Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health

When a family faced a mix of emotions as they welcomed a healthy baby at our Women & Babies Hospital, Couplet Care nurse Kylee Schober, BSN, RN, went above and beyond to make their experience as joyful and memorable as possible, despite underlying sadness. The patient's father had recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Here is what she wrote when she nominated Schober for a The DAISY Foundation Award. "Besides being so understanding of my rollercoaster of emotions and accommodating of my family’s unique situation, Kylee and other staff organized a birthday party (complete with a personalized teddy bear, peanut butter pie, and a group sing-a-long of “happy birthday”) for our new daughter, so my dad could experience this special milestone with us. Needless to say there was not a dry eye in the room. I am so grateful that I have this happy memory to look back on. Kylee absolutely deserves to be recognized her incredible kindness and empathy that went beyond just regular postpartum care."

We're so grateful for blood donors like Jim Styer of Leola who help patients in need at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital, Women & Babies Hospital, and the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. Styer recently reached a milestone few donors achieve: He donated 80 gallons of blood over the last 41 years, potentially helping thousands of people. THANK YOU, Jim, for your caring and dedication! We are currently in critical need of all types of blood. If you are able, please consider donating at our Blood Donor Center at the Suburban Pavilion or one of our community blood drives. Sign up here: https://spr.ly/6042WPv7M

During this summer’s U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club, local artist Susan Gottlieb was hard at work in the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Wellness Pavilion, creating a work of art that now hangs at our Women & Babies Hospital. During the Open, community members stopped by and shared their personal thoughts on wellness with Gottlieb who embedded many of their responses into the 5x5-foot multimedia painting entitled “We Rise Together.” What began as an aerial view of the country club golf course finished as a giant heart celebrating gratitude, community, strength, and beauty. LG Health leaders recently joined Gottlieb as the painting was hoisted to its permanent location where it will inspire patients, visitors, and staff for years to come.

When patients visit Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Twin Rose in Columbia, they may notice some fresh produce on a table in the reception area, along with an invitation to "please help yourself." On Juneteenth, a group of employees and their children gathered to plant community gardens on the practice property. The fruits (and vegetables!) of their labors are now being offered to patients at no cost.

Please join us!

Through our ChildProtect Program, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health offers free vaccines to Lancaster County children 0-18 years of age who do not have health insurance or have Medicaid (Medical Assistance). This week we hosted a clinic at Family Medicine Susquehanna in Marietta where vaccines to protect against chicken pox, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, Hib, Hepatitis A + B, HPV, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, pneumococcal disease, polio, and rotavirus were available. The health and well-being of our community is our top priority, and vaccines are an important part of supporting good health. Learn more at https://spr.ly/6049WKd7V

When preparing for the birth of a child, patients want a skilled and compassionate team ready to guide them through both the expected and unexpected of labor and delivery. One patient who faced some unexpected complications was very grateful Women & Babies Hospital nurse Candace Peterson by her side. Here's how she described her care: "Candace was the charge nurse that day. She came into my room and immediately jumped into action. She showed empathy and a caring attitude by holding my hands and reassuring me she was not going to leave me and that everything was going to be okay. Candace was an absolute angel. Words cannot express what she means to me to be able to help me through that day and help bring my beautiful baby into this world. I am forever grateful." Congratulations, Candace on your well-deserved The DAISY Foundation award! https://spr.ly/6048mXh34

Penn Medicine Lancaster Health Sports Medicine physician Anne Rettig, MD, explains how walking in the Park City Mall benefits seniors: climate controlled environment, socialization, and a flat floor to help prevent falls. “Motion is lotion” for your body, she said, advising a regular exercise routine. https://spr.ly/6045W8Hl9

Our recent Evening of Gratitude recognized clinicians, researchers, supporters, and advocates for their contributions to cancer care and honored those who supported the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute Precision Medicine Fund, which enhances research and clinical trial access. Attendees also celebrated the retirement and legacy of Randall Oyer, MD, the Cancer Institute's founding medical director. A leader in oncology, Dr. Oyer has dedicated more than 40 years to improving cancer care with a holistic approach, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

A hospital might not seem like an ideal wedding venue. But for two patients at Penn Medicine's Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, nurses and staff helped dreams come true by facilitating two weddings in the same week. https://spr.ly/6044mtVXY