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Upstate Announcements for December 18, 2024

Holiday reception hosted by President Mantosh Dewan is this Thursday

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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UPD Active Shooter Training is Dec. 18

2025 dates announced

University Police will host an Active Shooter Training session today, Dec. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room 5143/5147 Nappi Wellness Institute and via Microsoft Teams. To join remotely, click: Join the meeting now and use Meeting ID: 256 382 405 141 and Passcode: 7uZ6jC78.

Additional active shooter training sessions will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room 2141 at Nappi Wellness Institute on the following dates:

  • Jan. 15 and 29
  • Feb. 5 and 12
  • March 5 and 19
  • April 2, 9, and 30
  • May 14 and 28
  • June 11 and 25

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Parade of Lights is Dec. 18

The Parade of Lights for pediatric patients will be held today, 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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Caroling on patient care units is Dec. 18 and 24

Spiritual Care will sing holiday songs on patient units today, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. beginning in 3301 at Community and Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. beginning in 1224 Upstate University Hospital. All are welcome to join in caroling with Spiritual Care. Questions? Email Rev. Terry Culbertson at [email protected].

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Pet a Pooch is Dec. 19

Pet a Pooch will be held Dec. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Community Room at Community. Sessions are for Upstate Staff only, not patients. For more information, email Christine Cole at [email protected].

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Cheers for Peers 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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Yoga for All is Dec. 19, 20, 27

The Yoga for All schedule for the month of December is listed below. For more information on yoga and to be sent the virtual link, email [email protected].

  • 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

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Spiritual Care offering religious services Dec. 24 and 25

Patients, families, and Upstate staff are welcome to attend Roman Catholic services Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. and Dec. 25 at noon in the Interfaith Chapel on the first floor of Upstate University Hospital.

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Upstate ID for Christmas holiday meal Dec. 25

Meal tickets no longer required 

Upstate celebrates the Christmas 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 and vegetarian option. Staff working Christmas, Dec. 25, will use their Upstate ID at checkout to receive one meal per person, and all Upstate 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. — Christmas breakfast 
  • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Christmas lunch
  • 4 to 8 p.m. — Christmas dinner

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NYSHIP Health Insurance Option Transfer Period open now through Dec. 31

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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Tranquility Tuesday is Dec. 31

Tranquility Tuesday will not be held on Christmas Eve—Tuesday, Dec. 24. Tranquility Tuesday will be held on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 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  (Meeting ID: 2305 438 7566, 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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Survey to assess opinions on masking in patient care areas closes Dec. 31

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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Holiday closures and adjusted hours announced

  • Duplicating and Printing, and Record Storage, will close at noon Dec. 24 and 31. Duplicating will also be closed Dec. 26. Questions? Email Garrett Stetson at [email protected].
  • Employee/Student Health will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Hours on Dec. 24 and 31 are: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Upstate University Hospital and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Community. On Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 hours are normal: 7 to 4:30 p.m. at UUH and 7 to 3:30 p.m. at Community. Questions? Email [email protected].
  • Travel Office will be closed Dec. 24 and 25. Hours will be limited Dec. 26 and 27. To make an appointment, email [email protected].
  • Property Management Surplus Warehouse (1098 Erie Blvd.) will be closed Dec. 27. Questions? Email Sean Barkley at [email protected].
  • Human Resources will close at 2 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31, and will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
  • Payroll will close Dec. 24 and 31 at 2 p.m. and will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

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Shirt sales open online for various departments

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Patient Advocacy seeks nominations for Patient Family Advisory Council

The Office of Patient Advocacy seeks adult patient or family member nominations for the Patient Family Advisory Council. Adult patients treated as inpatient or outpatient at Upstate University Hospital and Community are eligible. Employees should submit the name and email of individuals who might be good candidates and why to Cassandra Cleary at [email protected]. Patient Advocacy will contact the patient or family member to apply.

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Team Upstate seeks Heart Walk team captains

Team Upstate seeks motivated individuals to serve as team captains for the American Heart Association Heart Walk, to be held Sunday, March 30 at OCC, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Team captains coordinate their department’s participation in the event. Team Upstate has been one of the top Heart Walk teams for the past 27 years due in large part to the efforts of its team captains. To become a team captain, complete this survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8031702/Heart-Walk-2025. Questions? Please contact: Becca Pesci at [email protected]

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Research survey now open

To better understand the needs and requirements of our investigators for research project support, the Pathology Research Core (SUNY SPORE) has created a brief survey to gather valuable feedback from faculty, staff, lab personnel, students, and anyone involved in research. We are interested in hearing from those who have previously used our services and from those who would be interested in benefiting from them in the future.

The survey takes just two minutes to complete. Your input will help us improve our current services and explore opportunities to expand our services and support. To take the survey, visit: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Zgr1XCZe3UGJ-IPPc__umDc0_1ip_V9CplseD8UwIa5UQ1Q3QjFKVUpKSEwyR0lFVkxKTVk3WkYyQS4u&route=shorturl. Upstate login is required. Questions? Email Amy Green at [email protected].

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Travel cards available for pickup Jan. 8

JP Morgan state travel cards will be available for pick up Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside Café 750 on the second floor of Upstate University Hospital. Questions? Email [email protected].

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Blood drives are Jan. 9 and 10

A blood drive will be held Jan. 9 from noon to 5 p.m. in the conference rooms on the first floor of Upstate Cancer Center and on Jan. 10 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Performance Center on the 11th floor of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit: www.upstate.edu/blood.

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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.

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Friend in Deed applications due Feb. 7

The Upstate Foundation is accepting applications from Upstate employees for Friend in Deed funding for projects that enhance the patient experience at Upstate University Hospital and Upstate Community Hospital. Friend in Deed is the annual fund for the hospitals and is largely supported through donations from grateful patients and their families, as well as members of the Upstate family and the community. Guidelines and applications are available here: https://forms.office.com/r/x9UJeQCS74. All details can be entered in electronic format. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, Feb. 7 at noon. Questions? Email Pamela Wells at [email protected].

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SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund applications due in March

Applications for the SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund are due in March. Upstate will select two projects to submit to SUNY. Those interested in applying should contact Christopher Neville at [email protected]. For more information on TAF, visit: https://www.suny.edu/impact/research/taf/.

The SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund (TAF) provides funding to support the advancement of SUNY innovations from the lab to the marketplace. Since its launch in 2011, TAF has successfully advanced the commercial readiness of a number of SUNY-developed innovations. In most cases, SUNY innovations developed through sponsored research lack critical proof-of-concept data that is needed to attract investment by potential licensees or investors. TAF support targets the critical milestones needed to demonstrate that an innovation is worthy of external investment. TAF’s strategic objective is to facilitate the commercialization of SUNY-developed innovations for the public benefit in an expeditious and effective manner. The aim is to identify opportunities where small investments will make a significant impact on making SUNY innovations available to the public.

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The Informed Patient

The Informed Patient podcast recently featured an interview with Satish Krishnamurthy, MD, professor of neurosurgery, who explains the blood-brain barrier and its role in how anti-cancer medications reach the brain, a long-term research topic for him. For more information on this interview, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/informed/2024/120424-krishnamurthy-podcast.php.

The Informed Patient podcast and HealthLink on Air radio show are produced by Upstate Marketing and University Communications. The Informed Patient interviews are available through various podcast platforms, including YouTube: 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 [email protected].

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