“When you’re in the backcountry, be ready to change your plans.”

They’re words to live by for wilderness medicine and backwoods expert Eric Bowman, M.D., emergency medicine physician at WellSpan York Hospital. On a recent trip to New Hampshire’s Mount Washington in search of lingering snow for some skiing, his plans changed in a big way.

This is no ski resort. There are no lifts. Expert skiers or snowboarders make a few turns on whatever snow is left and then pop off their equipment and hike back up the mountain a couple of football fields in length to do it all over again.

That’s what 22-year-old Ian Brown was doing, hiking back to the top of the mountain, when he lost his footing and started sliding on his back and head first down the hill at what Bowman describes as 30 miles per hour, eventually flung into a pile of rocks at the bottom of the melting snow.

“When we saw it, we thought we were heading down to recover a body,” recalled Bowman.

Bowman and his friend John Silar, both ski patrollers at Liberty Mountain Resort in Adams County, rushed to the scene to find Brown with several broken bones, but lucky to still be conscious. The problem was, they were in the middle of a treacherous mountain, and no cell phone signal or radio.

“All of my skills came into play that day,” explained Bowman. “Emergency medicine skills, backwoods skills, skiing skills, all of it.”

Bowman examined Brown and fashioned a makeshift leg splint out of ski poles and a trash bag, a stretcher out of a sleeping bag, all while several of Browns friends lined up the mountain to create a voice relay system to someone at the top who had cell phone service and could call the ranger.

Even with Brown stabilized, they still had to get him off the mountain. It was too dangerous for a helicopter so a group of 12 people including Bowman and Silar carried him on the makeshift stretcher through boulders and overgrown thickets to the four-wheeler trail. Even then, they had to get him down the trail on an all-terrain vehicle to the waiting ambulance. Brown’s injury occurred at 1:15 p.m. He was loaded into the ambulance at 8 p.m.

“I’ve never in a single day had such a complicated rescue of any kind,” explained Bowman. “But it was collaboration. We all worked together to get the job done and get Ian off that mountain.”

Brown, from Massachusetts, had several broken bones and needed emergency surgery and stitches, but he is recovering.

Brown has kept in touch with Bowman since the accident and has expressed his gratitude. Bowman has also talked to Brown’s mother, who considers her son blessed.

During the rescue a film crew from North Woods Law, a reality show on Animal Planet that follows rangers from the state’s Fish and Game Department, captured parts of the rescue on camera and plan to televise it as part of a future episode featuring Bowman.

While this rescue put the emergency department doctor’s skills to the test, he is no stranger to wilderness medicine training.

In fact, for 13 years he has been hosting a “PA Wild Med” conference each summer near his home near Hanover with participants camping in tents, going through real-world scenarios, workshops, and all held outdoors regardless of weather. This year, due to the ongoing pandemic, the event has been canceled.

“You have to practice with your gear to be best prepared,” says Bowman.

On June 27, on a steep mountain among boulders, those skills he has been honing through the years helped to save a young man’s life.

WellSpan Health today announces it is expanding the successful Bridges to Health program by expanding digital offerings coupled with its expansive integrated physician network to introduce the services across all of southcentral Pennsylvania.

“WellSpan is leveraging the power of technology and the recent efforts of enhancing virtual care delivered during the COVID-19 crisis to make improvements to the Bridges to Health program,” said Christopher Echterling, M.D., Medical Director of Vulnerable Populations, WellSpan Health. “Through a team-based care model with patients still being seen by their primary care practice, the program can expand its reach from treating hundreds of patients, to treating thousands.”

The program, which began in 2012, helps specific patients decrease the historically larger number of avoidable Emergency Department visits and hospitalizations. Bridges to Health patients receive assistance through a registered nurse, social worker or a community health worker, who provide wellness and coaching so that they may more effectively participate in their own treatment plan.

“Patients in the program often have complex health and social needs. They may have issues with housing, food insecurity, transportation needs, end-of-life support, financial counseling and education in addition to their medical challenges,” explained Echterling.

As part of the expansion, a centralized hub referral system is now used to connect patients with the right resources at the right time. Bridges to Health staff members are virtually integrated with primary care practices, with the option to meet with patients through telemedicine, in office or even at their homes.

The expanded program is now accepting new patients across southcentral Pennsylvania. Current Bridges to Health patients have already transitioned to the new model through their original primary care physician or the WellSpan Community Health Center if they need a new primary care physician. With the patient care now occurring in different settings, the original physical office location for Bridges to Health in York is now closed.

To learn more about WellSpan’s Bridges To Health program, visit https://www.wellspan.org/offices-locations/wellspan-bridges-to-health/.

Amanda Peachey, a registered nurse at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, is connecting to her patients that are military veterans by using her experience as a Corpsman in the United States Navy.

Amanda comes across veteran patients every day and is able to provide high quality and compassionate care by giving them someone to connect with during an emotional time in their life.

“I have something to converse with them about and a mutual respect is developed right away,” Peachey said. “It excites the patient and gives them someone to relate to during their time of need.”

Amanda worked four years as a corpsman, or medic, before beginning her career as a civilian nurse. Stationed at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, she spent one year as a Labor & Delivery Nurse, before moving to the Intensive Care Unit on base for the other three years of her service.

“One of the hardest things was caring for active military that were dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when coming back from deployments,” Peachey explained.

Amanda joined the United States Navy directly out of high school, inspired by the service of some of her family members. However, becoming a nurse was never in her plan, and ironically she used to be afraid of needles. But when she took the military entrance exam, the recruiter said she was a perfect fit for a medic.

After she completed her service, the military supported her financially through nursing school.

“I didn’t realize how much the navy would benefit me in my life,” Peachey said. “It (paying for school) set me up for a career – so that benefit to me is worth everything.”

Although the structure that a hospital system and the military provide are similar, Amanda said the biggest difference between her two experiences is that her training in the military was mostly skill-driven, while her time at WellSpan has involved learning in greater depths the “why” behind nursing. Together, both lessons have come together to complete her training.

“The nurses as WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital are really connected to each other and there is a lot of comradery,” Amanda said. “And that’s how it was in the military too.”

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, July 17, until mid-afternoon on Saturday, July 18, Monument Road, from S. George St. to Entrance 1 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 S. George St. will follow a short, posted detour to Grantly Road during this temporary closure. Patients and visitors will need to use Grantley Road 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.

Governor Tom Wolf visited WellSpan York Hospital on Tuesday to thank WellSpan's 20,000 team members, including those working on the frontlines of COVID-19, for their dedication to patients and communities during the pandemic.

“Our 20,000 team members are the heart of WellSpan. They are truly our healthcare heroes, and our commitment to them is as strong as their dedication to our patients and communities,” said Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., president and CEO of WellSpan Health. “Throughout this pandemic, our dedicated team members have placed patients first – providing safe, expert and compassionate care to our friends and neighbors. And, as we’ve resumed services at our 200 locations across our six-county region, WellSpan care teams continue to deliver on our promise of providing the safest, highest quality care to our community.”

Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Rachel Levine, M.D., Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., WellSpan Health President & CEO, Matthew Howie, M.D., WellSpan Health and City of York, Christina L. Hansen, R.N., COVID-19 ICU nurse, and York College Professor Meda Higa, Ph.D. They stressed the importance of wearing a mask and socially distancing. They also urged community members to not delay seeking health care.

"We've added new policies and enhanced safety protocols – including visitor restrictions, mandating masks, ensuring social distancing and rigorous cleaning protocols," said Gapstur. "We encourage our friends and neighbors to seek healthcare when they need it. Don't delay care, especially for emergencies and chronic conditions. We're here for you – where and when you need us."

Health and safety is the No. 1 priority at WellSpan Health. Some of the steps taken to protect patients include requiring that masks be worn by all staff, patients and visitors, limiting entry points at all hospitals, screening patients for COVID-19 symptoms before they are allowed to enter and requiring all staff members working in COVID-19 patient care areas, screening areas and emergency departments to wear personal protective equipment.

"The successes we've had in saving our patients is what keeps us going," said Hansen. "It gives us the motivation to come in every day and don all of our personal protective equipment. We will continue to put our heart and soul into caring for our patients, but we need your support. Wearing a mask is a simple way to do your part in this pandemic."

For more information on COVID-19, including the steps being taken at WellSpan Health for safety, visit WellSpan.org/Coronavirus.

WellSpan Health today announced the next step in the health system’s price transparency efforts with the launch of a new online price estimator tool that can help patients obtain out-of-pocket estimates for tests and procedures before they receive treatment.

“We know healthcare needs to be more affordable and easier to use and that’s what drives us, each and every day, to reimagine healthcare,” said Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., president and CEO of WellSpan Health. “Our new price estimator tool delivers on WellSpan’s promise of providing greater value to our friends and neighbors through a commitment to high-quality care, exceptional patient experiences and lower costs.”

WellSpan’s price estimator tool gives patients the power to search from a menu of services, or by typing in the medical code, to obtain estimates for common medical, surgical and diagnostic testing procedures. This includes lab work for blood panels, CT scans, ultrasounds, mammograms, X-rays and cardiovascular procedures.

“Price estimation is part of our commitment to be transparent about our patients’ out-of-pocket costs prior to services, and to improve their experience with us,” said Nakesha Muldrow, vice president, Access and Scheduling. “This tool allows our patients to financially plan for upcoming services at WellSpan Health, truly making us a trusted healthcare partner.”

Patients who are interested in an estimate for these services can use their MyWellSpan patient portal, where insurance information is pre-selected based on their account. Insurance information can be changed, if necessary. Even patients who do not have a MyWellSpan account can request an estimate as a guest.

Patients can also speak to a financial counselor by phone at 1-833-4-MYCOST at Financial counselors are also available to provide estimates, help patients understand their potential out-of-pocket costs, answer questions and provide information on financial assistance by calling.

“We want our patients to have the tools they need to make the most informed healthcare decisions,” explained Muldrow. “Whether obtaining an estimate online, or if your preference is picking up the phone and talking to someone, WellSpan is committed to making the process easy and convenient.”

The price estimator tool provides estimates for out-of-pocket costs for both the hospital and professional components associated with the anticipated service. Professional services, if billed by an independent provider, are also included and described as amounts that will not be collected by WellSpan. Out-of-pocket costs vary based on patients’ health insurance plans.

To view a video about the cost estimator process, click here. For more information, visit WellSpan.org/Cost.

WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital recently was recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a “Gold Safe Sleep Champion,” for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.

As a nationally certified Safe Sleep Hospital, WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital is recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and providing training programs for healthcare team members and family caregivers.

"We want to send new families into the community with the very best tools to raise a healthy baby," said Sue Grant, nurse manager of the maternity department at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital. "Safe sleep practices are so important. Remember the ABCs of safe sleep: Place babies alone, on their back, in an uncluttered crib."

The hospital has trained its maternity staff on patient education. After teaching parents about the importance of the ABCs of safe sleep, not smoking, using a firm flat mattress, breastfeeding and other safe sleep practices, the staff asks new moms to sign a "safe sleep pledge." To help families follow safe sleep practices at home, the hospital also gives all new babies a sleeping sack, for use instead of a blanket, and donates a portable crib to parents who do not have a crib at their home.

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids in partnership with leading infant health and safety organizations.

"Sleep-related death results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S.," said Michael H. Goodstein, M.D., neonatologist and medical director of research at Cribs for Kids. "We know that modeling safe infant sleep in the hospital and providing education to families has a significant effect on infant mortality."

Jennifer Boyd fondly remembers her grandfather's deep appreciation of WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital from his many years of serving on the hospital's board of directors.

"My grandfather, Guy Baker, always made it known how proud he was to be a part of Gettysburg Hospital and what the hospital means to the community," said Boyd.

Baker, who died in 2010, served on the hospital's board for 35 years. He was well-respected for his dedicated support of the hospital and many other civic organizations in the Emmitsburg, Maryland community.

Today, as a nursing assistant on WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital's B-1 patient care unit, Boyd has gained her own appreciation of the hospital and the care that is provided to patients every day.

"The care environment is something I'm extremely honored to be a part of and I speak with pride when I tell people that I am part of the WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital team," Boyd said.

Boyd's recognized passion for providing excellent patient care along with her current pursuit of becoming a registered nurse have helped her earn the 2020 Esther G. Little Nursing Scholarship from the Gettysburg Hospital Foundation.

Boyd, who has worked at WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital for the past five years, began her pursuit of becoming a registered nurse in 2019 at the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster. She is on track to graduate as a nurse this December and then hopes to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Like her grandfather, Boyd enjoys serving the community beyond caring for patients at the hospital. She currently volunteers in various ways with the Vigilant Hose Company in Emmitsburg.

"I like to help the community whether it's working as a nursing assistant or volunteering my time," she said. "My true passion is to make a difference and help those in need."

The Esther G. Little Nursing Scholarship was established in 2007 by local philanthropist Esther Little. The scholarship supports those pursuing an education in nursing with the intent to serve the local community.

"Esther's ongoing commitment to ensure that quality care and skilled nursing is available to the community is an example of how one person's philanthropic support can truly make an impact," said Kristin Vought, director of development, Gettysburg Hospital Foundation.

Back to Celebrate Nursing

Friday, we were made aware of false reports that WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital staff are calling individuals to share COVID-19 test results.

While WellSpan Health does notify our patients regarding their test results, we can confirm that these specific calls were not made by WellSpan Health.

We have alerted police of these false reports. If you have recently been tested for COVID-19, and are waiting for results, we ask you check your patient portal or call your provider directly. If you believe you’ve received one of these false reports, please contact Chambersburg Borough Police, at 717-264-4131.

We take patient privacy very seriously. We want to assure you we are not sharing any personal information with these callers and recommend you do not give out your personal information, either. As always, if you have a question about your care, do not hesitate to reach out to your trusted provider.

Prepare

Review the specific steps your district is taking, so children know what to expect, regarding masks, social distancing or any other classroom or school changes.

Offer information in an age-appropriate way. Younger children often need repetition and can be encouraged to practice and master new skills through pretend play. Older children are usually able to understand the science behind the guidelines and can ask questions.

The way we talk about this matters a great deal. Don’t tell your kids that these changes are going to be scary, sad or burdensome, or they will almost certainly experience them that way. And let them know that they can always talk about their experiences with you.

Give kids choices

Let kids help pick out their masks. Having a say in the color and style of the masks can be the key to their acceptance. Having a variety of colors and patterns to choose from can also become a fun avenue for self-expression.

Get creative

Help younger kids to learn what social distancing looks and feels like. Try "airplane arms,” asking kids to practice by extending their arms and pretending to be an airplane while standing in line or moving around. Or have children imagine that they are in a bubble as wide as the length of their arms extended. Their task is to try not to "pop" anyone else's bubble or allow their bubble to be "popped.”

Let your kids know they can still connect with each other, even from a distance. Here’s a few ideas of ways kids can share care and affection, while still social distancing:

• Air high fives
• Tell a friend what you like best about them
• Smile, which is visible even under a mask

Listen

Some children may be upset over the changes in their routines and schedules, including the loss of cafeteria togetherness, sports or certain classroom activities. Let your children talk about it. Then team up as a family to solve what is solvable and accept what isn’t. If a team sport is cancelled for the season, perhaps a more individual athletic pursuit will help soften that blow. If orchestra isn’t possible right now, maybe private lessons can meet the need for musical expression in a new way.

Reassure

Do not dismiss your children’s fears and say they are silly or should not concern them. You can offer statements such as “That makes a lot of sense, sometimes I worry about getting sick too.” Also empower your child about measures they can take to keep themselves and others safe. Remind them that we are expected to do what we can to reduce our risk and if they or someone close to them gets sick, we will get through it together.

Other resources

• "A Kid's Guide to Coronavirus" - Free downloadable book from the American Psychological Association
• "Unstuck! 10 Things to do to Stay Safe and Sane During the Pandemic" - Free downloadable book from the American Psychological Association
• Autism Little Learners - Free, printable social stories about COVID-19, wearing masks, riding the bus during COVID-19, suitable for all young children

WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital was named to Newsweek's 2020 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals. The distinction recognizes facilities that have excelled in providing care to mothers, newborns and their families, as verified by the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Best Maternity Care Hospitals is part of Newsweek's Best Health Care series, powered by data from The Leapfrog Group.

"WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital is committed to providing a compassionate and safe birthing experience for all new mothers and newborns," said Sherri Stahl, senior vice president, WellSpan Health. “In the last several years, we've put a focus on providing the right care in the right place, starting with the addition of our Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 2016. It is an honor to be recognized on a national level for the work we've been doing to provide care for our mothers in Franklin County."

"Best Maternity Care Hospitals showcases an elite group of hospitals from across the country" said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief of Newsweek. "These facilities stand out for the care they provide to women and families, and for giving babies a strong start to life. Particularly in these uncertain times, we are honored to share this list of top-ranked facilities with Newsweek’s readership."

Hospitals named as a Best Maternity Care Hospital have fully met The Leapfrog Group's standards for maternity care on evidence-based, nationally standardized metrics. This includes lower rates of early elective delivery, NTSV C-section, and episiotomy, as well as compliance with process measures including newborn bilirubin screening prior to discharge and blood clot prevention techniques for mothers delivering via C-section.

WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital was one of fewer than 250 to receive the prestigious accolade. The full list of recipients appeared in the July 24 edition of Newsweek, available online and at newsstands nationwide.

Sarah Byers, of Fort Loudon, who welcomed her daughter, Atalie, July 13, is gratefully settling in as a mother of three.

Byers says giving birth during a pandemic certainly brought with it some unexpected precautions.

 “This entire pregnancy, I felt like I kept rolling with the punches. Being tested for COVID was an experience in itself,” recalled Byers.

But protocols related to COVID-19 were not the only change Byers experienced, she is one of the first who has had their care transferred from WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital to WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital following announced plans to consolidate birthing services in Franklin County.

“That is where I had based my familiarity, I knew they supported moms who wanted to have a more natural birth,” said Byers who had previously delivered two children in Waynesboro.  “I was concerned I was not going to have the natural experience and that ended up not being a problem at all.”

Part of Byers’ care team at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital included Dr. Sulang Rosado, WellSpan OB/GYN.  As part of the transition of care, Dr. Rosado had a virtual visit a few days before to introduce herself and discuss any concerns.

“As part of the decision to transfer services to WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, our goal is to honor the birth plans of our expecting mothers and deliver on our philosophy of providing the right care in the right place,” said Dr. Sulang Rosado, WellSpan OB/GYN.  “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to learn more about Sarah by speaking with her virtually, connecting with her care team, and carefully reviewing not only her medical records, but what she most valued in her birthing experience so my team could ensure the continuity of her care and expectations.”

The delivery

Heading into WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, Byers says she didn’t have a formal birth plan.

“I had ideas of the more natural route as possible,” said Byers. “That is one of the key things that is known about Waynesboro that I was afraid I was going to lose that aspect, I was also afraid I wouldn’t have people advocating for me for a natural process and I ended up having the most natural birth possible with the only little bit of intervention being the initial medication.”

Byers says communication with her care team about her wishes allowed her to have the experience she was hoping for.

“I told her (the nurse) that I wanted a more natural process, and she offered the portable monitor.”

With the portable monitor, her care team could ensure her daughter’s heart rate stayed in a (healthy) range. Byers says she was able to walk around and use a birthing ball to progress her labor, naturally. She was also appreciative of the compassion her team showed her along the way.

“I never felt rushed, I talked a lot to the nurses and told them why I was afraid of change and they were very understanding, and they listened and eased my fears.”

Byers chose not to have an epidural, and found her nurse, Amy to be supportive and encouraging through the process.

“She was like having a sister in the room, I mean she was so supportive and right there.  I could not have asked for someone better to be with me in the later stages of labor.”

When Atalie was ready to arrive, Byers recalled her nurse Amy and Dr. Rosado working like a “well-oiled machine.” 

“Dr. Rosado herself, while I was pushing, I felt like she was pushing with me.  I will never forget that, mentally it felt like I had the doctor on my team helping me.”

The transition

WellSpan Health announced at the beginning of July all birthing services will transfer from WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital to WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, in a phased approach, to be finalized by September 18.  Patients will continue to have access to prenatal, postnatal and gynecological care at WellSpan OB/GYN’s office in Waynesboro, but expectant mothers will deliver at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital.

Some patients have already been transitioned to deliver at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, where the mothers and newborns have access to enhanced specialized care, including a neonatal intensive care unit.

Byers says her initial concerns were eased by the compassionate care she experienced.  She hopes sharing her story will help other patients approach their transition of care more confidently.

“I want to express the fact that my thing with Waynesboro is that I was just comfortable there and the more natural approach. I didn’t know another facility could be that way,” said Byers. “Just be open and honest about your birth plan and the nurses and doctors will 100 percent work with you as long as it is safe—they did for me, for sure.”

John Lloyd’s recovery from drug addiction has blazed a path for others.

Franklin County District Attorney Matt Fogal supports a law enforcement process where drug offenders can be given opportunity before extended prison sentences.

WellSpan Health has been a partner for their efforts every step of the way.

Saturday, the players behind the fight against opioid addiction team up for the 5th annual Home Run Derby to Fight Drug Addiction at Greene Township Park, beginning at 9 a.m. This year, money raised through sponsorship and participation on the field benefits Gracie’s Place, a substance abuse recovery home for women and affiliate of Noah’s House.

Registration for home run derby participants at the event opens at 8 a.m. and the cost is $20. Vendors are also expected at the event where masks will be available and social distancing will be strongly encouraged.

While not every baseball that flies off the bat is a home run, WellSpan’s unwavering support in fighting drug addiction is committed to going the distance.

In addition to being the title sponsor for this year’s home run derby, representatives of WellSpan are active members of the Franklin County Overdose Task Force as well as board members at Noah’s House and work closely with the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office.

“It’s no surprise to me that WellSpan is one of our biggest partners in this fight because they see everyday effects of what is happening in our community,” said Fogal, who formed the county’s overdose task force in 2015.

“The entire nation has woken up this year and recognized how important our health care providers are and how critical they are to our lives. WellSpan has been on the front lines of the opioid crisis just as they have been on the front lines of COVID-19. They need to be applauded.”

As Franklin County has been entrenched in the opioid battle, WellSpan’s Opioid Stewardship committee has sustained an effort to appropriately reduce the prescription of opioids to its patients by setting goals for its providers and using metrics to monitor the effectiveness of the initiative.

Dr. Tom Anderson, Vice President of Medical Affairs for WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital and WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital, says his teams focus on increasing appropriate use of non-pharmacologic pain therapies and non-opioid pain medications such as massage, heat/cold applications, aroma therapy and meditation so opioids are only used when needed, reducing the risk of more people becoming dependent.

“When opioids are prescribed, the goal is to start at the appropriate lowest dose and always have a plan to decrease and discontinue its use,” Anderson noted. “The reduction of opioid prescribing has been significant and large initial reductions may have been a result of eliminating unnecessary and wasteful opioid prescriptions.”

From 2016-2018, Anderson says that there was a 30% drop in prescribed opioids in Franklin County and prescriptions have continued to drop through 2020. The health system continues to make progress, but Anderson says some opioid use is necessary for patients undergoing major surgeries or experiencing an injury or medical condition with acute pain. The goal is responsible prescribing, with supported plans to get patients off the medications at the appropriate time.

“We know there are big challenges in this work,” Anderson said, “But our teams are committed to this work. We are doing our necessary part to prevent Opioid Use Disorder while supporting the needs of our patients. We are proud of the work we are doing within our walls, and out in the community with our partners to ensure we are supporting our friends and neighbors in all ways we can.”

Building a team

Fogal co-founded the home run derby in 2016 while his relationship with Lloyd began to strengthen and yield positive results.

Lloyd, who grew up outside of Baltimore, founded Noah’s House, a men’s recovery facility in 2015, and later started Gracie’s Place. The facilities which Lloyd serves as executive director, are named after his son, who has been his “catalyst for sobriety” throughout the past eight years and daughter.

“It’s my life’s work. I feel like I am an example that we do recover and I want others to have that chance,” Lloyd said.

While running two recovery facilities often leads to an 18-hour day, Lloyd also serves as a recovery liaison for the county’s Get Back Up initiative which helps drug addicts navigate through the recovery process and supports them through any pending litigation. That role often has Lloyd on call around the clock as he has even left home run derbies to assist a person who had just overdosed.

He humbly admits that none of the progress made in Franklin County would have been possible without Fogal’s influence and WellSpan’s guided support.

“Matt was the second board member at Noah’s House and he has been instrumental in this process. Most of the time drug offenders are running from a district attorney or parole officers, but he has a passion for being an advocate first,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd also said that Noah’s House and Gracie’s Place may not be standing today without the financial support and health care partnership from WellSpan Health.

“(WellSpan) has backed us through grant opportunities, and they are the biggest partner we have in the health field. They understand clinically what is going on and they have gone out of their way to help men and women get the services they need,” Lloyd explained.

Through efforts on all fronts, Fogal says that he has seen some positive headway since 46 fatal overdoses in 2016 to 26 in 2019.

“This wouldn’t be possible without everyone coming to the table. The WellSpan, formerly Summit family, has been at that table for as long as I have been involved with this issue. They are great teammates,” Fogal said.

WellSpan Health announces today that it has been awarded a $2.2 million grant, the second largest grant in WellSpan history, to improve access to dental services for vulnerable, underserved and rural populations across southcentral Pennsylvania.

“WellSpan is always striving to find a better way to serve our communities and adopt new ways of delivering healthcare to those who need it most,” said Victoria Diamond, senior vice president for the central region of WellSpan Health and president, WellSpan York Hospital. “With this grant, we will design and implement a program offering that can serve as a model for others. We want physicians and community advocates across the country to look at our program in five years and say, ‘This innovation in clinical service is something that we can reproduce here in our own community.’”

WellSpan Health will receive $2,249,373 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration over five years to fund the WellSpan Health Access to Dental program. WellSpan plans to launch a new mobile dental clinic aimed at serving long-term care facilities.

The mobile dental clinic is scheduled to begin by the end of 2020 and will be utilized in multiple counties served by WellSpan. The grant will also be used to improve access to dental services by expanding the dental residency program provided at WellSpan York Hospital Dental Center, and its satellite site, the Hoodner Dental Center in York.

“We know that access to healthcare can be a problem for many,” said Craig Pate, D.M.D., residency program director at WellSpan York Hospital Dental Center. “A lot of rural communities have limited dental care options and some patients have to travel over an hour to receive care.”

Part of the grant will be used to develop a Dental Healthcare Coordinator position.

“The Dental Health Coordinator will be a public health hygienist,” explained Pate. “That person would go out into these communities and provide care. We want to create bridges to these groups, to take down barriers to care, so it’s easier for them to get the dental care they need.”

The Dental Health Coordinator would provide education and preventative services, including cleanings, radiographs and dental sealants. Oral exams will be completed by the Dental Health Coordinator, in conjunction with a dentist through teledentistry.

The goal is to engage with long-term care facilities, as well as with federally qualified health centers, establishing new dental-related partnerships.

“We’re also trying to increase cultural diversity in the residency program itself,” said Pate. “At the end of the five years, I hope we are able to create a more diverse residency, creating ambassadors that can promote dental health and dental care across all communities. We want to use this program to help as many people as possible get access to quality dental care.”

The grant runs through 2025.

For more information on the dental services offered by WellSpan Health, visit WellSpan.org/programs/dental-services.

WellSpan York Hospital is now home to one of the most sophisticated twin-MRI systems in south central Pennsylvania, as well as an innovative new PET/CT system that will offer more detailed imaging along with faster exam times for improved patient experience.

“We have a highly skilled team that is dedicated to providing expert care to our patients,” said Victoria Diamond, president of WellSpan York Hospital. “These new units are some of the most advanced imaging tools in the world and will help our physicians and clinicians continue to provide the highest quality care in an environment that can put our patients at ease.”

The new $14 million MRI suite at WellSpan York Hospital includes a Philips Ingenia Elition 3.0T MRI unit. The unit utilizes programs that use artificial intelligence (AI) to quickly process and help interpret data and position patients. It has the highest available field strength of any MRI in standard clinical practice, producing higher resolution images and better detail than most others. A larger, more open scanning tunnel reduces the risk of claustrophobia, and patients spend less time in the scanning process, with speeds that are 30 to 40 percent faster than average.

“This unit uses cutting edge programs, that includes AI technology, to allow us to perform scans that are not only faster, but also produce clearer images, allowing us to see things the naked eye may not,” said Edward Steiner, M.D., chair of WellSpan Imaging and Radiation Oncology. “This is a real benefit to the patients, because it allows us to not only make a better diagnosis, but to do so in a fraction of the time.”

WellSpan York Hospital is the second WellSpan Health location to receive the Philips Ingenia Elition 3.0T, with WellSpan Health and Surgery Center in Hanover being the first location in Pennsylvania to begin utilizing the technology last year.

The Philips Ingenia Ambition 1.5T X MRI is the first self-contained, environmentally friendly unit in the world, allowing patients to experience a more productive, helium-free operation. Its magnet is one of the safest in the world.

The new suite also features two patient bays providing full anesthesia recovery, making it a fully functional postoperative suite for hospital patients requiring advanced procedures.

WellSpan York Hospital also recently installed a new Siemens Biograph Horizon PET/CT (Positron emission tomography / computed tomography) system, replacing older SPECT (single, photon emission computed tomography) technology. The scanning device can be used in treatment of cancers, metabolism issues and heart functions.

“Using artificial intelligence, the Siemens Biograph Horizon system will not only deliver more precise results, but at much faster speeds,” said Elyce Wolfgang, Director of Imaging at WellSpan York Hospital. “On behalf of Imaging Services at WellSpan York Hospital, we are excited to offer the newest technology in MRI and Cardiac PET/CT imaging to our patients.  The advanced technology coupled with our highly skilled team of technologists, nurses, radiologists, and cardiologists, creates a calm and reassuring environment for our patients to receive their care.”

What was an average four hour exam on SPECT equipment can now be accomplished in less than 30 minutes with the Siemens Biograph Horizon PET/CT system. Image quality is also superior, and it allows for additional analysis of coronary flow, which was not possible with SPECT.

The expansion of the imaging department at WellSpan York Hospital also includes a new North Entrance to the hospital, with construction wrapping up earlier this year.

For more information on the extensive imaging services available at WellSpan Health, visit WellSpan.org/Imaging.

Governor Tom Wolf visited WellSpan York Hospital in July to thank WellSpan Health’s team members, including those working on the frontlines of COVID-19, for their dedication to patients and communities during the pandemic.

Christina Hansen, R.N., COVID-19 ICU nurse, spoke during Governor Wolf’s visit, where she assisted leadership with stressing the importance of wearing a mask and socially distancing. They also urged community members to not delay seeking health care, as the health and safety of patients is the top priority.

Hansen spoke after the presentation to discuss the physical and mental challenges of caring for COVID-19 patients, and what teamwork has meant to her during the “Year of the Nurse”.

For the second consecutive year, WellSpan Health has won a prestigious Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) Achievement award, this time for the regional health system's innovative effort to prevent workplace violence and improve safety at its hospitals by de-escalating behavioral health emergencies.

WellSpan's Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) has earned the 2020 Optimal Operations Award, one of 12 HAP Achievement Award winners across Pennsylvania. In 2019, WellSpan Health won the prestigious Living the Vision Award for its innovative approach at addressing housing insecurity for its most vulnerable patients.

This year, WellSpan's BERT initiative was selected from 131 entries for HAP's 2020 Achievement Awards. The program involves the development and training of a dedicated rapid response team to de-escalate behavioral health situations with the goal of preventing violence and injury to patients, visitors and staff.

"This nursing-led initiative set out to find a better way to deescalate high-risk situations utilizing creative methods from a multidisciplinary team of support personnel," said Michael Seim, M.D., senior vice president and chief quality officer, WellSpan Health. "This award exemplifies the innovative spirit of WellSpan Health, and the efforts of these teams at hospitals across our health system to reimagine care for our patients while keeping the safety of all a top priority."

The BERT team at each hospital typically includes nursing supervisors, critical care nurses, behavioral health nurses and security officers. Each has a role to play when they respond to an incident. Supervisors lead verbal de-escalation, the critical care nurses assist with medical issues, behavioral health nurses make recommendations regarding medications and behavioral care, and security helps with physical assistance and policy enforcement.

The initiative is part of WellSpan's commitment to providing trauma-informed care, a more holistic approach at managing behavioral health incidents that focuses on the individual's underlying mental health and any trauma history they may have.

Since the beginning of 2019, there have been nearly 700 BERT calls documented across WellSpan hospitals, with approximately 75 percent of them successfully de-escalated.

"Especially in light of the extraordinary challenges that COVID-19 has presented Pennsylvania’s hospital community, we are pleased to honor the recipients of the 2020 HAP Achievement Awards," said Andy Carter, HAP’s president and chief executive officer. "These outstanding projects demonstrate the tireless commitment to excellence that Pennsylvania’s hospital community embodies each and every day. We congratulate the winners for their accomplishments."

The BERT concept was launched at WellSpan York Hospital and WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital in 2018, and the program has since expanded to WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon as well as WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital and WellSpan Philhaven Hospital in Lancaster County. WellSpan anticipates all WellSpan hospitals will have a BERT program in place by the end of 2021.

"Our caregivers have expressed an increased confidence in dealing with potential disruptive or threatening behaviors thanks to the implementation of BERT," said Jennifer Higgins, BERT Program Coordinator. "The program has supported the notion that no one should ever feel unsafe inside a WellSpan Health facility."

• Learn more about BERT and how WellSpan is committed to keeping patients safe 
• Learn more about the 2020 HAP Awards.

WellSpan Health today announced a one-time employee recognition payment – the Working as One Reward – to honor and celebrate the regional health system's team members for their dedication to the organization's mission and vision amidst unprecedented challenges.

"We are so proud of our team members," said WellSpan President and CEO Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N. "Over the past year, their commitment to our mission has never been more important. Improving the health of our communities is our purpose – even in the face of a pandemic.?And the collective efforts of our 20,000 team members to provide the safest, highest quality care have allowed us to deliver on our promise to be a trusted partner, inspire health and reimagine healthcare for our community."

More than 92 percent of the health system’s workforce, or approximately 18,500 team members, are eligible to receive the Working as One Reward payment. This includes frontline care team members, clinical and support staff and those in administrative, clerical and professional roles. Executives and leaders of the health system are not eligible for the reward.

Gapstur noted that the reward is intended to recognize the collective accomplishments of the health system’s team members over the past year, including their incredible unified response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Working as One Reward celebrates our ability to work together as one cohesive organization – even through historic challenges – and speaks to the important role each of our team members plays in living our charitable mission," says Bob Batory, SVP WellSpan Health and Chief Human Resources Officer. "We see our team members’ sacrifices and commitment to our organization every single day."

Gapstur added: "Even behind the masks, warm WellSpan smiles have made even the toughest days – for our patients and our team members – a little brighter. So today, and every day, we celebrate them and thank them. Because they are truly the heart of WellSpan."

A life-long drummer, Steve Shimkonis of Hanover, has always kept the musical beat. However, in late 2019, doctors discovered the rhythm was off in his heart.

Last week, WellSpan physicians gave Steve the Watchman FLX ™ implant to help control his risk of stroke due to atrial fibrillation. The procedure at WellSpan York Hospital was the first to happen in Pennsylvania after the device was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in late July.

“I know they’re looked at as one of the top hospitals around and having this here, at this point, that has got to say something about the hospital,” said Steve as he waited for his Aug. 6 procedure at WellSpan York Hospital.

In September, Steve was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, commonly known as A-fib, a problem with electrical currents in the heart that cause irregular heartbeat. Dr. Brian Schuler says patients with A-fib have a risk for stroke that is about five times more than the average baseline risk.

“In patients with atrial fibrillation, you not only have to control the heart rate and rhythm, but also the risk of stroke, and that is often accomplished with the use of blood thinners,” Schuler said.

“This new version of the Watchman is very exciting technology that will enable us to give patients the ability to be protected from stroke, from A-fib without being on a blood thinner.”

Steve says he is looking forward to having that peace of mind, “I had to take that twice a day, and it was a pain in the neck! It’s just one less thing we have to worry about.”

His wife, Jennifer, who is also a former nurse says the device will ease her mind as well, “I think having the device provides the extra level of peace of mind. Having the device, especially the newer version, I think it is another level of comfort and security that he’s not going to have a stroke or pulmonary embolism.”

Increased access to care

“In patients with A-fib, we know that blood clots form in the left atrial appendage about 90 percent of the time,” Schuler explained. “The Watchman technology works by sealing off the place where blood clots form, we can target the device to that specific place, the lining of the heart will grow over the device and decrease the risk of stroke.”

The WellSpan York Hospital Cardiac team celebrated their 200th Watchman implant in October. Dr. Schuler says studies on the new Watchman FLX ™ device show it is three times safer than the original, there’s a lower risk of long-term clotting problems and will be available for more patients.

“There’s a lot of patients that we currently have that would be candidates for this therapy, but their anatomy is not suitable,” Schuler said. “This new Watchman FLX ™ device will allow these patients to be taken care of with this alternative to blood thinners.”

The Watchman procedure and new technology at WellSpan

The first Watchmen FLX procedure was performed by Dr. Stewart Benton, WellSpan Interventional Cardiology, and from another location within the hospital, Dr. Schuler collaborated using innovative remote camera technologies.

Earlier this year, WellSpan cardiologists were among the first in the United States to employ Avail MedsystemsTM camera and video technology to collaborate with their fellow physicians during complex cardiovascular procedures.

“Avail allows us to remotely collaborate on a case utilizing live feed data from the equipment in the room,” explained Dr. Schuler. “It is a very exciting technology for us in that you could really be anywhere across the world and collaborate on cases for our patients.”

In addition to the camera system, the team has started to use a 4DCT scanner for real-time procedural guidance for more accurate and precise device implantations, in a safe manner. Dr. Schuler says this technology has allowed his multidisciplinary team at WellSpan York Hospital to be innovators in their field.

“We have the country’s first 4DCT angio suite, it is a game changer for us. We’re pioneering new techniques in terms of delivery of the Watchman device and validating the device with a CT at the same time of the implant – no one has been able to do before.”

For information about the Watchman procedure at WellSpan, visit WellSpan.org/Watchman.

Diana Rhone, a registered nurse at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, began her journey as a caregiver 43 years ago to help those in need during difficult times and her passion to provide compassionate care is evident even outside of work.

One day while shopping at a restaurant, she overheard that an ambulance was being called for someone in the restaurant. She immediately went up to the hostess and told her she was a nurse and asked if she could help. As she walked back, she realized that the person was in distress and went to help until the medic unit arrived. After talking to the family, she realized that they were from out of town and had no idea where the closest hospital was. Diana offered to drive them to the hospital and even stayed with them when they arrived to provide emotional support and to help the family understand medical information.

She was willing to support and care for the family in any way possible, offering them to stay at her house to sleep and helping to care for their smallest wishes.

“I just wanted to be there to help the family in any way possible, it’s what I would have wanted someone to do if I were in that situation,” Diana said.

“A nurse is always a nurse, no matter the setting, time of day or circumstance”, said Marcia Whitmore, a co-worker of Diana’s when she worked at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital’s emergency room.