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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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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Advanced Practice Grand Rounds is Jan. 7

Vincent Calleo, MD, FACEP, FAAP, will present Emerging Drug Trends Jan. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. via WebEx. To join, visit:  https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=m1645f7b2525de69ea5e8747a57636e17. Questions? Email Tiffany Senke at [email protected]. CME credit will be available for participants.

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HealthLink on prostate cancer treatment decisions is Jan. 8

Gustavo de la Roza, MD, vice-chair of Pathology and director of Anatomic Pathology, will present Ask Your Pathologist: Treatment Decisions in Prostate Cancer Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. at HealthLink (6333 NY-298, E. Syracuse) and via Zoom. HCancer grading and staging, Gleason scores, grouping, and active surveillance from a pathologic perspective will be discussed. To register for in-person or online, visit: https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpceygqz0uEtV7TEsuRfkAc-exffC7LTPn. Questions? Email Amy Allen at [email protected].

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HealthLink parenting seminar is Jan. 8

Julienne Capria, PsyD, will present Therapy Activities for Children and Rebuilding Healthy Relationships Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. To register, visit: https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApcOmuqzsiHdKUzERYGAtgywFNyPI0w-fh. Questions? Email Amy Allen at [email protected].

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Blood drives are Jan. 9, 10 and 15

Blood drives will be held Jan. 9, 10 and 15. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit: www.upstate.edu/blood. The schedule is as follows:

• Jan. 9 from noon to 5 p.m. in the conference rooms on the first floor of Upstate Cancer Center
• Jan. 10 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Performance Center at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital
• Jan. 15 from noon to 5 p.m. in the cafeteria at Community

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Walk with a Doc is Jan. 11

Walk with a Doc will be held Saturday, Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. on the indoor track at the Baldwinsville YMCA (8040 River Rd.). Gregory Conners, MD, MPH, MBA, professor and chair of Pediatrics and executive director of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, will lead the walk after a brief update on the children’s hospital. Participants walk at their own pace and choose their distance. The event is free and open to the public. Doctors interested in leading a walk and all other questions, email [email protected]. To register, visit: https://walkwithadoc.org/join-a-walk/locations/syracuse-new-york/.

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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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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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Apparel and flower sale information:

• Transitional Care has added designs to their online apparel store. Proceeds allow the department to keep a stock of clothing items available to patients in need. To view and purchase, visit: https://www.bonfire.com/store/transitional-care-clothing-fund/.
• The Nursing Excellence Council is selling sweatshirts here: https://www.storessimple.com/pagedesigns/groupproducts.php?prodgroup_id=33851&prodgroupbypass=true. The sale ends Jan. 15. Questions? Email Jennifer Flynn at [email protected].
• Flowers are available to purchase for Valentine’s Day. Show your appreciation to a coworker, friend, or someone special. Preorder flowers from Jan. 2 to 16 and pickup Feb. 13 or 14. Cards will be available to address at pickup locations. To order, visit: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/f/42t1/n?vid=1gwxbt. All proceeds support the Nursing Recognition Fund held at the Upstate Foundation. Questions? Email Jennifer Flynn at [email protected].
• Long-sleeve "get pumped" shirts in pink and black, short-sleeve "mental health matters" shirts, and short-sleeve orange Syracuse shirts are available in limited sizes. Sales will be held Jan. 29 from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. outside Café 750 at Upstate University Hospital and Jan. 30 from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. near the employee entrance at Community. Email [email protected] for more information. Proceeds support the efforts of Upstate’s Nursing Excellence Council.

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Pathway to Wellness announcements

• Tranquility Tuesday is Dec. 31: Tranquility Tuesday will be held Tuesday, Dec. 31 (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 and 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].
• Pet a Pooch sessions are Jan. 6 and 8: Upstate staff are welcome to Pet a Pooch sessions Jan. 6 from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. and Jan. 8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Community.
• Wellness Speaks is Jan. 9: Holly Vanderhoff, PhD, associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, will discuss toxic positivity Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. via WebEx. Vanderhoff will offer expertise on recognizing thought patters that are unhealthy and strategies for positive thinking that don’t reject difficult emotions. To register, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/weblink/register/r9e32ee199abd2f0c9f48b3b087d9d0eb. Questions? Email [email protected]

• Well NYS Everyday for January: The Well NYS Everyday theme for January is to reset. For more information on the weekly challenge and to sign-up to receive the daily to-do emails, visit: https://oer.ny.gov/wellnys-everyday. For more information, email Christine Cole at [email protected].

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Holiday closures and adjusted hours announced

• Duplicating and Printing, and Record Storage, will close at noon Dec. 31. Questions? Email Garrett Stetson at [email protected].
• Employee/Student Health will be closed Jan. 1. Hours Dec. 31 are: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Upstate University Hospital and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Community. On 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].
• Human Resources will close at 2 p.m. Dec. 31, and will be closed Jan. 1.
• Payroll will close Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. and will be closed 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 New Year’s Day.

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Joey’s Wish third annual bowl-a-thon is Feb. 15

Joey’s Wish Inc. will host its third annual bowl-a-thon Feb. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Flamingo Bowl (7239 CR-57, Liverpool). Tickets are $20 and include two hours of bowling, shoe rental, pizza, soda. A portion of proceeds benefits Joey’s Wish, held at the Upstate Foundation, and 100 percent of money raised will be used to support research to aid in the fight against the addiction crisis. Purchase tickets by Feb. 10 here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joeys-wish-incs-3rd-annual-bowl-a-thon-tickets-1078715881239. Individuals and teams of five are welcome. Questions? Email Ann Morrell at [email protected].

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Team Upstate seeks St. Baldrick's Day participants

Team Upstate seeks participants willing to shave their heads to help raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation to fund pediatric oncology research. The event will be held March 23 at the Spinning Wheel (7384 Thompson Rd, North Syracuse). This is a family event and all are welcome, including: Upstate staff, students, children, spouses, friends, and family members. To join the team and/or donate, visit: https://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/TeamUpstate. Participants who join the team before March 7 will receive a Team Upstate shirt. Instructions on when to meet will be emailed to registered participants a week before the event. For more information, email Abigail Venskus at [email protected].