Upstate ID for Thanksgiving holiday meal

Meal tickets no longer required

Upstate celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday by providing a complimentary holiday meal to all staff working a shift on this day. Meal tickets are no longer needed. There will be a meat option and a vegetarian option.

Staff working Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, will use their Upstate ID at checkout to receive one meal per person, and all staff who work a shift on the holiday are eligible.

Complimentary holiday meal serving times are the same for Upstate University Hospital and Community and are listed below.

• 5 to 8 a.m. — Thanksgiving breakfast
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Thanksgiving lunch
• 4 to 8 p.m. — Thanksgiving dinner

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Survey to assess opinions on masking in patient care areas

A survey to gauge opinions on masking practices in patient care areas is now open. The survey is part of a research project that will help inform future masking policies to ensure a safe and effective care environment. To access the survey, visit: https://redcap.upstate.edu/surveys/?s=FCTF8NWNATECFANK. Responses are anonymous and participation is voluntary. The survey will close Nov. 30. Questions about the survey? Email Jana Shaw, MD, MPH, at ShawJa@Upstate.edu. The survey was developed by Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Infection Prevention.

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Upstate Cancer Center celebrates 10^th anniversary this week

The Upstate community is welcome to attend a brief program honoring 10 years of compassionate care, groundbreaking research, and community support Friday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. in the atrium of Upstate Cancer Center. A celebration with cake will follow.

Visit Upstate Cancer Center anytime this week to leave a note of gratitude on the board or paint a special rock that will be placed in the Healing Garden. For more information, email Chris Benton at BentonCh@Upstate.edu.

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Nominations sought for Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service

Nominations are sought for the 2024-2025 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service. This award recognizes State classified service employees represented by CSEA, PEF and PBA of NYS for excellence and superior service. Nominations are due Feb. 1 and should be emailed to Megan Chase, HR, at chasem@upstate.edu. For additional information and nomination form visit: https://solutions.upstate.edu/TDClient/650/HRPortal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=10937.

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Native/Indigenous American Heritage Month event is Nov. 21

A conversation on Indigenous lands, right, and health will be held today, Nov. 21 at noon in 4414 Academic Building. Neal J. Powless, MS, NCC, and PhD Fellow at Syracuse University will discuss the history, rights, and health issues of Indigenous people in Central New York. Powless will explore the rich history of CNY lands, Treaty rights, and the complex health challenges currently faced by local Indigenous communities. He will provide valuable insights on how members of the Upstate Community can contribute to healing and addressing the generational trauma experienced by Indigenous individuals. This is a unique opportunity to engage in a vital conversation on justice, healing, and support for our Indigenous neighbors. All are welcome to attend. Registration is preferred https://forms.gle/YRkuHvGaFSNiz8obA. Questions? Email Trina Northardt at NortharT@Upstate.edu.

The Upstate Health Sciences Library is showcasing a curated selection of books by Native and Indigenous authors. This collection, available until the end of November, highlights the rich diversity, stories, and perspectives of Indigenous communities. Visit the display to explore titles on history, culture, health, and personal narratives. Check out the complete list of featured books here: https://shorturl.at/HNkQS.

Don't miss these meaningful offerings to deepen our understanding of Indigenous culture, history, and resilience. All are welcome. Native American Heritage Month 2024 activities are supported by the Ambassadors of Indigenous Affairs, Offices of Diversity Equity, Office of Multicultural Affairs & Student Inclusion, and the NCOM Class of 2028.

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Patient Experience/Patient Relations event is Nov. 21

Patient Experience/Patient Relations will host a facts and snacks education session regarding Service Recovery today, Nov. 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. in 1502 Upstate University Hospital. Snacks will be provided. Space is limited. To sign up to attend, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/pdl/intra/register/.  Email Cassandra Cleary at ClearyC@Upstate.edu if unable to attend in person and would prefer a Teams link.

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Great American Smokeout is Nov. 21

Tobacco trivia, free nicotine replacement, and information about free smoking cessation resources will be highlighted during the Great American Smokeout today, Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the atrium of Upstate Cancer Center. Questions about smoking cessation tools available to the Upstate community? Email Jackson Tarr at TarrJ@Upstate.edu.

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Pet a Pooch is Nov. 21

Staff are welcome to Pet a Pooch today, Nov. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Community Room at Community. This event is for staff only. For more information, email Christine Cole at ColeChr@upstate.edu.

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Bioethics and Humanities Journal Club is Nov. 21

The Bioethics and Humanities Journal Club will be held today, Nov. 21 at noon via WebEx. The discussion will center around a recent article in JAMA about a study that found a dramatic decline in the public’s trust in physicians and hospitals since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, based on responses from over 400,000 adults from diverse backgrounds, found that the proportion of adults in the United States reporting a lot of trust for physicians and hospitals dropped from 71.5 percent in April 2020 to 40.1 percent in April, 2024. Should we be concerned? Why is this happening, what does it means for medical practice and what can be done to increase the public’s trust in physicians and hospitals?

A link to the article is available here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2821693.

To join the journal club event, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=mb3db292b6d76c3eeb4d1dec6cc8e29a9. Use Meeting number: 2309 284 1571 and Password: KJfF3qAKP47. Questions? Email Kathleen Szczech at SzczechK@Upstate.edu.

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Yoga for All is Nov. 21, 22

The Yoga for All schedule is as follows:

• Nov. 21 from noon to 12:45 p.m. in 4507 Setnor
• Nov. 22 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in 2151/2153 Nappi

For more information and for the virtual link, email KhouryN@Upstate.edu.

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Upstate Cancer Center to host lung events through Nov. 22

Upstate Cancer Center will host events in recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the Great American Smokeout. The schedule is as follows:

• Nov. 21: Upstate Cancer Center will host MEGA Lung, a giant inflatable lung Thursday, Nov 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the atrium of Upstate Cancer Center. Stop by to walk through, learn how to maintain your lung health, and get a photo with the lung. Smoking cessation and We Matter information tables will also be available.
• Nov. 22: Help us Shine a Light on Lung Cancer with the Syracuse Crunch Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. Shine a Light on Lung Cancer aims to raise awareness for lung cancer. Giveaways, information tables, digital messages, in-game announcements, and more will be offered.
• Through Nov. 22: Stop by the atrium of Upstate Cancer Center Nov 18 through Nov 22 to sign the banner for Shine a Light on Lung Cancer. Sign your name to honor someone who has battled or is battling lung cancer. The banner will be displayed at Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Night at the Syracuse Crunch game Saturday, Nov 22.

For more information about these events, email BentonCh@Upstate.edu.

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Upstate Mammo Van event is Nov. 22 

Upstate’s Mobile Mammography Van will host an event for the Upstate family only, to include students, staff, volunteers, and family members. The event will be held Friday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Upstate Bone and Joint, 6620 Fly Rd. Appointments are preferred. To make an appointment, call 315-464-2588 or visit www.upstate.edu/noexcuses.

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Kicks-for-a-Cause is Nov. 22

Kicks-for-a-Cause will be held Friday, Nov. 22 beginning at 5 p.m. at Burn Kickboxing in North Syracuse. Proceeds from the event benefit the PICU at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. For more information or to register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kicks-for-a-cause-to-benefit-picu-upstate-golisano-childrens-hospital-tickets-1071799805069. Questions? Email Kelly Rose at RoseK@Upstate.edu.

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Non-Profits at Noon speaker series is Nov. 25

Tommy Lincoln from StayFresh Designs will discuss the art community Nov. 25 from noon to 12:30 p.m. via WebEx during the final Non-Profits at Noon speaker series event. This is a unique opportunity to meet and greet virtually with various non-profit leaders and learn how the Community Giving Campaign impacts poverty, history, and the arts in and around CNY. An electronic poster is located here: https://www.upstate.edu/communitygiving/pdf/non-profit-at-noon-flyer.pdf. To join the event via WebEx, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=mdbfbaba0c5729ed689fe7ba9402fee1f(Meeting number: 2315 142 9885 Password: noonseries3). For more information, email Matthew Capogreco at capogrem@upstate.edu.

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Epic information available online and in person Nov. 25, Dec. 2 and 23

The Epic systems upgrade was successfully completed Nov. 16. Following the upgrade, staff may have noticed improvements in both system performance and visual appearance. To learn more about the changes and how they may affect your workflow, staff can access detailed resources by visiting the IMT/Epic Resources button on the iPage and searching for Fall 2024 Upgrade.

Staff are invited to stop by the Ask Me About Epic drop-in tables from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations:

• Nov. 25 at Upstate University Hospital
• Dec. 2 at Community Hospital
• Dec. 23 at Upstate University Hospital

For more information or to ask a question, visit https://bit.ly/umutcoe.

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Tranquility Tuesday is Nov. 26

Tranquility Tuesday will be held Tuesday, Nov. 26 (and every Tuesday) from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m. on the second floor of Nappi Wellness Institute or virtually via WebEx. Each session is a unique meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and relaxation practice experience. Questions? Email nanavatk@upstate.edu or colechr@upstate.edu.

To join the virtual option, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=m4cf0ace0b87237183612a0b6496ca516. Use Meeting ID: 2305 438 7566, Password: jyYW3FriJ74.

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Ambulatory Lecture Series is Nov. 27

The Ambulatory Lecture Series will be held Wednesday, Nov. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. in the fifth-floor conference rooms (5143/5147) at Nappi Wellness Institute. The series focuses on ambulatory departments and clinics and how they help patients, services offered, and how to refer patients to these clinics. The lecture series is also offered via WebEx, here: https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=mc9070d3f534f6e3660f8edf04bf9aac2(meeting number: 2312 223 1466 password: Ambulatory1). Questions? Email Beth Wells at WellsBe@Upstate.edu.

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Holiday closures for Nov. 28 and 29

• Property Management Surplus Warehouse will be closed Nov. 28 and 29. Questions? Email Sean Barkley at BarkleyS@Upstate.edu.
• Record Storage Warehouse will be closed Nov. 28 and 29. Questions? Call 315-464-5814 or email RCDStore@Upstate.edu.
• Payroll Services and Human Resources will be closed Nov. 28 and 29. Payroll related questions, email StatePR@Upstate.edu. Human Resource questions, submit through AskHR: https://solutions.upstate.edu/TDClient/650/HRPortal/Home/.
• Duplicating and Printing will be closed Nov. 28 and 29. Questions? Email Garrett Stetson at StetsonG@Upstate.edu.
• Office of Volunteer Programs will be closed Nov. 28 and 29. Questions? Email Kristin Bruce at BruceK@Upstate.edu.

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Open Enrollment for Research Foundation employees open until Nov. 30

The health, dental, vision care plans, and Flex Spending Account open enrollment period for Research Foundation employees is open now through Nov. 30. The Benefits Bulletin (October 2024 edition) was mailed to the homes of all eligible staff. 

Important reminders:

• Print confirmation statements after making any changes for open enrollment.
• Employees MUST re-enroll in flexible spending benefits each year at: www.rfsuny.org/selfservice.
• Employees participating in Dependent Care Spending must elect the subsidy if they wish to receive it.

The Research Foundation Central Office benefits department will host office hours Nov. 15, 22 and 29 from noon to 1 p.m. The open hours are for staff to call in and ask any questions related to open enrollment. Dial-in #: 877-853-5247 Meeting ID: 879 6110 8721. Questions? Email Heidi Steckel at SteckelH@Upstate.edu.

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Applications for 2025 Your Cause charity due Nov. 30

Team Upstate seeks applications for a Central New York agency to be its featured Your Cause charity in 2025. The Your Cause program offers Upstate employees an opportunity to nominate a charity that will be the focus of Upstate volunteer outreach through the year. The 2024 Your Cause agency was Empower Parkinson, Inc. To nominate an agency for the Your Cause sponsorship, individuals need to complete and submit application form by Nov. 30. Team Upstate committee will review applications and announce the winning organization in December. The application is available here: https://www.upstate.edu/teamupstate/your-cause/. Completed applications should be emailed to Nancy Prott in the President’s Office at prottn@upstate.edu. 

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Children’s Hospital fundraisers end Nov. 30 and Dec. 31

• Valvoline is raising money for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. Now through Nov. 30, stop by Valvoline for an appointment and an opportunity to earn a coupon by donating back to the children’s hospital. Email BrightD@Upstate.edu for more.
• Ace Hardware will round up purchases and donate the money to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital now through the end of 2024. Email BrightD@Upstate.edu for more.

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Payroll relocation rescheduled for Dec. 2

Payroll Services will relocate from Jacobsen Hall to the KPH building (formerly the Telergy building) in East Syracuse Monday, Dec. 2. Upstate ID badge inquiries will still be available at Jacobsen Hall, Community, and will be added at the new KPH location. Payroll representation will be available in Jacobsen Hall while that space is converted for its new purpose. Payroll and timekeeping contact information will remain the same. Call 315-464-4840, or email StatePR@upstate.edu or Timekeep@upstate.edu. 

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Registration for bioethics conference to open Dec. 2

Registration will open Dec. 2 for the third annual Paul Schyve, MD, Center for Bioethics Conference. The event will take place May 2 and 3, 2025 at the University of Rochester Medical Center Saunders Research Building and School of Nursing. Upstate’s Center for Bioethics and Humanities is an event co-sponsor. A call for abstracts and registration will be forthcoming. For more information now, visit: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/medical-humanities/recent-news-and-events/activities-events/annual-bioethics-conference.aspx.

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Giving Tuesday is Dec. 3

Giving Tuesday, the international day of giving, will be held Tuesday, Dec. 3. The UpstateFoundation welcomes individuals to make a gift supporting Upstate’s collective mission of patient care, education, scientific research, and community health and well-being. Matching funds will be available Dec. 3 to double the impact of gifts.

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Learning from our Neighbors series is Dec. 9

Learning from our Neighbors will be held Dec. 9 at noon in the Performance Center on the 11^th floor of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. Kevin Frank, director of the Brady Faith Center, will speak on The Privilege and Proximity in Pastoral Care with our Neighbors. Refreshments will be provided.

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Retirement reception for Julie White is Dec. 9

A retirement reception for Julie White, PhD, dean of Student Affairs and vice president for Educational Services, will be held Monday, Dec. 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the atrium of the Health Sciences Library on the first floor of Weiskotten Hall. The Upstate community is welcome. For more information, email Lori M. Ferguson at FergusoL@upstate.edu or Sharon Huard at HuardS@upstate.edu.

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Productivity Enhancement Program for state employees open through Dec. 9

The Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) is open now through Dec. 9 for eligible state employees who are represented by: CSEA, PEF, UUP, PBANYS, NYSCOPBA, and M/C-affiliated. PEP allows eligible employees to exchange previously accrued annual leave (vacation and/or personal leave) in return for a credit to be applied toward their employee share NYSHIP premiums on a biweekly basis for 2025. In no case can the credit available under the program be applied to the employer share of NYSHIP premiums. For more information and enrollment forms, visit: https://solutions.upstate.edu/TDClient/650/HRPortal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=10995 (Upstate login is required). Enrollment closes Dec. 9.

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Open enrollment for the Flex Spending Account Program for state employees is open through Dec. 9

The 2025 Flex Spending Account (FSA) Program open enrollment period for New York state employees is now through Dec. 9 (closing at 11:59 p.m.). To be eligible to enroll in the FSA Program, state employees must be annual salaried, work at least half time, meet the eligibility criteria for enrollment in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), and be expected to be employed for the entire 2025 calendar year. Please note that if you wish to continue your current enrollment, you will need to re-enroll for the 2025 plan year. For more information and how to enroll, visit: https://oer.ny.gov/how-to-enroll.

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Nominations sought for Chancellor and President awards due Dec. 16

Nominations are sought for the 2025 SUNY Chancellor’s Awards and Upstate President’s Awards. These honors recognize major contributions to the missions of Upstate Medical University and SUNY. Honorees will be recognized at the 2025 Fall Faculty Convocation. Faculty, students and staff are encouraged to submit nominations. A description of the awards, requirements of the nominations, a list of previous awardees, and the nomination form can be found at https://www.upstate.edu/academic-affairs/about/faculty-awards/. Nominations and supporting documentation must be in PDF format, and the deadline for nominations, including all supporting documentation is Dec. 16, 2024. Questions? Email Cheryl Alger at algerc@upstate.edu.

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Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team fundraiser 

The Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team is offering tickets for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card. Money raised supports equipment purchases, staff retention, outreach, and educational opportunities for Upstate’s transport team members. Tickets are $15 each and funds are held at the Upstate Foundation (Fund 35900). To purchase a ticket, see a Pediatric SWAT/Transport Team member or Jessica Falgiatano at falgiatj@upstate.edu. Cash or Venmo accepted, do not need to be local to win. Click here for specifics: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zOXJ9Dk4R2kJTv5jinNgCo_rPVzIEplb/view?usp=drive_link.

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Child Life seeks volunteers

Child Life seeks volunteers to help pediatric patients and their families celebrate the holidays. For more information and to sign up, visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050849A5AC29A0FC1-52781113-2024#/. Questions? Email Rachel Stinson at HannonR@Upstate.edu.

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Travel Office per diem rates

This is a reminder to all travelers that lodging per diem rates must be used when traveling. Current per diem rates can be found here https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-ratesand.

If the nightly lodging cost is above per diem rate an Over the Max form must be submitted. Staying at the conference hotel is no longer an accepted justification. This can be found on our policy page here https://www.upstate.edu/travel/policy.php and the Over the Max form can be found here https://upstate.ellucid.com/documents/view/12351.

Travel cards may be picked up at the travel office by appointment only. Questions? Email Sharon McGillvray at McGillvS@Upstate.edu.

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Upstate Global Health seeks participants for three studies

For more information on the following studies led by Upstate’s Global Health Institute, call 315-464-9869 or email trials@upstate.edu.

RSV Study: Global Health seeks volunteers 18 and older who are currently experiencing cold symptoms—cough, wheezing, shortness of breath— for a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) study. Participants will be monitored for about one month and could be reimbursed for time and travel.

Lyme Diagnostic Study: Global Health seeks participants ages seven and older who have been recently diagnosed or suspected by a practitioner with Lyme disease and developed a rash. The study is investigating whether an investigational new blood test, called LIAISON LymeDetect, can determine whether the germ that causes Lyme disease is detected sooner than conventional diagnostic tests. Currently available blood tests for Lyme disease can sometimes fail to confirm the illness during early infection.

Dengue Fever Study: Global Health seeks healthy participants ages 18 to 55 to join a dengue research study focusing on prevention and treatment.

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Advocates seek support for robotic pet therapy program

Since 2019 the Robotic Pet Therapy Program has offered comfort and companionship to Upstate patients, especially elderly patients with dementia and those with developmental disabilities. The dogs or cats go home with the patients and a continuous supply is needed to sustain the program. Advocates for Upstate, in support of Upstate Nursing, seeks pet sponsors. A pet can be sponsored for $100. Sponsors are entitled to recognition by the recipient and their family, and on the Advocates website and social media. For more information, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/advocates/pets.php. Questions? Email Jonathan Adler at AdlerJ@Upstate.edu. 

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The Informed Patient podcast

The Informed Patient podcast recently featured interviews about lung biopsies, reasoning and cognitive decline, and a new edition of Upstate’s literary journal.

• Explaining how lung biopsies are performed and what they reveal is Upstate’s Ronaldo Ortiz-Pacheco, MD, who specializes in the procedure.
• Discussing how cognitive decline can be predicted based on how someone reasons, and the changes that may occur with age, is Jeffrey Zemla, PhD, from Syracuse University, who has written a paper on the topic.
• The latest edition of The Healing Muse, Upstate’s literary and visual arts journal, has been published, and its editor, Upstate’s Deirdre Neilen, PhD, talks about the themes expressed as she shares some of the journal’s poetry.

The Informed Patient podcast and HealthLink on Air radio show are produced by UpstateMarketing and University Communications. The Informed Patient interviews are available through various podcast platforms, including YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTRingYNAhMI-BCsmNqTAx-7FAQMdNNlH. HealthLink on Air is broadcast on WRVO Public Media at 6 a.m. Sundays. Audio and transcripts of the podcasts and the radio shows are also available here: https://www.upstate.edu/informed/. To suggest an Upstate expert or topic for a possible podcast, email Amber Smith at SmithAmb@Upstate.edu.