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Volume 2 Number 5 April 19, 2013

WHAT’Snew Pennsylvania Hospital

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2013

EarthDay

Ecological AwarenessResources

Sustainability

Climate Change

Awareness

!?

Support

Volunteer

Waste

Man

agem

ent

Environmental Protection

CreateGoals

Dream

Leadership

ImproveImplement

!?

Act

Inspire

Eco Friendly

Develop and

Implement Ideas!

Energy

ConservationHelp

Energy

Dream

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

Reduce

VoiceConcern

Particip

ate

A

Day of

Action

Ideas

GR

EEN

GREEN

Volunteer

Motivate

Help

Eco

InSIdeEarth Day continued ................2

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week ..................2

Richard Nemiroff, MD, Receives Award ........................2

Bridging Care to South Jersey Residents at PAH ......................2

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month ....................3

PAH/Red Cross Blood Drive ....3

What’s Happening ....................4

Open Enrollment is Here! ........4

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eArTH dAy 2013 and What You Can Do to Help at PAH

The global theme for Earth Day 2013, on Monday, April 22, is “The Face of Climate Change.” Earth Day Network, the group founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day to coordinate the annual day of action that builds and invigorates the environmental movement, chose this year’s theme because of the need to highlight the mounting impact of climate change around the world.

Last year was marked by multiple climate change milestones.

Arctic sea-ice cover reached a record low in September. The US

experienced its hottest year ever and the World Meteorological Organization

announced that the first decade of this century was the hottest on record for the entire

planet. Public perception of extreme weather events as “the new normal” grew as unusual superstorms — such as Hurricane Sandy — struck the northeastern US, the Caribbean and the Philippines; droughts plagued northern Brazil, Russia, China, and two-thirds of US; and exceptional floods inundated Nigeria, Pakistan, parts of China, and again, the US.

Each year, more than one billion people participate in Earth Day-related activities, making it the largest civic observance in the world. Annually, on and around April 22, communities across approximately 192 countries voice their concerns for the planet and take action to protect it. Quite an increase from the first Earth Day, held in 1970, where 20 million Americans around the country demonstrated in support of a healthy, sustainable environment. The movement resulted in the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

How You Can Help at PAHPAH is continually progressing towards a more sustainable existence. In keeping with the new tradition the hospital is looking for volunteers — ECO Reps — to help further green the campus. The Green Committee needs your help and ideas as they press for more sustainable practices.

What is an ECO Rep?The Eco Rep is a staff volunteer that provides leadership to their area to improve the environmental sustainability of PAH Buildings.

Why are you important?The Eco Rep will be knowledgeable of their department and have the ability to influence how sustainable practices can be put into practice. The Green Committee acknowledges that it cannot do it without you!

What is expected?The ECO Reps will work with the Green Committee to implement “green Programs” to help the Hospital improve its sustainability.

ECO Reps are being asked to help develop and implement ideas to improve specific areas of the hospital operation. Progress meetings will be scheduled. ECO Reps can provide as much or as little time as their schedules permit.

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Bridging Care to South Jersey Residents at PAH

` Brittany Stofko, dO, Mom Marcella, Dad Jeffrey and baby Reese Brown, and Chavone Momon-nelson, dO, MBA.

The 100th Penn Medicine Woodbury Heights baby was delivered at Pennsylvania Hospital last month!

In partnership with the Woodbury Heights (NJ) practice, expectant mothers in South Jersey can receive cutting edge Penn Medicine prenatal care and follow-up treatment after delivering their newborns at PAH or HUP.

On this occasion, Brittany Stofko, dO, and Chavone Momon-nelson, dO, MBA, Penn OB/GYN Care — who are both attending physicians at PAH and Penn Medicine Woodbury Heights —

teamed up to provide new mom Marcella Brown’s prenatal care and Dr. Momon-Nelson delivered beautiful newborn Reese at PAH.

Dr. Stofko understands this joy and what the experience entails first-hand, as her daughter was also delivered at PAH in 2011.

Penn Medicine Woodbury Heights provides OB/GYN Care, Primary Care, Pulmonology, Cardiology and Radiologic services to the South Jersey community. Patients also have access to additional specialty medical care at Philadelphia Penn Medicine Hospitals.

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medical lab professionals around the country and right here at PAH who perform and interpret more than ten billion laboratory tests annually in the US.

The PAH Lab has been through many changes over past year as part of the Private Room Initiative and facility upgrades. In early January 2013, Microbiology, Hematology Chemistry, Urinalysis, Point of Care, Central processing, Cytology, and Pathology moved from 6 and 7 of Preston to a brand new, state-of-the-art department in the Sub-Basement of the Cathcart

Richard Nemiroff, MD, Receives Clara Bell Duvall Reproductive Freedom Award

Richard Nemiroff, MD, of Penn Care OB/GYN at PAH, has been awarded the Clara Bell Duvall Reproductive Freedom

Award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania. He is being honored for championing the reproductive rights of women and their families for over 40 years.

A Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Nemiroff is an avid educator for cardiovascular disease prevention and the comprehensive care of women. He has had multiple publications including one of the largest studies on dysgenic pregnancies in OB/GYN literature and actively collaborates with researchers at the Children’s Hospital of

Philadelphia to evaluate the multiple factors that cause degeneration in offspring.

Dr. Nemiroff, known for delivering highly sensitive and empathetic care, maintains an active practice at PAH and Penn Medicine Woodbury Height, NJ.

After receiving his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College, Dr. Nemiroff completed both his internship and residency at PAH. After his training in 1974, Dr. Nemiroff remained at PAH for his entire career making significant contributions to the field of obstetrics and Gynecology, specifically in the area of family planning.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Duvall Project defends and advances reproductive rights and liberties in Pennsylvania through research, education, advocacy, and litigation to ensure access to safe and legal reproductive health services for all.

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To volunteer, please email your name, department/location, email address and phone

number to chris.reitz@uphs.upenn.edu.

Kickoff meeting will be held, Wednesday, April, 24, at 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, in the Zubrow Auditorium.Two Focus Team projects have been identified to start and now need the staff and employees of PAH to help us meet our goals. Won’t you consider signing up to participate on one of the two teams?

Waste ManagementTEAM LEADER: John Wierzbowski, MSc., MPH, Safety/Emergency Preparedness Manager

GOAL: Extend the Red Bag Waste reduction to areas outside of the Operating Rooms, including Labor and Delivery, Medical Surgery Areas and others.

Work Area Certification TEAM LEADERS: Chris reitz, Leed AP, AIA, CHFM, associate director, Engineering Services Pete Zeitz, Energy Manager

GOALS: Implement a certification program for clinical areas and offices to certify green practices are in place. Utilize a point system to allow areas to achieve certification.

eArTH dAy 2013

nATIOnAL MedICAL LABOrATOry

PrOFeSSIOnALS Week is APril 22-26

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is an annual celebration of the laboratory professionals and pathologists who play a vital role in every aspect of health care. Since they often work behind the scenes, few people realize the critical work they contribute to the field of medicine. Lab Week is a time to honor the more than 300,000

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April is parkinson’s Awareness Month

Did you know?The PD&MDC was established in 1982, at The Graduate Hospital (now Penn Medicine Rittenhouse at 18th and Lombard Streets) by Howard I. Hurtig, Md, chief of Neurology at PAH, co-director of the PD&MDC, and Elliott Professor of Neurology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and Matthew B. Stern, Md, director of the PD&MDC and the Parker Family Professor of Neurology in the Perelman School of Medicine. Together, Doctors Hurtig and Stern wanted to provide comprehensive care to patients with Parkinson’s disease and other parkinsonian syndromes and movement disorders such as dystonia, Tourette’s syndrome and Huntington’s disease. The Center moved in 1997, to its current location on PAH’s campus at 330 South Ninth Street.

Combined, the PD&MDC and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research at the University of Pennsylvania is a Morris K. Udall Parkinson’s Disease Research Center of Excellence designated by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), joining 12 other distinguished academic institutions in the US with this designation. Clinical and basic research scientists at the Penn Udall Center are conducting research to understand and develop better treatments for the cognitive impairment and dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease. Penn is the only national Udall Center to focus specifically on cognitive functions in Parkinson’s.

` Shown here from left to right are, volunteer Ann Connor, Outreach Coordinator Candace Syres, and Volunteers Lillian Wright, Charles Maddock and Elizabeth Martin.

Please join the Penn Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center (PD&MDC) at PAH as we recognize April as Parkinson’s Awareness month. stop by the Elm Garden Café every Friday in April, from 12 pm to 2 pm to learn about Parkinson’s disease and how you can help.

Since its inception, the PD&MDC has grown into one of the dominant clinical programs of its kind in the nation, equally committed to research, professional and community education, and psycho-social support for patients and families. Recognized by the National Parkinson Foundation as one of its 45 worldwide Centers of Excellence, the PD&MDC is one of the largest of its kind in the country and is pre-eminent in the Philadelphia region, providing care to approximately 2,000 patients each year. The PD&MDC partners with the Philadelphia Veteran’s Administration Medical Center as one of only six Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECC) in the US. The Philadelphia PADRECC offers the same exceptional Parkinson’s care to veterans, as well as opportunities to participate in clinical trials and other research initiatives.

What is Parkinson’s disease?Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder that involves the malfunction and death of nerve cells in the brain. Some of these dying nerve cells produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As Parkinson’s progresses, the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases, leaving a person unable to control movement normally.

How many people have PD? As many as one million Americans and an estimated seven to 10 million people worldwide are living with PD. 60,000 people in the US are diagnosed every year. While the average age of onset is 60 years old, some people — such as actor Michael J. Fox — are diagnosed under the age of 40.

How is PD diagnosed?There is no standard test to conclusively determine a PD diagnosis. The disease should be diagnosed by a neurologist with experience and training in assessing and treating PD. As knowledge about PD is growing, researchers are making advances in understanding the disease, its causes and how to best treat it.

What are the symptoms of PD?key motor symptoms:

• Tremor

• Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)

• Muscular rigidity or stiffness

• Postural instability (impaired balance and coordination)

Other non-motor symptoms may include:• Depression

• Cognitive changes

• Loss of smell

• Dementia or confusion

• Sleep disturbances

How is PD treated? Although there is currently no cure for PD. Symptoms are managed with medications, rehabilitation therapies and surgery.

FOR MORE INFORMATION please visit: http://www.pennmedicine.org/neuro/services/parkinsons/.

Building. The Blood Bank was as also relocated from 7 Preston to a new, modern space on 8 Preston.

This move has benefited each lab, and ultimately patient care, by improving facilities and operational management. Each individual lab has improved efficiency thanks to a more strategic layout and increased space. The improved facility design has enabled staff to streamline processes and better manage their time.

WHAT’SnewedITOrIAL STAFF Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications

Olivia Fermano Editor and Photographer

Pamela Furches design Graphic Design

Barry Ogburn Photography

AdMInISTrATIOnSusan e. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

COnTACT WHAT’Snew at: Department of Communications Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19106

phone: 215.829.6799 email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu

WHAT’Snew is published biweekly for PAH employees. Access WHAT’Snew online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.

WHAT’SnewedITOrIAL STAFF Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications

Olivia Fermano Editor and Photographer

Pamela Furches design Graphic Design

Barry Ogburn Photography

AdMInISTrATIOnSusan e. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

COnTACT WHAT’Snew at: Department of Communications Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19106

phone: 215.829.6799 email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu

WHAT’Snew is published biweekly for PAH employees. Access WHAT’Snew online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.

?!

2013

EarthDay

Ecological AwarenessResources

Sustainability

Climate Change

Awareness

!?

Support

Volunteer

Waste

Man

agem

ent

Environmental Protection

CreateGoals

Dream

Leadership

ImproveImplement

!?

Act

Inspire

Eco Friendly

Develop and

Implement Ideas!

Energy

ConservationHelp

Energy

Dream

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

Reduce

VoiceConcern

Particip

ate

A

Day of

Action

Ideas

GR

EEN

GREEN

Volunteer

Motivate

Help

Eco

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WHAT’S Happening Y O U R R E S O U R C E F O R E V E N T S A N D H A P P E N I N G S T H R O U G H O U T PA H A N D P E N N M E D I C I N E

For complete events listing, please visit What’s New on the Inside Penn Medicine web site at: http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside

April /MAy/June

edITOrIAL STAFF Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications

Olivia Fermano Editor and Photographer

Pamela Furches design Graphic Design

Barry Ogburn Photography

AdMInISTrATIOnSusan e. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

COnTACT WHAT’Snew at: Department of Communications Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19106

phone: 215.829.6799 email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu

WHAT’Snew is published biweekly for PAH employees. Access WHAT’Snew online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.

WHAT’Snew

April 24 Thomas Story Kirkbride and the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane Lecture

April 25 Spring 2013 Penn Mindfulness Program registration deadline

April 26 PAH Blood Drive

April 29 32nd Annual Molly and Sidney N. Zubrow Lecture and Award Program

April Now – 28 Annual Benefits Open Enrollment

April 19 – 28Penn Med at the 2013 Philadelphia Science Festival

April 21, 2013 18th Annual Dash for Organ & Tissue Donor Awareness

May 6 National Doctors’ Day and National Nurses Week Celebration

May 10 Third Annual Rockin’ Docs for Diabetes Cure

May 10 2nd Annual GSPP Diamond Gala

May 23 2013 Hubschman Award Reception

June 10 2013 Pennsylvania Hospital Auxiliary Golf Tournament

June 13 Employee Service Awards

Annual Benefits Open Enrollment is now in progress until April 28. Now is the time to understand the benefits available to you and what’s changing. This year all employees must participate in “active enrollment” which means that even if you don’t want to change our benefits you must still enroll to earn the premium discount on medical contribution. The new platform is now accessible through the HR & You Website at: www.uphshrandyou.com.

Human Resources is also placing a renewed spotlight on your health through our Wellfocused Healthy Rewards program. Everyone is eligible to earn $150.00 if you participate. You also can earn entry into a raffle for FREE health care for 2013–2014 when you complete the online Well-Being Assessment and record “Your Numbers” during Open Enrollment.

Questions? Email the UPHS benefits team at, BenefitsQuestions@uphs.upenn.edu, or call the benefits customer line at 215.615.2675 and press #4.

OPen enrOLLMenT IS HERE!