Alertus test will take place in July

An Upstate-wide test of the new Alertus notification technology will take place Wednesday, July 5 at 1 p.m. For more information about this test, email CmdCtr@Upstate.edu.

Alertus is Upstate’s new emergency mass-notification system. Alertus allows for a notification window on most Upstate computer screens to provide potentially life-saving information quickly. Alertus notifications will only be used for events that could cause a high degree of potential harm to our staff, students, and patients. An example of this would be an active shooter event or a missing pediatric patient, which is designated as an Upstate “Code Amber.” Users will read the message and acknowledge receipt by clicking the button at the bottom of the screen. Once acknowledged, computers will return to previous work without interruption. Thin clients in the hospital and clinics will not be able to use this software, and screens used for patient monitoring should not be impacted. Many remote laptops signed in to the Upstate network may also receive the message and other buildings not physically attached to the main hospital. 

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Pathway to Wellness events for June and July

To join all Pathway to Wellness events, use the following link (unless otherwise noted in an entry): https://upstate.webex.com/meet/brisks.

• Volunteers sought for watering and weeding the Upstate community garden. The garden crops help support Upstate’s student pantry. For more information and to volunteer, email Anna Maria Hinman at HinmanA@Upstate.edu. 
• Upstate is a tobacco- and vape-free campus. Most of the facilities surrounding Upstate are also smoke- and tobacco-free. Upstate offers nicotine replacement therapy to all visitors and a six-week supply to anyone with an Upstate ID, as well as support to quit. For information, email Jackson Tarr at tarrj@upstate.edu. 
• Paying off Debt is June 29 at noon for 20 minutes. A speaker from www.RethinkingDebt.org will cover managing debt, which is a crucial skill for anyone looking to achieve financial stability. 
• Orientation to wellness at Upstate is July 7 at 12:20 p.m. Information on SUNY Perks, Perks Online Academy, Well NYS Everyday, self-care ideas, the CAB gym, the Well-Being Index, and more will be shared. 
• Walk with Dr. Bagatell July 10 at noon. Meet near the Upstate University Hospital main doors (indoors if bad weather). 
• Benefits of laughter, humor and smiling is July 10 at 10 a.m. for 10 minutes. 
• Clear the air with Pathway to Wellness July 11 at 11 a.m. Help to beautify the Upstate campus and tell everyone about nicotine replacement comfort kits. Meet in the lobby of Upstate Cancer Center. For more information, email Jackson Tarr at TarrJ@Upstate.edu. 
• Well NYS Everyday webinar is July 12 from noon to 12:30 p.m. Valerie Ryan, a Well NYS Everyday ambassador, will discuss hiking in New York and exploring the great outdoors. To register, visit: https://oer.ny.gov/wellnys-everyday-webinars. 
• First-time home buyer seminar is July 12 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) will explain low down payment mortgages for first-time homebuyers and down payment assistance up to $15,000. 
• Chair yoga is July 13 at noon. Join for a gentle routine that can be performed while seated comfortably. 
• Walk with Dr. Kohman July 24 at noon. Meet by the main entrance of Upstate University Hospital, indoors if bad weather. 
• Walk with Beth Sellers July 24 at noon at Community. Meet at the main entrance by the gift shop at Community. Rain or shine. 
• Recognizing signs and symptoms of addiction in yourself and others is July 25 at noon for 20 minutes. Janet Price-Kurta, Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses (SPAN), will discuss what addition is, how to recognize addiction, and where to seek help. Open to everyone with an Upstate ID. 

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Easy for You is July 11

Easy for You, Upstate's tobacco treatment program, will be held Tuesday, July 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in C3068 Upstate Cancer Center. Everyone with an Upstate ID are welcome to receive help quitting tobacco, chew, and vape. Free nicotine replacement therapy is available. For more information contact Theresa Hankin, or Carolyn Walczyk at 315-464-3519 or walczykc@upstate.edu. 

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Advanced Practice Grand Rounds is July 11

Loretta Harris & Alyssa Kopper will present Institutional Compliance, Privacy and Ethics July 11  from noon to 1 p.m. To join, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=m70f0eb57b0a934de3b39ef1913cae10b. For more information, email Jessica Dow at DowJ@Upstate.edu. CME credit will be available for participants.

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Retirement reception for Pam Youngs-Maher is July 12

A retirement reception for Pam Youngs-Maher, Educational Communications, will be held Wednesday, July 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the atrium of Setnor. Pam has served as the director of eLearning for Upstate since 2009. The Upstate community is welcome.

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HealthLink on stress management is July 12

Stress Management: Healthy Well-Being for Parents will be held July 12 at 5:30 p.m. at HealthLink/Oasis, 6333 Carrier Parkway, E. Syracuse. The seminar will also be available online via Zoom (link below). Annemarie Cristino, LCSW, CEAP, Upstate’s Employee Assistance Program coordinator, will present on understanding stress, how stress impacts our lives, and tips to manage stress. For those attending in-person, a monthly support group for parents will follow. To register for the in-person and online session, visit: https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApcOmuqzsiHdKUzERYGAtgywFNyPI0w-fh

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Blood drives are July 13, 14 and 24

Blood drives will be held July 13 from noon to 5 p.m. in the atrium of Setnor Hall, July 14 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Performance Center at Upstate Golisano, and July 24 from noon to 5 p.m. in the cafeteria at Community. To schedule an appointment, visit www.Upstate.edu/blood. 

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HealthLink seminar with PAWS of CNY on pet therapy is July 18

In collaboration with PAWS of CNY, learn how you and your pet may be able to offer pet-assisted wellness services in Central New York at a HealthLink session July 18 at 2 p.m. at the HealthLink/Oasis Center, 6333 Carrier Parkway, E. Syracuse. Learn the factors that determine if a dog has the potential to be a therapy dog, how a dog and its handler are certified with PAWS, and what to expect after being certified as a team member. Participants will meet one of Upstate’s hospital therapy dogs. No registration required.

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Participants sought for SPROUT pilot project meeting July 24

The SPROUT pilot project seeks women of color who are currently pregnant or have given birth within the past five years to participate in a one-hour discussion on the barriers and facilitators of exercising during pregnancy. The focus group will meet July 24 at 6 p.m. in room 120 at the Campus Activities Building. Location will be forthcoming. Participants will receive $100 in appreciation for their time. For more information or to sign up, contact Danielle Hoose at hoosed@upstate.edu or 315-481-6013. 

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Rheumatology researcher seeks research volunteers

Upstate Rheumatology researcher Christian Geier, MD, seeks healthy volunteers interested in donating a small amount of blood for research work. Donors will be compensated $30 for time. For more information and to volunteer, email GeierC@Upstate.edu. 

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The Informed Patient podcast 

The Informed Patient podcast recently featured interviews with these Upstate experts on artificial intelligence, a new epilepsy treatment and stool transplants.

• How artificial intelligence could be used in medicine and health care is explored by Amr Wardeh, MD, a resident physician in radiology. (Also on YouTube.)
• Using regenerative cell therapy implants as a treatment for uncontrolled seizures is discussed by neurologist Robert Beach, MD, PhD, chief of epilepsy. (Also on YouTube.)
• Introducing stool to the digestive system of a patient with C. diff, a type of diarrheal illness, can work better than antibiotics, explains Aamer Imdad, MBBS, a pediatric gastroenterologist. (Also on Youtube.)

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. 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 upstate.edu/informed.

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