Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center

08/04/2025

On Friday, hundreds of passionate student leaders gathered in Hershey for the Mini-THON Leadership Summit — and kicked it off with an unforgettable moment: the reveal of an incredible $6,413,950.26 raised during the 2024-25 school year to help conquer childhood cancer.

From creative fundraisers to community events, students from more than 225 schools came together with one mission — to support kids and families at Penn State Health Children's Hospital and to fuel lifesaving research at Penn State College of Medicine through Four Diamonds.

Read more about this powerful milestone: https://bit.ly/454WBrG

08/01/2025

Today is PA Donor Day, and we’re honoring the lifesaving impact of organ and tissue donors.

In partnership with Gift of Life Donor Program, we gathered at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to recognize those who gave the ultimate gift. During a special ceremony in the Healing Garden, each donor’s name was read aloud and marked with a painted stone or garden stake — a lasting tribute to the hope they’ve given others.

One donor can save up to eight lives. You can make a difference by registering as an organ donor: https://bit.ly/4lQ8V4M

07/31/2025

Grab your spoons — Miracle Treat Day is here! 🍨

TODAY, when you purchase a Blizzard Treat at participating Dairy Queen locations, $1 or more will be donated to local children’s hospitals, including Penn State Health Children's Hospital through Children's Miracle Network Hershey.

Your support helps fund lifesaving treatments, vital equipment and essential services — giving more kids in our community the chance to grow up strong.

To find participating locations, visit: https://bit.ly/4o7Kb9W

07/30/2025

Nine-year-old Kenny Baranowski, a Children's Miracle Network Hershey child, was born with a life-threatening heart defect and has spent countless days at Penn State Health Children's Hospital undergoing surgeries and treatment.

Thanks to Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley, Kenny and his family — parents Pam and Joe, and sister Lizzy — traveled to London last fall to watch the filming of Fantastic Four and meet the cast and crew.

This past weekend, Kenny and his family gave back in a big way. With help from Flagship Cinemas Palmyra, they hosted a Fantastic Four movie fundraiser — complete with a blue carpet, photo booth, silent auction and Q&A session — raising $10,000 to help other children’s wishes come true.

07/29/2025

U.S. News and World Report has recognized three Penn State Health hospitals for high-quality care in its 2025-26 Best Hospitals rankings.

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center earned national rankings in gastroenterology and GI surgery, orthopedics and ear, nose and throat. It was also rated high performing in cancer, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology and lung surgery, and urology — and named the No. 1 hospital in the Harrisburg metro region and No. 6 in Pennsylvania.

Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center was rated high performing for treatment of hip fractures, pneumonia and heart arrhythmia. Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center earned high performing ratings for treating heart failure and heart attack.

Penn State Health Rehabilitation Hospital — a joint venture between Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Select Medical — was ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the nation for rehabilitation.

These honors reflect the dedication of our teams across the health system to delivering skilled, compassionate care every day.

News & World Report has recognized three Penn State Health hospitals for delivering high-quality medical and surgical care. The magazine named Milton S. Hershey Medical Center…

07/28/2025

On World Conservation Day — observed each year on July 28 — we’re reminded of the vital role we all play in protecting the environment.

Did you know Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is recognized as a Tree Campus Healthcare organization? Each spring, an annual tree planting in the campus reforestation area reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, healing and sustainable environment for our patients, students, faculty, staff and visitors.

07/28/2025

Meet the Endoscopy team at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center, which recently received the hospital’s 2024 Excellence Award for Professional Excellence. The team includes nurses and technicians who are advancing as leaders every day.

The award nomination highlighted how the team has found innovative ways to improve and use evidence-based practices, resulting in an environment where patients feel respected, included and confident they are being treated by a team that works well together.

“This department's dedication to excellence and teamwork ensures the patients receive the highest quality of care, reinforcing Lancaster Medical Center’s reputation as a leader in health care and medical services,” the nomination stated.

07/25/2025

🍦 Miracle Treat Day is coming — and your Blizzard can help local kids!

On Thursday, July 31, $1 or more from every Blizzard Treat sold at participating Dairy Queen locations will be donated to local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals — benefitting Children's Miracle Network Hershey at Penn State Health Children's Hospital.

These donations help fund life-saving treatments, essential services and specialized care — so every child gets the care they deserve.

📅 Mark your calendar for July 31 and treat yourself for a great cause! To find participating locations, visit: https://bit.ly/4o7Kb9W

07/24/2025

Up to one-third of adults in the U.S. are affected by chronic venous insufficiency — a progressive condition that’s often overlooked.

“People may think aching legs or swelling are just part of getting older,” said Dr. Faisal Aziz, chief of vascular surgery at Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine. “But these could be signs of chronic venous insufficiency — a condition we can manage with the right care.”

Penn State Health’s vascular experts offer advanced treatment options to help reduce symptoms, prevent complications and improve everyday life.

🔗 Learn more: https://bit.ly/41cZcNB

07/23/2025

Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center has earned the prestigious ENA (Emergency Nurses Association) 2025 Lantern Award for excellence and innovation in its adult emergency department.

This award recognizes outstanding nursing leadership, evidence-based practice, education, advocacy and research — highlighting Hampden Medical Center’s strong shared governance, nurse staffing plans, enhanced collaboration between departments, and focus on patient experience, including the addition of a Pivot Nurse for initial assessments.

Treating nearly 28,000 patients in 2024, Hampden Medical Center’s emergency team exemplifies patient-centered care, continuous improvement and a culture of respect and trust.

The Lantern Award will be presented at the ENA national conference in September and honors the legacy of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

Read more about this achievement and what it means for our community:

07/23/2025

Stay cool and healthy this summer! 💦

07/22/2025

A racing heart. Shortness of breath. Chest pain. Tingling. Fear.

Panic attacks can strike without warning — and they’re often mistaken for something physical. But they’re real, and they can be managed.

Dr. Ramnarine Boodoo, child psychiatrist at Penn State Health Children's Hospital, explains how to tell the difference between panic attacks and anxiety, what causes them and how to find relief.

Swipe through to learn:
🔹 What a panic attack feels like
🔹 How it differs from anxiety
🔹 What can trigger it
🔹 How to support yourself or someone else

Understanding is the first step — and help is available.

👉 Read more: https://bit.ly/4m0Q4DO

07/21/2025

The newest class of medical students at Penn State College of Medicine kicked off their journey with a week of orientation — capped off with a garden party, wellness activities, a visit to Milton Hershey School and a trip to Hersheypark. 🎢

Here’s to the start of an exciting path in medicine. Welcome to Hershey, Class of 2029!

07/21/2025

Meet Kailey, a registered nurse specializing in labor, delivery, recovery and post-partum care in our Family Birthing Suite who recently received Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center’s 2025 Relationship-Based Car Spirit of Caring Award.

“Kailey is passionate about nursing, and it shows with every patient interaction,” said Krystal McCauley, also a registered nurse in the Family and Birthing Suite who nominated her colleague for the award. “The care she provides to patients is respectful and empathetic, and she always makes time to lend a listening ear. She is such an inspiration to others.”

Kailey, who has worked at Lancaster Medical Center since 2024, says she loves supporting new moms during “such a transformative time in their lives. There’s nothing more rewarding that knowing I’ve helped a patient feel respected, heard and truly understood.”

Kailey lives in Lancaster County with her husband, their two dogs, two horses and one cat. She especially loves the summer months and all the outdoor activities they bring.

07/18/2025

Penn State Health is proud to expand breast health services in Lancaster County with Dr. Marnie S. Kaplan joining the breast cancer treatment team this July. She partners with plastic surgeon Dr. Chance Kaplan at Penn State Health Medical Group — Noll Drive to provide expert care close to home.

Together, they offer advanced surgeries—lumpectomies, oncoplastic closures, skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomies, and breast reconstruction—that speed healing and reduce the need for multiple procedures, allowing quicker recovery and timely cancer treatment.

By combining their expertise, Drs. Kaplan streamline care, cut anesthesia time, and lower complication risks, all while focusing on each patient’s health and aesthetic goals.

Lancaster women now have greater access to expert breast cancer and reconstructive care through Penn State Health, helping them regain health and confidence.

07/17/2025

Staff at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center held a fundraising raffle in May and chose to donate the proceeds to Mental Health America of Lancaster County, a nonprofit that promotes optimal mental health through advocacy, education and support.

On July 14, Kim McDevitt and Elaine Gilbert from Mental Health America of Lancaster County visited our hospital to meet with several of our Extraordinary 12 Excellence Award winners, raffle organizers and members of our leadership team and receive the employee donation. Together, we talked about the shared goals of our organizations and how we can work together to support the Lancaster community.

We’re proud to support a local organization doing vital work and look forward to continued collaboration in strengthening mental health resources in our region.

07/11/2025

Meet Jamie Stake, a registered nurse educator on our clinical development team who recently received Lancaster Medical Center’s 2025 Excellence Award for Extraordinary Teaching/Mentoring.

“Jamie approaches everyone with respect and has been repeatedly seen offering new employees a supportive shoulder to lean on or an empathetic smile,” said a colleague who nominated her for the award. “She is always willing to find a way to provide employees with the support or assistance they need."

A nurse educator at Lancaster Medical Center since December 2022, Jamie says she loves sharing knowledge, influencing the practice and contributing to the nursing profession. This summer, she’s looking forward to spending any downtime with day trips and outdoor activities with her husband and their 5-year-old son.

07/09/2025

We’re proud to recognize the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 743 as the Title Sponsor of our East Region Golf Tournament! ⛳️ Their generous support helps make this event possible — and benefits medical equipment and technology at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center and Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center.

Learn more about our Title Sponsor at: https://ibewlocal743.org/

Ready to get involved? Sponsor a hole, register to golf or support the cause — and enjoy a great day on the course for an even greater reason. 🔗 Register or learn more: https://bit.ly/4lhWMVv

07/04/2025

Wishing all a fun, safe and peaceful Independence Day. Happy 4th of July! 🎆

07/03/2025

We’re proud to celebrate our partners at Penn State Health Children’s Lancaster Pediatric Center on three years of caring for kids in our community!

Together, we’re expanding access to expert pediatric care — closer to home for Lancaster County families. 💙

06/30/2025

Meet Cora Martin, a registered cardiovascular specialist in our Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory who recently received Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center’s 2025 Excellence Award for Extraordinary Technologist.

“She consistently makes patients feel valued, understood and supported when they are feeling nervous about an upcoming procedure or a new diagnosis,” said Jennifer Strouse, a registered nurse in the Cath Lab who nominated Cora for the award.
Cora has worked at Lancaster Medical Center since the hospital’s opening in 2022. She says, “There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing my team and I use best practices for patient care in both emergency and non-emergent settings.”

A life-long resident of Lancaster County, Cora married her high school sweetheart, Nick. In her spare time, she enjoys preserving flowers, making charcuterie boards and helping her parents with their Purple Moon Lavendar Farm.

06/25/2025

A big achievement in patient safety: Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center is among a select group of hospitals nationwide recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review for having zero catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) — one of the most common health care-associated infections.

Only 514 hospitals in the country, and 114 in Pennsylvania, reached this milestone based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

This recognition highlights Lancaster Medical Center’s strong commitment to best practices and delivering safe, high-quality care for every patient.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3FZn686

06/23/2025

Meet Elyse Warwas, the manager of Supply and Logistics at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center who recently received our 2025 Excellence Award for Extraordinary Innovation.

Because of Elyse’s quick thinking and innovative planning, Lancaster Medical Center was able to stay ahead of critical supply shortages caused by natural disasters over the past year — including IV fluids and blood pressure cuffs. Her proactive approach kept our operations running smoothly and even helped support other Penn State Health hospitals in need.

“Behind every stocked shelf or delivered item, there’s a patient counting on it,” Elyse says.

Born at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center three months prematurely, Elyse says that experience makes it even more meaningful to now be giving “back to the same organization that helped me begin my life.” Outside of work, she loves being outdoors kayaking, hiking or spending time in her garden.

06/16/2025

Lancaster Medical Center was proud to be a sponsor of Aaron's Acres' 15th annual Golf Tournament at Bent Creek Country Club, with Grady Reiker and Bryan Schmalhofer happily respresenting us. Aaron's Acres strives to provide all children and young adults with disabilities opportunities to participate in the most innovative and unique social and recreational programs in an atmosphere of acceptance that embraces the child and family.