Volume 25
Number 1
January 10, 2014
“ The hope is that this will improve the safety of our transitions of patient care as well as promote improved documentation by providing residents with a quiet space to work in an
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
uninterrupted manner.”
New Resident Room
`` Celebrating the opening of the Resident Work Room were (l. to r.) Al Black, AnnMarie Papa, Betty Ann Boczar, Jennifer Myers, Sarah Longworth, Chuck Aitken and Paul Sonenthal.
With a patient population requiring multidisciplinary care, Founders 14 has one of the busiest nursing stations in the hospital. Attendings, nurses, and residents all use the space to chart their medical interventions electronically, discuss patient care, and teach those in training. Indeed, in this fast-paced environment, getting access to a computer — or a quiet space to talk — was a challenge.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have this dedicated workspace for residents,” said Lisa Bellini, MD, vice dean for Faculty Affairs and Resident Affairs. “The hope is that this will improve the safety of our transitions of patient care as well as promote improved documentation by providing residents with a quiet space to work in an uninterrupted manner.
Now, thanks to a collaborative effort among several departments, a storage room in the unit was transformed into a Resident Work Room, complete with four workstations, a printer and a small refrigerator. During a ribbon cutting to “officially” open the new space, Jennifer Myers, MD, director of Quality and Safety, GME, thanked Al Black, COO of the hospital, and Chuck Aitken, assistant executive hospital director, for their help in “improving the quality of patient care.”
“We also hope to improve the quality of their work life by giving them access to a refrigerator, a place to store their things, and new mattresses to sleep on,” she continued.
As part of this project, the residents’ on-call room was renovated as well.
Congratulations to the winners of the August Helping People All the Time raffle. If you’d like to submit someone’s name, simply go to http://pennpoint.uphs.upenn.edu/sites/HUP/hupse and click on “HUP Service Excellence Nomination” and then “New” at the top of the chart. You can also read previous submissions demonstrating how much employees help our patients. Names can also be submitted on a paper form, available at various locations throughout the hospital. Janeen Dennis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Founders 14 Carl Halsey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maintenance Debra Green. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radiology Ann Coyle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Julianne Muto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Soo Kim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Alexis Weaver. . . . . . . . . . . . Patient Transport Kileen Shuda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Gina Sothern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Tara Owens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Jodi Sandos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Work
A Light Touch That Helps Cancer Patients
Reiki is a noninvasive practice that uses a light touch on — or holding hands just above — a person’s body to help promote balance and well-being. There is no pressure or tissue manipulation. Despite any clear biologic mechanism, “our recent study has shown that Reiki induces relaxation, decreasing anxiety, stress and a patient’s perception of pain,” said Jun Mao, MD, director of the Integrative Oncology Initiative at the Abramson Cancer Center.
According to nurse manager Betty Ann Boczar, BSN, the renovation of the two rooms was part of the Interprofessional Declutter Project on the unit, which was “aimed at systematically decluttering the shared areas, including the nurses’ station, the hallways, and the equipment closets.” Key goals of the project, she said, were “interprofessional accountability for sustaining a clutterfree environment, improving HCAHPS scores for cleanliness and quietness, and enhancing overall unit flow.”
Helping People All the Time
Siobhan Rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silverstein 9 Dorothea Grochowski. . . . . . . . . . . . Ravdin 6 Melissa White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ICN Shawn Seay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pharmacy Kendra Hawkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Admissions Carmen Bernard. . . . . OP Financial Counseling Amy Moore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 6 Connie Mulli. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silverstein 11 Katrina German . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phlebotomy Deborah Jones. . . . . . . Peri-operative Services
Reiki
HUPdate
Practicing Reiki is one of the best decisions I ever made. Words can’t describe how I feel. — Vince Gilhool, volunteer Reiki practitioner
Editorial Staff Sally Sapega Editor and Photographer Lisa Paxson Designer
Administration
Susan E. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Contact HUPdate at: 3535 Market Street, Mezzanine Philadelphia, PA 19104
`` Joan Pouch performs Reiki on cancer patient Margaret Briscoe, to help relax her during a chemotherapy infusion.
Inside
phone: 215.662.4488 fax: 215.349.8312 email: sally.sapega@uphs.upenn.edu
A Cool Program Explores Possible Careers........................2
HUPdate is published biweekly for HUP employees. Access HUPdate online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/hupdate.
Speaking with HUP’s Leaders.......................................3 Three Nurses Win Achievement Awards................3
Joan Pouch can attest to that. She received a Reiki session during chemo treatment she underwent for Stage 3 breast cancer. “It gave me a sense of relaxation — a tremendous balancing, both mentally and physically,” she said. These sessions so helped her that she herself became a Reiki practitioner and now offers Reiki every Tuesday for Penn’s cancer patients as part of HUP’s volunteer program. “It’s a unique experience because I can appreciate both sides.”
includes acupuncture, mindfulness-based stress reduction, yoga, and massage. Research is also a big part of the program, helping to define the best, most effective practices for these types of therapies and determine which patients and symptoms they may be most appropriate for. Reiki is available to any patient receiving treatments in the Cancer Center. Since the program began in 2009, its volunteer practitioners have delivered nearly 6,500 sessions. They are provided free of charge, five days a week, usually in 20-minute sessions. Reiki does not compete with or replace the patients’ regular treatment, but can help them better cope. Many of Pouch’s patients — often in an anxious state — will fall asleep during a Reiki session. “I can sense a patient’s whole body relaxing. It brings balance and focus.” “Reiki itself does not cure cancer but it may help lead to better adherence to conventional treatments, which in turn will promote better clinical outcomes,” Mao added.
Vince Gilhool, also a former cancer patient, volunteers his time as well. “Practicing Reiki is one of the best decisions I ever made. Words can’t describe how I feel.” Gilhool, who is a retired parole officer, recalled one patient in particular, a 23-yearReiki is one component of Penn’s Integrative old male who had a very aggressive form of Medicine and Wellness Program at the cancer. “It was his first day of chemo and I Abramson Cancer Center, which also (continued on page 2)
New Resident Room.................4
4
1
A Cool Program
Speaking with HUP’s Leaders
Explores Possible Careers
“We have to figure out new ways to provide the same quality care at a lower cost.”
Mixing mouse eggs and sperm and seeing the process of reproduction “come to life” is just one of the cool hands-on experiences that high-school girls get to see in the Penn Academy for Reproductive Sciences. With a focus on explaining the science behind human reproduction, the program also helps to educate the girls about careers in research and clinical medicine and help them better understand their own bodies. The program runs three sessions a year — fall, spring, and summer — with 10 to 12 high school girls in each. They are chosen from Philadelphia schools based on specific criteria, including academic record, teacher recommendation, and essays explaining their interest in science. Monica Mainigi, MD, of Obstetrics and Gynecology, runs the program with Jamie Shuda, EdD, director of Outreach and Education for the Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Mainigi said that each session (six Saturdays during the school year or three consecutive days in the summer) starts with a lecture on the menstrual cycle by Christos Coutifaris, MD, PhD, chief of Reproductive Endocrinology. “It’s more of an informal talk and the girls love it. Each session, he’s voted their favorite lecturer!” Some of the more than 100 girls who have participated in the program come back for internships in the laboratory during the
summer. One student who spent three summers at the lab was recently accepted as a seven-year medical student at Drexel. Other program participants have received scholarships to college. “The girls are all extremely motivated,” Mainigi said, noting that she is ‘Facebook’ friends with several girls who have been part of the program so she can follow their progress. The program receives funding from the National Institutes of Health but a recent Penn Medicine CAREs grant will be put towards purchasing additional laboratory supplies, SEPTA tokens, and other program materials. “We want to give these girls ideas about a career that maybe they weren’t thinking about before,” Mainigi said. “And even if they don’t go into a health-care career, they know more about their bodies. and that’s steps ahead of where they were when they first came.”
If you’re involved in volunteer efforts and would like to apply for a Penn Medicine CAREs grant, click on the “CARES – Community Outreach” link on the left bar of the Intranet home page and then “CARES Grant.” The deadline for the next quarterly grants is March 1.
Reiki
Outside pressures to lower the cost of health care continue, said HUP executive director Garry Scheib at last month’s Meal with an Administrator. Two federal measures — observation status and the two-midnight rule — have had a significant impact on hospitals. Observation status refers to patients who come to the hospital with a medical problem — for example, chest pains — but go home within 24 hours. At one time, these patients were admitted and discharged the following day. Now, Medicare considers them outpatients. Although the care given to these patients may be the same, HUP receives 20 percent of what was previously paid for a one-day stay. “Our health system inpatient admissions over the last 4 to 5 years have declined 7 to 8 percent but they’ve decreased an average of 15 percent in other hospitals across the region, ” Scheib said. “A big reason is conversion of those one-day stays to observation status.” The second measure, the newly implemented two-midnight rule, states in part that if patients do not stay in the hospital for two
While we are strong enough financially to weather these changes, “we have to figure out new ways to provide the same quality care at a lower cost.” One possible option is to convert a current inpatient unit into one just for observation and less than two-midnight patients, he said. “These patients do not need to be on an inpatient unit where we have really sick patients who need specialized care.” HUP continues to see increasing demand for its beds but meeting the current need is an ongoing challenge. Reducing the length of stay would help meet that demand. “We have a longer average length of stay than some other hospitals like us,” Scheib said. “If we could reduce the length of stay by even one day, approximately 100 beds would become available.”
Questions from Participants One of the participants, who told the group she has been battling cancer, said, “The care here is just phenomenal. I don’t think I could go anywhere in the country that would be any better.”
She said she had heard that her in-network care will no longer be covered 100 percent, which would be a significant burden for her. “That’s only a rumor,” Scheib said. “Our goal is 100 percent coverage when employees use Penn Medicine providers and hospitals. Adding additional copays and deductibles to use Penn providers doesn’t make sense.” He explained that when employees go out of system for their care, Penn Medicine is forced to pay at a much higher rate than we pay ourselves. “We can better control costs if all employees use Penn providers,” he said, adding that “employees using out-of-network services will see increases.” Details will follow during Open Enrollment in the spring. Another participant asked if there would be changes in the tuition benefit, either an increase or decrease. Scheib said he knew of no planned decrease in educational benefits, but noted that “our tuition benefits are very competitive. Generally you won’t find tuition benefits as good as we offer here.” Scheib thanked everyone for their hard work in caring for our patients. And, thanking the participant for sharing her story, he said, “She validated what I always say. HUP’s care givers provide great care.”
A Light Touch That Helps Cancer Patients
(continued from page 1)
started the session, as the nurse explained what I was doing to his mother. By the end of the session, the patient was sleeping. His mother had tears of joy and relief.” Patient feedback is enormously gratifying, he said. Indeed, comments given directly to practitioners — or on the Reiki feedback form — demonstrate how much it helps: “ This was the first time in months that I have felt at ease and relaxed. I could feel my tension float away.” “ Thank you so much for providing me with this service. I have full trust in Penn for my medical needs, and this has helped my emotional state tremendously as well.”
2
consecutive midnights, they are generally considered outpatients. This means that while we were previously paid for two inpatient days, now we’ll receive an outpatient rate only.
Three HUP Nurses Win Achievement Awards
“ I loved the whole experience, and credit having the Reiki with giving me the calmness and energy I need to face this disease.”
Three HUP nurses were selected to receive an Achievement Award from the Emergency Nurses Association. According to the organization’s press release, each recipient “is committed to innovative thinking and leadership to continually advance emergency nursing. Emergency nursing is truly enhanced due to their contributions and the result is seen through nursing excellence and high-quality patient care.” The Achievement Awards recognize individuals in specific areas. Included among this year’s winners are:
“ The sessions added a positive and gentle component to the process. Radiation treatment is difficult and this gave me something that was helping with the physical, emotional, and spiritual side of the experience.” Kim Fleisher, a Reiki master who leads the volunteer program at HUP, said feedback is 99 percent positive. “Some of the nurses comment that Reiki sessions seem to help improve blood pressure and help patients relax, especially those receiving their first treatment,” she said. “The only complaint is that people want longer sessions … and more of them.”
Leah Davis, BSN, CEN, Nursing Education Award `` (L to r.): Rhonda Holmstrom, AnnMarie Papa and Leah Davis were chosen by the Emergency Nursing Association as three of this year’s winners of an Achievement Award.
Rhonda Holmstrom, BSN, CEN, Nursing Practice and Professionalism Award AnnMarie Papa, DNP, CEN, NE-BC, Judith Kelleher Award
3
A Cool Program
Speaking with HUP’s Leaders
Explores Possible Careers
“We have to figure out new ways to provide the same quality care at a lower cost.”
Mixing mouse eggs and sperm and seeing the process of reproduction “come to life” is just one of the cool hands-on experiences that high-school girls get to see in the Penn Academy for Reproductive Sciences. With a focus on explaining the science behind human reproduction, the program also helps to educate the girls about careers in research and clinical medicine and help them better understand their own bodies. The program runs three sessions a year — fall, spring, and summer — with 10 to 12 high school girls in each. They are chosen from Philadelphia schools based on specific criteria, including academic record, teacher recommendation, and essays explaining their interest in science. Monica Mainigi, MD, of Obstetrics and Gynecology, runs the program with Jamie Shuda, EdD, director of Outreach and Education for the Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Mainigi said that each session (six Saturdays during the school year or three consecutive days in the summer) starts with a lecture on the menstrual cycle by Christos Coutifaris, MD, PhD, chief of Reproductive Endocrinology. “It’s more of an informal talk and the girls love it. Each session, he’s voted their favorite lecturer!” Some of the more than 100 girls who have participated in the program come back for internships in the laboratory during the
summer. One student who spent three summers at the lab was recently accepted as a seven-year medical student at Drexel. Other program participants have received scholarships to college. “The girls are all extremely motivated,” Mainigi said, noting that she is ‘Facebook’ friends with several girls who have been part of the program so she can follow their progress. The program receives funding from the National Institutes of Health but a recent Penn Medicine CAREs grant will be put towards purchasing additional laboratory supplies, SEPTA tokens, and other program materials. “We want to give these girls ideas about a career that maybe they weren’t thinking about before,” Mainigi said. “And even if they don’t go into a health-care career, they know more about their bodies. and that’s steps ahead of where they were when they first came.”
If you’re involved in volunteer efforts and would like to apply for a Penn Medicine CAREs grant, click on the “CARES – Community Outreach” link on the left bar of the Intranet home page and then “CARES Grant.” The deadline for the next quarterly grants is March 1.
Reiki
Outside pressures to lower the cost of health care continue, said HUP executive director Garry Scheib at last month’s Meal with an Administrator. Two federal measures — observation status and the two-midnight rule — have had a significant impact on hospitals. Observation status refers to patients who come to the hospital with a medical problem — for example, chest pains — but go home within 24 hours. At one time, these patients were admitted and discharged the following day. Now, Medicare considers them outpatients. Although the care given to these patients may be the same, HUP receives 20 percent of what was previously paid for a one-day stay. “Our health system inpatient admissions over the last 4 to 5 years have declined 7 to 8 percent but they’ve decreased an average of 15 percent in other hospitals across the region, ” Scheib said. “A big reason is conversion of those one-day stays to observation status.” The second measure, the newly implemented two-midnight rule, states in part that if patients do not stay in the hospital for two
While we are strong enough financially to weather these changes, “we have to figure out new ways to provide the same quality care at a lower cost.” One possible option is to convert a current inpatient unit into one just for observation and less than two-midnight patients, he said. “These patients do not need to be on an inpatient unit where we have really sick patients who need specialized care.” HUP continues to see increasing demand for its beds but meeting the current need is an ongoing challenge. Reducing the length of stay would help meet that demand. “We have a longer average length of stay than some other hospitals like us,” Scheib said. “If we could reduce the length of stay by even one day, approximately 100 beds would become available.”
Questions from Participants One of the participants, who told the group she has been battling cancer, said, “The care here is just phenomenal. I don’t think I could go anywhere in the country that would be any better.”
She said she had heard that her in-network care will no longer be covered 100 percent, which would be a significant burden for her. “That’s only a rumor,” Scheib said. “Our goal is 100 percent coverage when employees use Penn Medicine providers and hospitals. Adding additional copays and deductibles to use Penn providers doesn’t make sense.” He explained that when employees go out of system for their care, Penn Medicine is forced to pay at a much higher rate than we pay ourselves. “We can better control costs if all employees use Penn providers,” he said, adding that “employees using out-of-network services will see increases.” Details will follow during Open Enrollment in the spring. Another participant asked if there would be changes in the tuition benefit, either an increase or decrease. Scheib said he knew of no planned decrease in educational benefits, but noted that “our tuition benefits are very competitive. Generally you won’t find tuition benefits as good as we offer here.” Scheib thanked everyone for their hard work in caring for our patients. And, thanking the participant for sharing her story, he said, “She validated what I always say. HUP’s care givers provide great care.”
A Light Touch That Helps Cancer Patients
(continued from page 1)
started the session, as the nurse explained what I was doing to his mother. By the end of the session, the patient was sleeping. His mother had tears of joy and relief.” Patient feedback is enormously gratifying, he said. Indeed, comments given directly to practitioners — or on the Reiki feedback form — demonstrate how much it helps: “ This was the first time in months that I have felt at ease and relaxed. I could feel my tension float away.” “ Thank you so much for providing me with this service. I have full trust in Penn for my medical needs, and this has helped my emotional state tremendously as well.”
2
consecutive midnights, they are generally considered outpatients. This means that while we were previously paid for two inpatient days, now we’ll receive an outpatient rate only.
Three HUP Nurses Win Achievement Awards
“ I loved the whole experience, and credit having the Reiki with giving me the calmness and energy I need to face this disease.”
Three HUP nurses were selected to receive an Achievement Award from the Emergency Nurses Association. According to the organization’s press release, each recipient “is committed to innovative thinking and leadership to continually advance emergency nursing. Emergency nursing is truly enhanced due to their contributions and the result is seen through nursing excellence and high-quality patient care.” The Achievement Awards recognize individuals in specific areas. Included among this year’s winners are:
“ The sessions added a positive and gentle component to the process. Radiation treatment is difficult and this gave me something that was helping with the physical, emotional, and spiritual side of the experience.” Kim Fleisher, a Reiki master who leads the volunteer program at HUP, said feedback is 99 percent positive. “Some of the nurses comment that Reiki sessions seem to help improve blood pressure and help patients relax, especially those receiving their first treatment,” she said. “The only complaint is that people want longer sessions … and more of them.”
Leah Davis, BSN, CEN, Nursing Education Award `` (L to r.): Rhonda Holmstrom, AnnMarie Papa and Leah Davis were chosen by the Emergency Nursing Association as three of this year’s winners of an Achievement Award.
Rhonda Holmstrom, BSN, CEN, Nursing Practice and Professionalism Award AnnMarie Papa, DNP, CEN, NE-BC, Judith Kelleher Award
3
Volume 25
Number 1
January 10, 2014
“ The hope is that this will improve the safety of our transitions of patient care as well as promote improved documentation by providing residents with a quiet space to work in an
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
uninterrupted manner.”
New Resident Room
`` Celebrating the opening of the Resident Work Room were (l. to r.) Al Black, AnnMarie Papa, Betty Ann Boczar, Jennifer Myers, Sarah Longworth, Chuck Aitken and Paul Sonenthal.
With a patient population requiring multidisciplinary care, Founders 14 has one of the busiest nursing stations in the hospital. Attendings, nurses, and residents all use the space to chart their medical interventions electronically, discuss patient care, and teach those in training. Indeed, in this fast-paced environment, getting access to a computer — or a quiet space to talk — was a challenge.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have this dedicated workspace for residents,” said Lisa Bellini, MD, vice dean for Faculty Affairs and Resident Affairs. “The hope is that this will improve the safety of our transitions of patient care as well as promote improved documentation by providing residents with a quiet space to work in an uninterrupted manner.
Now, thanks to a collaborative effort among several departments, a storage room in the unit was transformed into a Resident Work Room, complete with four workstations, a printer and a small refrigerator. During a ribbon cutting to “officially” open the new space, Jennifer Myers, MD, director of Quality and Safety, GME, thanked Al Black, COO of the hospital, and Chuck Aitken, assistant executive hospital director, for their help in “improving the quality of patient care.”
“We also hope to improve the quality of their work life by giving them access to a refrigerator, a place to store their things, and new mattresses to sleep on,” she continued.
As part of this project, the residents’ on-call room was renovated as well.
Congratulations to the winners of the August Helping People All the Time raffle. If you’d like to submit someone’s name, simply go to http://pennpoint.uphs.upenn.edu/sites/HUP/hupse and click on “HUP Service Excellence Nomination” and then “New” at the top of the chart. You can also read previous submissions demonstrating how much employees help our patients. Names can also be submitted on a paper form, available at various locations throughout the hospital. Janeen Dennis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Founders 14 Carl Halsey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maintenance Debra Green. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radiology Ann Coyle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Julianne Muto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Soo Kim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Alexis Weaver. . . . . . . . . . . . Patient Transport Kileen Shuda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Gina Sothern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Tara Owens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Jodi Sandos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Work
A Light Touch That Helps Cancer Patients
Reiki is a noninvasive practice that uses a light touch on — or holding hands just above — a person’s body to help promote balance and well-being. There is no pressure or tissue manipulation. Despite any clear biologic mechanism, “our recent study has shown that Reiki induces relaxation, decreasing anxiety, stress and a patient’s perception of pain,” said Jun Mao, MD, director of the Integrative Oncology Initiative at the Abramson Cancer Center.
According to nurse manager Betty Ann Boczar, BSN, the renovation of the two rooms was part of the Interprofessional Declutter Project on the unit, which was “aimed at systematically decluttering the shared areas, including the nurses’ station, the hallways, and the equipment closets.” Key goals of the project, she said, were “interprofessional accountability for sustaining a clutterfree environment, improving HCAHPS scores for cleanliness and quietness, and enhancing overall unit flow.”
Helping People All the Time
Siobhan Rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silverstein 9 Dorothea Grochowski. . . . . . . . . . . . Ravdin 6 Melissa White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ICN Shawn Seay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pharmacy Kendra Hawkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Admissions Carmen Bernard. . . . . OP Financial Counseling Amy Moore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 6 Connie Mulli. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silverstein 11 Katrina German . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phlebotomy Deborah Jones. . . . . . . Peri-operative Services
Reiki
HUPdate
Practicing Reiki is one of the best decisions I ever made. Words can’t describe how I feel. — Vince Gilhool, volunteer Reiki practitioner
Editorial Staff Sally Sapega Editor and Photographer Lisa Paxson Designer
Administration
Susan E. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Contact HUPdate at: 3535 Market Street, Mezzanine Philadelphia, PA 19104
`` Joan Pouch performs Reiki on cancer patient Margaret Briscoe, to help relax her during a chemotherapy infusion.
Inside
phone: 215.662.4488 fax: 215.349.8312 email: sally.sapega@uphs.upenn.edu
A Cool Program Explores Possible Careers........................2
HUPdate is published biweekly for HUP employees. Access HUPdate online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/hupdate.
Speaking with HUP’s Leaders.......................................3 Three Nurses Win Achievement Awards................3
Joan Pouch can attest to that. She received a Reiki session during chemo treatment she underwent for Stage 3 breast cancer. “It gave me a sense of relaxation — a tremendous balancing, both mentally and physically,” she said. These sessions so helped her that she herself became a Reiki practitioner and now offers Reiki every Tuesday for Penn’s cancer patients as part of HUP’s volunteer program. “It’s a unique experience because I can appreciate both sides.”
includes acupuncture, mindfulness-based stress reduction, yoga, and massage. Research is also a big part of the program, helping to define the best, most effective practices for these types of therapies and determine which patients and symptoms they may be most appropriate for. Reiki is available to any patient receiving treatments in the Cancer Center. Since the program began in 2009, its volunteer practitioners have delivered nearly 6,500 sessions. They are provided free of charge, five days a week, usually in 20-minute sessions. Reiki does not compete with or replace the patients’ regular treatment, but can help them better cope. Many of Pouch’s patients — often in an anxious state — will fall asleep during a Reiki session. “I can sense a patient’s whole body relaxing. It brings balance and focus.” “Reiki itself does not cure cancer but it may help lead to better adherence to conventional treatments, which in turn will promote better clinical outcomes,” Mao added.
Vince Gilhool, also a former cancer patient, volunteers his time as well. “Practicing Reiki is one of the best decisions I ever made. Words can’t describe how I feel.” Gilhool, who is a retired parole officer, recalled one patient in particular, a 23-yearReiki is one component of Penn’s Integrative old male who had a very aggressive form of Medicine and Wellness Program at the cancer. “It was his first day of chemo and I Abramson Cancer Center, which also (continued on page 2)
New Resident Room.................4
4
1