Upstate Advanced Practice

12/16/2025

Today, we kicked off another session of our Transition-to-Practice Program, where our newest Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are diving into orientation! 🙌

The TTP program covers essential topics, including:
✅ Advanced Practice Department Overview
✅ Professional Communication
✅ Medical Staff Overview
✅ Tools for Success for APPs
✅ Epic Training

But it’s not all work—our APPs will also enjoy team-building activities, a fun scavenger hunt, and an engaging Jeopardy session to connect and learn together!

💡 Did you know? Jeopardy-style learning sessions are supported by adult-learning principles and improve retention!

Grounded in our Mission, Vision, and Values, the TTP program continues to evolve. We are committed to continuous improvement, actively seeking new ways to enhance the experience and better support our APPs as they transition into practice!

12/12/2025

🫀❄️ December Echo Trivia
Did you know winter months see a rise in heart failure admissions and holiday-related arrhythmias — making echocardiography one of the most frequently used diagnostic tools during the holidays?

Maybe a visit from an elf can help… but we’ll still trust the echo. Though an elf visit never hurts. 😉

Buddy stopped into the Stress Echo Department spreading some holiday cheer! All smiles here!

12/05/2025

Wreath-Making Team Building Fun!

Our Advanced Practice team kicked off the holiday season with a festive wreath-making session—such a great way to unwind, be creative, and connect with one another!

Fun Trivia:
• ✨ The circular shape of a wreath symbolizes unity and togetherness— something our APP teams demonstrate every day!
• 🎁 Did you know the tradition of wreath-making dates back over 2,000 years? Ancient wreaths were symbols of victory and celebration—perfect for closing out a successful 2025 together!

And speaking of celebration… we hope you’ll join us for our upcoming Advanced Practice Year-End Wellness Celebration as we wrap up 2025 together! (See our director updates for details!)

11/26/2025

11/24/2025

🎗️ November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Pancreatic cancer is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States by 2030, just behind lung cancer — underscoring the critical importance of advancing research, early detection, and multidisciplinary care.

Two of our Advanced Practice Providers, Olivia McEachron, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, and Elsa Capria, NP, attended the Mayo Clinic’s HPB Oncology Conference (Nov 7–8), where national experts gathered to share the latest innovations in biliary and pancreatic cancer care. Both Olivia and Elsa learned that approximately 90% of pancreatic cancers carry a KRAS mutation, and that clinical trials are underway for pan-KRAS inhibitors. This evolving area of precision oncology has the potential to improve treatment options and long-term survival for patients facing aggressive HPB malignancies.
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🔬 Key Takeaways from Olivia
• A standout discussion explored the use of neoadjuvant (preoperative) radiation therapy for biliary and pancreatic cancers. While not currently standard practice, early research and expert debate suggest potential benefit, sparking meaningful conversations about future treatment pathways.
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🩺 Key Takeaways from Elsa
• Elsa also noted that many of Upstate’s current HPB practices are aligned with leading national centers, reaffirming that our patients receive high-quality, evidence-driven care.
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💙 Thank you to Olivia and Elsa for representing Advanced Practice and bringing back fresh insights that directly enhance care for our HPB patient population. Their commitment to continuous learning strengthens our entire team — and aligns with evidence showing that APP involvement leads to better care coordination, stronger guideline adherence, and improved symptom management. (https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/EDBK_390572)

11/21/2025

MEGA LUNG DRAWS A CROWD: Upstate’s Thoracic Oncology Program team — including Margaret Terzolo, PA, Kaylee King, PA, and Leah Marinelli, NP — gathered in front of the Mega Lung on display at the Upstate Cancer Center to highlight the Great American Smokeout. Representatives from Upstate’s Smoking Cessation Program were also on hand to offer tips on quitting smoking and guidance on healthy lifestyle changes.

https://www.upstate.edu/newsletters/upstate-online/upon_2025-11-21.php

🙏 Special thanks to Upstate’s Thoracic Oncology Program for supporting prevention efforts and raising awareness to help reduce lung cancer risks in our community.

MEGA LUNG DRAWS A CROWD: Upstate’s Thoracic Oncology Program team gathers before the mega lung on display at the Upstate Cancer Center to highlight the Great American Smokeout. Upstate Smoking Cessation program officials were on hand to offer tips on how to quit smoking and other healthy lifestyle...

11/18/2025

🎉 Congratulations to Kristin Ramella, MSN, AGACNP, CHFN, HF-cert!

Our Advanced Practice leadership team — Melissia Wheeler, MSN, NP-C, NEA-BC and Isobel Grover, DHSc., PA — proudly congratulates Kristin Ramella (pictured center) on earning the Heart Failure Certification offered by the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA). This is a highly distinguished credential for providers specializing in advanced heart failure care.

As of July 2025, Kristin is one of only 171 Advanced Practice Providers nationwide to achieve this certification. To put that into perspective, there are approximately 20,000 APPs working in cardiology across the U.S.—making this an honor held by less than 1% of APPs in the specialty.

This remarkable accomplishment reflects Kristin’s dedication to excellence in patient care and her commitment to continuous learning — core values that define our Upstate Advanced Practice Department. 💙

💡 Next Goals for Kristin:
1) Launch of the APP-Managed Heart Failure Program — focusing on post-hospital follow-up, medication titration, and acute medical management with the goal of reducing readmissions.
2) Fellowship Designation (FHFSA) — HFSA offers members the opportunity to earn the prestigious Fellow of the Heart Failure Society of America title, recognizing exceptional achievement and contribution to heart failure medicine.

11/11/2025

🎉 Congratulations to Charles Berardi, MSN, FNP-C, and Ryan Murray, MSN, FNP-C, on successfully completing the Critical Care Fellowship in October 2025! 👏

We recently celebrated their incredible achievement at a Critical Care Fellow Recognition Event on November 7, 2025, surrounded by colleagues, mentors, and leadership — a moment that truly highlighted the dedication and growth of our fellows throughout their training journey. 💫

This fellowship is designed to prepare Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) to deliver exceptional, evidence-based care in collaboration with our multidisciplinary ICU teams.

Studies show that when APPs are fully integrated into critical care teams, patient outcomes such as mortality and length of stay remain consistently excellent — reflecting the strength of a collaborative, team-based model of care. (Impact of the Advanced Practice Provider in Adult Critical Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PubMed)

At Upstate, this fellowship exemplifies how physicians, APPs, nurses, and the entire critical care team work together to advance our shared mission of delivering world-class patient care.

We’re incredibly proud of our graduates — and of the teamwork, mentorship, and commitment that make moments like this possible. 💙

✨ Our Critical Care Fellowship is also in the latter stages of APPFA accreditation — an exciting milestone that reflects our continued commitment to excellence.

10/31/2025

Halloween magic returns to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital!

One of the most beloved and anticipated traditions at Upstate will take place this Halloween, when the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital Halloween Parade kicks off on Friday morning.

Dozens of young patients—dressed as witches, princesses, superheroes, and a whole cast of colorful characters—will parade through the hospital halls, joined by family members and cheered on by staff. The joyful event has been a cherished part of Upstate’s Halloween celebrations for more than 25 years.

https://www.upstate.edu/news/articles/2025/2025-10-30-halloween.php

Here are some safety tips for Halloween:

• Check medications first. Lock up all medicines, like prescription, over-the-counter, and vitamins, before guests arrive or before heading out. Young children can mistake pills for candy.
• Glow safely. Glow sticks and glow jewelry are popular and generally safe when used properly. However, if the liquid leaks, it can cause mouth and skin irritation. Keep them out of reach, and supervise children closely.
• Watch for button batteries. Many flashing or light-up Halloween accessories contain small disc batteries. These can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed. Make sure battery compartments are secure. Call 911 immediately if one is swallowed.
• Avoid look-alikes. Cannabis edibles and alcoholic drinks can look like candy or snacks. Always store them up, away, and out of sight and reach of children.

If a possible poisoning occurs, call the Upstate New York Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for free, expert help 24/7.

https://www.upstate.edu/news/articles/2025/2025-10-21-top-halloween-hazards.php

From all of us at Upstate Advanced Practice — wishing you a safe, fun, and spooktacular Halloween! 🎃🩺💙

10/24/2025

🌟 Congratulations to Michaela Murphy, NP! 🌟

We are proud to celebrate Michaela’s graduation yesterday from the Leadership and Education for Advanced Practice Provider (LEAPP) Cystic Fibrosis Fellowship Program.

This two-year program, supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, provides advanced clinical training, leadership development, and mentorship to prepare APPs to meet the complex needs of people living with cystic fibrosis. Michaela has demonstrated exceptional dedication to patient care, continuous learning, and leadership in advancing CF treatment.

10/19/2025

World Hospice & Palliative Care Day was earlier this month, and we continue to recognize the incredible work of our Upstate University Hospital Inpatient Palliative Care Team who provide compassionate, patient-centered support to individuals and families during life’s most challenging moments. 💜

10/13/2025

👏 Big congrats to Theresa Baxter, RN, FNP-C!
Her presentation on Addiction at the Breaking Barriers to Care one-day conference highlights our commitment to patient-centered, stigma-free care—especially meaningful as October is Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month.
Although Theresa presented in September, we’re proud to recognize her contribution now as part of this important awareness month.
Find help and support here:
https://www.upstate.edu/addiction-care/