Penn State Health St. Joseph 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.

07/25/2025

🍦 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!

05/23/2025

Last week, we marked Hospital Week with gratitude for the people who make our hospital exceptional. From sweet treats to shared moments, it was a time to recognize the compassion, dedication and teamwork that define our care.

Thank you to every member of our Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center team for the difference you make each day. Your commitment to our patients and each other is what makes this a place of healing and hope.

05/22/2025

St. Joseph Medical Center is a Community Partner with CommunityAid, a nonprofit thrift store that reinvests in local organizations addressing housing, food insecurity and basic human needs. Our hospital receives $0.13/pound for donated drop-off items when you mention our partnership code 50234.

Through the partnership, we receive quarterly store credits for patient needs and additional benefits that support our initiatives and community programs.

05/21/2025

This Memorial Day, Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine honor the courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Through our annual Flags of Honor program, we invite you to remember and recognize family members, friends, neighbors and colleagues who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. For each tribute submitted, a small American flag will be placed at the main entrance of your chosen Penn State Health location — a quiet, powerful symbol of gratitude, displayed from Memorial Day through mid-July.

To those we’ve lost, and those who continue to serve: We remember. We honor. We thank you. https://bit.ly/44wbt2j

05/19/2025

During EMS Week, we honor the dedicated professionals at Penn State Health who serve on the front lines of emergency care, bringing lifesaving expertise, calm under pressure and compassion to every call.

Whether responding to emergencies in our communities or safely transporting patients between hospitals, these providers are critical to the care we deliver every day. Their quick thinking and steady hands make a difference when seconds matter most.

This week, we’re proud to celebrate EMS professionals and thank them for the vital role they play in the health and safety of the people we serve.

💙 Thank you for making our mission your purpose.

05/16/2025

Carla David and Alexis Romberger, certified patient care assistants at St. Joseph Medical Center, recently received our Golden PAW award recognizing staff who provide extraordinary care experiences to patients and their families. Carla and Alexis provided exceptional and compassionate care to a young pediatric patient who was experiencing a behavioral health crisis. They worked tirelessly to establish a rapport with the patient and create a sense of safety and calm. Thank you, Carla and Alexis!

05/15/2025

Today is National Kangaroo Care Day—a time to recognize the importance of skin-to-skin contact between parents and their babies. We're proud to support this practice, which offers many benefits for both premature and full-term infants, including stabilizing heart rate, breathing, and temperature. Kangaroo care also promotes breastfeeding success, improves milk supply and helps parents feel more confident and connected with their baby.

05/13/2025

Penn State Health Medical Group – All About Children in West Reading celebrated its reopening in late April following several months of renovations. The practice—which offers pediatric and adolescent medicine—is now accepting new patients in the beautifully redesigned space.

05/12/2025

Congratulations to Alexis Muir, a nurse in our Critical Care Unit, who recently received our DAISY Award. She was nominated by a grateful patient for her calming, extraordinary post-operative care. “She even eclipsed the stellar care I received from everyone else at St. Joe’s, and that’s saying something!” the grateful patient wrote. Way to go. Alexis!

05/10/2025

This Mother’s Day, take a moment for yourself — and your health.

In this video, Dr. Alison Chetlan, a Penn State Health obstetrician-gynecologist, walks through what to expect during a mammogram appointment so there are fewer surprises and more confidence for you.

Taking time for preventive care like a mammogram is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself and your family.

▶️ Watch to learn more — and consider making your mammogram a priority this year. Online scheduling for screening mammograms is available at select locations through the My Penn State Health patient portal. Learn more at https://bit.ly/42S5DHo

05/08/2025

Penn State Health was proud to be a presenting sponsor at the 2025 Women2Women Conference & Expo held April 16 at the DoubleTree in Reading. Several members of our St. Joseph Medical Center staff, including from our Family Birthing Center team, supported the annual event dedicated to developing women leaders in Berks County and Beyond.

05/07/2025

Kicking off Nurses Week in style at St. Joseph Medical Center! 💙

From early arrivals to bright smiles, our teams showed up ready to celebrate the incredible nurses who care for our patients and community every day.

To every nurse who walks through our doors — thank you for your dedication, compassion and heart. You are truly the foundation of our care. 🩺

05/06/2025

At Penn State Health, every patient story is a reminder of why we do what we do — and our nurses are at the heart of it all.

During Nurses Week, we celebrate the compassion, skill and dedication our nurses bring to every shift, every patient and every moment. Whether it’s holding a hand, coordinating complex care or simply listening, their impact is felt far beyond the bedside.

We honor the nurses whose commitment to personalized, exceptional care helps write the next chapter in every patient’s journey.

Thank you for the difference you make — every day.