The Wright Stuff - March 31
Dear WVU Medicine colleagues,
Good morning and happy Friday! I hope the week’s been good to you.
On Monday of this week, WVU President Gordon Gee, who also serves as the chair of our Health System board, gave his annual State of the University address. While listening to him, I was reminded how fortunate we are to be associated with such a great University and proud that we play a vital role in its success.
Like the business of healthcare, higher education has faced considerable challenges in the last few years, and Gordon spoke to them, but many of us are optimistic about WVU’s future, including me! Gordon also hit many of the high notes in his address, including the University’s success at increasing the number of available scholarships and grants to students, while also greatly improving its graduation rate. “The state of West Virginia University is strong,” Gordon said. “And we will be even stronger in the decades to come, thanks to a concerted focus on what matters most.”
One of the highlights of Gordon’s speech was the announcement of a new scholarship called WVU Pledge. This new program, for West Virginia residents, will assist qualifying Promise scholars, who have an Expected Family Contribution of zero, with their cost of tuition, fees, University housing, and a meal plan. It’s being offered to incoming freshmen for the fall 2023 semester.
It's always great news when another path is opened that allows more students to have access to higher education, and this scholarship promises to be a game-changer! (And on a personal note, my twins Hope and Cole will be starting their junior years in August and they’ve loved their WVU experience.)
So please join Gordon, me, and so many other loyal champions of WVU in talking up how great our University is and highlighting its efforts to open up new opportunities for prospective students. We’re all gold and blue – let’s go!
WVU Medicine Observes Doctors Day
Celebrations were held throughout the WVU Health System this week as yesterday, March 30, was National Doctors Day. I hope our physicians had the opportunity to enjoy the festivities.
Thank you for dedicating your lives to caring for others by providing high-quality, compassionate care. We appreciate you!
Below are some photos from the celebrations.
IN OTHER NEWS
Reminder: Updated Masking Policy Goes Into Effect Monday
WVU Medicine has updated its masking policy for employees, patients, and visitors, effective Monday, April 3, in advance of the expiration of the federal public health emergency on May 11.
The changes are being made as COVID-19, RSV, and flu are all declining in the region and coincides with the end of the respiratory illness season, which is typically October-March.
Masking is still required when interacting with patients with COVID or under investigation for COVID. However, as of April 3, masking is no longer required for asymptomatic healthcare providers, patients, and visitors in inpatient or outpatient settings except in:
- Behavioral health settings (local facilities can continue to require masking based on local needs and conditions but do not have to do so)
- Long-term care settings
If viral activity increases later, WVU Medicine will re-evaluate its position and decide if changes are necessary. Infection rates and the prevalence of the virus in the community will continue to guide decisions about masking. Individual facilities within the WVU Health System will monitor for increased viral activity and can choose to re-institute masking if their facilities experience an uptick in activity.
WVU Medicine also encourages employees, patients, and visitors who want to wear a mask to do so.
Dr. Hazard-Jenkins Among Speakers at West Virginia Chamber Women’s Leadership Summit
Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, MD, director of the WVU Cancer Institute, was among the speakers at the West Virginia Chamber Women’s Leadership Summit held this week at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs. She discussed “Reimagining Cancer Care in West Virginia.”
About 400 individuals attended the event, which was focused on connecting, educating, and inspiring women. WVU Medicine was a leading sponsor of the event.
Pictured below, left, is Dr. Hazard-Jenkins making her remarks. Pictured in the right photo are some WVU Medicine attendees, including Karen Bowling (from left), president and CEO of WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital; Melanie Heuston, chief nurse executive, WVU Health System; Jessica Rine, associate vice president of the foundation and community relations, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital; and Leeann Kaminsky, chief human resources officer, WVU Health System.
Ruby Memorial Nurses Earn Top Honors at National Conference
Nurses from WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital recently took top honors at a national conference.
Six posters were presented by nurses from 10 East, J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, at the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses’ annual national conference, which was held last week in Orlando, Florida. Cheyenne Hoover ranked first place overall with her poster titled “Sometimes It Kills to Be Pretty: Knowing the Facts About Beauty Parlor Syndrome.” In addition, Autumn Ortiz and Safiyyah Nomani ranked third with their poster, “Peace of Mind: Expanding Neuropalliative Care in Stroke Patients.”
“We are so proud of them and how they represented WVU Medicine,” said Brandon Hostler, BSN, RN, CNRN, clinical preceptor, 10 East Neurosciences Step Down/EMU at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital.
Other nurses representing the hospital were Alyssa Broadwater and Paige Shultz with their poster titled “What’s in Your Head Zombie? The Unknown Facts of Walking Corpse Syndrome: Cotard’s”; Kelsi May, whose poster was titled “Ictal Asystole: A Heart Stopping Manifestation of a Seizure”; Angela Sizemore and Brandon Hostler with their poster, “Caring So Much It Hurts: When Assessing Our Patients Becomes Dangerous”; and Kara Zimcosky, whose poster was titled “Changing the Protocol on Labetalol: Initiating Nicardipine Infusions Sooner Rather Than Later.”
Those attending the Neuroscience Nursing Annual Conference, which featured a theme of “Celebrating the Value and Impact of Neuroscience Nurses,” were able to earn continuing education contact hours, hear presentations, connect with exhibitors, learn about new products and programs, and attend special events. The conference covered a variety of neuroscience topics, including anatomy, epilepsy, movement disorders, neurocritical care, neurotrauma, and stroke.
J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital nurses Jennifer Johnson (from left), Autumn Ortiz, Cheyenne Hoover, Safiyyah Nomani, Angela Sizemore, Kelsi May, Alyssa Broadwater, and Kara Zimcosky are pictured at the national conference.
Uniontown Hospital Names Social Worker of the Year
Madison Guilliams-Costabile, LGSW, was named the Social Worker of the Year at WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital earlier this month. Congratulations!
In March, as the department celebrated National Social Work Month, the Case Management Department asked team members to anonymously vote for the Social Worker of the Year and include a reason with each vote.
Beth Anderson-Lenkey, clinical director, Case Management, shared a few of the comments submitted by Madison's peers:
- “Maddie is always able to think outside of the box to find solutions.”
- “She is a very hardworking and kind to others.”
- “She is very supportive of her peers and department.”
- “Maddie is a powerhouse that goes and goes.”
- “She is very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and a team player.”
- “Maddie goes above and beyond to keep the ER running smoothly.”
“We initiated this recognition because our social workers provide holistic care for our patients, and the work they do might not get noticed by the care team,” Beth said. “But we would not be successful without this amazing group of professionals.
“Madison provides outstanding, supportive care for our patients within the emergency room. She is extremely knowledgeable of her practice and goes above and beyond for her patients, peers, and care team and is truly – as was noted in her nominations – a powerhouse.”
Beth Anderson-Lenkey (left), clinical director of Case Management, presents Madison Guilliams-Costabile, LGSW, with the Social Worker of the Year Award at Uniontown Hospital.
Eight Princeton Nurses Experience Pregnancy, Birth at Same Time
Is there anything more precious than a new baby?
Well, how about NINE new babies?
That’s right – eight nurses at the WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital Women’s Center were pregnant at the same time, and they have given birth to nine beautiful, healthy babies since May of last year.
The new moms and their babies gathered recently to snap some pictures to mark the baby boom, and the photos are just as adorable as you’d imagine.
Congratulations to all!
Nurses at the WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital Women’s Center are pictured with their babies.
Mr. Peanut Says ‘Shello’ to Folks at WVU Medicine Children’s
It was a “nutty” day at WVU Medicine Children’s when Mr. Peanut stopped by on Wednesday! He drove to the hospital in the Planters NUTmobile, polished his monocle, and donned his best top hat to say “shello” to everyone. He danced through the halls and even tried riding in our patient cars. In a nutshell, he had a great time visiting with our patients and staff.
Bird House Serves as Important Reminder for Wetzel Employees
There’s a bit more chirping and singing happening outside WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital these days. The hospital recently received a bird house as a token of appreciation for the excellent nursing and surgical care provided by employees.
The beautiful structure is a reminder of a quote by Hiral Nagda, who said, “Birds chirping around you is a beautiful realization that life is incredibly good. Let this sound be a gentle break in your routine.”
Employees at the hospital said they were thankful for the gift, acknowledging that taking a few minutes to enjoy the creatures that visit the bird house will be much-appreciated moments and will help remind them of the patients they have been honored to treat.
Employees at WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital appreciate the recent gift of a bird house.
Grand Rounds Schedule for Week of April 3 Announced
To receive free CME credit:
- Please ensure your full name is on your Zoom login so that you can easily be identified.
- If you have not participated and received credit for Grand Rounds via Zoom, please complete the Credit Request Form located in the chat box during the Zoom lecture. You will only need to complete this form one time. This ensures that appropriate information is on file to match your login name and that the correct person is receiving credit.
Mark your calendar:
- Internal Medicine Research Day: Friday, April 21, Erickson Alumni Center, Morgantown
- Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Symposium: Friday, Aug. 25, Waterfront Marriott, Morgantown
- DiBartolomeo Internal Medicine Conference: Friday, Sept. 1, Waterfront Marriott, Morgantown
To view previously recorded Grand Rounds, visit the archive.
Some Ideas to Help You Make Self Care a Priority in April
THE SPORTS PAGE
Residents Prove ‘Best in Surgery’ in Inaugural Hoops Challenge
March Madness is not confined to the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
On March 19, staff from the WVU Department of Surgery faced off against the surgery residents in the First Annual Surgery Classic – the first basketball game of its kind to be held! It took double-overtime for the residents to outlast the staff, 71 -65, and claim the trophy for the Best in Surgery.
The game was created to encourage wellness and team-building, and the participants are hoping to hold more events in the future.
Charlie Schmidt, son of Carl Schmidt, MD, led the faculty team with 21 points; Dan Regier, MD, led the resident team with 17 points.
The photo collage below features some highlights from the game.
WVU Medicine Employees Cheer on Family Members at Hockey Nationals
A high school hockey team made up of players from the Morgantown area had plenty of fans in the stands when the team competed in the national championships earlier this month.
The Morgantown Mohawks, which won the state tournament in West Virginia to qualify for the 2023 Chipotle-USA Hockey High School Division II National Championships in Plymouth, Minnesota, swept preliminary-round play before falling to Bishop Canevin (Pennsylvania) High School in the quarterfinals on Sunday.
Despite the loss, members of the Morgantown team are proud of their debut appearance in the national championships — as they should be!
A host of WVU Medicine employees are proud of the Mohawks, too, including David DiBartolomeo, director of Client Services and Physician Relations for Marketing and Communications, whose two sons, Anthony and John, are on the team; John Hollander, PhD, professor and graduate director of exercise physiology at the WVU School of Medicine, whose son, Jakob, is on the team; Carol Kourtsis, a social worker with WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital, whose son, Nico, is on the team; Bing Li, PhD, professor of orthopaedics at the WVU School of Medicine, whose son, Ben, is on the team; Rhonda Robinette, Department of Medicine administrator, whose niece, Robin, is on the team; Gina Rodgers, an expert system analyst for IT, whose stepson, Nate, is on the team; and Alison Wilson, MD, professor and chief of the Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, whose son, Hank, is on the team.
The team, which is compiled of five regional high schools predominately from the Morgantown area, is a co-op and plays its regular season as part of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League. It also plays games against other teams in West Virginia. Zach Taylor, who is a manager of Family Medicine, serves as the assistant coach.
Congratulations, Mohawks, on an outstanding season!
The Morgantown Mohawks are pictured.
A FINAL THOUGHT…
Earlier this week, I had a delightful chat with residents in the administration rotation of the Pharmacy Program at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center. Amanda Staubs, PharmD, BCPS, residency program director and clinical coordinator at the hospital, organized the virtual meet-and-greet, and those participating described it as inspiring. I agree! I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation, and I welcome opportunities like this to connect with employees across the Health System. Here’s a photo that Rebecca Berhanu, PharmD, BCPS, Progressive Care Unit clinical pharmacy specialist at Berkeley Medical Center, shared with me, which shows Courtney Glascock, PharmD (left), and Meredith Sylvester, PharmD, during the chat.
