Holiday reception hosted by President Mantosh Dewan, MD

Join Upstate President Mantosh Dewan, MD, for a holiday reception Thursday, Dec. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the atrium of Setnor Hall. The Upstate community is welcome.

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Lactation counselor scholarship opportunity now open to applicants

The Cathy Patrick Breastfeeding Education Foundation Fund has launched the Cathy Patrick Lactation Scholarship with recent funds raised from the World Breastfeeding Week shirt sale held in August. Scholarships will be used to help Upstate nursing staff and other interested providers with certification as a lactation counselor through the magnet-recognized Healthy Children Project. For more on the lactation counselor certification, visit: https://centerforbreastfeeding.org/register_lctc/. To apply for the Cathy Patrick Lactation Scholarship, visit: https://redcap.upstate.edu/surveys/?s=PR7WJFFNAP. Applications are due Dec. 31. Questions? Email [email protected].

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NYSHIP Health Insurance Option Transfer Period now open

The New York State Option Transfer is open now through Dec. 31. The links below give more information on what changes can be made during this time, a detailed description of each health insurance plan, rates for 2025, and the form needed to make any changes:

2025 Planning For Option Transfer, 2025 Active Choices, 2025 Active Rates, Health Insurance Transaction Form (PS404). Please note, those not making any changes do not need to submit a new form. All forms and questions can be sent to [email protected].

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Survey to assess opinions on masking in patient care areas available online

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 Dec. 31. Questions about the survey? Email Jana Shaw, MD, MPH, at [email protected]. The survey was developed by Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Infection Prevention.

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Upstate offers entrance to Lights on the Lake Dec. 5 and 10

As an official sponsor of this year’s Lights on the Lake, Upstate will offer complimentary admission to the event Thursday, Dec. 5 and Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Onondaga Lake Parkway for individuals with a valid Upstate ID. One vehicle per Upstate ID will be permitted entrance. Lights on the Lake is a two-mile drive-thru show featuring towering holiday displays, larger-than-life Land of Oz, a twinkling fantasy forest, colorful section arches, memorable animated scenes, and a fairy tale magic grand finale. A valid Upstate ID will be required upon entrance. Happy Holidays!

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Adult ADHD HealthLink seminar is Dec. 6

John J Ringhisen, PMHNP-BC, NPP, a Fulbright Scholar and director of Upstate’s Adult ADHD Clinic, will discuss how ADHD impacts people’s lives and how the new adult ADHD program at Upstate is helping people cope and overcome issues in daily life. Ringhisen will also discuss how ADHD is diagnosed and treatment options. To attend, register here: https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwvcOGhrz4iGdFTLLHWaEzpbops-UcvSDql.

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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 [email protected] or Sharon Huard at [email protected].

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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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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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Healthcare Appreciation Night set for SU vs Albany Dec. 10

Syracuse Athletics would like to show appreciation for healthcare workers and their families by extending a discounted ticket offer for Healthcare Appreciation Night when Syracuse takes on Albany Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at the JMA Wireless Dome. For discounted tickets, visit: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/SUHealthcare.

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Pelvic health topic for Wellness Speaks Dec. 10

Rebecca Carey, PT, DPT, E-RYT, will present on pelvic health and wellness for Wellness Speaks to be held Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. via WebEx. To register, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/weblink/register/rdd5f46ef36dfcb29275cfbd3a39d64f2. For more information, email Christine Cole at [email protected].

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Tranquility Tuesday is Dec. 10

Tranquility Tuesday will be held Tuesday, Dec. 10 and every Tuesday from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m. on the second floor of Nappi Wellness Institute or virtually via WebEx. To join the virtual option, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=m4cf0ace0b87237183612a0b6496ca516. Use Meeting ID: 2305 438 7566 and Password: jyYW3FriJ74. Each session is a unique meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and relaxation practice experience. Questions? Email [email protected] or [email protected].

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NAMI presentation to shine spotlight on addiction Dec. 11

MaryBeth Oyer Dunnewold, a board consultant to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), will discuss her family’s tragic experience with addiction in a presentation Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. in 2509/2510 Setnor Academic Building. Dunnewold’s talk is sponsored by the Mind Matters and Chronic Pain and Addiction Medicine Interest group. Register at the link below for the talk, as food will be provided to the first 35 attendees: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u9sEVe0onj3IU-ndLNcLHREKl62IG1PukCHbvCOWBGs/edit?usp=sharing. 

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Pet a Pooch is Dec. 11 and 12

Pet a Pooch will be held Dec. 11 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Community and Dec. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in E8405A Upstate University Hospital. These sessions are for Upstate staff. For more information, email Christine Cole at [email protected].

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Cardiology Grand Rounds is Dec. 13

Nathan Tucker, PhD, David Auerbach, PhD, and Xinrui Wang, PhD, will present Research Opportunities during Cardiology Grand Rounds Friday, Dec. 13 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in 103 Weiskotten Hall and via WebEx. To join via WebEx:

https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=m575bf3daadc9194d0a384ac08a965604 (Meeting number: 2305 242 4499 Password: Cardiology1). Target Audience: MDs, residents, fellows, APPs, RNs, and research staff. For more information, email Lisa Carroll at [email protected].

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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 [email protected].

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Parade of Lights is Dec. 18

The Parade of Lights for pediatric patients will be held Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. The Upstate community is welcome to stand outside and help celebrate as Upstate’s University Police Department and local first responders gather for a parade of lights up E. Adams Street, past Upstate University Hospital, and ending in the traffic circle at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. First responders will then serve a meal to pediatric patients and their families. The parade will form in one lane of E. Adams Street, allowing the street to remain open. University Police will be on-site for the event.

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Cheers for Peers event is Dec. 19 and 20

Upstate’s Employee Assistance Program and Pathway to Wellness will host Cheers for Peers Dec. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the cafeteria at Community and Dec. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the second-floor stadium of Nappi Wellness Institute. The event centers around gratitude and celebrating our colleagues. The Upstate community is welcome.

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December shirt sales at Upstate

• The Upstate Student Government College of Medicine Class of 2028 is hosting an apparel sale. Orders are due Dec. 4. Proceeds benefit the class fund and are held in an account at the Upstate Foundation. To place an order, visit:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeYzXHk6ab8DoCgJRaD-ZYD0Vi68oKU_tPNsdTlKl8AD7sVQ/viewform. Payments can be made in person now through Dec. 6. Questions? Email Opeyemi Lekan-Michael at [email protected].
• The Pediatric Transport Team will hold a shirt sale Thursday, Dec. 5 from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside Café 750 on the second floor of Upstate University Hospital. Questions? Email Jessica Falgiatano at [email protected].
• Upstate’s Emergency Department will hold a shirt sale Dec. 13 from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the cafeteria at Community. All proceeds benefit the ED clothing closet and staff recognition. Questions? Email Tracy Dence at [email protected].
• Connect Care is hosting an online shirt sale now through Dec. 19 to benefit the patient assistance fund held at the Upstate Foundation. Short-sleeved shirts are $20-23 each and long-sleeved shirts are $25-28. To order, visit: https://upstateconnectcare.myshopify.com. Questions? Email Shanon Marcotte at [email protected]. Distribution of shirts will take place after the holidays.

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Give to Advocates for Upstate through the Community Giving Campaign

Please consider a gift to the Advocates for Upstate through the Community Giving Campaign. To donate, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/communitygiving/ and use Fund 613-ADV. Your gift will help the Advocates provide funding to Upstate programs and services where outside funding is not available, is limited, or is needed to help keep services afloat. Donate to the Advocates through the Community Giving Campaign between now and Dec. 31 to be entered in a contest for a weekend getaway basket. A winner will be chosen Friday, Jan. 3. The winner will be notified by email or telephone no later than Jan. 14 and must be able to pick up the basket.

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Brain stimulation study seeks concussion patients

Upstate seeks volunteers for a research study using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, as a novel treatment for chronic headaches and other post-concussion symptoms in people with mild traumatic brain injury. rTMS will be administered at the Institute for Human Performance. To participate or inquire for more information, email Yi-Ling Kuo, PT, PhD, at [email protected].

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Global Health seeks study participants

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.

For more information on the following studies led by Upstate’s Global Health Institute, call 315-464-9869 or email [email protected].

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Yoga for All in December

The Yoga for All schedule for the month of December is as follows:

• Dec. 5 from noon to 12:45 p.m., 4507 Setnor
• Dec. 6 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., 2151/2153 Nappi Wellness Institute
• Dec. 12 from noon to 12:45 p.m., 4507 Setnor
• Dec. 19 from noon to 12:12:45 p.m., 4507 Setnor
• Dec. 20 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., 2151/2153 Nappi Wellness Institute
• Dec. 27 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., 2151/2153 Nappi Wellness Institute

For more information and for the virtual link, please email [email protected]. All upcoming sessions are listed on the Upstate Wellness calendar, here: https://calendar.upstate.edu/events/category/wellness/. 

Yoga for All is facilitated by Upstate clinicians trained in Trauma Adapted Yoga, a form of yoga based on trauma research, evidence-based yoga therapy and body-based methods with gentle exercises for self-management of common symptoms and reactions. No experience is necessary, and all are welcome. 

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Well NYS Everyday for December

Well NYS Everyday for December is to be kind with a random act of gratitude. The corresponding webinar, Share a Random Act of Gratitude, will be held Dec. 11 at noon. To register for the webinar, visit: https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/r42dbaa1306294449e19d43ec2f00cdc5. For more information and to sign up to receive the Well NYS Daily To-Do Challenge by email every day, visit: https://oer.ny.gov/wellnys-everyday. For more information, email Christine Cole at [email protected].

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Nominations for Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service due Feb. 1

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 [email protected]. For additional information and nomination form visit: https://solutions.upstate.edu/TDClient/650/HRPortal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=10937.