Housecalls for the Homeless seeks donations for winter weather preparedness items

Housecalls for the Homeless seeks donations to purchase winter weather preparedness items for Upstate’s Clark Burn Center, Upstate Emergency Departments, and Housecalls for the Homeless Street Outreach program. To make a donation through the Upstate Foundation, visit: https://www.upstatefoundation.org/housecalls.

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Caroling on patient care units is today, Dec. 24

Spiritual Care will sing holiday songs on patient units today, 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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Spiritual Care offering religious services Dec. 24 and 25

Patients, families, and Upstate staff are welcome to attend Roman Catholic services today, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. and tomorrow, 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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Yoga for All is Dec. 27

The Yoga for All will be held Dec. 27 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., 2151/2153 Nappi Wellness Institute. For more information on yoga and to be sent the virtual link, email [email protected].

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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

• Upstate Online will not publish Dec. 27, but will return Jan. 3. Keep current with Upstate Medical University news on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
• 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.
• Perk Up Coffee Shop located in the lobby of Upstate University Hospital will follow holiday hours from now until Jan. 6. The shop will be open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

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Annual health assessments available online for Employee/Student Health compliance

Staff and students can check to ensure their annual health assessment status is current by logging on to the Employee/Student Health portal, here: https://eshportal.upstate.edu/. Select ‘Medical Clearances’ to view status. All Upstate staff, students, volunteers, and contract employees are required to complete an annual health assessment for Employee/Student Health to comply with New York State health code 405.3 and Upstate Policy A-20. For more information about Employee/Student Health and contact information for both of their locations, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/health/.

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The Informed Patient

The Informed Patient podcast recently featured interviews with Upstate experts about measuring body fat and avoiding toxic positivity.

• Exercise physiologist Carol Sames, PhD, discusses the body roundness index, a new method to calculate body fat, and how you can figure out your own score. The BRI is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the body mass index, or BMI, which could label muscular individuals as fat, among other problems.
• Psychologist Holly Vanderhoff, PhD, explains “toxic positivity,” or how some people can demand cheerfulness and a positive attitude beyond when it’s appropriate. She also talks about ways to deal with this.

For more about The Informed Patient and to suggest a topic, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/informed.