It might seem like an unlikely community partnership – a beer wholesaler and a healthcare provider – but when WellSpan’s care teams needed a boost of energy, Brewery Products answered the call.

When Spot the Dalmatian shows up on the side of a delivery van from Brewery Products, most people think it’s time to crack open a cold one and get ready for happy hour. But for the care teams at WellSpan Health, the delivery meant it was time for a frosty Hi Ball Energy Drink to give them a boost.

About 300 cases of the bubbly beverage were delivered to WellSpan’s York Hospital and Apple Hill campus, as well as Gettysburg, Chambersburg, and Waynesboro Hospitals.

The energy drink delivery wasn’t the only contribution from Brewery Products, a beer wholesaler based in York County. The team at Brewery Products initially reached out to the COVID-19 testing center at York State Fairgrounds, where they delivered cans of Anheuser-Busch relief water. The signature blue and white cans are part of an emergency drinking water program started by the company in 1988, and cans of water are often sent to disaster recovery areas.

"It is unique that a beer wholesaler is able to donate to the front line since the majority of our beverages are alcoholic," says Vicki Stambaugh, event coordinator at Brewery Products. “We are so proud to be able to do so."

Brewery Products only delivers Hi Ball to a few locations, Vicki says, and found they had a surplus stock.

"The front-line health care workers are working long hours, and we couldn’t find a better idea than 'giving energy to the front lines,'" she says. "We hope this gives them a needed boost to both their bodies and spirits."

There’s nothing that compares to the daily workflow changes Mandy Lewis has had to navigate on the Cardiac ICU unit at WellSpan’s York Hospital.

Her brain runs through a mental checklist of preparations long before she arrives at work each day, making sure she’s packed an extra change of clothes, shoes, a plastic bag, and food to get her through a long shift. And while she’s used to floating around different units as needs arise, she’s experiencing that a lot more frequently lately.

Even with the adjustments, the 20-year-veteran WellSpan nurse and 2020 Nurse Manager Resident says she’s never been prouder of her team for adapting so well to the needs of patients during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mandy is grateful to have a supportive family at home, but she also says the teamwork and family-feeling she gets from her co-workers empowers her to look beyond her stress and fear.

These are people she’s experienced life with – from new babies and birthdays to bowling, movies, and paint nights. Some of her colleagues on the unit have even rented an Airbnb together to help keep their families safe from exposure while relying on the support of the team to get through this together.

“We’re normally a very upbeat unit, and you can see that continue while we work hard to care for our patients,” Mandy says. “We have a group text going where we send out ‘I love you’ or ‘great job’ to help everyone’s mood.”

While nothing can quite compare to the COVID-19 outbreak, Mandy says, she was working on this unit when H1N1 cases were treated at the hospital in 2009. What she remembers from that time and applies to her work today is the feeling of getting through something unknown and striving to do the best for the patients.

She also finds herself calling on her faith a lot more now and believes the experience has brought her closer to her family and co-workers.

“We’re making it through this together with the goal of caring for others,” Mandy says. “That’s why I became a nurse, and that’s why this is so important for so many of us at WellSpan. There’s truly a sense of family here.”

When patients are scared or loved ones are worried, Patti Ford never hesitates to comfort someone with a hug. That's what "huggers" like her do, she says. But when treating COVID-19 patients, the respiratory therapist at WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital knows that kind of solace now must come in a different form.

"The human touch can do a lot to help someone heal," says Patti, who's been in the field for 37 years. "So, I'm challenged to find ways to bring that same level of comfort when isolation is so prevalent."

Through the added layers of protection that are part of the coronavirus protocol, she takes the extra time to let her patients know she cares. Even with two pairs of gloves and a plastic shield covering her face, she sees a sense of relief in someone’s eyes when they can feel her hand grasping theirs.

New ways to communicate

The communication aspect can be tough with older patients or those who are hard of hearing, she says. With a face mask, they can't read her lips. With loud machinery in the room, it can be challenging to hear her voice. But she's taking the opportunity to work a little more meticulously and be a little more patient as she completes her tasks.

While COVID-19 patients cannot have visitors, Patti says, the hospital bought extra computer tablets so they can help patients set up FaceTime or Zoom calls with their families.

"Our nurses are fielding family calls around the clock," Patti says. "People just want to know how their parent, grandparent, spouse, or child are doing. We used to be able to communicate that in-person. Now, we're making sure they get to see a friendly face, even if it's not the most ideal way to do it."

Working as one

Today more than ever, Patti says, she sees her WellSpan family of care providers living the "working as one" mantra from the organization’s mission statement.

There's no more calling a nursing assistant to change bedding if Patti is already in personal protective equipment and can do the job. Occupational and physical therapists are also working as runners on her unit, transporting labs or getting other necessities. She’s also grateful for the housekeepers who have answered the increased demand to keep spaces safe and sanitary.

"I’m ready to get back to the days when we can give that hug or hold a hand without gloves," Patti says. "But I know that in the meantime we’re doing the best we can, and we’ve come together in a way that we’ll change how we work and support one another long after this period."

WellSpan York Hospital announces today that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® certification for its ventricular assist device (VAD) program. This is the third time since 2013 the program has received this honor.

"It’s the commitment, dedication and hard work of our care teams that make this program so successful," said John Porter, executive vice president and chief operating officer, WellSpan Health. "Their hard work with advanced medical technology improves our patients’ quality of life, giving them the opportunity to attend important life events like family weddings and graduations."

WellSpan York Hospital underwent an intense on-site survey by the Joint Commission earlier this year, which evaluated the program’s processes and standards through interviews with patients and staff.

A ventricular assist device is a mechanical pump that is implanted in the heart’s left ventricle and helps increase the amount of blood that flows throughout your body. It can be used as a temporary support measure in patients awaiting heart transplants or for patients with end stage heart failure who are not transplant candidates. With the implant and close medical management, most patients live happy productive lives.

Learn more about WellSpan’s VAD program.

March 29 is a date Dr. Ryan DeCort will remember for a long time.

"I was in the office working and I got a phone call from my unit saying I had 24 hours to mobilize to our Army Reserve center in Fort Meade, Md. They didn’t know any further details," DeCort recalled as he shared his experience with Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., WellSpan President and CEO.

DeCort, a WellSpan Internal Medicine and Army Reserves physician, was among the first in the country to be deployed to New York City where he is working at the Javits Center army field hospital to support overwhelmed hospitals for six weeks. This week, Gapstur connected with Dr. DeCort to thank him for his service, and to ask him any lessons learned through the experience she can share with our teams to continue to best arm ourselves against COVID-19.

DeCort’s deployment literally happened overnight.

"They didn’t know what we were doing, but they had a packing list and I had to be prepared to pack enough military equipment and personal things for one week, and once we got to Fort Meade, they would give us further instructions," DeCort explained.

"It was just a whirlwind. It was crazy," he added.

DeCort joined the military while attending Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant during his second year of medical school and later promoted to Captain upon finishing medical school.

After spending several years in Alaska and being promoted to Major, DeCort decided that he wanted to return Franklin County where he worked as a tech in the ER during medical school, so he transitioned from the military to the reserves.

Seven days after reporting to Fort Meade, DeCort made it to New York City where his unit was greeted by a hero’s welcome.

"People were hanging out of their windows, on their balconies, just cheering for us because we were there to help them," DeCort said. "It was pretty amazing. That was very touching."

According to DeCort, the military – in a matter of 10 days – created medical task force units. They were each comprised of 85 soldiers and aimed to support the health care systems that were inundated by COVID-19.

Then they created field hospitals, like the one DeCort has served in.

"To me it was just crazy hearing that within just a matter of 10-12 days we set up a 4,000-bed medical treatment facility – something that has never been done before. So, I was kind of excited, in a way, to come and be a part of this mission. It’s been a challenge working in a facility that was stood up so quickly," DeCort said.

DeCort’s mission hasn’t come without several other challenges that wouldn’t normally be encountered in a brick and mortar hospital.

Providing patients optimal care with limited resources was one of those challenges, according to DeCort.

Another challenge he noted was working in personal protective equipment. “Not being able to see your colleagues and who you are working with was a challenge.”

Documentation is also done on paper instead of using electronic medical record.

"This whole mission is paper, so trying to track down the paper chart, trying to find lab results, trying to find out what happened during your shift – communication is big," DeCort explained.

While Gapstur noted that Pennsylvania is beginning to see a curve flattening, DeCort echoed the same trend from what he has seen in New York.

Gapstur asked DeCort if he acquired anything from the frontlines of New York that could be helpful back home in Pennsylvania.

"Continuous social distancing – honestly that is the biggest thing. For medical professionals, or when you are on the frontlines, I think the biggest thing I would say is we need to identify our resources early, and after we’ve done that, we need to continue to do daily checks on the resources we have," DeCort said. "We want to ensure we have clear roles and responsibilities, that they are determined up front and you have great communication with your personnel – that is key."

As far as advice, DeCort said that being "flexible" is important since protocols are constantly changing.

"Everyone’s different and every patient acts differently. You just have to support the patient," DeCort said. "It’s very easy to get overwhelmed. We are all in the same situation. We are all in this together, and it is okay to ask for help."

Transcript of Interview

Ryan DeCort, D.O., WellSpan Internal Medicine and U.S. Army Reserve physician is among the first in the country to be deployed to New York City where he is working at an Army field hospital at Javits Center to support overwhelmed hospitals for six weeks.

This week, Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., President and CEO, WellSpan Health, connected with Dr. DeCort to thank him for his service and ask him about lessons he has learned from the experience that might be helpful to share with WellSpan teams continuing the fight against COVID-19. The following is a transcription of their conversation.

Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N.: Dr. DeCort, thank you so much for being with me today. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with us. Thank you for your service to our country and also for your work at WellSpan in Franklin County.

Ryan DeCort, D.O.: I appreciate it, thank you!

Gapstur: We’d like to hear a little bit about your role in the Army and how you got involved in New York City.

DeCort: I joined the military back in medical school. I went to Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. I was there for about a year and a half and I heard about this health professions scholarship program that was offered through the military. I applied for the program, and I was accepted, and I had a lot of hesitation. You know, I don’t have any military in my family, so joining the military, I was like, ‘Oh no what am I getting myself into.’ But I accepted the scholarship and I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant my second year into medical school. Then I finished medical school and you are promoted to Captain, and I went to William Beaumont Army Medical Center where I did my Internal Medicine residency. I stayed there for a year after residency and worked as house staff and then I took a mobilization up to Fairbanks, Alaska, where I worked as an Internist for the first year. I was promoted to Major at that time, and in the military as you promote higher your clinical responsibilities go down and your administrative responsibilities go up. I was there for about four years, and when I left, I was working as the medical director for all of the outpatient medical operations for Alaska.

So, as I said, I spent four-and-a-half years there, and I came to the point where I knew I wanted to come back to the community – the community that I knew – and I really liked working in Franklin County. I worked as a tech before I went to medical school, I was in the ER. I worked in the Emergency Room and I really liked the hospital, so I knew I wanted to come back there. I got out of the military and transitioned to the Reserve Unit, and I’ve been in the Reserves for two years now, while I’ve been working at WellSpan in Franklin County.

Gapstur: So, this is a normal deployment for you then? How did you end up in New York?

DeCort: I can still remember the day. It was March 29. I was in the office working and I got a phone call from my unit saying I had 24 hours to mobilize to our Reserve Center down in Fort Meade, Md. They didn’t know any further details. They didn’t know what we were doing, but they had a packing list and I had to be prepared to pack enough military equipment and personal things for one week, and once we got to Fort Meade, they would give us further instructions. I had to report to Fort Meade on April 1, and from there, it was just a whirlwind. It was crazy. Everything happened so quickly. We came to New York on the 8th of April. We got here, but we still didn’t know where we were being mobilized or deployed to until April 7, so there were a lot of unknowns because there are so many hotspots in the United States.

Gapstur: You’ve been in New York a couple of weeks then. I’m sure safety has been top of mind for you while you are there. Could you share a little bit about what it is like to be on the front lines in New York?

DeCort: The military – in the matter of 10 days – created these urban augmentation medical task force units. They are comprised of 85 soldiers and they developed 15 of them initially designed to help augment the health care systems that were just inundated with patient care to help offset some of that and give some of their own hospital staff a break. Then they created these field hospitals, like the Javits Center, so to me, it was just crazy hearing that within just a matter of 10 to 12 days we set up a 4,000-bed medical treatment facility – something that has never been done before. So, I was kind of excited, in a way, to come and be a part of this mission.

When we first arrived in New York City it was pretty amazing how you were welcomed. Walking down the city people were hanging out of their windows, on their balconies, just cheering for us because we were there to help them. That was very touching to know they were happy that we were there, and they were welcoming us.

It’s been a challenge working in a facility that was stood up so quickly. A lot of things that you would have in a brick-and-mortar hospital, you don’t really have here. We’re trying to develop different ways to give patients optimal care with the resources that we have, so that is a little bit of a challenge. You wouldn’t think about this but working in personal protective equipment and not being able to see your colleagues and who you are working with was a challenge.

The practice of medicine doesn’t change, but there are just barriers there. I never had to document in paper in my entire medical career. It’s always been an electronic medical record. This whole mission is paper, so trying to track down the paper chart, trying to find lab results, trying to find out what happened during your shift – communication is big. Yeah, it’s a challenge, for sure.

Gapstur: It sounds like you’re making your way through those challenges one by one and providing great care to patients. I think that’s a really neat experience you had when you arrived there and people were cheering. Probably a once in a lifetime thing for you.

DeCort: Yeah, absolutely.

Gapstur: Here in Pennsylvania, we see our curve flattening a bit which is a great thing, but I’m wondering if you have any advice for us as we continue our preparations. We do think we will have some increase to our patient needs in our hospitals, so anything from the front lines of New York you think would be helpful for us here in Pennsylvania?

DeCort: We are starting to see our curve flatten as well, which is a good sign here. Continuous social distancing – honestly that is the biggest thing. For medical professionals, or when you are on the frontlines, I think the biggest thing I would say is we need to identify our resources early, and after we’ve done that, we need to continue to do daily checks on the resources we have. There’s going to be some resources that we requested and we don’t have. There are going to be some resources that we have that we never even asked for, and we want to ensure that we are using these resources appropriately. Resources to me include our personnel, our equipment, our standard practices. We want to ensure we have clear roles and responsibilities, that they are determined up front and you have great communication with your personnel -- that is key.

Gapstur: Yes, that is great advice, thank you. It will be helpful for us as we continue to prepare. I’m curious if you’ve seen any patient treatments or clinical care that you think would be helpful for us here.

DeCort: I will tell you the biggest thing that has helped our patients here. COVID-19 is affecting the respiratory system, and we’re seeing significant improvement with proning (positioning patients to lie face down). The protocols are always changing, and you just need to be flexible. Everyone’s different and every patient acts differently. You just have to support the patient.

Gapstur: Absolutely, that’s so true. Any words of advice you would impart to your colleagues here back home?

DeCort: Just be flexible. Be understanding. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed. We are all in the same situation. We are all in this together, and it is okay to ask for help.

Gapstur: That’s great. Well, Dr. DeCort, we know your time is precious and you are needed on the front lines there in New York, so I would like to thank you for being willing to speak with us today and sharing your experiences so they can help others back home in Pennsylvania. We look forward to you returning home soon. Thank you, very much.

DeCort: And thank you so much for the opportunity, I appreciate it.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, WellSpan Health is urging community members not to ignore emergency medical matters that may arise.

Since late March, hospital officials have noticed a 50 percent drop in patients seeking care at WellSpan Health’s six hospital emergency departments across southcentral Pennsylvania with some patients ignoring the early warning signs of issues like heart attack or stroke.

“When it comes to stroke care we say time is brain. How quickly patients receive treatment is critical,” said Grant Sorkin, M.D., WellSpan neurosurgeon and surgical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at WellSpan York Hospital. “At our stroke center we’re able to diagnose and treat patients rapidly, but only if the patient acts on the early warning signs. It can be a life-saving move when seconds count.”

Data from large health systems across the country show younger patients in their 30s and 40s that are COVID-19 positive may be experiencing strokes at a higher rate than non-COVID-19 patients in their age group.

Early warning signs of a stroke can include face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty or disorientation. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should dial 911 or seek immediate medical attention at one of the six Comprehensive or Primary Stroke Centers across WellSpan Health.

Doctors at the health system have also heard from patients experiencing serious medical issues, including behavioral health concerns, and choosing not to come to the hospital and getting the care they need for fear of contracting COVID-19 within the building.

WellSpan takes the safety and security of its facilities seriously. To protect patients WellSpan has taken the following measures within the hospitals:

• Dedicated COVID-19 patient care area— Patients who have tested positive or those that are showing symptoms of COVID-19 are isolated to specific treatment areas. Those patients are treated by a care team assigned to only COVID-19 patients.
• Limited entry points at all hospitals— All staff, patients and visitors will enter the hospital at designated entry points where they will be screened prior to entering. Staff who screen positive are evaluated by Employee Health and Safety department before they can return to work.
• Visitor restrictions— By limiting visitation to specific types of patients, we can maintain social distancing and help prevent exposure to COVID-19.
• Protecting our staff— All staff members working in COVID-19 patient care areas, screening areas and emergency departments are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks, gloves, gowns and eye protection. Our staff is trained in the proper use of PPE.
• Safety for all — All hospital staff are now required to wear the appropriate mask during their shift and our patients are also encouraged to wear face coverings to prevent any spread within our hospitals.

WellSpan Health today announced a new clinical collaboration agreement with CVS Health aimed at enhancing access to high-quality, affordable healthcare services for central Pennsylvania residents.

Through the clinical affiliation, WellSpan Health providers will receive CVS Pharmacy prescription and MinuteClinic visit information by enabling communication between secured electronic health record (EHR) systems, which will help enhance clinical care for patients. In addition, WellSpan and CVS Health plan to conduct and promote community health and wellness programs, including at its area retail locations.

"We are pleased to work with CVS Health, including their local CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations, to enhance access to patient care, improve health outcomes and lower health care costs for our friends and neighbors," said Charles H. Chodroff, M.D., senior vice president for population health and chief clinical officer for WellSpan Health. "This collaboration agreement is part of our ongoing commitment to delivering higher value to consumers and improving the health of our community."

Under the agreement, CVS Health, through CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic providers, will electronically share pharmacy and medical clinic visit information with the patient’s primary care physician with patient consent and when they are part of WellSpan’s clinically integrated network of physicians and clinicians, called the WellSpan Provider Network. WellSpan and CVS Health providers will work collaboratively to coordinate patient care and medication needs – particularly for those patients who have chronic conditions.

"The work between CVS Health and WellSpan will help to enhance access to patient care, improve health outcomes and lower health care costs in central Pennsylvania," said Robert Brooks, senior vice president of Health System Alliances, CVS Health. "Together, we’re working to optimize patient information sharing, which can aid in health care decision making and in addition, also support important population health initiatives that can help patients better manage chronic diseases."

WellSpan and CVS Health also plan to develop community health outreach programs and collaborate on a variety of wellness initiatives, including cancer screenings, blood pressure screenings and immunization awareness campaigns.

Three WellSpan hospitals have earned an A safety grade from Leapfrog, an independent national watchdog organization, in its spring report.

The WellSpan hospitals that earned A grades include:

• WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital
• WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital
• WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital

In addition, WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital, though it did not qualify for the award due to its size, had scores consistent with an A.

"Our Leapfrog A grades demonstrate our staff's dedication to quality and safety and improving the health of our communities," said Michael B. Seim, senior vice president and chief quality officer at WellSpan Health. "This recognition highlights our commitment to providing exceptional care for our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as caring for their everyday health needs."

Leapfrog assigns grades of A to F to acute-care hospitals across the country, based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care. The non-profit organization uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign the grades to hospitals.

"As the nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "We hope this A helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for WellSpan hospitals. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need."

Find out more information about WellSpan’s Leapfrog scores.

About WellSpan Health
WellSpan Health is an integrated health system that serves the communities of central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. The organization is comprised of approximately 1,500 employed physicians and advanced practice clinicians, a regional behavioral health organization, a home care organization, eight respected hospitals, more than 19,000 employees, and more than 170 patient care locations. WellSpan is a charitable, mission-driven organization, committed to exceptional care for all, lifelong wellness and healthy communities.

About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.

We are hunched over our laptops at the kitchen table as we work from home. We are spending lots of time binge-watching TV or endlessly scrolling through our phones while lying on our sofas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our bodies have a message for us: HELP!

"We are meant to move," said Brian McClenahan, a WellSpan Health physical therapist in Lancaster County. "Make sure you are regularly stretching and moving, rather than sitting or lying for long periods of time."

Movement stimulates blood flow in the muscles and helps to lubricate your joints.

"If you sit for hours without moving, your joints will stiffen and your muscles will tighten," said Jamie Steier, a WellSpan physical therapist in Franklin County. "Even five minutes of movement can make a big difference."

This unusual time is actually a great time to start some new habits, McClenahan noted. Studies show it takes a little longer than two months – 66 days to be exact – for a new behavior to become a habit. If you use this time to improve your posture and move at regular intervals, you might just find you are continuing to do that when you return to your regular office routines.

Here are some tips from McClenahan and Steier for working and staying at home during the pandemic:

• Think about doing the opposite. When you are in the sitting position, working at a laptop, your head is forward and looking down, your arms are bent, your back is rounded, your hips are flexed and your knees are bent. Move all those joints and limbs, in the opposite directions if possible, several times a day, to reduce stress and combat the strain of sitting still. Move your head back, look up, straighten your elbows, raise your shoulders, flex your legs and hips.
• Make sure your work station is set up the correct way:
  • Sit in a supportive chair, with your back against the lower part of the backrest.
  • Sit with your feet flat on the floor, with your knees at a 90-degee angle.
  • Your elbows also should be at a 90-degree angle. Avoid resting your forearms on the edge of your work station.
  • The top of your monitor should be at forehead height.
• Incorporate movement into your day. Take a break from your laptop by standing up and walking around at regular intervals. Walk while you talk on the phone.
• Try a simple exercise like sitting down and standing up from a chair 10 times in a row, without using your hands. Do this several times a day.
• Avoid sitting or lying on soft furniture for long periods of time. Get up and move at regular intervals.
• Walk for at least 30 minutes a day. You can split this up into segments if you want. Take large strides, to open up your hips. Walk at least five days a week.

A key instinct for any physician is to bring a patient back to good health.

As WellSpan continued through its COVID-19 journey, some of the primary care providers strongly felt the urge to step up.

"Internally, I had that gut feeling or maybe it was a divine force telling me that this is where I need to be right now," said Joe McDermott, D.O., of WellSpan Family Medicine – Mercersburg.

Stephen Flack, M.D., medical director of primary care in Franklin County, added, “I am obviously worried about community health, the health of my patients, but I was also concerned about my hospitalist colleagues, and wanted to be available to support them in a time of need.”

On March 28, there was a request for all WellSpan providers to assign their priority level of interest for redeployment, which ranged from immediate to future.

According to Niki Hinckle, senior vice president of physician services at WellSpan, 36 outpatient providers were prepared to redeploy to the hospital to work as hospitalists in Franklin County. In addition to this, CRNAs and anesthesiologists were trained to support increased numbers of critical care patients.

Across the WellSpan system, more than 150 physicians and advance practice providers have also answered the call for redeployment.

An early redeployment allowed Flack and McDermott an opportunity to orient and effectively train and join the efforts of their colleagues if needed.

"I felt that I have a fantastic support base within my own practice at Mercersburg that I was able to make this decision freely without any concern," McDermott explained.

Thus far, Flack and McDermott’s hospital activity has included a practice admission and a discharge with a hospitalist alongside as well as writing some progress notes.

McDermott said that he and Dr. Flack are on "stand-by" and prepared if needed.

"We are all in this together as a team, and any skills I might have to serve the community should and will be offered," Flack said.

Since 2011, Flack’s level of gratitude toward providers and staff at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital has been unwavering. At age 40, he suffered a stroke, but thanks to an immediate response by the hospital’s team, he was set on a path where he has regained a normal, healthy life.

"I feel that caring for patients at the point of attack and when they are sometimes at their most vulnerable is the most rewarding feeling in the world," McDermott said.

"No matter which way things go, as of late, hopefully for the better, being able to be diverse and help in any capacity means a lot to me. That is the definition of being a team player, and I feel that is important in situations such as this."

For additional information related to COVID-19, including the COVID-19 Information Dashboard and WellSpan’s ongoing preparations, visit WellSpan.org/Coronavirus.

For 20 days, a team of nurses, respiratory technicians, physicians and others cared for Nester Sanmartin at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, where he was in respiratory failure in intensive care, critically ill with COVID-19.

Their faces were covered in masks and their bodies were swathed in personal protective gear as the group interacted with the 77-year-old Ephrata man, whose nickname is “Orlando.”

Sanmartin’s fondest wish when he was discharged: to actually see the faces of the people who did, as he said, an “excellent job for my life.”

Before he recently went home, Sanmartin’s care team presented him with book of photos of their smiling faces, without masks. They also gave him a poster that they all signed.

During his hospital stay, Sanmartin received advanced breathing treatments and high-flow oxygen therapy. Infectious disease physicians were involved in his treatment, as were a wide variety of other clinicians including occupational therapists, physical therapists and dietitians.

“He was as sick as sick could be,” said Michael Le, M.D., a hospitalist at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital who cared for Sanmartin.

Sanmartin was so gravely ill that he spent two stints in the intensive care unit.

“But every time I asked him how he was feeling, his answer always was ‘I am great,’ “ said Alionso Avril, pulmonary services team leader. “He was calm and optimistic throughout the process.”

Diana Garcia, a nurse who cared for Sanmartin, said that, despite his outward cheer, Sanmartin shared with her that he was at the lowest point of his life in the hospital. He told her he leaned on his faith and the care others were showing him.

“He explained a passage in the Bible about people with big hearts who take care of others,” Garcia said. “He was trying to see the positive outcome of the situation he was in.”

When staff told Sanmartin he was being discharged from the hospital, Sanmartin’s eyes filled with tears, Le said. He told the staff he would miss seeing “mis amigos,” his friends, and the “buena gente,” the good people who cared for him.

To celebrate, the staff gave him silly glasses and Hawaiian leis to wear when he left his room. And when the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, he was greeted by an explosion of cheering from staff who lined the hospital’s Health Pavilion. It was a team celebration, uniting the people who walked beside Sanmartin during the hospital as he took his final trip out the door.

“The most rewarding thing for me was being able to see the improvements day by day and being able to discharge him back home, knowing we did everything to be able to get him there,” said Garialdy Lee, an ICU nurse.

“Thank you! Thank you! I love you!” Sanmartin said, his voice emotional as the team clapped and he clapped in delight too. “I am feeling so happy. I want to thank you for everybody here in the hospital I love you, everybody. … I believe you did a good, excellent job for my life.”

Said Le: “It was a moment of WHY all of us practice medicine. It’s sacred. It’s a calling. It’s hope.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit Pennsylvania, health systems like WellSpan grew busier in treating patients. At the same time, some businesses, like car dealerships, were forced to temporarily close.

Dean Lloyd, General Manager of Toyota of York, decided to pass his newfound free time by entertaining his co-workers.

“A few weeks ago, I started wearing this bear costume in the showroom,” explained Lloyd. “I called it the T.O.Y. Bear, for Toyota of York, and he was in hibernation because we couldn’t sell cars. That’s how the bear thing came to be – just as comic relief for our staff and customers.”

What started out as a fun way to pass the time quickly turned into something more generous. As he thought about WellSpan care teams on the front lines fighting the COVID-19 epidemic, he decided to use the bear costume as a way to help.

“I came up with the idea that the bear would climb up to the roof of the dealership and stay there until we reach $7,500 for those on the front lines,” said Lloyd. “53 hours later, we’d doubled our goal, bringing in $18,000.”

Lloyd, in full T.O.Y. Bear costume, then wrote a check for $9,000 to donate to the WellSpan York Health Foundation and the COVID-19 effort.

The WellSpan York Health Foundation is a community-based, not-for-profit organization which helps improve the health of the local community by supporting the York-based WellSpan locations.

“Dean’s donation is going to go a long way in assisting our front line nurses with the important work they’re doing in combatting COVID-19,” said Matthew Lane, executive director, WellSpan York Health Foundation. “To see Dean and so many in our community willing to step up and make these donations really shows how we are all in this together.”

When he first put on the bear costume, his goal was to simply lift the spirits of his co-workers. He ended up doing so much more and inspiring the community to take action.

“The average person was giving 25 to 30 dollars, so we really got there by everyone pitching in as much as they could,” said Lloyd. “It was cool to see the York County community come together to help each other out.”

Learn more about helping WellSpan Health in this COVID-19 pandemic.

Although we celebrate National Nurses Week every year at WellSpan Health, the event is even more important as our dedicated nurses care for our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.  For this reason, along with 2020 being named the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, the American Nurses Association has extended National Nurses Week to become National Nurses Month.

“This year, Nurses Week is more special than ever,” said Kris O’Shea, Kris O’Shea, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive for WellSpan Health. “You’ve made a difference in the lives of our patients and their families during one of the scariest times in our history. As a result of your strength, resilience, and your care, a spotlight shines brightly on the important work of nurses.”

We celebrate all of the hard work that our nurses have given not only in these past few weeks, but every day throughout our system.

Watch the video to see what our nurses have to say about working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what National Nurses Week means to them.

Back to Celebrate Nursing

Our certified nurse-midwives play a large role in the health of our community's women, both when they are expecting and delivering a baby and for routine healthcare. We thank our nurse-midwives for their exceptional patient care as we celebrate International Day of the Midwife today, and also National Nurses Week, which begins tomorrow.

Weeks after her COVID-19 diagnosis, Megan Hoard of York County walked into the Apple Hill Medical Center to donate her blood plasma, becoming the first plasma donor for COVID-19 treatment at a WellSpan donation facility. Hoard said she had recovered from mild symptoms related to coronavirus, and now wanted to help others.

“I at least want to give back in any way that I can,” she said. “Not everyone is as fortunate as I was in recovering from the virus, if there is something we can do to help—just do it.”

As part of the Food and Drug Administration’s expanded access program through the Mayo Clinic, WellSpan Health physicians have started to use convalescent plasma treatment to help COVID-19 patients.

“The blood of those who have had the virus has antibodies that can help others who are very sick fight the disease,” said Michelle Erickson, M.D., WellSpan Blood Donor Services. “This approach has worked in the treatment of viruses through history and so far, some of the sickest patients with COVID-19 have seen some positive changes in their condition.” To date, 37 patients have been treated with convalescent plasma at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital and WellSpan York Hospital.

“Blood and plasma donation is very safe, and we are taking the proper precautions at all of our donor centers,” explained Dr. Erickson. “We are screening all of our donors to make sure they are healthy and 28 days past their last symptoms related to coronavirus.”

“The prick in the arm was the worst part. Then you’re done and you get a snack,” said Hoard as she reflected on the donation process.

Hoard says plasma donation is something she was looking to do for a while and is urging more people to give back in any way they can. “I feel really good about it. This is a time where a lot of people want to give back by planting a tree or a garden, this is how I did it—and it eased my mind that I am helping.”

WellSpan Health operates blood donation offices at the Apple Hill Medical Center in York County and at WellSpan Good Samaritan’s Norman Drive Blood Donor Center in Lebanon County. Across the region, WellSpan works with The Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank to secure blood donations for patients.

Recovered COVID-19 patients who are interested in donating plasma can call their local blood donation center for an appointment, 717-741-8307 (York), 717-270-8960 (Lebanon) or visit WellSpan Blood Donor Services.

Learn more about plasma donations.

A former nurse donated more than 80 pairs of leggings to WellSpan’s York Hospital this past weekend to thank the medical teams who took care of her NICU baby.

Katelyn Alban of Dover is a stay-at-home mom to five kids, but the former Baltimore-area LPN who has been selling LuLaRoe leggings for about four years had a friend ask about discounted leggings for care providers. Many nurses and other care teams wear the leggings under their scrubs to help with infection control when they change clothes between going to and from work.

Katelyn decided she could do more than just discount the leggings; she ordered about 100 pairs to donate. She then asked her customer base if they would sponsor leggings to donate, and she’s been able to give away about 300 pairs of leggings across hospitals in York County, as well as Maryland and Florida, with more orders on the way.

Her sponsors go beyond her customers. The motorcycle club Unusual Suspects – which is made up of retired military, police, and firefighters (including her father) – has also made donations toward her initiative.

Katelyn doesn’t profit from any of the sales, she says. Every cent goes into ordering more leggings.

Personal connection

About 80 leggings were donated to WellSpan York Hospital because Katelyn says the hospital holds a special place in her heart. Her 1-year-old son Maverick was born via emergency cesarean section at another hospital, but because he struggled to breathe, the two were taken to WellSpan York Hospital within 10 hours of his birth.

Katelyn says she’s “forever grateful” that she was able to stay with her son, who is chronically ill. He was actually in WellSpan York Hospital for treatment of respiratory syncytial virus and double pneumonia when she made her recent donation.

“I needed to give back to WellSpan for everything they’ve ever done for my family,” Katelyn says. “I have the ability to bless them as they are blessing everyone else right now. It will be a reminder to them that someone cared and appreciated all they did.”

Future donations

Katelyn plans to donate an additional 80 leggings to WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital and is still accepting sponsorships for additional leggings. Those interested in helping Katelyn with her donations should reach out to her at lularoekatelynalban@gmail.com.

By Rebecca Hanlon
Note: This is a first-person account of a WellSpan York Hospital mother's delivery of a baby during COVID-19.

“I can’t believe you did that with a mask on,” the midwife said as she placed my newborn daughter on my chest.

This 6lb. 13 oz. baby girl came into our lives in the middle of a pandemic. She arrived after weeks of anxiety and fear.

The COVID-19 outbreak in our community had changed a lot of things. But I realized as I held her on my chest that it wasn’t such a scary time, after all. Surrounded by my husband and a caring medical team at WellSpan York Hospital, my daughter’s birth was the light we needed in an uncertain time.

Having a baby in the time of COVID-19

My pregnancy had been healthy. Despite everything going so well, I still felt nervous when my prenatal appointments turned into video calls.

I saw rumors on Twitter about New York hospitals no longer allowing support partners for delivering mothers. “I know I could deliver on my own, if I have to,” I told my husband, Will. “I would just prefer you be there, too.”

We had to figure out who would watch our 4-year-old son when I went into labor. Our first choice was my parents. But as they both continued to work, and two positive COVID-19 cases were discovered at my mom’s office, we needed an alternative. My sister, who had been practicing social distancing at home, was our next choice. I checked in with her weekly (in that crazy-pregnant-lady sort of way) to make sure she hadn’t had visitors.

An early arrival

Our baby’s due date was April 29. I delivered at 41 weeks with my first, so I had no suspicions of an early deliver this time around. However, this baby had her own plans. On the evening of April 19, I started bleeding.

By the time we got to WellSpan York Hospital, just before midnight, my water had broken.

I was most nervous walking up to the hospital. Because we were arriving so late, we had to enter through the ER. There were several tents and at least a dozen healthcare workers standing outside. With a large belly, it was pretty obvious why I was there.

We quickly tied on the masks my mother-in-law made us. We were screened at the door for COVID-19 symptoms before being escorted to the labor and delivery floor. Several people wished us luck as we walked past the care team outside and into the hospital.

The labor and delivery floor looked just as I remembered it when I delivered my son in 2016. Despite the virus we knew was being fought elsewhere in that hospital, I felt completely safe inside those doors. Whatever fear I brought with me that night washed away when my nurse told me about her little boys at home. The only thing that felt unusual was that we wore masks, too.

Not according to plan

We waited six hours for my body to kick into gear and start regular labor. I was given Pitocin to get things moving.

About 30 seconds away from receiving an epidural, I looked at my nurse, Heather, and told her the baby was coming. Three pushes later, I was holding my baby girl on my chest. And I did it with the mask on the whole time. In the rush to get that baby out, I didn’t even think about the mask on my face. I had a job to do.

The next couple of days in the hospital were quiet. Despite my fears, my husband was able to stay with me the whole time. We made FaceTime calls with family. We asked how we could continue to keep the baby healthy once we got home, and we were given thoughtful, helpful advice.

While the COVID-19 outbreak is still impacting our day-to-day lives in ways we never imagined, bringing new life into the world might have been just what we needed. I still worry about keeping my kids healthy. I miss having friends and family share in the joy of our new addition. But I’m also relishing the quiet, peaceful moments this season has brought our family, and I’m thankful for all those who take care of us when we’re most vulnerable.

Don Garling has survived a lot in his life.

The 90-year-old Mont Alto resident overcame a fight with colon cancer more than a decade ago, is constantly managing diabetes and suffered a heart attack last year.

Soon he hopes to add conquering COVID-19 to that list.

Thursday, Garling was discharged from WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital while being celebrated by his caregivers and hospital staff as he continues to recover from COVID-19.

"What Mr. Garling has overcome so far is nothing short of amazing," said Sherri Stahl, WellSpan Health’s Senior Vice President of Hospital Services.

"This is one of those moments during our COVID-19 journey at WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital where we can pause for a minute and celebrate a huge, positive step forward for one of our patients."

Garling was admitted to WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital on Sunday, and tested for COVID-19, which was confirmed with a positive result that evening.

Teams within the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit kept a watchful eye on him around the clock as he continued to show signs of recovery. Garling did not need a ventilator.

"It was really good. Everyone went above and beyond to help me," said Garling, a former heavy equipment operator who will turn 91 on May 28. "You just have to take things one step at a time, one day at a time."

According to Garling’s daughter, Donna Henderson, her father began to develop symptoms of COVID-19 during the late stages of last week.

What appeared to be a head cold last weekend developed into Garling feeling sweaty and clammy on Sunday morning. Still, the family wasn’t certain it was COVID-19 since Garling was also showing symptoms of a urinary tract infection.

The family patriarch overcoming COVID-19 is no surprise to Garling’s family.

Henderson said that she lost a sister, Teresa, in a car crash in April 2009 and her mother passed away the following month. She credits her father for always leading the family through tough times.

Around the same time as the pair of family deaths, Garling was overcoming colon cancer.

"He’s the Rock of Gibraltar for all of us," Henderson said. "I always tell him that he is like a cat with nine lives."

Henderson added that her father missed being at his home the most during his 5-day stay in the hospital.

"I’m just so thankful that I came out of this the way that I did. The nurses were wonderful," Garling said.

He will be self-quarantined at home as he continues to gain strength and recover from the disease.

"I am just happy to promote something that may help someone else," Garling said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year. The most common reactions include sneezing, coughing and itching. However, with concerns of COVID-19 happening at the same time -- how can you tell the difference in symptoms? Dr. Carter Davidson of WellSpan Ear, Nose, Throat and Hearing Services explains the differences and how you can effectively manage your allergies.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

The biggest difference in symptoms between allergies and COVID-19 is a fever. Allergies are not typically associated with having a fever.

Instead, with allergies we’re looking for:

• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Dry cough
• Itching

Most commonly, reactions to pollen, dander, dust and mold typically result in nasal symptoms like congestion, sneezing and itchy or watery eyes. These symptoms are not consistent with COVID-19. If you are concerned about symptoms you are experiencing, please visit WellSpan.org/coronavirus and consult the coronavirus assessment tool.

Most people, when they know they have an allergy, just avoid what is bothering them. Some seasonal allergies, like hay fever, are tough to avoid.

A few small changes can make a big difference:

• Wearing sunglasses can help keep pollen out of your eyes.
• Wear a mask while working outside and quickly change out of your clothes after going back indoors.
• Take potted plants out of the home since some potting soil can harbor triggering molds.
• Eliminate dust mites from your home by washing your sheets in hot water.

Most of the time, seasonal allergies can be treated with over-the-counter medication. If symptoms persist, a visit to your primary care doctor or specialists at WellSpan ENT and Hearing Services can take that treatment farther with allergy testing and treatment. We can order a panel of allergy tests for the most common allergies including grasses, trees, weeds, mold, dander and food.