Upstate Announcements

Upstate Announcements is a weekly bulletin listing the events for that week at Upstate.

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The latest announcements are from April 24, 2024:

Chief Diversity Officer Candidates Presentations April 24, 25

Two Chief Diversity Officer candidates are on campus this week. As part of the interview process, each candidate will give a presentation for the campus community on “The Role of ODEI in Academic Medical Centers,” from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Ninth Floor Auditorium of Weiskotten Hall, 766 Irving Ave.

Dr. Stanley Byrd’s presentation will be held today, April 24. Boyd is chief diversity officer at Episcopal Health Services in Queens, N.Y.
Dr. Sipho Mbuqe’s presentation will be held Thursday, April 25. Mbuqe is interim chief diversity officer at Upstate Medical University.

These presentations will be live-streamed. An Upstate Announcement message with the link will be sent the day of each presentation.

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Spiritual Care chaplain intern graduation ceremony is April 25

Spiritual Care will hold a graduation ceremony for Clinical Pastoral Education chaplain interns April 25 at noon in the Interfaith Chapel on the first floor of Upstate University Hospital. Staff on units 5AB, 6AB, 6E, 4B, 9EFG, 10EGH, 8EFG welcomed and mentored eight interns during their eight-month training course. Graduating will be: Jane Bronson, David Chachere, Jeremiah Deep, Rev. Gisele Durham, Ceara Curry Kilpatrick, Rev. Willie Mitchell, Ivan Ramos and Rev. Tom Zahradnik. The Upstate community is welcome to attend graduation.

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Yoga for All is April 26 and 30

Yoga for All will be held April 26 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. (virtually only), and April 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the Performance Center at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. The April 30 session will feature the TAY founder. To receive the virtual link for April 26, email [email protected]. Yoga for All is facilitated by Upstate clinicians trained in Trauma Adapted Yoga, a form of yoga based on trauma research, evidence-based yoga therapy and body-based methods with gentle exercises for self-management of common symptoms and reactions. No experience is necessary and all are welcome.

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Upstate Mentoring Program seeks mentor applications by April 30

The Upstate Mentoring Program seeks new mentors to share time and talent to guide the development of fellow colleagues at Upstate. Applications are due April 30. Mentors will receive training and then meet with assigned mentees once a month from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to assist in accomplishing development goals. For more information, email MaryAnn Stark, Professional Development and Learning, at [email protected]. To apply to become a mentor, visit: https://solutions.upstate.edu/TDClient/650/HRPortal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=10722.

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Tranquility Tuesday is April 30

Tranquility Tuesday will be held Tuesday, April 30 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. via Zoom and on the second floor of Nappi Wellness Institute. To join the virtual option via Zoom, use Meeting ID: 407 812 4814, Password: wellness. Questions? Email [email protected]. Led by Kaushal Nanavati, MD, each session is a unique meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and relaxation practice experience. Tranquility Tuesday is held every Tuesday.

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Sarcoidosis support group is April 30

A sarcoidosis support group will be held Tuesday, April 30 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the classroom on the fifth floor of Upstate Health Care Center. To register, email Shania Edwards-King by April 26 at [email protected].

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Memorial Service set for Stephanie Lessun May 1

A memorial service will be held for Stephanie Lessun May 1 at 2:30 p.m. in Room 4414 of the Academic Building. Lessun, a member of the Upstate Social Work team since 2018, died March 13. Upstate Spiritual Care is hosting the event.

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beneath the surFACE art show is May 1

Upstate Cancer Center, the Syracuse City School District, and Nottingham High School will host the “beneath the surFACE” art show May 1 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at May Memorial Church, 3800 E. Genesee St. Student artists received education in health class from beneath the surFACE educators on cancer prevention strategies, including the HPV vaccine. Students then completed an art project by repurposing radiation masks from head and neck cancer patients. The art show is free and open to the public. The masks will be on display throughout May. For more information, email Martha Ryan at [email protected].

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Register for Upstate’s Paige’s Butterfly Run team by May 1 for a shirt

The 28^th Paige’s Butterfly Run event will take place June 8 in Downtown Syracuse. Upstate participants who register before May 1 will receive a shirt from the Upstate Foundation. Registration is $40 and the event includes a 5K, 3K, a relay option, virtual option, and a kids caterpillar crawl. Funds support pediatric cancer care and research at Upstate’s Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders. To register, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Syracuse/PaigesButterflyRun5K2. Upstate team captains: Email a list of participants and shirt sizes by May 6 to Beth Kinsley at [email protected].

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ProfTech update is May 1

Office supply vendor ProfTech will update to S&B Computer and Office Products May 1. A link will be sent to all current ProfTech users to reset passwords. Usernames will remain the same. For more information, email Rebecca Kowaleski at [email protected] or Daniel Gorman at [email protected].

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Walk for Brain Cancer Research is May 4

The Walk for Brain Cancer Research will be held May 4 at 10 a.m. beginning at College Place Lot at Syracuse University and ending at Upstate Cancer Center. Funds will support Debbie’s Brain Cancer Research Fund, held at the Upstate Foundation. To register or donate, visit: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/fz50XQ?vid=14yixt. Registration is $5. For more information, email Nneka Onwumere at [email protected].

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Wellness Speaks is May 8

Kaushal Nanavati, MD, medical director of Integrative Therapy and assistant dean of Wellness, will present for 10 minutes on the importance of physical wellness May 8 at 10 a.m. during Wellness Speaks. To register, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/weblink/register/r8f02d22b0f5e4b145d53d026e4479e46. For more information on Wellness Speaks, part of the Pathway to Wellness program, email Christine Podolak at [email protected]. For more Pathway to Wellness events, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/wellness/.

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Wellness Walk with Pet A Pooch is May 8

Wellness Walk is May 8 at 11:45 a.m. at Community. The walk is sponsored by Pathway to Wellness and Pet A Pooch. To sign up for this Wellness Walk, visit: https://forms.office.com/r/87AqqDZjvm. For more information on Wellness Walk and other Pathway to Wellness events, email Christine Podolak at [email protected].

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Joey’s Wish annual walk/run 5K registration deadline is May 10

The second annual Joey’s Wish 5K will be held June 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Marcellus Park, 2443 Platt Rd., Marcellus. To receive a T-shirt, register by May 10. Registration is $25 and a portion of proceeds benefit the Joey’s Wish fund, with a goal of helping to end the addiction crisis. To register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joeys-wish-incs-2nd-annual-5k-run1-mile-walk-tickets-805745505497. Questions? Email Ann Morrell at [email protected].

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Upstate Trauma shirt sale is May 14

Upstate Trauma celebrates its 10^th anniversary as a verified trauma center with a T-shirt sale Tuesday, May 14 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside Café 750 at Upstate University Hospital. Shirts are $20. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. No pre-orders. Shirts available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Schwartz Rounds is May 14

Schwartz Rounds will be held Tuesday, May 14 at noon in C1076 A/B/C Upstate Cancer Center. Panelists will discuss “When there is no playbook: Baptized by fire,” sharing their personal experiences with facing challenges or emergencies for which there is no established protocol or guidelines to follow. Sudden workplace loss and grief being one of the unanticipated challenges. Schwartz Rounds is open to all departments at Upstate and supports staff by offering a compassionate listening environment. 1 CE hour is available for participants. Questions? Email Zeynab Mancini at [email protected].

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TraumaFest is May 15

Upstate TraumaFest will be held Wednesday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Elizabeth Blackwell Street, near Jacobsen Hall. Syracuse Fire, AMR, LifeNet, Mercy Flight, University Police, Toss and Fire, and PB&J Lunchbox will be on site. The event is open to the Upstate community. For more information on TraumaFest, email Upstate Trauma at [email protected].

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Syracuse Workforce Run registration deadline is May 20

The Syracuse Workforce Run will be held Thursday, June 6 at 6:45 p.m. at Onondaga Lake Parkway in Liverpool. Registration is $43. To join Team Upstate, review race details, and read eligibility requirements, visit https://calendar.upstate.edu/event/syrrun/ Registration deadline for Team Upstate is May 20. Questions? Email Rebecca Pesci at [email protected].

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Upstate’s Teen Volunteer Summer Program

Teenagers who are 15 years of age by June 1 are welcome to apply to Upstate’s Teen Volunteer Summer Program now through April 29 by 4 p.m. To apply, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/volunteers/teen.php. To host a teen volunteer, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/volunteers/request-volunteer.php.

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Input requested for practitioner well-being assessment

Upstate's medical staff, including physicians and APPs, are encouraged to complete this anonymous assessment of current well-being at Upstate. The assessment will take approximately 10 minutes. Many existing programs have been implemented from prior input. Results will be shared and reporting for questions with fewer than 6 responses will be suppressed to preserve anonymity. To complete the assessment, visit: https://amawellbeingsurvey.org/take-survey/2506389217453. For further information or questions, email Christine Podolak at [email protected].

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Become an Upstate admissions ambassador

Do you know someone—friend, family member—who would be a great fit for one Upstate’s academic programs? If so, be an admissions and ambassador and refer them here today, so we can reach out: https://engage.upstate.edu/register/Refer-A-Student. Upstate offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate advanced level degrees between our four colleges—Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine and Nursing. Many of these degree programs provide the education and training necessary to land some of the most in-demand health care jobs. To learn more about any of Upstate’s programs, request more information here: https://engage.upstate.edu/register/EmployeeAdmissions.

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MIND Online support program to quit smoking and vaping seeks participants

The Motivational Interviewing for Nicotine Dependence (MIND Online) support program is a fully online, intensive, evidence-based program with incentives that provides an individualized plan for nicotine-free living. Eight 30-minute sessions are completed over four weeks Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. New sessions begin April 30. Recovery coaches are Upstate medical students, supervised by Susan Sperry, PhD, and Zsuzsa Meszaros, MD, PhD. Participants will earn $20 for the first session and a chance to win a $200 gift card. To sign up, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/psych/healthcare/adult-psych/faculty-practice/mind-program/mind-program-participate.php. For more information on MIND, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/psych/healthcare/adult-psych/faculty-practice/mind-program/index.php. Questions about the program? Email [email protected].

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Well NYS Everyday focus this month is to organize finances

The Well NYS Everyday theme for April is to organize finances. For more information about the challenge this month and to receive emails from Well NYS, visit https://oer.ny.gov/wellnys-everyday. For more information, email Christine Podolak at [email protected].

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Office of Mental Health offers wellness groups to all New York state employees

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) offers all state employees an opportunity to practice various coping skills and strengthen resilience through OMH Wellness Groups, which aligns with OMH’s vision of supporting a healthy workplace environment. The group sessions are free, confidential, anonymous, and virtual employees can call in from any phone. Group sessions include: Monday Meditation, Mindful Mondays, Taking Care of Mind and Body, and Tending to Self. To see the calendar and registration information for each event, visit: April 2024 OMH Wellness Groups Management Calendar.pdf. Questions? Email [email protected].

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The Informed Patient podcast features interviews on menopause and how martial arts impacts balance and mobility

The Informed Patient podcast recently featured interviews with these specialists about menopause and the possibility of improving balance through the martial arts.

The Informed Patient podcast and HealthLink on Air radio show are produced by Upstate Marketing and University Communications. The Informed Patient interviews are available through various podcast platforms, including YouTube. HealthLink on Air is broadcast on WRVO Public Media at 6 a.m. Sundays. Audio and transcripts of the podcasts and the radio shows are also available at upstate.edu/informed.

To suggest an Upstate expert or topic for a possible podcast, email Amber Smith at [email protected].