READ Program highlights library’s mission
In 2011, the Harrell Health Sciences Library READ Poster Recognition Award at Penn State Hershey was established. Individuals who received the inaugural award are strong library supporters who have helped advance the mission of the library. Faculty and staff, from within and outside of the library worked to have the award created. Each honoree had a poster created that included a picture of themselves with a book of their choice, and a quote about why they chose that particular book and what their involvement with the library is.
C. Max Lang, D.V.M., D.A.C.J.A.M., George T. Harrell Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Comparative Medicine is pictured with a book he penned entitled The Impossible Dream: The Founding of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center of the Pennsylvania State University. An avid reader, Lang had this to say about his support of the library, “The George T. Harrell Library is strategically located both architecturally and intellectually, between the basic and clinical sciences departments. This emphasizes the art of medicine which is based on scientific discoveries. It also subtly encourages the importance of continuing education to cope with the overwhelming amount of new information.
Victoria Schirm, Ph.D., R.N., director of nursing research, Department of Nursing, picked Notes on Nursing, by Florence Nightengale, who laid the foundation for professional nursing. “My Penn State nursing education instilled an appreciation for the library as a place to find best available evidence to support nursing interventions that are so important to quality patient care. Florence Nightengale’s Notes on Nursing, written over 150 years ago, is an early example of nursing knowledge development share in a book. For me, the library is an important gateway to books, journals, references, and a myriad of other resources that capture’s nursing’s unique and distinct contribution to patient care.”
The 2011 READ Program awardees is:
- Graham H. Jefferies, M.D., D,Phil, Professor Emeritus of Medicine Gastroenterology and founding chair, Department of Medicine
- C. Max Lang, D.V.M., D.A.C.J.A.M., George T. Harrell Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Comparative Medicine
- Alphonse Leure-duPree, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, associate dean for academic achievement
- Harold L. Paz, M.D, M.S., chief executive officer, senior vice-president for health affairs, and dean
- Victoria Schirm, Ph.D., R.N., director of nursing research, Department of Nursing
- Tom Stapleton, project manager, facilities planning and construction
Into the Future – Memories & Milestones
Part 19 – Into the Future
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center continues to be forward-thinking in the commitment to enhance the quality of life through improved health, the professional preparation of those who will serve the health needs of others, and the discovery of knowledge that will benefit all.
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>> View all 19 segments of “Memories & Milestones” on the Penn State Hershey website.
Continuing the Legacy – Memories & Milestones
Part 18 – Continuing the Legacy
Milton S. Hershey’s legacy and vision carries on through the continuing work of the Medical Center and College of Medicine.
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Trauma Center – Memories & Milestones
Part 17 – Trauma Center
Penn State Hershey is the only Level One Trauma Center in Pennsylvania accredited for both adult and pediatric patients. The Life Lion helicopter program was named by the winner of a medical student contest.
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Grand Opening – Memories & Milestones
Part 15 – Grand Opening
The first patient arrives on October 14, 1970. And a surprise phone call the next day puts the medical staff on duty their first weekend.
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Cervical Cancer Prevention – Memories & Milestones
Part 14 – Cervical Cancer Prevention
The work of College of Medicine researchers Dr. John W. Kreider and Dr. Mary K. Howett played a critical role in the development of the cervical cancer vaccine.
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CEO Perspectives: Funding for Health Sciences Research
Below is an excerpt from the April 2012 edition of Perspectives, a monthly electronic newsletter from Harold L. Paz, M.D., chief executive officer, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, senior vice president for health affairs, Penn State, and dean, Penn State College of Medicine.
Harold L. Paz, M.D., M.S.
Conducting research is one of the key missions of any academic health center, and it’s a fundamental characteristic that distinguishes institutions like Penn State Hershey from other hospitals in the community. But biomedical research is expensive, and increasingly, researchers are having difficulty getting even the most excellent proposals funded. This challenge has become especially acute since the economic downturn in 2008. Government support for research is being cut back not only at the federal level, but also by many states, including Pennsylvania. In addition, many private sources of support for research – including philanthropic foundations and non-profit organizations – have reduced the amount of funding available, in response to the reduced value of their endowments or diminished philanthropic support these organizations rely on.
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Artificial Heart Research – Memories & Milestones
Part 13 – Artificial Heart Research
The development of the world’s first mechanical blood pump for patients awaiting heart transplants is discussed by the people involved. Since 1976, more than 4,000 patients worldwide have received heart assist devices based on Penn State technology. Dr. Gerson “Gus” Rosenberg and Dr. William Pierce are profiled.
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>> Learn more about the Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute
Groundbreaking – Memories & Milestones
Part 12 – Groundbreaking
February 26, 1966 marks the beginning of the construction of the medical center. “Be careful on your way home, the hospital is not ready yet.”
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Paz tells trustees collaboration is key to Penn State Hershey’s growth
In an environment offering challenges that include health care reform, declining health care reimbursement, growing ranks of uninsured patients, and uncertainty around government funding for health sciences education and biomedical research, Harold Paz, M.D, told University Trustees that the key to success for Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is building relationships with new partners and even old competitors.
Harold L. Paz, M.D., M.S.
During his annual Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine address on Friday (March 16), Paz, who serves as the Medical Center’s chief executive officer, Penn State’s senior vice president for health affairs, and dean of the College of Medicine, said Penn State Hershey has forged various partnerships with nearly every hospital in central Pennsylvania over the past six years.
Paz told trustees that collaboration with hospitals, health systems, and other providers has not only helped the Medical Center’s bottom line but has enabled Penn State Hershey to effectively advance its missions of education, research, patient care, and community service, while complementing the care offered by many of the region’s community health providers. He said it also has helped keep patients and families in need of vital specialty and subspecialty services from having to leave the region for their care.
“As central Pennsylvania’s only academic medical center we have a responsibility to serve our community by producing the next generation of health care professionals and biomedical scientists, discovering new medical knowledge that will improve health, and providing state-of-the-art care for serious or life-threatening conditions,” said Paz. “In many cases, the most effective way to advance those missions is to collaborate with community hospitals and regional health systems, including those with which we sometimes compete.” (more…)
