Ash distribution for Ash Wednesday is set

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, chaplains of the Department of Spiritual Care at both campuses will distribute ashes at the following times and locations: 

Downtown Campus:

• 7:45 a.m.: Distribution of Ashes at 5E OR, room E5416 - Sister Mary Anuli, Deputy Chaplain
• 8:45 a.m: Distribution of Ashes at UHCC, 5th floor Conference Room - Rev. Terry Culbertson, Chaplain Supervisor
• 10 a.m.: Distribution of Ashes at 550 Harrison Street, Suite D Conference Room, Breast, Endocrine & Plastic Surgery Ctr - Rev. Terry Culbertson, Chaplain Supervisor
• 10:30-11 a.m.: Distribution of Ashes at Treehouse Chapel on the 12th floor of the Children’s Hospital - Rev. Fr. Eric Malcom, Palliative Chaplain
• 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Distribution of Ashes at 1st Floor Cancer Center Meditation Room - Bob Crandall, Assistant Chaplain
• Noon to 1 p.m.: Distribution of Ashes in the Interfaith Chapel by Upstate Chaplains, stop by anytime during this time 
• 4 p.m.: Roman Catholic Mass in the Interfaith Chapel and Distribution of Ashes, Fr. Gerry McKeon, SJ, On Call Priest Chaplain, Celebrant 

Please call the Department of Spiritual Care at 4-4687 to request ashes for patients. Spiritual Care will make every attempt to fulfill these requests throughout the day

Community Campus:

• 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Distribution of Ashes in the Spiritual Care Office.  (If at all possible please come to the Spiritual Care Office, Room 3101) Chaplains will distribute Ashes on Hospital Floors

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Students organize Syria and Turkey Earthquake Relief Fund

Several Upstate student organizations have formed a coalition to raise money and provide medical relief for the Syria and Turkey Earthquake Relief Fund. The coalition will match donations up to a total of $500. All proceeds will go directly to aiding communities on the frontline through the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS). Donations to the Syria and Turkey Earthquake Relief Fund will help SAMS address this immediate need by providing trauma supplies and developing a comprehensive emergency response to save lives and treat the injured. The fund is held at the Upstate Foundation. To donate, visit https://www.upstatefoundation.org/EarthquakeRelief. Questions? Email Katie Farkouh at FarkouhK@Upstate.edu.

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Pet a Pooch seeks session supervisors

Upstate’s Wellness Program has scheduled Pet a Pooch animal support sessions each month to help staff de-stress. Session supervisors are sought to escort the dog volunteers and their humans to designated locations and stay with them during the sessions. Pet a Pooch sessions are held at Upstate University Hospital and at Community Hospital. For more information or to volunteer, email Deb Emerson at EmersonD@Upstate.edu. To find out more about Pet a Pooch, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/wellness/. Upcoming sessions in need of supervisors are as follows: 

—March 1 from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. at Community Room, Community

—March 29 from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Upstate Cancer Center

—April 5 from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. at Community Room, Community

—April 5 from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. in 5523 Upstate University Hospital

—April 20 from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. in 3241 Community Hospital

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Pathway to Wellness events

—10 minutes of Humor is Feb. 27 at 10 a.m.

Join at: https://upstate.webex.com/meet/brisks. 

—Build Your Plate Around Healthy Choices. Wednesday, March 1, 2023; Noon to 12:20 p.m. March is National Nutrition Month, and the Monthly Daily To-Do is to “Build your plate with healthy choices.” Discover some simple ways to make every “plate” in your day a healthy one, no matter your work environment. Alison Durand, RDN, CDN, LDN, will provide a wellness challenge to engage in for March or attendees may choose their own challenge. All participants who attend the webinar live will be invited to a follow-up webinar on Friday, March 31.  To register go to:  https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/rc9e20cee167bd7176f58abcf18d5ec1e

—5-minute Seated Abs is Thursday, March 9, 2 p.m.

Join at: https://upstate.webex.com/meet/brisks

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Event supports Burn Camp for Upstate’s pediatric burn survivors, Clark Burn Center staff Feb. 24

The Burn Foundation of CNY Night at the Syracuse Crunch game versus the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Upstate Medical University Arena. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds benefit the Burn Foundation of CNY in support of Burn Camp, an annual burn camp weekend for burn survivors and their families, and continuing education opportunities for Upstate’s Clark Burn Center staff. 

To purchase tickets, pre-order is required by contacting Emily Kissinger at 315-473-4444 ext 126 or ekissinger@syracusecrunch.com by Wednesday, Feb. 22 or order online at www.syracusecrunch.com/burnfoundation using promotional code: BURNFOUNDATION. Questions about Burn Camp or this event? Email Shannon Mullen at MullenS@Upstate.edu or Paul Knierman at KniermaP@Upstate.edu.

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Black History Month Gala is Feb. 25; tickets must be purchased by Feb. 22

The Renaissance Gala ‘Celebrating Black Excellence’ will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Sky Armory. Student tickets are $35 each; all others are $50 each. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 22 at the CAB Information Center or by calling 315-464-8860. To purchase a table or make a donation to the SNMA in support of the gala, call 315-464-8860. For more information, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/diversityinclusion/celebrating-cultural-heritage/2023/renaissance-gala.php.

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Drag Gala to benefit Upstate Golisano is Feb. 25

The second annual Drag Gala to benefit Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Springside Inn, 6141 W. Lake Road, Auburn, N.Y. For more information, visit: 2nd Annual Benefiting Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital Gala | Facebook or email Danielle LaTour Bright at LaTourDa@Upstate.edu.

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National Nutrition Month: Fuel for the Future 

March 2023 is National Nutrition Month. This is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored by the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics. This year we highlight healthy foods that are not just good for your health but also good for the health of our planet.  Please join use at the Downtown Café from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 8, 15, 22 and 29 and at the Community Café from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 15, 22 and 29 to meet with our dietitians, get your nutrition questions answered, sample some “plant forward” and “meat alternative” foods that are for sale in the Café. March 8 is Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist Day celebrating the expertise, hard work and dedication our Dietitians provide to our patients, communities, and countries around the world.

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Beyond the Doctorate Research Day set for March 1

The College of Graduate Studies' Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the Office of Graduate Medical Education invite the Upstate community to celebrate the research accomplishments of Upstate's postdocs, residents and fellows by participating virtually in the Beyond the Doctorate Research Day.

Beyond the Doctorate Research Day will be held March 1, 2023. Postdoc, resident and fellow talks will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the keynote address at 3 p.m. A poster session will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

To learn more visit: https://www.upstate.edu/postdoc/postdoc_life/beyond-doctorate-research-day/

Any questions contact Shaunna Arnold at arnoldsh@upstate.edu.

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Colorectal Cancer Awareness event is March 1

Katie Krawczyk, MA, RDN, CNSC, will host a Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month information table March 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the atrium of Upstate Cancer Center. Stop by for a healthy food sample and information about colorectal cancer screening and risk reduction. Questions? Email Christine Benton at BentonCh@Upstate.edu.

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Group photo for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is March 3

Sport your blue and join us for a group photo for National Dress in Blue Day to recognize Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The photo will be taken Friday, March 3 at 9:20 a.m. in the atrium of Upstate Cancer Center. Dress in Blue Day raises awareness about colorectal cancer and honors those who are impacted by it. Questions? Email Christine Benton at BentonCh@Upstate.edu.

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Bowling for Al Todeschini Pancreatic Cancer Fund is Saturday, March 4

The Bowling for Al Todeschini Pancreatic Cancer Fund event is Saturday, March 4 at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool from 12:30 to 5 pm. The event, in coordination with the Upstate Foundation, is organized by Upstate employee Janice Todeschini. Proceeds will provide for the unmet needs of pancreatic cancer patients at Upstate Cancer Center. Register Here. Text PanCan to 41444 to donate.

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Joey’s Wish Bowl-a-thon is Saturday, March 4

The Joey’s Wish Bowl-a-thon is Saturday, March 4, at Strike ’N Spare Lanes in Syracuse from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is organized by Upstate employee Ann Morrell and proceeds benefit the Joey’s Wish Fund at the Upstate Foundation to support research related to the causes and treatment of substance use disorder and addiction. Register here before 2/28.  Can’t attend, but want to support Joey’s Wish?  Make a gif in support.

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Submit your Hospital Week Photo by March 8

In preparation for our National Hospital Week Celebration, May 8 to 12, Upstate is  collecting individual staff photos for an online gallery and printed materials. Selfies are acceptable, mask or no mask and to show your Upstate pride. Email photo to hw@upstate.edu by March 8.  For more information, email Megan Chase at chasem@upstate.edu.

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Dearing Writing Award Competition Ends March 13

The Center for Bioethics and Humanities annual writing award competition ends Monday, March 13. The competition is open to all matriculated students, residents, employees, and faculty at Upstate. Fiction, poetry, and memoir on any subject are welcome. Submit two copies: one copy should have the writer’s name, address, telephone number, and category on it; students should indicate their college and class year. The second copy should include only the title and category with the work. Please note: one entry per writer, maximum of 2,500 words double-spaced for essays and fiction, and no more than 5 poems. Send submissions to Andrea Chiaravalloti, Center for Bioethics and Humanities, via email at chiaraan@upstate.edu. Winners will be announced and awards presented April 5.  Winners will receive a monetary award. All submissions receive consideration for CBH’s annual journal, The Healing Muse. www.thehealingmuse.org.

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New York State Flex Spending deadline for claims is March 31

State employees who contributed to a Flex Spending Account in 2022 must submit all unpaid claims by March 31 for all qualifying expenses incurred from Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2022. Remaining funds up to the IRS limit from the previous year will carry over into the current year’s plan account balance with the new administrator after the runout period end date. The current IRS carryover limit is $570 for 2022. To download claim forms or other documents, visit: https://oer.ny.gov/program-materials.

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Wellness resource hotline launched

A wellness resource hotline has been established for Upstate employees, staff and students. The wellness hotline is available 24/7 and is designed to help improve the wellness of the Upstate community by providing callers with resources to support medical, physical, emotional, professional, safety, and spiritual wellbeing. The hotline is confidential and is staffed by Upstate Triage Center nurses under the medical direction of Deborah Mann, MD, assistant professor of Emergency Medicine. Everyone with a valid Upstate ID is welcome to take advantage of this resource. No identifying information is collected and calls are completely confidential. To reach the hotline, call 315-464-5273 or 315-464-KARE

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Mindful Meditation is Tuesdays

Mindful Meditation will be held every Tuesday from 11 to 11:15 a.m. via WebEx. Annemarie Cristino, LCSW, CEAP, coordinator of Upstate’s Employee Assistance Program, will offer 15 minutes of mindful meditation instruction and information. Mindfulness centers on fostering connections between the brain, mind, body, and behavior. To join the session, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/meet/cristinA

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Team Upstate seeks shavees for St. Baldrick's fundraiser 

Team Upstate seeks shavees to raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation to fund pediatric oncology research. The event will be held March 19 at the Spinning Wheel. 7384 Thompson Rd, North Syracuse, NY. To join the team or donate visit: https://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/TeamUpstate. Individuals who join before Feb. 28 will receive a Team Upstate shirt. Instructions on where to meet will be emailed to registered participants a week prior. For more information email Abigail Venskus at VenskusA@Upstate.edu.

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Nominations sought for the 2023 President's Employee Recognition Awards 

President's Employee Recognition Award nominations are sought through April 1. Information and nomination form available at: https://www.upstate.edu/pdl/intra/services/upstate_stars/president_award/. The six award categories are: Outstanding Contribution of the Year; Community Service of the Year; Team of the Year; Leader of the Year; Employee of the Year;Provider of the Year. For more information, email Megan Chase at chasem@upstate.edu.

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Upstate Healthcare Camp will be held April 3 for students in eighth and ninth grade at Upstate’s Community Hospital

Campers will learn about a variety of healthcare careers by meeting with experienced healthcare professionals and participating in hands-on sessions. The application process is very selective and includes an application, essay, and a recommendation from the student’s guidance counselor. Space is limited and only open to eighth and ninth graders who are over the age of 13, by April 1, 2023. All campers must submit medical documentation for a health clearance. It is mandatory for all campers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (1st and 2nd dose) and the 2022-2023 seasonal flu vaccine to attend camp. For more information please visit https://www.upstate.edu/volunteers/exploration-camp.php

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‘How do we deal with patients who are high utilizers of services? I'll be back again’ is Schwartz Rounds topic March 14  Participants are eligible for one CE hour.

Zoom information for all meetings is as follows:

Time: Mar 14, 2023 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

    Every month on the Second Tue, until May 9, 2023, 3 occurrence(s)

    Mar 14, 2023 12:00 PM

    Apr 11, 2023 12:00 PM

    May 9, 2023 12:00 PM

https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/tJwvcuitrjgoE9JtA2lqO8Sa4aPMF0CYixhF/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCgrD4rH9SWshCBRow-AI_4d-_ziHZBj_p3iD63DzF8OjD3YuNyH5QvM-HZ

Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:

    Please click this URL to start or join. https://upstate.zoom.us/j/98251503296

    Or, go to https://upstate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 982 5150 3296  

Join from dial-in phone line:

    Dial: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 646 931 3860

    Meeting ID: 982 5150 3296

    Participant ID: Shown after joining the meeting

    International numbers available: https://upstate.zoom.us/u/adFoJl6slZ

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Upstate Mental Health Initiative REACH will host third workshop April 13

Upstate Mental Health REACH Initiative, funded by the Patrick Lee Foundation of Buffalo aims to increase the capacity of primary and family medicine providers of all profiles (MD, DO, NP, PA) in central New York to systematically screen, identify, treat, and refer patients suffering from mental health disorders. The educational program comprises of the one-day intense workshop followed by optional biweekly electronic education (1hr) using the Project ECHO platform where providers can join and discuss cases from their practice with our faculty. The program is free for all participants and the intensive workshop is awarded 6.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. The number of participants for the intensive workshop is limited and we are encouraging early registration.

Website: https://www.upstate.edu/psych/education/reach.php

Registration: https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrdeuprj4jE93yjRj8blICkxsxRTofWgeU

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SAVE THE DATE: Concussion Symposium to be held in April 

Upstate’s fourth annual Concussion Symposium “Concussion Through the Continuum: Current Concepts in Managing Acute Injury to Complex Recovery” will be held April 17 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Institute for Human Performance. CME credits will be offered. Registration is $50; $10 for students. Registration information will be forthcoming.

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Upstate IMT Announces Office is now Office 365 Updates 

As Upstate IMT works to stay up to date with IT solutions, enhance productivity and make collaboration easier, students, staff and faculty will experience automatic updates for Office applications. This includes common desktop applications such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and more. To learn more about versioning differences, visit https://upstate0.sharepoint.com/sites/LearnM365 and select Getting Started with Office365 or for extensive self-help resources visit Microsoft 365 Training at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/training.

For any additional information contact the Help Desk at 315-464-4115.

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OneDrive for Business to replace personal Novell U drive

IMT continues to transition users from Novell U drive for personal storage to OneDrive for Business, a cloud-based storage system for documents and files. With OneDrive for Business, students, faculty, and staff will have access to files from a computer, mobile device or an internet browser through office.com. IMT will notify recipients via email of the planned transition date for their account. Students, faculty and staff may find current training resources including the transition timeline, accessing OneDrive, and sharing files on the OneDrive FAQ page: https://www.upstate.edu/imt/intra/office365/faqs.php. For more information on the transition, contact the IMT Help Desk at 315-464-4115 or helpdesk@update.edu. This change will not affect any other shares, email, EPIC and/or any other clinical applications.

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IMT Offers Virtual and Recorded OneDrive Training

IMT offers students, faculty and staff virtual training for OneDrive, a cloud-based storage system for documents and files, through March 2022. Interested attendees may register at the following page: https://www.upstate.edu/pdl/intra/register/index.php?topicid=165455 or watch a recording at https://upstate.video.yuja.com/V/Watch?v=8135177&node=34684505&a=1377133658. Course offerings are made available each month so check back often.

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New on the Informed Patient

The Informed Patient recently featured interviews on diverticulitis, kidney transplants and radiation treatment for lung cancer.

• Colorectal surgeon Kristina Go, MD, explains diverticulitis and its treatments.
• Chief of transplant services Reza Saidi, MD, discusses why being overweight or obese should not disqualify someone from kidney transplant surgery.
• Jeffrey Bogart, MD, chief of radiation oncology, compares different treatment frequencies for one type of lung cancer.

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, and 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 at www.upstate.edu/informed.

To suggest an Upstate expert or topic for a possible podcast, please email Amber Smith at smithamb@upstate.edu.