Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center

10/23/2026

🏆 Congratulations to Ashley Amon, nurse manager at Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, on receiving the 2026 Pennsylvania Nightingale Nursing Administration Leader/Manager/Director Award!

Ashley is recognized for her leadership, mentorship and commitment to nursing excellence. She empowers her team, supports professional growth and helps foster a culture where nurses can thrive and provide exceptional patient care.

This statewide honor follows another recent recognition: Ashley’s DAISY Nurse Leader Award at Hampden Medical Center, reflecting the respect and appreciation she has earned from her colleagues and team.

As a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse and Certified Nurse Manager and Leader, Ashley exemplifies the impact strong nursing leadership has on care teams, workplace culture and patient care.

Congratulations, Ashley, on these well-deserved honors! Thank you for all you do for your team, our patients and the nursing profession. 💙

10/20/2026

💙 Compassion can make a difference, especially in challenging moments.

Congratulations to Chukwuemeka “Chuks” Okoye, a certified nursing assistant on the Medical-Surgical Unit A at Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, on receiving the medical center’s quarterly BEE (Be Extraordinary Every Day) Award!

Chuks was nominated by House Supervisor Mike Chiappone for the compassion and professionalism he demonstrated while caring for a patient experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal. Even when the patient became agitated and directed insults toward him, Chuks responded with understanding and without bitterness.

Thank you, Chuks, for treating patients with dignity and exemplifying extraordinary care every day. 👏

The BEE Award recognizes non-nurse team members at Hampden Medical Center who provide extraordinary care to patients, visitors and colleagues.

Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate a team member for a BEE Award: https://bit.ly/3Rri4Xu

10/15/2026

💙 Sometimes, the most meaningful care starts with taking the time to listen.

Congratulations to Hanen Sassi, a registered nurse in the Intermediate Care Unit at Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, who received the October DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Hanen was nominated by a patient experiencing overwhelming stress and mental health challenges. She took time to listen, connect the patient with psychiatric support and check in throughout the day, helping the patient feel safe and supported.

“Truly Hanen saved me from my dark, drowning thoughts and made me feel safe here,” the patient wrote. “She sat with me, listened and gave me a hug I’ll never forget.”

That kind of compassion can make a lasting difference in a patient’s experience.

Congratulations, Hanen, on this well-deserved recognition! 💐

Know a nurse who made a difference in your care or the care of someone you love? Nominate them for a DAISY Award: https://bit.ly/4phqcoA

10/13/2026

💙 Helping kids feel comfortable at the doctor’s office.

For Dr. Jennifer Ruth, caring for children is about more than treating an illness. It’s about getting to know each child, supporting their families and making health care a positive experience.

At Penn State Health Carlisle Pediatrics, Dr. Ruth combines evidence-based medicine with her experience as a mother to provide personalized care for every child.

Learn more about Dr. Ruth, what inspired her to pursue pediatrics and how she helps children feel comfortable while supporting their health and development.

10/09/2026

🏆 A big recognition for Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center.
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Lancaster Medical Center has been named a 2026 Vizient Top Performer for quality, recognizing its commitment to high-quality, safe patient care.
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The medical center was one of 22 community hospitals recognized nationally with the Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Award.
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The recognition reflects ongoing work to use data, evidence-based practices and continuous improvement to advance quality and patient safety.
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Since opening in 2022, Lancaster Medical Center has continued to earn national recognition for its commitment to quality and safety, including being named a Top General Hospital by The Leapfrog Group in 2025 and receiving an “A” Hospital Safety Grade in spring 2026.
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➡️ Read more about the recognition and the work behind it: https://bit.ly/4zrhSIq

10/08/2026

💙 Hope, support and recovery will soon have a new home in Harrisburg.

Penn State Health Medical Group – Cameron Street will open to patients Monday, Oct. 12, bringing the Advancement in Recovery (AIR) Program to a new location at 100 N. Cameron St.

The new location expands access to medication-assisted treatment and counseling for people experiencing substance use disorder and problem gambling.

At the ribbon cutting, AIR patient Adrienne Pierce shared how the program has supported her recovery, describing the people who work there as “an extended family” who truly care about what happens to her.

The new location is another step toward making compassionate, whole-person care more accessible in our community.

Learn more about Psychiatry and Behavioral Health: https://bit.ly/4rRGc3g

10/07/2026

Bringing local leaders together for meaningful conversations about the future of our region. We were proud to host United Way of the Capital Region's CEO Summit and share perspectives on leadership, health care and our community. 💙

10/06/2026

When a family needs trauma care, staying together matters.

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is home to Pennsylvania’s only Level I trauma center for both adults and children — bringing the highest level of specialized trauma care together in one place.

Both our Adult and Pediatric Trauma programs have earned full accreditation from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation with no significant issues, reaffirming the expertise, resources and readiness of the teams caring for some of the most seriously injured patients.

And when multiple members of a family are injured in the same event, having both adult and pediatric Level I trauma care at one medical center means they can receive specialized care close to one another during an incredibly difficult time.

When every second matters, our teams are ready. 💙

10/06/2026

🩷 Your health deserves a place on your calendar, too.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder to make time for yourself and stay up to date with recommended breast cancer screenings.

Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer early, when it may be easier to treat and outcomes are often better.

If you’re due for a mammogram, schedule your screening today.

Find a Penn State Health mammogram location near you: https://bit.ly/4xZxeCN

10/02/2026

❤️ Some reunions are worth celebrating.

Heart transplant recipients, their families and the care teams who have been part of their journeys came together for Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center's annual Heart Transplant Reunion.

Hear from some of the people whose lives have been transformed through organ donation and heart transplantation — and the hope, resilience and second chances that come with it.

10/01/2026

❤️ Stephen McNamara didn’t expect a heart failure diagnosis to change his life. He also didn’t expect to be back on the tennis court just a few years later.

In 2023, Stephen started experiencing symptoms he couldn’t ignore, including fatigue, shortness of breath, stomach pain and severe difficulty sleeping. When he went to the emergency department at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center, doctors discovered chronic heart failure and blood clots in his heart and lungs. His heart’s ejection fraction was just 17%.

With medication, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and changes to his daily routine, Stephen has worked to manage his condition and get back to the activities he loves.

Today, the Lancaster resident is playing tennis every week, golfing several times a week and taking walks throughout his workday.

His diagnosis changed how he thinks about his health — but it didn’t stop him from living his life.

👉 Read Stephen’s story in the Medical Minute, “Living well with heart failure,” to learn more about recognizing heart failure symptoms, treatment options and the lifestyle changes that can help people manage the condition: https://bit.ly/4dhbWsH

09/30/2026

💙 When Lewistown resident Barry Swartz was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he wanted to understand his options — and find a treatment that would allow him to keep doing the things he loves.

At Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Barry became a candidate for high-intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU, a minimally invasive treatment that uses targeted sound waves to destroy cancerous tissue.

Urologist Dr. Jay Raman used a robotic system to precisely target the areas of cancer while monitoring the treatment in real time.

For Barry, the treatment offered another option for treating his prostate cancer while helping him look ahead to the activities he enjoys, including hunting, fishing, golfing and traveling.

As Prostate Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, Barry’s story is a reminder that knowing your options matters when facing a prostate cancer diagnosis.

👉 Read Barry’s story and learn more about the robotic HIFU treatment at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center:

Barry Swartz, a 69-year-old Lewistown resident, underwent high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

09/29/2026

💙 A little extra care can go a long way.

A team of Penn State Health employees recently came together to donate and deliver updated care kits to Tenfold, providing practical essentials to people in our community who may be experiencing homelessness or facing other challenges with housing and financial stability.

The kits include gloves, hats, neck gaiters, socks, blankets, snacks, water bottles and hand-sanitizing wipes — items that can provide comfort, warmth and support when they’re needed most.

A special thank-you to Diane Long, RN, and the Penn State Health employees who helped make this donation possible and personally delivered the supplies to Tenfold. Your generosity and willingness to support our community make a difference.

We’re grateful to partner with Tenfold and support the people they serve. 🫶

09/24/2026

💙 A more connected health care experience is coming to Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center.

Starting Oct. 31, Penn State Health will launch Epic, a new electronic health record and billing system that will help connect care across the health system.

Patients will also have access to MyChart, replacing five separate patient portals with one convenient place to manage their care. From MyChart, patients will be able to message their care team, view test results, schedule appointments, manage prescriptions, join virtual visits and access their health information.

The new system will also give care teams a more connected view of a patient’s care, helping strengthen communication and coordination across Penn State Health.

👉 Learn more about Epic, MyChart and what this change means for patients: https://bit.ly/4hjXfX3

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we’re celebrating the people behind Penn State Health — the physicians, nurses, researchers, educators, students and staff whose dedication makes a difference every day.

Thank you for all you do for our patients, our communities and one another.

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing Labor Day! 💙

09/03/2026

💙 Compassionate care can leave a lasting impression — especially when a patient and family are going through a difficult time.

Silas Randall, a registered nurse on the Intermediate Care Unit team at Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, was honored with the August DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses in recognition of his dedication and compassionate care.

His impact was clear in the words of a grateful patient’s wife:

“We will never forget Silas and his gentle, caring demeanor. Thank you, Silas, and team.”

Congratulations, Silas, on this well-deserved honor, and thank you for the care and compassion you bring to your patients and their families. 👏

Know a nurse who has made a difference in your care or the care of someone you love? Nominate them for a DAISY Award: https://bit.ly/4phqcoA

07/23/2026

Congratulations to Lindsay Lyle, a social worker in Care Management at Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, on receiving the medical center's quarterly BEE (Be Extraordinary Every Day) Award. 💙

Lindsay was recognized for going above and beyond to help a patient return home to spend his final days with family. She worked across multiple disciplines and stayed well beyond her shift to make it possible.

As one colleague shared, "Because of her, the patient was able to pass with dignity, comfort and in a place he called home."

Thank you, Lindsay, for your compassion and dedication to making a difference for patients and families every day. ✨

The BEE Award recognizes non-nurse team members who provide extraordinary care to patients, visitors and fellow team members. To recognize a Hampden Medical Center staff member who made a difference in your care or that of someone you know, fill out the BEE Award nomination form: https://bit.ly/3Rri4Xu

07/21/2026

❤️ Providing exceptional heart and stroke care starts with a commitment to quality.

Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center has been recognized by the American Heart Association with Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for patients experiencing heart disease and stroke.

These national recognitions reflect our team's dedication to following the latest clinical guidelines, improving patient outcomes and delivering exceptional care to our community.

Congratulations to our physicians, nurses and care teams on this outstanding achievement!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4wTpBxk