Upstate HR-Benefits offers information on America Saves Week

In recognition of America Saves Week, SUNY investment providers are offering resources to help tackle debt and start saving. Individuals saving for short- or long-term goals can pay down debt to gain a better financial position. For details and workshop registration, visit Upstate’s HR Benefits page (login required). Additional information can be found here https://americasavesweek.org/ and materials are available at 2023 Tool Kit.

America Saves Week provides an opportunity for employees to learn about the savings vehicles available through SUNY employment, the SUNY 403(b), and NYSDCP, as well as the Financial Education & Planning Tools section of the SUNY Benefits web site.

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Expansion of TUG Robot program

TUG Robots will soon carry deliveries from Distribution, Pharmacy and Food and Nutrition to nursing units at Upstate University Hospital and Community. As the TUG Robot program expands to new areas of Upstate’s hospitals, encounters in hallways and near elevators will increase.

To help the TUGs move efficiently and quickly to their destinations, do the following:

• Keep the TUG’s path clear.
• If you see an item in a TUG’s way, move the item.
• If a TUG is moving toward you, step aside and allow it to pass.
• DO NOT get on the elevator with a TUG. They like to ride alone.

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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/.

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Pathway to Wellness events

• Laughter Yoga is March 3 at 10 a.m. for 15 minutes.
• Stretching, Flexibility and the Brain: How Stretching Really Works is March 7 at noon for 20 minutes
• Your Kidneys and Wellbeing is March 10 at 10 a.m. with Michael Lioudis, MD, who will discuss what kidney health has to do with being well.
• Five-Minute Seated Abs is March 13 at 2 p.m.
• Mindful Leader Micro Meditation is March 14 at 10 a.m.

To join PTW events, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/meet/brisks.

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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 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 p.m. Proceeds provide for the unmet needs of pancreatic cancer patients at Upstate Cancer Center. To register, visit: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/U0GV8g?vid=x7r9f. Text PanCan to 41444 to donate.

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Joey’s Wish Bowl-a-thon is March 4

The Joey’s Wish Bowl-a-thon is Saturday, March 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Strike ’N Spare Lanes in Syracuse

Proceeds benefit Joey’s Wish Fund, held at the Upstate Foundation, to support research related to the causes and treatment of substance use disorder and addiction. To register by Feb. 28, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joeys-wish-bowl-a-thon-tickets-457329935147?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. To make a donation to Joey’s Wish Fund, visit: https://www.upstatefoundation.org/page.aspx?pid=298.

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Specialty Certified Nurses certifications due March 5 for celebration

Submit specialty nursing certifications by March 5 to be included in Upstate Nursing’s catered celebratory lunches during the week of March 20. Certifications submitted after March 5 will not be included. Questions? Email Morgan Gaffney at GaffneyM@Upstate.edu.

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AOA visiting professor lecture is March 8

Jatin Vyas, MD, PhD, FACP, FIDSA, associate professor, division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, will present Finding the Ladders at Bandelier: A Journey in Medicine March 8 from noon to 1 p.m. in 1159 Medical Alumni Auditorium, Weiskotten Hall. The Upstate community is welcome to attend. The event is sponsored by Upstate’s chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. For more information, email Patty Gooden at goodenpa@upstate.edu.

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Exercise for Memory HealthLink seminar is March 14

Carol Sames, PhD, will present Exercise for Memory March 14 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. The live, free HealthLink presentation will include current information on dementia and exercise followed by an engaging discussion. Learn how much exercise is needed to receive its benefit, the cognitive changes from exercise, and other results and outcomes. Examples of exercises will be provided to help achieve recommended guidelines. The seminar is open to the public. To register, visit: https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApcempqTgtG930nF0JsvBoLlRvFtbCgB2o.

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W.I.S.H Women in Science and Healthcare Symposium is March 17

Celebrate Women's History Month with Graduate Women in Science (GWiS) at the inaugural Women in Science and Healthcare (W.I.S.H.) Symposium March 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. in 4414 B/C Academic Building. Hear from women-identifying faculty about their careers and experiences in STEM, including: Anuradha Duleep, MD; Michelle Dolphin, PT, DPT, MS; Caitilin Nye, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CHSE; and Patricia Kane, PhD.

The W.I.S.H. keynote speaker is Cara Pager, PhD, associate professor of biological sciences at University of Albany.

A Q and A session will follow presentations and lunch will be provided. R.S.V.P. at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8XBQWqmeKH2FeR6KkDU_tdablYqhQvPlndXJHe72nZih9Ng/viewform

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Ticket drawing for Upstate Night at Syracuse Crunch March 26

Entries due March 13 by noon

Join the Upstate cheering section Sunday, March 26 at 5 p.m. as the Syracuse Crunch hockey team takes on the Utica Comets at the Upstate Medical Arena.

Pairs of free tickets will be drawn at random for the game. All Upstate employees, volunteers and students are eligible to enter. Each entry is for 2 tickets; one entry per person. To enter, email mascot@upstate.edu by Monday, March 13 at noon. Include cellphone number, as tickets will be distributed via text. Cell numbers are requested for ticket distribution only and will not be kept or stored. Winning entrants who don’t have a cellphone may pick up tickets at the will call window. All winners will be notified via email by March 14.

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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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Upstate Healthcare Camp begins April 3

Upstate Healthcare Camp for students in grades 8 and 9 will be held April 3rd at Upstate 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 selective and includes an application, essay, and a recommendation from the student’s guidance counselor. Space is limited and only open to 8^th and 9^th graders who are over the age of 13 by April 1, 2023. The deadline to apply is March 17. All campers will need to submit medical documentation for a health clearance. It is mandatory for all campers to be fully vaccinated against Covid (first and second doses) 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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Child Life 101 Workshop is April 6

Upstate’s Child Life Program will host the Child Life 101 Workshop April 6. The virtual workshop is free and open to high school juniors and seniors, and college students interested in learning about the role of a child life specialist in a hospital setting. Registration is due by March 31. For more information, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/gch/patients-families/child-life/student-opps.php.

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TEDx SUNY Upstate event is April 6

TEDx SUNY Upstate will present Unspoken Voices April 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the CNY Biotech Accelerator Theater. Listen to speakers bring out the full chorus of harmony and dissonance in our discourse that we need in order to celebrate our differences through our perspective and identities rather than letting it pull us apart. To register, visit: https://www.tedxsunyupstate.org.

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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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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/index.php.

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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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 each Tuesday

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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The Informed Patient podcast

The Informed Patient podcast recently featured interviews on the most common skin cancer, elders without caregivers, and the importance of books as a part of young people’s lives.

• Dermatology chief Ramsay Farah, MD, explains the common skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma and how it’s treated.
• Geriatrics chief Sharon Brangman, MD, describes what “elder orphans,” or seniors without children to care for them, need to do as they plan for a time when they will require help with everyday tasks.
• Pediatrician Jaclyn Sisskind, MD, talks about the importance of children and teens reading books and how she prescribes books to her young patients.

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, email Amber Smith at SmithAmb@Upstate.edu.