facilitation of care. Private rooms cater to patient comfort, better rest and more room for caregivers and loved ones.” The PCU’s private rooms are larger than the semi-private rooms of the previous step-down unit with enough space to accommodate critical care technology, allowing the care team to treat higher-acuity patients, such as ventilator patients who require medications that elevate blood pressure. “The room size allows for more sophisticated equipment to fit into the space and provides our care team with greater ability to move around the patient to deliver care,” Barletta said. “This allows us to broaden the criteria of patients the unit can accept.” The PCU has two waiting rooms — a quiet room and another with a television — and features multiple family meeting rooms, a wellness room with massage chairs, and two bariatric patient rooms with showers. To get to the PCU from the main lobby at Geisinger Community Medical Center, take the C elevators to level 4, then take a right off the elevator and follow signs to the PCU.
Geisinger Employees Begin Receiving Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Geisinger’s health care heroes are now receiving their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Wednesday morning, exactly 21 days since vaccine doses first were given within the health system, employees returned and rolled up their sleeves to get their second dose. In three weeks Geisinger has ramped up to the point of more than 1,000 vaccines per day over the past week, totaling approximately 12,000 people with their first dose of the COVID vaccine. When people get their first doses, they’re scheduled immediately to receive their second dose. Receiving that second dose is a critical step in the COVID vaccine process. Both doses are necessary to trigger the immune response needed to develop an immunity level against COVID- 19. Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center nurse Tara Skutack was the first health care worker to receive the second vaccine dose on Wednesday at the hospital. “I received the COVID vaccine for my family and patients,” Skutack said. “I’m excited for a better and healthier future. So far, I’m feeling great.” Resident physician Muhammad Sabih Saleem, M.D., said he received the vaccine as a step in moving forward, and as someone who cares for COVID patients. “I currently work in the intensive care unit and see COVID patients every day,” Saleem said. “It’s up to us to take this first step forward so that everyone else will join us when the vaccine becomes available to them. I feel relieved after getting the vaccine — we have been waiting for it for a long time. It’s a step towards a better future.” Geisinger has been receiving the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna vaccines at facilities over the past few weeks. The Pfizer vaccine was received first, and front-line employee vaccines began on December 16. Both vaccines require two doses, with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine requiring a second dose 21 days after the first, and the Moderna vaccine requiring a second dose 28 days after the first. Emergency medicine physician Luke Sullivan, D.O., said his family was a major motivator for why he received the vaccine. “I got the COVID vaccine so I could safely take care of my patients and remain healthy while doing so,” Sullivan said. “I also got it for my 2-year-old, my wife who works in healthcare, and my elderly parents, who I haven’t been able to see. It feels awesome to have received my second dose and I look toward the future.” In line with state guidelines and recommendations, Geisinger has been focusing on vaccinating its employees and healthcare workers. Geisinger is in the process of reaching out to EMS personnel and community providers to coordinate their vaccines, in alignment with the PA Department of Health order to use 10 percent of the vaccine supply to vaccinate those in Tier 1A. The vaccine is being administered as quickly as it can, but is completely dependent on supply, staffing and the logistics with distribution. While it’s expected to be well into the year until the vaccine becomes widely available to the public, Geisinger is working to make it easy to receive both COVID vaccine doses, including making the vaccine available at no cost to patients. With more shipments of the vaccines making their way to Geisinger and many in the community receiving the vaccine, Geisinger continues to encourage the preventive measures that have been stressed to help stop the spread of the virus as it’s expected to be well into the summer before vaccines are readily available for all community members. Everyone, including those who receive the vaccine, should continue to properly wear a mask, avoid group gatherings, maintain physical distancing and practice proper handwashing. For answers to questions about the vaccine, visit the Geisinger COVID-19 vaccine resources center at geisinger.org/COVIDvax. CUTLINES: Skutack COVID vaccine: Nurse Tara Skutack receives the second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday morning at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre. Skutack was one of the first Geisinger front-line healthcare workers to receive the first dose of the vaccine on December 16. Nurse Alison Krakosky administered this second dose. Abbas COVID vaccine: Resident physician Sayeda Abbas, M.D., receives the second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday morning. Given by nurse Alison Krakosky at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Abbas was one of the first Geisinger employees to receive a COVID vaccine when it was first available on December 16. Saleem COVID vaccine: Resident physician Muhammad Sabih Saleem, M.D., receives the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes- Barre. Saleem, one of the first front-line health care workers at Geisinger to receive a first dose, received this second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine from nurse Alison Krakosky. Sullivan COVID vaccine: Geisinger emergency medicine physician Luke Sullivan, D.O., rolls up his sleeve to receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Sullivan received the second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine from nurse Alison Krakosky.
Geisinger’s Scranton, Wilkes-Barre Hospitals Welcome First Babies of 2021 Geisinger Community Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center recently greeted their first newborns of the new year. Liam Antoniotti was born at 8:11 a.m. on Jan. 1 at Geisinger Community Medical Center’s Childbirth Center in Scranton. He is the son of Tori Kerschner of Elmhurst, and Liam arrived weighing 6 pounds, 7.7 ounces, and measuring 19 inches. Kamden Maurer was born at 7:40 p.m. on Jan. 1 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre. He is the son of Mikenzee Sims and Anthony Maurer of Plymouth, and Kamden arrived weighing 4 pounds, 7.2 ounces, and measuring 18 inches. Emma Rose Usavage was born at 8:51 p.m. on Jan. 1 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. She is the daughter of Andrea Boedecker and Tom Usavage of Plymouth, and Emma arrived weighing 7 pounds, 8.7 ounces, and measuring 18.5 inches.
Geisinger Receives Donation for Fresh Food Farmacy™ Program Area families will get the gift of nutritious food, thanks to The GIANT Company’s gift to Geisinger’s Fresh Food Farmacy™ program. Because the COVID-19 pandemic has strained on food banks and food-insecure families across the state, the $200,000 gift from The GIANT Company will help sustain and expand the program. Education, diet and wellness coaches and assistants give Fresh Food Farmacy patients and families a “whole health” approach to their nutritional needs. Geisinger also plans to offer more wellness coaching through an app that will be created for patients of the program. Through partnerships with local food organizations the Fresh Food Farmacy provides fresh, healthy food to patients and their families for up to 10 meals per week. Patient education is also an important factor in the program, which addresses two key factors, including food insecurity and uncontrolled diabetes. Patients in the program have shown remarkable results with weight loss, lower blood pressure and improved measurements of triglycerides and cholesterol. Recent data shows that Fresh Food Farmacy patients have collectively achieved nearly $1.5 million in healthcare savings. “The GIANT Company’s gift will help us to reach even more patients and their families,” said Allison Hess, vice president of health, Geisinger Steele Institute for Health Innovation, said. “For example, we plan to expand to include patients with conditions other than diabetes. There are many disease states that show improvement in patients who eat healthy, fresh foods. And with the results we’ve seen with patients who have diabetes, we look forward to exploring those new avenues.” The GIANT Company has a long history of generosity to Geisinger and Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger. Early this year, GIANT provided $250,000 in donations for COVID relief to five children’s hospitals including Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. The company also provided meals for many of Geisinger’s frontline workers during the pandemic. “Working with our incredible network of community partners, we continue to bring our new brand platform, For Today’s Table, to life in the communities we serve,” said Nicholas Bertram, president of The GIANT Company. “Like The GIANT Company, Geisinger believes that every family should be able to share a healthy meal. Since its launch, their Fresh Food Farmacy program has helped remove barriers to accessing nutritious, good-tasting food and we are honored to be able to support its expansion, bringing it to even more families.” Since 2017, Geisinger’s Fresh Food Farmacy has provided more than 706,000 meals to 4,828 families in the Lewistown, Shamokin and Scranton areas. To make a donation to the program, visit donations.geisinger.org and select Fresh Food Farmacy in the dropdown menu.
Geisinger Announces Top Baby Names for 2020 Welcome to the world, Ava and Liam, Geisinger’s most popular baby names of the eventful year, 2020! Liam climbed up one spot from last year and beat Noah to the No. 1 spot for boys, while Ava jumped over Emma, Olivia, Harper, Charlotte and Amelia to take the No. 1 spot for girls. Geisinger welcomed 4,945 babies in 2020 (as of Dec. 21, 2020) and has tabulated the most popular names. Babies are delivered at five Geisinger hospitals in Pennsylvania, including Geisinger Medical Center; Geisinger Community Medical Center; Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center; Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital and Geisinger Lewistown Hospital.The top 10 baby names across all of Geisinger’s hospitals in Pennsylvania are: Girls:1. Ave2.Sophia3. Emma4. Harper5. Olivia6. Evelyn7. Aurora8. Amelia9. Charlotte10. Isabella Boys:1. Liam2. Mason3. Noah4. Owen5. Oliver6. Lucas7. Wyatt8. Jackson9. Carson10. Carter Below are some of the top names at individual Geisinger hospitals: Geisinger Medical Center, Danville – 1,821 babies Girls:1. Emma2. Harper3. Charlotte4. Riley5. IsabellaBoys:1. Liam2. Oliver3. Owen4. Noah5. Mason Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre – 1,749 babiesGirls:1. Ava2. Sophia3. Madison4. Ella5. Luna6. HarperBoys:1. Liam2. Noah3. Ethan4. Jacob5. Wyatt6. Lucas Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, Bloomsburg – 406 babiesGirls:1. Evelyn2. Harper3. Aurora4. Paisley5. PiperBoys:1. Mason2. Lincoln3. Benjamin4. Grayson5. Carson Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Lewistown – 496 babiesGirls:1. Lilian2. Anna3. Ellie4.Paisley5. PiperBoys:1. Owen2. Mason3. Carter4. Layne5. William Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton – 473 babiesGirls:1. Aurora2. Alice3. Noelle4. Abigail5. MelanieBoys:1. Noah2. Oliver3. William4. Jackson5. Luca These results combine different spelling variations of the same name. For example, the ranking for Liam includes variations like Liamm, and Oliver includes variations such as Olliver.At Geisinger, obstetrician/gynecologists and certified nurse-midwives work together to comfort and care for mothers-to-be and their babies, and expectant moms can tailor their birth plans according to their preferences. Midwives facilitate natural birth plans, and OB/GYNs will be on duty at all hours to intervene when needed. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic contributed toward the change in the way families made decisions in 2020. “Most people are largely still afraid of becoming pregnant during this pandemic,” said Dr. J. Manuel Arreguin, chief of obstetrics and gynecology in Geisinger’s northeast region. “There’s so much that we are still learning from this virus. Unfortunately, there’s lots of misinformation, too, that dissuades our families from concluding that this is the right time to have more children.” With locations throughout central, northeast and western Pennsylvania, Geisinger’s pregnancy and childbirth team provides comprehensive care for moms and little ones. Visit geisinger.org/PregnancyHub to find out more.
