Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center

31/10/2025

🎃 Staff at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center got into the Halloween spirit during the hospital’s annual pumpkin decorating contest!

Departments showed their creativity with fun and festive designs — and hospital staff voted for their favorites.

🏆 And the winners are...
🥇 First place: “Trifecta of Sports” from Penn State Health Urgent Care – Muhlenberg
🥈 Second place: “Driving for a Cure” from the Penn State Health St. Joseph Cancer Center
🥉 Third place: “Scuba Diver” from our Ultrasound Department

👏 Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s pumpkin fun!

30/10/2025

Early detection saves lives — and today’s mammograms make it easier than ever. 💗

At the Penn State Health Breast Center, our radiologists and technologists use advanced 3D mammography to find even the smallest signs of breast cancer — often before symptoms appear.

“The images offer more sophisticated views of breast tissue than ever before,” said Dr. Alison Chetlen, diagnostic radiologist at Penn State Health Breast Center. “We’re able to find more cancers and recall fewer women for follow-up imaging, giving patients greater confidence in their results.”

The process is simple, quick and precise — four images, a few seconds of compression and about 10 minutes start to finish.

➡️ Learn more about what to expect during a 3D mammogram and why it remains the gold standard for breast cancer detection: https://bit.ly/47b4xbQ

30/10/2025

A heartfelt thank you to Riverfront Federal Credit Union for donating adorable socks to warm the feet — and lift the spirits — of patients at Penn State Health St. Joseph Cancer Center.

A team from Riverfront Federal delivered the gifts in person as part of their ninth annual Awareness Makes Cents campaign. We’re so grateful for their continued commitment to spreading care, one smile at a time!

30/10/2025

29/10/2025

Today was a proud and joyful day at Penn State Health Children's Hospital as we celebrated a transformational gift that will shape the future of children’s health.

Dr. Michael Kupferman, CEO of Penn State Health; Neeli Bendapudi, president of Penn State; Dr. Karen Kim, dean of Penn State College of Medicine; and Dr. Sarah Iriana, interim chair of pediatrics at Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine, joined patients, families and team members to highlight the impact of Tom Golisano’s $50 million gift to name Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital.

This historic contribution will expand access to care, strengthen pediatric programs and fuel innovation across our health system — helping us continue to deliver the very best for every child who needs us.

29/10/2025

Congratulations to Danielle Huber, a nurse in the 2 North Medical/Surgical Unit at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center who received the hospital’s DAISY Award. She was nominated by a grateful patient for her patience and compassion. Way to go, Danielle!

28/10/2025

Tom Golisano commits $50 million to Penn State Health Children's Hospital

Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine announced a transformative $50 million gift from philanthropist Tom Golisano to name our nationally recognized Children’s Hospital. This landmark contribution will expand multidisciplinary pediatric care, support education and research, and connect our hospital with leading institutions nationwide through the Golisano Children’s Alliance.

“This gift will help catalyze meaningful growth for our system and accelerate our drive toward the highest levels of care, service and discovery – all leading to a healthier future for children across Pennsylvania and beyond,” said Dr. Michael Kupferman, CEO of Penn State Health.

Learn more about this historic gift: https://bit.ly/48LsiZc

27/10/2025

Today marks a major milestone for patients on the West Shore — the new Penn State Health Cancer Center at Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center is now open.

This state-of-the-art, 40,000-square-foot facility brings physician appointments, diagnostics, lab services, infusion, radiation, breast care and clinical trials together under one roof — providing easier access and better coordination right in the community.

As a university-affiliated health system, Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine are combining research, education and clinical care to advance cancer treatment in central Pennsylvania.

Welcome to your new destination for cancer care. 💙

27/10/2025

During Respiratory Therapy Week (Oct. 19-25), Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center shined a spotlight on our fantastic Respiratory Therapy team for their dedication, compassion and hard work all year long.

A special shout-out to Margaret McGinnis, Annalyse Treat and Lacey Keller for helping organize the week’s celebratory activities. Your efforts made a difference — and you and your team are truly appreciated!

27/10/2025

Advancing Cancer Care
📺 Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m. on abc27 News

Take an inside look at the new Penn State Health Cancer Center at Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center — where advanced cancer care, research and education come together under one roof and closer to home for patients on the West Shore.

Physicians and care teams from Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine share the latest innovations in cancer detection and treatment, the importance of screenings, and how this new center is transforming cancer care across our region.

👉 Tune in to see how Penn State Health is advancing cancer care in central Pennsylvania.

25/10/2025

Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine recently celebrated 26 graduates of the 11th annual Academic Healthcare Leadership Academy — a custom program developed in partnership with the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

The Academy brings together leaders from across our academic health system to strengthen collaboration and strategic thinking, with a focus on navigating the evolving landscape of academic medicine.

Throughout the program, participants explored the integrated strategy that connects Penn State Health and the College of Medicine, developed leadership skills to support their teams and colleagues and learned to build shared foundations that bridge departments and disciplines.

Congratulations to this year’s graduates for their dedication to advancing leadership excellence in academic health care.

24/10/2025

⚡️ The Medical Minute: E-bike and e-scooter injuries are on the rise among kids

Emergency departments across the U.S. are seeing more serious injuries — and even deaths — linked to electric bikes and scooters. At Penn State Health Children's Hospital, doctors have already treated more children hurt in e-bike and e-scooter accidents this year than in the previous three years combined.

Dr. Bryanna Emr, pediatric trauma medical director, says most serious accidents happen when riders are distracted or not easily visible to drivers. “These devices can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour or more, which increases the risk of severe trauma,” she says.

Parents can help keep kids safe by:
🔹Making sure they always wear a helmet
🔹Avoiding sidewalks and public roads
🔹Following age guidelines — kids under 16 shouldn’t operate motorized scooters or e-bikes
🔹Checking brakes and lights before every ride

Learn more about how to keep your child safe from e-bike and e-scooter injuries in this week’s Medical Minute: https://bit.ly/3Lqljek

23/10/2025

At just 38, Lindsey Dimond wasn’t yet eligible for yearly mammograms. But when her gynecologist found a lump during a routine exam, she urged Lindsey to turn to Penn State Health for advanced, coordinated breast cancer care.

Now cancer-free, Lindsey says her experience taught her the power of listening — to her doctor, her body and her support system. On Saturday, she dropped the puck at the Hershey Bears' Pink the Rink game — a symbol of strength, survival and hope.

Read more about Lindsey's story in this article from WPMT FOX43: https://bit.ly/4ncTbsF

22/10/2025

Safely dispose of unused medications on Saturday, Oct. 25 💊

Got expired or unwanted medications at home? Penn State Health is once again participating in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day — a safe, easy way to get rid of medications, needles and syringes.

📅 Saturday, Oct. 25
🕙 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
🚗 Drive-through drop-off available

For collection sites, visit: https://bit.ly/3WQpW3U

22/10/2025

Congratulations to Angela Krick, a nurse practitioner in neurosurgery, and Mason Miller, a physician assistant in cardiothoracic surgery, for achieving 100% patient satisfaction scores! Both providers were recently honored by Penn State Health Medical Group for their outstanding commitment to patient experience.

Thank you, Angela and Mason, for setting the standard in patient-centered care!

21/10/2025

The Giant Center was glowing pink as the Hershey Bears and fans came together for Pink the Rink night, supporting breast cancer awareness and honoring everyone affected by the disease. 💗

Penn State Health is proud to sponsor this annual event and stand beside our community in the fight against breast cancer.

21/10/2025

🎗️ A new national clinical trial is giving hope to children and young adults with difficult-to-treat cancers such as neuroblastoma, central nervous system tumors and sarcomas.

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine, in collaboration with Aminex Therapeutics and the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium, are studying a promising combination therapy designed to block cancer cell growth and help the immune system fight back.

Led by Dr. Giselle Sholler, chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, the trial will enroll more than 220 patients nationwide.

Learn more about this groundbreaking study and how it’s helping advance care for children with cancer:

➡️Read more about this milestone in pediatric cancer research: https://bit.ly/3Llb7Uo

16/10/2025

“Penn State saved my life. Today, I’m thriving, not surviving.”

Nancy is no stranger to endurance. A multiple-time Ironman finisher and a competitor in the Age Group Multisport World Championships, she was training for a world-level cycling race in Spain when a devastating crash shattered her body, leaving her with more than 20 broken bones and a flail chest — a life-threatening injury that made breathing nearly impossible.

She became a candidate for the RibFix Advantage, a system that allows surgeons to stabilize rib fractures by securing the ribs in place with specialized plates. It was a breakthrough that not only saved her life but helped her return to the sport she loves.

This innovation that helped Nancy breathe, heal, and get back in the race was developed at Penn State College of Medicine, supported by the clinical expertise of Penn State Health. Today, the RibFix Advantage is in the hands of surgeons across the country and beyond.

Nine months after surgery, Nancy returned to the world stage, representing Team USA in the Age Group Multisport World Championships — a testament to the power of collaboration, research, and patient-centered innovation.

Discover how our breakthroughs in medicine — and the power of Penn State — benefit you.

13/10/2025

Every mammogram is a chance to save a life.

For 17 years, Erin Schaffner, a Penn State Health radiologic technologist, has cared for patients by performing mammograms that can detect breast cancer early and save lives.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, her work takes on special meaning as more women are reminded to “See it Sooner.”

“I’ve been doing mammograms long before I ever needed them myself,” Erin says. “That perspective helps me remember how important empathy is. Some days, humor helps a patient get through the exam. Other times, it’s just listening and offering a hug.”

Early detection saves lives. Schedule your mammogram today: bit.ly/3KhtuJu

09/10/2025

Congratulations to Jessica Knoblauch, a cardiovascular technician at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, who recently received our BEE (Be Extraordinary Every day) Award for her outstanding dedication to patient care and consistently going above and beyond in her role.

The BEE Award celebrates staff members who support our nurses.

Jessica’s manager nominated her, noting that she approaches every task with professionalism, compassion and a strong sense of responsibility. Thank you, Jessica, for your extraordinary contributions!

08/10/2025

Breaking Through: From Idea to Impact

When a trauma patient arrived with shattered ribs, a Penn State Health surgeon asked a bold question: Could there be a better, less invasive way to repair severe rib fractures?

That question sparked collaboration at Penn State College of Medicine, where a team of clinical scientists and engineers developed the RibFix Advantage — a system for stabilizing rib fractures that’s now FDA-cleared and used in hospitals nationwide.

For Nancy, a Penn State alumna and elite triathlete, RibFix meant more than healing — it meant returning to the sports she loves after a near-fatal cycling accident.

Discover how breakthroughs in medicine — and the power of Penn State — are helping patients heal and thrive: https://bit.ly/4nEBm6y

04/10/2025

In honor of today’s Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Father George visited Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center on Friday to bless our therapy dogs.

St. Francis, patron saint of all creatures great and small, is remembered for his love for people and creation. Five of the 10 therapy dogs who regularly bring comfort to patients and staff at St. Joseph Medical Center and the Cancer Center gathered for the special blessing — and even received Halloween goodie bags. 🎃

We are grateful for the gentle presence these furry friends bring, offering peace, healing and joy to all they encounter. 🐾

03/10/2025

Breaking Through: How Penn State Innovation Put an Athlete Back in the Race

When a cycling crash left Ironman competitor and Penn State alumna Nancy with more than 20 broken bones and a shattered ribcage, her outlook was uncertain. Traditional repair methods would have meant long, painful recovery — and potentially a life with limitations.

Thanks to the RibFix Advantage — an innovation developed at Penn State College of Medicine — Nancy’s ribs were stabilized in a less invasive way that allowed her to heal, breathe and ultimately compete again on the world stage.

Discover how our breakthroughs in medicine — and the power of Penn State — benefit you.