Students in the class of 2020 have faced their share of disruptions and challenges this year. From online classes, Zoom meetings and virtual graduations, in-person education quickly moved to an online experience in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the 12 student interns with Project SEARCH, a training program for young adults with disabilities, they took this year's interruptions in stride, made changes and adapted to a different way of learning.

This year marks the 10th anniversary for the program at WellSpan York Hospital and the fifth anniversary at WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital. Project SEARCH is a one-year, school-to-work program for 18 to 21-year-olds. Participants gain valuable experience through on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

Each year, new student interns learn important communication skills, how to budget money and how to search for a job.

Embracing diversity and creating an inclusive workplace

WellSpan is committed to creating a safe space, where our diverse communities are represented and each team member feels welcomed, respected, valued and included – including those with disabilities.

"Any form of disability is a dimension of diversity and WellSpan is made better by Project Search and its participants," said Kimberly Brister, senior director of Talent Acquisition, Diversity & Inclusion.

Honoring their accomplishments

As the students and their guests recently gathered to celebrate their graduation, they clapped, cheered for one another and even reminisced about their school year during this year’s Zoom ceremony. More than 100 people filled the York and Gettysburg graduation Zoom rooms to honor the graduates.

During the last 10 years at WellSpan York Hospital, 84 student interns have graduated and 81 percent have obtained jobs, with 27 of those students being hired by WellSpan.

WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital employs one Project SEARCH graduate and another graduate is a volunteer, said Nicolle LeGore, Project SEARCH and Lincoln Intermediate Unit (LIU) teacher. During the last five years, 22 students graduated from the Gettysburg program, with 80 percent or more of these graduates obtaining outside jobs.

"We are privileged to have worked with more than 25 different departments and feel especially gratified working with the WellSpan staff members who mentor and teach the interns," said Ruth Moore, Project SEARCH and LIU teacher.

Student interns learn as they rotate through various departments, including Housekeeping/Environmental Services, Food and Nutrition Services, Patient Transport, Laundry, the retail shop and Receiving, to name a few.

Influencing lives

Project SEARCH is a collaboration among WellSpan, the LIU, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), York/Adams Mental Health Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities program (MH-IDD) and participating school districts.

And, through these partnerships, the health system has seen the influence the program has had on students and their mentors, said Diane Sargeant, senior director, Organizational Learning and Development (OL&D).

Each year, OL&D team members also assist students in the classroom with some of their training.

"Project SEARCH has not only brought out the full potential of the students, it has impacted those who have been their mentors," Sargeant said. "The mentors have developed leadership skills by investing in the development of the interns."

The students have an impact on the departments they have joined and have even become mentors for other students.

"Their enthusiasm, hard work and commitment have been described as 'infectious,'" she said.

Three student interns at WellSpan York Hospital were hired this year by the health system. This year's remaining graduates will continue to work with OVR as they transition into the job market.

Alan Leash, 21 was a student intern when he was hired full-time as part of WellSpan York Hospital’s Housekeeping staff, said Jandy Felix, his supervisor. He had worked there through his rotation and in January, he was permanently hired.

"Alan rotates his cleaning areas every few weeks and he does a great job with his cleaning tasks," Felix said.

He uses a checklist to clean areas like the stairwells and elevators along with floors and specific touch points, his dad Scott Leash explained.

"He's very organized and loves keeping things clean," Scott said.

With a goal of obtaining his driver’s license and eventually owning a home, Alan gained valuable independent life skills through the program, he said.

"Project SEARCH is a wonderful program and I can’t say enough good things about it," Scott said. "Everybody is so understanding and caring."

For Sargeant, participating in the program since its inception has been a blessing.

"For me personally, being involved in Project SEARCH has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career," she said.

Rainbow flags always fly higher in June as Pride Month is celebrated annually across the country.

The red, orange, yellow, blue, green and violet colors forming that symbolic message are also woven into the organizational fabric at WellSpan Health, which consistently upholds equal treatment towards applicants and employees as well as care for the LGBTQ+ community it serves.

For Kim Brister, protecting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community isn’t only a professional commitment, it has personal meaning to her as well.

"I have several intermediate family members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community and I want them to be able to receive the services they need within our network of providers," said Brister, WellSpan Health’s senior director of talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion.

"Professionally, I firmly believe that the true essence of diversity includes a tapestry of unique dimensions that strengthens our organization. The LGBTQ+ community is one of those unique and important dimensions."

While Pride Month is celebrated for one month, it is a year-round focus for Brister, who leads an initiative that weaves sexual orientation and gender identity into the fabric of the organization.

Monday's landmark Supreme Court decision made it illegal for workplace discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The court found that Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects the LGBTQ+ community.

"This is great news and a huge victory for the LGBTQ+ community," Brister said.

While the Supreme Court decision could shake up business practices across the United States, Brister said it won't change anything for WellSpan which has followed the practice of being an Equal Opportunity Employer, including consistent and equal treatment of members of the LGBTQ+ community, prior to the court ruling. HR Policy E-10 Employment – Legal Requirements and Considerations included the following language:

"WellSpan Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy and intention of the System to maintain consistent and equal treatment toward applicants and employees of all job classifications without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, culture, language, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic."

WellSpan's long-term strategy is to build an engaged, diverse and inclusive workforce of the best and brightest people. It was a big reason why WellSpan dedicated a leadership position which Brister assumed last year.

In addition to maintaining a diverse workforce, WellSpan has convened a group of professionals to review and coordinate health care for the LGBTQ+ community. The group’s mission is to review current practices and identify opportunities to improve the way that WellSpan shares services and provides care to the community.

"One of our core values is 'Respect for All' combined with our mission of 'Working as One' to improve health through exceptional care for all, helps to create the framework of the importance of ensuring that we are able to provide equitable and culturally competent care for our LGBTQ+ community," Brister said.

The LGBTQ+ Steering Committee is currently working on developing resources, educational tools and the ability to make it easier for members of LGBTQ+ communities to find the services they need within the WellSpan network.

"We are relentless in evaluating our current state and discovering better ways to provide the services that are needed," Brister said. "I want WellSpan to be a provider of choice for our LGBTQ+ community and I want there to be an ease of use when searching for services."

One of those tasked with creating more health care avenues for the LGBTQ+ community is D. Scott McCracken, MD, a family medicine physician with the WellSpan Medical Group.

McCracken has focused on expanding access to LGBTQ+ health care, including transgender hormone prescribing and other services at WellSpan.

He said that WellSpan has put a particular focus on transgender care offerings by increasing provision of hormone therapy, coordinated with surgical and behavioral health services, and through residency training programs.

To schedule an appointment for transgender care, contact Emily Cotton, a case management social worker with WellSpan Health, at 717-851-2931.

McCracken also referenced the 2018 Pennsylvania LGBT Health Needs Assessment, which highlighted smoking, mental health and obesity/chronic diseases as the most significant health concerns across the LGBTQ+ spectrum.

WellSpan also collaborates with Family First Health in the Caring Together program, offering HIV care in York as well as PreP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) and STD screening, to promote health in at-risk populations.

"We continue to engage with community partners and our primary care practices to meet these needs," McCracken said.

Read WellSpan Health's non-discrimination policy.

Why do I have to keep wearing a mask in the summertime? Ugh. It’s uncomfortable! Doesn’t hot weather and sunlight kill the coronavirus germs?

COVID-19 has already spread in parts of the world that are experiencing hot weather, such as the Caribbean. The World Health Organization notes that the virus can be transmitted in “ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather.”

We don’t know how much sun exposure would be necessary to kill the virus and it’s unlikely that it would interrupt person-to-person transmission of the virus. Without social distancing and safety measures, this summer likely will offer only a modest respite from the virus.

OK, so if I have to wear a mask, does it matter how I wear it? It’s so hard to breathe when it’s over my nose.

The reason to wear a mask is to protect others, in case you are have coronavirus but don’t have any symptoms. It keeps you from spreading it by coughing or sneezing.

With that in mind: COVER YOUR NOSE. Have you seen the inside of a tissue after you blow, friends? Nasty droplets and a lot of germs come from there, too. The mask should cover your face from the bridge of your nose to under your chin.

What about gloves? I see a lot of people wearing them at the grocery store.

Our WellSpan workers routinely wear gloves to protect themselves while caring for people with infectious diseases. They change them frequently, because they become contaminated. Wearing gloves to go grocery shopping does not provide substantial protection. They may rip or break and become covered with germs.

Diligently wash your hands for 20 seconds when you get home instead. Frankly, we’re a little tired of singing “Happy Birthday” twice and have been favoring the chorus from “Africa” by Toto. We hear people like the chorus from “Jolene” too. Try whatever makes the time fly.

Speaking of the grocery store, do I need to scrub down my groceries when I get home? And how about the mail?

The FDA says there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. Simply wash your hands diligently, after handling groceries or the mail.

I hear a lot of stuff about coronavirus and see a lot of things on social media. It’s hard to know what is true and what isn’t. Are there a lot of myths?

We’re so glad you asked! There’s a lot of goofy information flying around.

Here’s some straight scoop on coronavirus:

• Drinking alcohol doesn’t protect you against coronavirus.
• Adding pepper to your soup doesn’t either.
• Nor does eating garlic.
• It’s not transmitted by houseflies or mosquitoes.
• You can’t get it from your dog or your cat. The CDC notes: “The risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.”
• Sunbathing doesn’t prevent you from getting it. (Don’t forget the sunscreen, friends).
• Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds without coughing or feeling uncomfortable does not mean you don’t have coronavirus. (It does come in handy when you drive past some of the farm fields around here, however.)

Wow. So if garlic and sunbathing doesn’t protect me, what does?

• Practice social distancing.
• Wear a mask when you can’t social distance.
• Wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Clean high-touch surfaces regularly.

Your health and safety is our No. 1 priority. Learn the steps we are taking to provide safe care for all.

In an effort to better understand COVID-19, WellSpan Health is working in conjunction with more than one hundred other health institutions to study COVID-19's effects on cancer patients. WellSpan was among the earliest institutions to join the group.

The COVID-19 & Cancer Consortium (CCC19), a grassroots group founded through social media, recently looked at data on a registry of 928 adult COVID-19 patients across the United States, Canada and Spain, who also had active or previous malignancies. The study found that 13 percent of those patients died within 30 days of diagnosis. The results were recently published in The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal.

"Right now, our biggest enemy is that we don't know our enemy very well, which is COVID-19," said Robert Rice, M.D., medical director, WellSpan Cancer Centers. "The information being shared in this consortium will allow us at WellSpan to better understand this disease, and ultimately develop better treatments for our patients."

The study also found that male patients with other risk factors, like older age, had an increased risk of death. Race, ethnicity, obesity, as well as the types of cancer, cancer treatment or recent surgery did not seem to increase the risk of mortality.

"This research is giving our care teams here at WellSpan a wealth of new information about the effects of COVID-19 on cancer patients," said Ikechukwu Akunyili, M.D., medical oncologist at WellSpan Adams Cancer Center. "We have learned so much about COVID-19 since it first developed, but there is still so much more we need to understand. The more research that is done on its effects on cancer patients, the better care we can provide those patients."

At least 23 WellSpan Health patients from York, Gettysburg, Lebanon and Ephrata are currently enrolled in the CCC19 registry.

A second, complimentary study will look at patients who are receiving cancer treatments and have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Patients will be followed for up to two years to help doctors understand how cancer affects COVID-19 and COVID-19 affects cancer.

"With information brings us knowledge. And with knowledge, brings us a better ability to help our communities with this crisis," said Akunyili, who will serve as WellSpan's principal investigator for the second study. "This is how we’re going to improve upon the already cutting-edge care for our patients in this new normal that we’re going through right now."

There are currently 108 institutions across the country who have joined with CCC19, identifying and reporting all COVID-19 cases in patients with a current or prior history of malignancy.

"WellSpan wants to work as one with everyone in this fight against COVID-19," said Rice. "This disease does not recognize boundaries, whether it's state, local or international. So, we are all in this together."

Cindy Lepard takes ultrasounds of people’s hearts, in her job as a cardiac sonographer.

She knows that some of those people have the test because they are feeling out of breath, are tired all the time and sometimes are even having chest pains. So, in December 2005, when Lepard started feeling those symptoms, she realized, “Maybe I should get checked out too.”

That led, in rapid succession, to an EKG, an echocardiogram, a cardiac catheterization and triple bypass surgery. Lepard was just 40 years old at the time.

“The doctor told me I needed surgery and I needed it soon,” said Lepard, who works at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital. “I was close to having a major heart attack. It was the kind of blockage that causes sudden death.”

Lepard will be the honored “survivor” at the American Heart Association’s Lancaster Go Red for Women event, being held virtually June 25. Go Red for Women is a campaign to raise awareness among women about the threat of heart disease.

Lepard’s story serves as a lesson for women – and everyone – to take care of yourself, be tuned into your body and not ignore troubling symptoms.

Growing up with a family history of cardiac problems that goes back at least two generations, Lepard had other heart attack risk factors: she had been a smoker (but quit 10 months before her heart surgery), had struggled with her weight and had high cholesterol, for which she was taking medication. But she did not initially link her symptoms to heart problems, instead chalking it up to a busy life. Having recently finished schooling to be a cardiac sonographer, she was working at her first sonographer job, exercising to try to lose weight and was a single parent at the time, raising a 12-year-old son.

“I was exhausted all the time,” she recalled. “It was nothing for me to take a two-hour nap.”

She had her open-heart surgery Dec. 22 and told her surgeon she wanted to be home on Christmas Day, so she could be with her son. She made her goal. She went to a cardiac rehabilitation program and returned to work about a month later. She lost 50 pounds after the surgery and feels like a different person.

“Now I don’t take naps,” she said. “I go from 5 o’clock in the morning until 11 at night, non-stop. I just have so much more energy than I did.”

Lepard said she tries to be an ambassador for women’s heart health. Women, she said, have different heart attack symptoms than men. The most common symptom for men and women is chest pain but women may have a heart attack without chest pressure. Women also are more likely than men to experience other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, extreme fatigue, nausea and back or jaw pain.

”I do a lot of echocardiograms on young women,” she said. “They’re scared. They don’t understand what is going on, what is wrong with their heart. I tell them my story and most of the time, it makes them feel a little better. I hold their hand and tell them you are in the right place and you did the right thing. We will do our best to get you well and you’ll feel a lot better afterward.”

“For me, it was hard to admit I was having problems,” she said. “I took care of everybody else – my son, my family, my friends. It was hard to reverse that and have someone take care of me. You need to realize you have to do that. Don’t ignore symptoms. Know your body. Know the changes. Don’t be afraid to go to the doctor and get checked out.”

Are you experiencing cardiac symptoms? Don’t ignore symptoms and delay care. We are here to safely care for you at a WellSpan cardiology practice near you.

Nguyet “Crystal” Chau has a special bond with healthcare workers.

Crystal’s journey with Parkinson’s disease has required several trips in and out of WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital as she navigates an illness that can test her to the max on any given day.

When WellSpan’s health care heroes took the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, the efforts hit home to Crystal and she was inspired to step up. “It became clear very quickly that there were a lot of people in need, and I recognized that I have the resources and the time to give back to the community,” Crystal says. “It’s difficult for me to witness others struggling with illness, caring for loved ones, or to simply do their jobs and not try to be part of the solution.”

Crystal and her husband, Trung, of Brownstown, donated 186 cases of supplies to WellSpan Health including gloves, alcohol, manufactured masks, hand sanitizer, liquid hand soap, and gowns.

These weren’t things the couple had stockpiled in their basement or garage, so Crystal reached out to friends and family via social media to share her plan. When an overwhelmingly generous response came back, it only motivated her to do more as she called on nail salons and manufacturers to inquire about buying items in bulk.

Her 11-year-old daughter, Nhi, and an elderly friend even joined in the effort as they helped her sew face masks at home. As of May 2, Crystal’s outreach led to a donation of 850 handmade masks to WellSpan with her own family making 100.

“This situation is devastating at its core and it has been made all the more difficult by a mere distribution inefficiency, which I knew I could help alleviate,” Crystal explains.

The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t the first time the Chaus encountered a world of uncertainty and hardship around them. The couple emigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam after the war.

“This country and community have given us the opportunity to work hard and provide a safe place to live and raise a family with my husband,” Crystal says. “It’s only right to give back to a community that has given us so much over the years. Additionally, I felt this was a chance to model for my kids the kind of giving they should always seek to offer. I wanted them to see that in unsettling times, you can and should find a way to help.”

Crystal says that donating to WellSpan has had a positive effect on her own health because anxiety and Parkinson’s go hand in hand. While meditation and relaxation have helped her feel much better over the years, seeing the appreciation and gratitude for the donations has made her feel happy. “The smiles I see give me energy and life to continue donating even further,” she says. “It’s actually quite addicting—it’s a happy cycle.”

Learn how you can help during COVID-19

WellSpan Health will offer convenient, walk-in care for non-emergency medical conditions at a new urgent care center now being built in Lebanon County.

WellSpan Urgent Care will open in late August at 9 Nathan Lane, Annville. The new center is along Route 422, between Palmyra and Lebanon.

It will be the first WellSpan Urgent Care to open in Lebanon County.

The 5,000-square-foot new building will have six exam rooms, an X-ray suite and a laboratory for testing. It will employ 10 people.

"We're excited to offer our high-quality urgent care services in Lebanon County," said Creston Tate, D.O., WellSpan medical director of urgent care. "This is part of our commitment to deliver on our promise to improve the health of people in our communities."

The Annville office will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

WellSpan is committed to safety in all its communities. The Urgent Care office will use the same safety protocols that have been put into place across the WellSpan system in the wake of COVID-19, including social distancing in waiting areas, masks and enhanced sterilization procedures to the highest standards.

Patients also can take advantage of scheduling their appointment in advance, via an online service called "Reserve My Spot," scheduling an appointment via smartphones, computer or tablets.

WellSpan Urgent Care offers care for patients age 3 months and older, who have non-emergency care needs. These include minor illnesses and injuries such as earaches, vomiting, back pain, rashes and burns. The office also will offer school, camp, college and sports physicals as well as some routine immunizations.

WellSpan Urgent Care has locations in Lancaster, York, and Adams counties. Learn more about WellSpan Urgent Care.

As part of a national expanded access program, more than 140 COVID-19 patients have been treated with convalescent plasma inside WellSpan hospitals. For patients like Colby Shearer of Chambersburg, the treatment can prevent symptoms related to the virus from getting worse, and possibly deadly.

"When I started to feel sick, I had a fever, stuffy nose," said Shearer "Then I began to have shortness of breath and knew I should go to the hospital."

When he arrived at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital in April, Shearer was immediately tested for COVID-19.

"When I tested positive, I was scared," recalled Shearer. "I heard the things on the news about the virus and how serious it can be, and I also couldn’t be with my family."

Shearer was admitted to the hospital and needed oxygen to support his breathing. He was also told he would be a good candidate to receive convalescent plasma.

In this approach, a person who has recovered from COVID-19 donates blood. Through a transfusion, the liquid part of the blood is given to the recipient patient, where the antibodies developed by the donor help the recipient fight the infection. Shearer said he felt better right away.

"Almost immediately after the plasma treatment I felt better," said Shearer. "I was able to go off the oxygen and eventually go home."

A life-saving partnership

In Franklin County, the convalescent plasma treatments are the fruit of a long-standing partnership between Keystone Health and WellSpan Health. The two systems have long worked side-by-side to care for members of the community, but the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the need for continued collaboration to educate the community about symptoms, develop standard testing protocol across the county, and to better understand the needs of those battling the virus.

"We have always placed great value on our strong partnership with Keystone Health and have long seen the benefits for the community when we work together to provide the care and services needed in Franklin County," explained WellSpan President and CEO, Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N.  "During this pandemic we leaned into that partnership and worked together to determine how we could share resources and approach."

"This is but one example of our partnership with WellSpan," notes Joanne Cochran, President and CEO of Keystone Health. "Community Health Centers, like Keystone Health, are uniquely positioned to be an important partner for hospital systems as health care delivery systems seek out new methods to improve health outcomes. WellSpan and Keystone Health will work together to provide our community high-quality, cost-effective and patient-centered care."

An instance of sharing resources came in the form of knowledge. Dr. Raghavendra Tirupathi, an infectious disease specialist employed by Keystone Health, provided care to patients and counsel to teams within WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital as the virus progressed in the community. His expertise was used to develop the convalescent plasma treatment program with experts from WellSpan.

Donors needed

The Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank, WellSpan Health and Keystone Health are asking community members who have recovered from COVID-19 to consider donating their plasma to the program.

"Blood and plasma donation are very safe," said Dr. Tirupathi. "Donors are screened before donation to make sure they have recovered from their symptoms, and appointment times ensure proper spacing for the donors."

While he is considering plasma donation, Shearer shared kind words for the donor whose plasma he received, in hopes others might consider giving to the program.

"First, I’d say thank you. It really helped me and may have been a life saver. I was expecting the worst."

For resources on how you can donate plasma, visit our donation information page.

A major milestone was recently reached in the construction of an expansion to the WellSpan York Cancer Center, as the final beam was put in place.

WellSpan leaders, staff, donors and crew members were able to maintain social distancing while signing the beam before it was raised.

Once completed, the new cancer center will boast nearly 84,000 square feet of space, where patients will be able to receive all of their oncology services under one roof, including: radiation oncology, outpatient infusion, infusion pharmacy, clinical trials and research, patient navigators and social workers, among others.

"The new WellSpan York Cancer Center will provide a truly integrated care experience that surrounds our patients with the services and treatment they need in a calm, healing environment," said Douglas Arbittier, M.D., MBA, vice president of oncology services, WellSpan Health. "The final beam being put into place marks an exciting step toward opening up this sophisticated center which our community deserves."

In addition to traditional clinical services, the center will feature holistic care through the WellSpan Center for Mind/Body Health, including massage therapy and yoga, along with an appearance center and boutique that will provide specialized items in a supportive environment. There will also be an on-site café and a conference space for classes, therapeutic activities, support groups and community education.

Treatment rooms will be equipped with reclining chairs, temperature controls and other features. Infusion bays will include private spaces for loved ones to stay with patients during treatment.

The approximately $45 million project is expected to be completed in early 2021.

WellSpan Cancer Centers provide comprehensive cancer services – including radiation, medical and surgical oncology, pain management, rehabilitation, infusion services, genetic counseling and nutrition services – that address patients’ physical, emotional, social and financial needs. Specialists across central Pennsylvania routinely collaborate in the treatment planning for patients, and nurse navigators guide patients through all aspects of care.

For more information, visit WellSpan.org/Cancer.

Patients and visitors to the Apple Hill Health Campus and travelers in York Township will experience some temporary traffic changes this weekend as a result of ongoing construction of the new WellSpan Heart & Vascular Center.

From 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26, until late afternoon on Saturday, June 27, Monument Road, from Grantley Road to Entrance 2 of the Apple Hill Health Campus, will be closed to traffic. The road closure is expected to last less than 24 hours.

All traffic from Grantley Road will follow a short, posted detour to S. George St. during this temporary closure. Patients and visitors will need to use S. George St. to access the Apple Hill Health Campus.

The new, state-of-the-art WellSpan Heart & Vascular Center is expected to open in early 2021 and will streamline patient access to comprehensive cardiovascular services.

With sports and extra-curricular activities put on hold, many people have flocked to the wilderness for activities such as biking, boating and hiking.

While Ryan Crim, MD, a physician at WellSpan Convenient Care in Carlisle, gets to care for people that may develop a rash or even a bug bite in their outdoor travels, he’s also a person you may see on a hiking trail near you.

An avid outdoorsman, Crim spends a lot of his time gardening and taking long walks in the woods with his family and dogs.

He feels that this summer is more important than ever to reinforce safety with a higher volume of foot traffic on trails as well as people trying new outdoor activities for the first time.

Before addressing any of the physical aspects, Crim recognized mental health effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly in part to isolation without regular social interaction.

“This has been a trying time. We need to focus on doing things that keep us sane which include exercise, good food, reaching out via alternative means to family and friends, and taking care of yourself,” Crim explained.

He added that healthy activities such as hiking or long walks in the woods have become increasingly popular.

Before engaging the wilderness, Crim added a personal touch to some safety tips:

Social interactions: There is something on the Appalachian Trail called “Trail Magic.” I have been the recipient and the giver on multiple occasions. So, when you are out hiking, engage with others. Keep as socially distant as possible, but a quick nod or hello is good.

Footwear: Pennsylvania is rocky, and one of the most rocky parts is the Appalachian Trail, which runs through southcentral portions of the state. A good pair of hiking shoes that you can break in a bit before going out on an adventure is recommended.

Water: Hydration is essential. You should pack it with you, but I also recommend having a water filtration device. This could be something as simple as a life straw or one of the several other water filters available. Learn how to use it before you hit the trail. Wearing a bandana also allows you an opportunity to douse it with water to stay cool.

Things that bite and sting: Snakes become more of an issue in August, but we do have venomous snakes here in Pennsylvania. Rattlers are easier to identify because they rattle. Copperheads aren’t as easy to track, but some say they have a cucumber smell. To be safe around potential encounters with snakes while hiking, watch where you step and keep a charged phone handy. Do not kill these snakes as they are good for the environment.

Meanwhile, ticks and mosquitoes carry several diseases and it is a good idea to use some sort of deterrent such as DEET or whatever your preferred agent. Also, do a body scan before you go to bed.

Edible plants and mushrooms: When hiking, I love to chew on sassafras, jewel weed and birch. Tea berries and wild blueberries are a treat along with blackberries and other goodies. There are also several mushrooms that are delicious. With that in mind, do not put something in your mouth if you are not 100% sure what it is. It could lead to a fatal illness. I would encourage you to take a course on edible plants or hike with a trusted guide.

Limit the weight you carry: Novices tend to carry more weight than they should. Even 20 pounds can be quite heavy after a few climbs and descents. Only carry what you need.

Consider basic first aid course: Learning some basic first aid support can not only be helpful for yourself, but it is also a way to be able to help others. Accidents happen and having some knowledge of how to stop bleeding, splint a break or perform CPR is something I think everyone should know. Everyone includes your children as well.

“Hiking is amazing, whether you are going for a day, a weekend, section hiking or doing the whole trail,” Crim said.

WellSpan Convenient Care is a new approach to care that allows patients to receive services they need in a way that fits their busy lifestyle. Patients can schedule an appointment for continued care with a family physician or use extended hours to walk-in at their convenience.

WellSpan Convenient Care is located at 354 Alexander Spring Road, Suite 3, in Carlisle and is open Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 717-462-6873.

As a trusted partner for healthcare options in our communities, WellSpan Health announces today the opening of the WellSpan Eye Center at the Apple Hill Medical Center on June 29.

The practice, a new service offered by WellSpan, is located at the Apple Hill Medical Center, 25 Monument Rd., Suite 297, in York. The location was previously the home of Apple Hill Eye Center, which closed on Saturday, June 27.

Three optometrists from Apple Hill Eye Center – William Drusedum, O.D., Katherine Homa, O.D., and Colleen Rae-Jenkins, O.D. – will join the newly established practice. Steven Olkowski, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Apple Hill Eye Center, will be retiring on June 30.

“Our goal at WellSpan Health has always been to deliver value based, quality health care that focuses on the whole person, and the new WellSpan Eye Center is another important step in achieving that goal,” said Victoria Diamond, senior vice president, WellSpan Health and President of WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital. “We are excited to have a team of experienced and passionate optometrists join WellSpan to help provide the highest quality, highest value eye care to our community.”

WellSpan Eye Center will provide optical testing, surgical lasers, and an optical shop that dispenses glasses and contact lenses. Plastic surgeons, neuro ophthalmology and glaucoma specialists will also make visits to provide services to patients.

The practice will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 8 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. The practice is not currently open to new patients.

For more on the services WellSpan provides at the Apple Hill Medical Center, visit WellSpan.org/offices-locations/apple-hill-medical-center/.

Driving down the unpaved road that leads to his Glen Rock home should be normal for Wade Young. With fire trucks escorting him home, Wade rode past dozens of neighbors lining the usually quiet street to greet him. Members of the United States Marine Corps and honor guard were there as well, along with nurses from WellSpan York Hospital. This return home was anything but normal for Wade. In his eyes, it was a miracle.

“Things were very serious at one point,” said Wade. “After going through what I went through, I wake up every day grateful to still be here.”

In February, the 61-year old former Marine was battling pneumonia. By the time the calendar turned to April, he was practically living in bed.

“I was afraid I was having a cancer relapse, because I had mantle cell lymphoma in 2014,” explained Wade. “I went to my oncologist, who ruled that out, but ordered a test for COVID-19. 24 hours later, my result came back positive.”

Wade tried to recover at home for a week but wasn’t getting any better. He then went to the emergency department at WellSpan York Hospital.

Wade was taken to the ICU, where he ultimately had to be put into an induced coma and on a ventilator. For Wade, the experience is mostly a blur, but for his wife Deb, it was traumatic.

“It was like a roller coaster. One day you would get good news, one day you would get bad news,” said Deb. “Early on, he said he’s not going to leave me. And I did believe that. I knew he would put up a really good fight. I knew it.”

Doctors at WellSpan York Hospital eventually decided to give Wade Young convalescent plasma therapy. The Food and Drug Administration’s expanded access program through the Mayo Clinic has allowed WellSpan Health physicians to offer the investigational treatment to patients, with Wade being the first patient to receive it. As part of the treatment, physicians take blood plasma donated by those who have recovered from COVID-19, which contains antibodies to the disease, and gave it to Wade.

“This is the liquid portion of the blood that contains antibodies and it can help boost the immune system of COVID-19 patients,” said Qammar Abbas, M.D., a pulmonary and critical care specialist with WellSpan Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. “Since this is a new disease, there have not been any large studies to prove the safety and effectiveness of convalescent plasma. We have seen here at WellSpan a vast majority of patients benefit from it, though. As long as we are awaiting a vaccine, I believe we need to continue to use this, as it appears to be safe and improve recovery time.”

“As soon as they gave it to him, he seemed to start improving,” said Deb, who was comforted by the doctors and nurses working to treat her husband. “They were absolutely amazing. Every day they would talk to me, maybe two or three times a day. They were so informative and so on top of everything. They were just excellent.”

The oxygen levels in Wade’s blood increased. He was taken off the ventilator, and ultimately moved out of the ICU.

“Plasma brought me out of the coma when I was in ICU, got me off the ventilator, turned the corner for me, got me on the road to recovery,” said Wade. “I’m very grateful for the plasma. I can’t say enough good things about the people who donated their blood for this. Words can’t express how grateful I am for them.”

Physicians had to wait a day before giving Wade the convalescent plasma treatment. There currently are not enough local donors to fill the demand, and blood plasma has to be shipped from other locations.

“Because we don’t have enough donors, we have to get the plasma from remote areas and then wait for it to arrive,” explained Abbas. “When treating COVID-19, time is of the essence. I would ask all of our local population to donate, because it could mean saving a life.”

More than five weeks after arriving at the hospital, Wade was finally able to go back home. Looking back, he says he is thrilled to have been treated at WellSpan York Hospital.

“The doctors and nurses took such a personal approach with me, always being there for me,” said Wade. “Because it’s an infectious disease, every time they came into my room, they’d have to put on a gown, gloves and other equipment. But never once did I hear them complain. They always had a happy smile on their face. And they truly saved my life.”

Wade’s road to recovery wasn’t a quick one. He spent two weeks in physical therapy, re-learning how to walk. When he was finally able to return home, he was treated to a homecoming celebration, organized by his wife. His focus is now on the future, continuing to recover and giving back to help others facing the same battle he is now finally on the other side of.

“Once I fully recover and I’m a lot stronger, maybe six months down the road, maybe sooner, I’m definitely going to donate blood so they can create more plasma to help other people that have gone through this process,” said Wade.

Those 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 in York or WellSpan Blood Donor Center in Lebanon.

WellSpan Health announced today that employers looking for comprehensive occupational health services have another location option with the opening of WellSpan Occupational Health – Manchester.

The new occupational health location opened in the same building as the existing WellSpan Urgent Care, located at East Manchester Village Center, 4050 N. George St. Ext., Manchester.

It will offer quality, cost-effective services, including injury prevention and management, regulated and pre-employment physicals and drug screenings.

“Our team is focused on partnering with employers to promote the health and safety of their workforce, whether large or small,” said Cheryl Kuhn, Director of Occupational Health. “Expanding our occupational health locations will allow us to grow those partnerships, as we work to create workplace programs and services that fit the budgets and needs of our patients.”

The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and will be staffed by one medical assistant and one medical physician, Anne Vassallo, D.O.

“We take a comprehensive approach to occupational care at WellSpan Health, and this newest practice will help us expand that care in our community,” said Vassallo. “We look forward to working with our local workforce to design plans to keep their employees safe and healthy.”

WellSpan Occupational Health – Manchester is WellSpan’s seventh occupational health location in central Pennsylvania. All standard occupational health services and imaging will be offered, except travel medicine.

For more information on the high-quality, reliable and cost-effective employer solutions provided by WellSpan Occupational Health, visit WellSpan.org/OccHealth.

Capital BlueCross and WellSpan Health today announced a collaboration that gives pregnant women access to a convenient remote-monitoring application for prenatal care, which can improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

The organizations are offering expectant mothers, who are WellSpan patients and Capital BlueCross members, access to Babyscripts™, a mobile app that allows them to have access to crucial prenatal health information throughout pregnancy through weekly tasks, resources and tracking.

The program allows expectant mothers to share health data, such as weight and blood pressure, with doctors and advanced practice providers in real time through internet-connected devices provided to the patient.

Using this service, WellSpan providers can quickly and remotely identify warning signs, such as critical changes in blood pressure, that indicate the mother and the baby may require immediate medical assistance. The mobile app also provides valuable health tips and other services to assist expectant mothers.

The collaboration between WellSpan and Capital BlueCross brings together the payer and the provider by making data that is typically available to a provider also available to the payer – enabling better clinical collaboration of the patient's care needs.

"This is a terrific way to help WellSpan Health providers use technology to help expectant mothers better connect with their doctors and take care of themselves during pregnancy," said Dr. Jennifer Chambers, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Capital BlueCross. "When we work together in this way, it means not only better care at this time, but also a better outcome for overall health and a better value for our members' healthcare dollar."

A new report from the BlueCross BlueShield Association found a greater number of women are entering pregnancy with pre-existing conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. The report noted the number of women experiencing both pregnancy and childbirth complications increased by 31.5% from 2014 to 2018.

The collaboration between WellSpan and Capital BlueCross targets one of the key issues of this trend – barriers to care. By providing a remote app to patients, the organizations can improve access to much-needed prenatal care.

"We know from the data that delays in getting care for underlying health conditions can cause problems with the pregnancy – both for mom and baby," said Michael Seim, M.D., senior vice president and chief quality officer for WellSpan Health. "Our work with Capital BlueCross is aimed at identifying those conditions and developing a care plan early, so that we can have best possible outcome for these expectant mothers."

This work between Capital BlueCross and WellSpan Health is one of many initiatives the organizations have been developing as part of the strategic partnership they announced a year ago. The mutual goal is to improve health and reduce costs for central Pennsylvania employers and healthcare consumers.

About Capital BlueCross
For more than 80 years, Capital BlueCross has served Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley by offering health insurance products, services and technology solutions that provide peace of mind to consumers and promote health and wellness for our members. The company delivers innovative solutions through a family of diversified businesses to create healthier lives and lower healthcare costs. Among these solutions are patient-focused care models, leading-edge data analytics and digital health technologies. Additionally, Capital Blue health and wellness centers provide in-person service and inspiration to help people reach their health goals. Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.

About WellSpan
WellSpan Health is an integrated health system that serves the communities of central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. The organization includes a clinically integrated network of approximately 2,600 physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs), including more than 1,600 employed physicians and APPs; a regional behavioral health organization; a home care organization; eight respected hospitals; approximately 20,000 employees; and more than 200 patient care locations. WellSpan is a charitable, mission-driven organization, committed to exceptional care for all, lifelong wellness and healthy communities.

As part of the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, WellSpan Health would like to recognize members of our nursing staff who have previously served our country in the United States Armed Forces. To celebrate, we spoke to three nurses across the system who shared some of their experiences while serving in the military.

• Registered Nurse Lorrie Monoski of WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital was a member of the Army Reserves for six years.
• Registered Nurse Kurt Lewis, WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, was an Army Medic in the United States Army for seven years.
• Registered Nurse and the Administrative Director for Hospitalists, Pat McCulloh, WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, was a nurse in the United States Navy Nurse Corps for 22 years.

“The culture of WellSpan really aligns with what we learn in the military – “Working as One”, teamwork, thinking outside of the box, being creative, and making things happen that we need to make happen,” Monoski said.

“We can make a difference in the care that we give and in that the service that we do to others, whether it be military personnel or civilian personnel,” McCulloh said.

For years, children and families across southcentral Pennsylvania have been encouraged to "Get Outdoors (GO)" through the annual partnership between WellSpan Health and local county libraries. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, that effort continues this year, but with safety measures put in place.

The initiative in Adams, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York Counties officially kicked off July 1 and will run through Sunday, August 30. The program is new to Franklin County this year.

"More than ever, and with the past few months of uncertainty, avid Get Outdoors participants have been awaiting the start of the program," said Sandy Gladfelter, Health Educator, Community Health and Wellness, WellSpan Health. "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and working to stop the spread of germs, our partnership with the library systems has evolved, allowing most participants to log hikes through an online application within their library account, called Beanstack. These partnerships help families enjoy fun and physical activity together."

Participants are encouraged to adhere to the guidelines for safe health, including social distancing, wearing of masks, washing and sanitizing hands frequently, as well as being physically active. State and local parks have encouraged everyone to be mindful of their individual park rules.

The free program encourages children and parents to get outdoors and be physically active by engaging in an adaptation of letterboxing, a hobby in which participants must follow written clues to locate hidden items. This year, the program focuses on folk tales, mythology and fantasy with story pages themed, “GO and Find Your Story!”

Through the program, a specific number of wooden posts with an attached etched rubbing plate are hidden in various parks and along trails. Participants use a crayon or colored pencil to rub the picture on the etched plate onto the corresponding page within their activity book. Be sure to follow social distancing practices and sanitize your hands afterward.

Rubbing sheets can be picked up curbside at your local participating library. This year, hidden posts in all but Franklin County have a unique 4-digit code that participants enter through their library app to receive credit for the hike. In Franklin County the rubbing sheets can be dropped off at any Franklin County library or emailed to kcrider2@wellspan.org. Participants are also encouraged to share photos of their GO hunts, and offer tips, via the program’s county by county Facebook pages.

Kids who log at least three completed etchings will receive a prize. Additional grand prizes will be awarded, based on the number of etched rubbings completed (or digital codes recorded).

For specific information visit your county's GO! program website:
GO! York
GO! Adams
GO! Lebanon
GO! Lancaster
GO! Franklin

Since launching the GO program in York County 13 years ago, WellSpan has worked with other libraries from throughout its service area to expand the program to Adams, Lancaster and Lebanon counties. This year, Franklin County is offering the Get Outdoors program as well.

The GO program is funded through WellSpan Health’s Community Partnership Grant Program. These grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations that improve the health of the communities and people WellSpan serves.

For more information on WellSpan’s Community Partnership Grants and other ways in which WellSpan promotes healthy communities, visit www.WellSpan.org/Neighbors.

Since WellSpan Health announced our board's decision to consolidate birthing services in Franklin County on Tuesday, we've received comments and questions, we've seen a petition and we've heard the plans for a protest.

We admire and honor the passion of our community; your voices have been heard. In 2013, when our board was facing a similar discussion and decision, your outpouring of support was noted and acknowledged. At that time, we chose not to vote to close the unit. Since that time, our board has exercised diligence and careful consideration, as we've looked at every option to maintain this service within WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital.

The WellSpan Summit board, which includes community members from Waynesboro – and even one who was born in this very unit – agrees that consolidating the strengths of two excellent units to better connect women and newborns in our community with resources and specialized care is the best and only decision.

Our unanimous vote, already executed, and approved by the WellSpan Health parent board, is a final decision. As we reimagine this service, our vision includes bringing the talents of the two units together and continuing our longstanding and proud tradition of welcoming new babies into this world in a safe and compassionate environment.

We want to take a moment to directly acknowledge the contributions of the WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital Family Birthing Services team: We see your commitment, your passion for this community. We know the hands you've held, the tears you've wiped, and all the moments in between that have made such a difference to your patients and our community. Our hope is those caring hearts and healing hands will continue to welcome newborns in Franklin County, and the strengths and value you bring to WellSpan will continue.

Our organization continues to invest in Waynesboro, sharing resources with valued community partners and ensuring comprehensive healthcare services that are needed by the community, are available. The WellSpan Waynesboro Medical Office Building continues to thrive and offer expert primary and specialty care, including prenatal and OB/GYN services. That WellSpan OB/GYN practice will continue to serve expectant mothers.

As proud Franklin County residents, we understand the value of having comprehensive healthcare resources here in our community. We are fortunate to have two exceptional hospitals in our county, and both have a long tradition of providing compassionate, high-quality care. We are committed to continuing that tradition, both today and for future generations. Because this is our home. These are our friends, our neighbors and our families. And the long-term health of this community is our mission.

That's why we stand united for this decision – and for a healthy Franklin County.

Sincerely,
Nancy H. Meyers
Board Chair, WellSpan Summit Board of Directors

A WellSpan podiatrist now is practicing in Lebanon County, offering foot and ankle surgery as well as wound care.

Ian Yarger, D.P.M., is practicing in two locations: WellSpan Orthopedics, 912 Russell Drive, Lebanon; and WellSpan Wound Healing Center, 840 Tuck St., Lebanon.

Yarger earned his medical degree from Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine and did his podiatric medicine and surgery residency at North Colorado Medical Center. He is board-qualified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, with qualifications in foot surgery and reconstructive rear foot/ankle surgery.

Yarger will see patients for a variety of foot and ankle issues including bunions, heel issues, Achilles tendon surgery, adult and pediatric flat foot reconstruction, foot-related diabetes care, foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, fracture care, ingrown toenails and plantar warts at WellSpan Orthopedics. He will see patients for advanced lower extremity wound care at the WellSpan Wound Healing Center.