Tag Archives: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Expert-Recommended Orthopedic Hospitals in Pennsylvania

February 24, 2026 | by Admin

Persistent pain in your bones, joints or muscles should never be something you simply learn to live with. Across Pennsylvania, various hospitals are offering high-quality orthopedic treatment, advanced surgical options and patient-focused recovery to help you move comfortably and confidently again. The best orthopedic hospital in Pennsylvania depends on your specific condition, where you live and the type of care you need, but experts consistently recommend the following four hospitals.

1. UPMC

UPMC is widely regarded as one of the best orthopedic hospitals in Pennsylvania for various reasons. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, it combines national recognition with strong local access to make high-level orthopedic care accessible close to home. In particular, UPMC Harrisburg was ranked seventh in the state and second in the Harrisburg metro area by U.S. News & World Report, with high-performing status in orthopedics.

You can get a wide range of personalized orthopedic care at UPMC. These include joint replacement, spine care, fractures, and shoulder, knee, foot and ankle problems. The skilled medical team is known for being compassionate and willing to answer any questions you may have. Some locations also offer walk-in orthopedic injury clinics, which allow you to see a specialist without an appointment.

The treatment at UPMC usually starts with identifying the root cause of your pain through advanced imaging and testing. The team will help you explore nonsurgical care such as medication, injections and braces as the first line of defense. If surgery is the best option, the hospital offers minimally invasive options and structured physical therapy to help you move safely and confidently again.

Key Features

Walk-in orthopedic injury clinics for timely care
Advanced diagnostics and minimally invasive techniques
Extensive network across Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg and Hershey

2. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is nationally recognized for excellence in orthopedic care and has more than 120 orthopedic experts. As central Pennsylvania’s only academic medical center, you can expect to receive care based on proven methods supported by ongoing research. The same doctors treating patients are also researchers working on new treatment approaches.

Since the hospital is a Level I Trauma Center, it treats all types of orthopedic injuries and provides care for patients of all ages, from children to older adults. Among the musculoskeletal conditions it treats are arthritis, muscle and tendon injuries, complex spine disorders, traumatic bone injuries, and bone cancers. Moreover, the hospital performs more than 1,000 joint replacements each year, which means the surgeons are highly trained and experienced.

Care at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is known to be highly coordinated. Orthopedic specialists, rehabilitation experts, nutritionists, pain management and athletic training professionals work together to give you a personalized treatment. The hospital is an excellent option for kids, too, as it has Child Life specialists who support them throughout treatment.

Key Features

Level I Trauma Center with full orthopedic injury coverage
Performs over 1,000 joint replacements annually, including revision surgery
Academic, research-driven orthopedic care

3. Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals

Serving the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey area, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals brings together orthopedic specialists from Rothman Orthopaedics, 3B Orthopaedics, Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center and other regional providers. This means you can access a broad range of expertise within one coordinated system. Additionally, you may benefit from the latest standards of care since it is an academic hospital.

The hospital specializes in nonsurgical solutions and ongoing monitoring. It offers treatments such as medication, splinting and bracing, steroid and nerve block injections, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and physical therapy. When surgery is required, the orthopedic team uses minimally invasive techniques, arthroscopic procedures, robotic surgery technology and advanced imaging to support recovery. Following surgery, patients will work closely with physical therapists to create personalized rehabilitation plans.

Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals has earned numerous recognitions and accreditations for its top-notch orthopedic offerings. It’s nationally recognized for orthopedic excellence by U.S. News & World Report, as well as the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and Disease-Specific Certification for hip and knee replacement surgery.

Key Features

Integrated care from leading regional orthopedic practices
Focus on nonsurgical treatment options
Certified and nationally recognized joint replacement care

4. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital

Lancaster General Hospital is a long-standing recipient of the Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Being a part of the Penn Medicine health system, this 525-bed nonprofit hospital provides access to one of the region’s most comprehensive ranges of specialty services, including orthopedics.

You have access to both nonsurgical and surgical options here supported by the latest techniques, technology, research and clinical trials that many of its medical team are involved in. A full spectrum of orthopedic care is available, including joint replacement, sports medicine, trauma, spine care, peripheral nerve care and more.

Lancaster General Hospital also offers structured education, rehabilitation planning and an advanced pain protocol proven to improve mobility for each patient. In addition, you can get second opinions.

Key Features

Magnet-designated hospital recognized for patient safety
Comprehensive orthopedic services
Part of the Penn Medicine system, with access to research and clinical trials

How the Expert-Recommended Orthopedic Hospitals in Pennsylvania Compare

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the best orthopedic hospitals in Pennsylvania.

Hospital	Service Area	Key Features
UPMC	Central, North Central and Western Pennsylvania	● Walk-in orthopedic injury clinics ● Highly accessible across the state
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center	Central Pennsylvania	● Level I Trauma Center ● Academic, research-driven care
Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals	Southeastern Pennsylvania	● Integrated specialty groups ● Comprehensive nonsurgical solutions
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital	South Central Pennsylvania	● Penn Medicine-affiliated orthopedic care ● Magnet-designated hospital

Methodology for the Top Orthopedic Hospital List

This list of expert-recommended orthopedic hospitals in Pennsylvania was developed using a combination of factors. These include:

National recognition: Each hospital on this list has received rankings and certifications from trusted organizations such as U.S. News & World Report and the Joint Commission. These factors show clinical outcomes, safety measures, procedural volume and reputation among specialists.
Comprehensive care: The list prioritized hospitals that treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, perform a high volume of joint replacements, manage complex trauma cases, or offer advanced surgical techniques such as minimally invasive or robotic-assisted procedures.
Accessibility: All hospitals listed offer coordinated treatment pathways, walk-in orthopedic services, academic research integration or strong regional networks that can support patients throughout treatment.

Choosing the Best Orthopedic Hospital in Pennsylvania

Orthopedic care is often a long experience, so you want to go somewhere you can truly trust. The four best orthopedic hospitals on this list have surgeons who specialize in specific orthopedic fields and have advanced technologies, compassionate medical teams, and national accreditations and recognitions.

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February News Digest

January 30, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Passes 2024 Budget

Harrisburg has solidified a spending plan for 2024, one that anticipates impacts from inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic.

In late December, City Council approved a $109.4 million general fund budget, which includes investments in infrastructure and public safety. The budget does not include a property tax increase.

In total, the balanced budget equals $150.7 million, including the general fund and the $21.1 million neighborhood services fund budget, among others.

The budget specifically prioritizes projects such as street paving, upgrades to city parks and the hiring of several new police officers. The plan also factors in the spending of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money on projects like renovating the Hall Manor pool and funding affordable housing development, one-time funds that boosted this year’s budget number.

Council passed the budget after making a few minor amendments to the original proposal, mostly reducing raises for city employees that they felt were not deserved or adequately explained by the administration. Council voted 5-1 to approve the budget, with council member Shamaine Daniels voting against it.

Additionally, in 2024, the city has raised residents’ monthly trash bills by $3.23, making the cost $35.57 per month. According to city Business Administrator Dan Hartman, the fee hike is needed to offset inflation and continuously increasing expenses such as tipping fees, wage increases, vehicle costs and fuel prices.

Area Officials Sworn In

Kicking off the new year, many recently elected officials took office in January.

Harrisburg City Council and Dauphin County officials were sworn in at separate ceremonies, including newcomers to council and to the county’s board of commissioners.

During a ceremony at city hall, Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge Hanif Johnson swore in council president Danielle Bowers for a second term, alongside Crystal Davis, a new council member. The third member, Lamont Jones, also a newcomer, attended the ceremony, but was officially sworn into office at the county courthouse earlier.

Soon after the ceremony, council held its reorganizational meeting, unanimously electing Bowers to serve as council president for another term. In a vote of 4-3, council chose Ausha Green to serve as vice president for a second term, as well.

On the same day, Dauphin County swore in several public officials.

Incumbent county commissioners George Hartwick, a Democrat who has served for 20 years, and Mike Pries, a Republican who took office in 2010, again took the oath of office.

In November, Democratic challenger Justin Douglas was elected as the third commissioner, replacing Chad Saylor, and flipping the board to Democratic control for the first time in over a century.

Douglas attended the county’s ceremony but was sworn in at a separate ceremony earlier that morning in Conewago Township, where he lives.

Catherine Hershey Schools Taking Applications

A major, cost-free childcare and early education center in Harrisburg is now accepting applications for enrollment.

Last month, the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning opened the application process for its Harrisburg location, which is being developed at N. 6th and Muench streets.

The center is an arm of the Milton Hershey School and will offer free care and education to 150 low-income and at-risk children, from 6 weeks to 5 years old. It will focus on providing kindergarten readiness programming and family support.

The 45,000-square-foot complex has been under construction for over a year and is expected to be completed later in 2024, at which time it will open to students.

It will be open weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., employing a play-based curriculum to enhance a child’s overall development and early education.

The Harrisburg location will be the second Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning in central PA. The first opened in Hershey last year, and another in Middletown is slated for 2025. Three additional schools—in Lancaster, New Danville and Elizabethtown—are expected to open in 2026.

Harrisburg Police Mark New Hires, Promotions

Five Harrisburg police officers were promoted and two others were brought on board during a ceremony last month at Whitaker Center.

During the hour-long event, Mayor Wanda Williams administered the oath of office to the new officers, Zachary Donmoyer and Solomon Myers.

“One of my great honors, as mayor, is that twice a year I get to stand in front of all of you and give this solemn oath to our new officers,” Williams said. “I know that, with each young man or woman who raises their hand to protect the city of Harrisburg, our city is just a little bit safer.”

Donmoyer and Myers will now enter HACC Municipal Police Academy to begin their training.

Deputy Chief Dennis Sorensen, who retired from the bureau last month after a lengthy career, announced the officer promotions. They are:

Sgt. Antwyn Chatman
Cpl. Andrew Cortelazzi
Cpl. Anthony Cummings
Cpl. Farida Kingsboro
Cpl. Chad McGowan

During his remarks, police Commissioner Thomas Carter also noted the recent decline in homicides in Harrisburg. In 2023, the city had 13 homicides, the lowest number in a dozen years and 10 fewer than in 2022.

The ceremony also took note of several long-tenured officers who recently retired. They are:

Deputy Chief Sorensen, serving 32 years
Capt. Milo Hooper, serving 27 years
Lt. James Galkowski, serving 27 years
Sgt. Robert Minnier, serving 23 years
Sgt. Teresa Covey, serving 23 years

William Penn Demolition Canceled

Harrisburg’s William Penn building is no longer slated for demolition.

At a January Harrisburg School Board meeting, Receiver Dr. Lori Suski officially reversed her previous decision to raze the vacant, blighted school building.

In June, she approved a contract with the Gordian Group to tear down the building, at a cost of $6.8 million. However, since then, community members voiced opposition to the decision, causing Suski to halt the demo and form a task force to discuss alternative options.

At a previous meeting, task force members voted on a motion to recommend to Suski that the building be saved.

Last month’s board meeting solidified that plan, with Suski instead approving the Gordian Group to clean out debris and remove asbestos from the building. The agreement also includes constructing a fence along the front façade to protect the public from falling debris.

A fire, determined by the city’s fire bureau to be caused by arson, damaged William Penn in December. As part of the proposal, the Gordian Group will also clean out and secure the fire-damaged area.

With Suski saving the building from demolition, the district will continue to weigh options for future use of the property.

Area Homes Sales Slip, Prices Steady

Harrisburg-area home sales slipped while the median sales price inched higher in December, according to the latest monthly report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 492 homes sold in December compared to 528 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price rose to $259,275 from $250,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 245 houses sold, a decrease from 274, as the median sales price climbed to $243,500 from $225,000 the prior December, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had 210 home sales, a drop from 229, as the median price decreased to $284,950 versus $288,900 in December 2022, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, sales totaled 30 homes, an increase from 21 compared to the prior December, as the median sales price rose to $220,000 from $206,500, GHAR said.

The pace of sales was steady, as “average days on market” rose in December to 23 days versus 22 days a year ago, according to GHAR.

So Noted

Amanda Carter last month was appointed the interim executive director of the LGBT Center of Central PA, replacing long-time director Amanda Arbour. The center also announced the appointments of Michael Tschop as the center’s new director of finance and grants and TL Waid as the new GLO site director, replacing Carter in that post.

Don McKenna last month was named the president of Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Since last July, he has served in the role on an interim basis and, before that, as president of Hampden and Holy Spirit medical centers.

Got Jerk Island Grill and Juice Bar has opened at 1313 N. 2nd St. in Harrisburg, the former location of Ted’s Bar and Grill. From the restaurant, chef Kenny Henny serves authentic Jamaican cuisine while colleague Jomo Bunsie concocts a variety of creative, fresh-made juice drinks.

Justin T. Webb was appointed last month as the new chief financial officer for Mid Penn Bancorp. Webb has been with the bank since 2012, previously serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Nesta Hemp Shop debuted last month at 9 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, in the retail strip known as the “Shops at 3rd,” adjacent to Strawberry Square. Owner Carmelia Rameau offers a large selection of CBD products, supplements and body care items, as well as dispensary-grade THC products that do not require a medical card.

The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, a membership-based advocacy organization of early care and education professionals, has relocated their Pennsylvania headquarters to a 2,800-square-foot, fourth-floor office in the Lerner Tower in Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg. They previously were located in the Harrisburg Transportation Center.

Changing Hands

Benton St., 542: K. Moore to J. Garcia & D. Rodriguez, $183,000

Benton St., 704: J. Marrero to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $75,000

Boas St., 420: K. & D. Borelli to S. Rubenstein & H. Choi, $139,000

Briggs St., 1500: G. Stevenson to Kemetic State LLC, $581,000

Camp St., 651: J. Medina to Bencosme Realty LLC, $80,000

Chestnut St., 1605: P. & G. Devita to V. Ledesma, $82,000

Derry St., 1323: Best By LLC to Vernon St Apartments LLC, $175,000

Derry St., 1628: Rivas Property Investments LLC to A. Moscoso, $142,000

Derry St., 2008: BCR-2 Properties LLC to K. & J. Simonetti, $145,000

Derry St., 2431: A. Williamson to G. Singh, $95,000

Division St., 423: D&F Realty Holdings LP to Archie Group LLC, $88,000

Ellerslie St., 2332: J. & M. Weaver to Builders Property Management & Marketing Group LLC, $55,000

Emerald St., 248: M. Nolan to M. Luciano, $146,000

Forster St., 1839: Tender Loving Care Healthcare Services to GZL Corp., $56,000

Fulton St., 1419: A. Skerpon to D. Brown, $182,500

Fulton St., 1719: M. Biscoe to R. Hall, $199,900

Grand St., 915: A. & A. Zlogar to T. Wadlinger, $134,000

Green St., 1218, 1222: J. & S. Bircher to Harrisburg Dream Homes LLC, $215,000

Green St., 1325: S. & E. Rairigh to R. Wesch, $177,900

Green St., 2023: Z. & S. Smith to S. Latanishen & N. Krak, $259,000

Hale Ave., 400: H. Vo & H. Ngo to V. Miller, $139,900

Herr St., 1712: E. Arriola to Y. Monegro & R. Sanchez, $140,000

Hummel St., 236: D. Boyle to Atabalero Investment LLC, $60,000

Hunter St., 1715: A. Donaldson to Side by Side 365 LLC, $50,000

Jefferson St., 2243: Krista Moulds Trust to K. Harris & D. Haskins, $125,000

Kensington St., 2015: Gary Neff Inc. & City Limits Realty to A. Rahman, $66,000

Kensington St., 2316: B. Kelley to T. Dieu, $95,000

Kittatinny St., 1249: J. Ebersole to 1249 Kittatinny LLC, $69,000

Market St., 1226: Upscale Properties LLC to O. & S. Williams, $245,000

Market St., 1837: M. & S. Richards to D. Dumelice, $136,500

Market St., 1901: G. & C. Lutz to N. & T. Celestin, $210,000

Melrose St., 732: A. Eckert to P. & A. Sjardijn, $245,000

Mercer St., 2455: N. Dung to K. Weldeghebrial, $122,500

N. 2nd St., 1112: Fancy Homes Harrisburg LLC to D. Miller & R. Finley, $172,000

N. 2nd St., 2539: E. & A. Stockstill to K. On, $265,000

N. 2nd St., 2701: K. Sheets & K. Hancock to Z. & S. Smith, $525,000

N. 4th St., 3231: J. Grant to Family Tree Holding LLC, $127,100

N. 5th St., 3017: C. Skotedis to T. Fisher, $269,500

N. 6th St., 1410: S. Finkenbender to Chaitradhi Group LLC, $183,000

N. 6th St., 2211: 608 N Third LLC to Ministry Int IPDA Inc., $204,500

N. 6th St., 2240, 2284, 2290, 2292, 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2306, 2307, 2309, 2311, 2313, 2315, 2317, 2319, 2321, 2323, 2325, 2327, 2329 & 595, 597, 599 Emerald St.: Redevelopment Authority of Harrisburg to JMB Gardens LLC, $55,000

N. 6th St., 3153: Normans Realty Service Inc. to S. Rosas, $132,000

N. 12th St., 29: Soloman Investment LLC to ILL Holdings LLC, $53,000

N. 12th St., 53: N. Padilla to Dreams2Reality Services LLC, $69,000

N. 13th St., 506: Blue Lion Real Estate LLC to E. Baret, $160,000

N. 15th St., 236: D. Boyle to P. Nunez, $55,000

N. 15th St., 1623: M. & B. Jackson and D. Smith to R. & A. Smith, $215,000

N. 17th St., 120: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to F. Rodriguez, $75,000

N. 17th St., 803: Sky Resort Rentals LLC to Rosaruth Properties LLC, $67,500

N. 19th St., 27: A. Paredes to N. Diaz, $135,000

N. 19th St., 29: A. Paredes to A. Leon, $85,000

N. Cameron St., 101 Rear: R. & S. Otto to R&J Cameron LLC, $400,000

Park St., 1912: Lancaster Real Estate Fund LLC to Balaci Properties LLC, $84,900

Penn St., 1103: Equitable Builds LLC to A. Kittel & S. Lamaster, $225,000

Penn St., 2212: A. & T. Bobb to HBG Apts LLC, $91,000

Reel St., 2725: C. & D. Huffer to C. & E. Clemons, $125,000

Reily St., 333: ADS Investments LLC to P. Haile, $121,500

Royal Terr., 129 & 131: D&F Realty Holdings LP to R. Gertz, $129,500

S. 15th St., 220: J. Doller & H. Ford to First Choice Home Buters LLC, $52,000

S. 16th St., 30: D. & R. Wieand to T. Kea, $105,000

S. 16th St., 545: PBBO Real Estate LLC to Awesome Tenants LLC, $50,000

S. 17th St., 540: M. & G. Garcia to D. Montes, $71,400

S. 25th St., 729: Y. Suero & T. Nikuary to Waters Properties LLC, $320,000

S. 28th St., 728: M. Marcus to C. & D. Aversa, $147,000

S. Front St., 589: 30X30 Investments LLC to E. & P. Pettis, $250,000

Pine St., 215: Musalair Trust to 215 Pine St LLC & Pine St Properties LLC, $375,000

State St., 1514: Inder Group Estate LLC to M. Singh, $115,000

State St., 1626: Best By LLC to Vernon St Apartments LLC, $195,000

Walnut St., 104: N&R Properties LLC to Charming on Walnut LLC, $102,600

Walnut St., 106: N&R Group LLC to Charming on Walnut LLC, $167,400

Walnut St., 1212: T. Roberts to Wright Restoration Properties LLC, $100,000

Wiconisco St., 631: M. Ayyad to C. Smith, $82,500

Wiconisco St., 632: R. Perdomo to W. Scales, $128,500

Zarker St., 1932 & 2021 Holly St.: D. & R. Requa to Z&E Holdings LLC, $139,000

Zarker St., 2035: V. Dickey to J. Tippitt, $115,000

Harrisburg property sales, December 2023, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Air Care: When minutes matter, Life Lion roars

December 29, 2022 | by Jeff Falk

Becky McCormick didn’t think too much of her headache when she laid down to take a nap on a Friday afternoon.

But when the 31-year-old resident of Pine Grove woke, she was on the floor. She couldn’t walk, and her speech was slurred.

It was May 19, 2017, the day of McCormick’s 10th wedding anniversary.

“Being in health care, I knew that if you’re in Life Lion, you’re bad,” McCormick said. “In the helicopter is when reality set in. It was like ‘Holy s***. This is real!’ But the crew kept me calm. They both talked to me the entire time and asked me to squeeze their hands and wiggle my toes.”

McCormick had been taken to the Schuylkill Medical Center in Pottsville, where she was diagnosed with a brain aneurism. Doctors determined that McCormick’s condition could be better treated at Penn State Health’s Hershey Medical Center.

It’s more than an hour drive from Pottsville to Hershey. It’s about a 12-minute flight.

The average speed of a vehicle is 60 to 70 miles per hour, but Life Lion cruises at 186 miles an hour.

“I needed help faster than an ambulance could give me,” said McCormick, who is now an emergency medical technician as part of Life Lion’s ground team. “My brain was bleeding, and they needed to get me there right now. I remember bits and pieces of the flight. I remember flying over Fort Indiantown Gap. Calculating it now, I probably wouldn’t have survived an ambulance ride.”

McCormick’s story of crisis and rapid response, and ultimately survival, is a story that exemplifies the lifesaving work that Penn State Health-Hershey’s Life Lion performs on a daily basis.

Flight paramedic Mike Kurtz has been part of Life Lion’s team since the program’s inception in 1986. He has flown thousands of missions in Penn State Health-Hershey’s “flying critical care unit,” and he’s helped save thousands of people like Becky McCormick.

“Ambulances do a great job. They can do what’s essentially needed,” Kurtz said. “But when it comes to the aircraft, there are no holds barred, more or less. The stuff we’re doing is kind of high tech for the out-of-hospital realm. When minutes matter, they call us to reduce the loss of life.”

With a sister base located in Carlisle, Penn State Health-Hershey maintains and operates three Life Lion helicopters from a hangar located on the west side of the medical center. Equipped with two hours of fuel, Life Lion services a 10-county region in central Pennsylvania, namely Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Lebanon, York, Lancaster, Berks, Schuylkill and Franklin counties.

“The general public wants help when they need it, but they really don’t think about what goes into it,” said Kurtz, a 62-year-old resident of Dauphin Borough. “We’re called out when Mrs. Smith is having a bad day. That’s probably the saddest moments, when you see a family gathered in a waiting room based on a split second. I’ve seen a lot in my career, but you never say you’ve seen everything.”

Goosebumps

While it responds to just about any sort of physical tragedy imaginable—on average about three a day—the majority of Life Lion calls involve vehicle accidents. By maintaining a heightened degree of preparedness and readiness, for both its medical personnel and aircraft, Life Lion can be airborne in fewer than five minutes.

The Life Lion team is comprised of highly trained paramedics, EMTs, nurses, physicians, pilots, dispatchers and mechanics.

“We can have very slow days,” Kurtz said. “Or we could be 10 hours into a 12-hour day, and all chaos breaks loose. We don’t have a crystal ball to know when people are going to need us. You’ve always got to be ready to move. We do have adrenaline spikes in this position.”

When Life Lion was established 37 years ago, it was one of the first of its kind. As aeronautical and medical technologies have evolved, so have Life Lion’s capabilities.

“There’s always a risk involved when you work against gravity,” Kurtz said. “We fly really fast, and those flights can be pretty intense. Any first responder takes on a certain level of risk. When you say goodbye to your family, you just never know. It can take a lot to save a life, and that’s the business we’re in.”

Meticulous attention to detail is a mindset that reduces human error and produces success. But when you work in a people business as a flight nurse, it becomes a way of life in which elements of humanity can never be totally eliminated.

“You’re right, I am passionate. You have to be passionate,” said Kurtz, who’s been involved as a first responder since he was a 15-year-old volunteer. “It can be stressful, but it’s rewarding 95 to 99% of the time, because we can make a difference in people’s outcomes. We can’t save everybody. We do our best. But when we can’t, we try to support family members the best we can.”

Looking ahead, it seems that the need for Life Lion’s services will continue to grow.

“I wanted to be a flight nurse since high school,” McCormick said. “When the Life Lion crew came into my hospital room that day, I said, ‘I’ve always wanted to meet you guys. Let’s chat.’ Now I’m working out of the hangar most of the time, and when I see the helicopter, I still get goosebumps. It’s different when you’ve heard the helicopter from the inside.”

For more information on Life Lion, visit www.pennstatehealth.org.

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Regional drive-through COVID testing site to open in Hershey on Wednesday

February 1, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A high-volume, drive-through COVID-19 testing center will open in Dauphin County on Wednesday, it was announced today.

In a news release, Penn State Health said that the mass-testing site will begin operations tomorrow at 50% capacity, with full capacity on Thursday.

Tests will be offered for free on the campus of the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey. The federal government-run site is meant to offer a central location to test people throughout south-central PA.

“Testing is an important way to help keep people with COVID-19 from having further person-to-person interactions that spread illness,” said Deborah Berini, president of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, in a statement. “With our state and federal partners, Penn State Health is proud to be part of this important effort to reduce the number of cases and to support our community.”

Nearly two weeks ago, Penn State Health announced that a high-volume, drive-through testing site would open soon on the medical center campus, but declined to state the exact opening day.

The site will allow people to remain in their cars while being tested and to administer their own nasal swabs for testing. The average turnaround time for results will be 48 to 72 hours, according to Penn State Health.

The site will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It will be located in Lot L, which is adjacent to 90 Hope Dr. (accessible from Cherry Drive) on the Hershey Medical Center campus.

An exception to the schedule is the first day, Feb. 2, when the center will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The community site will be able to provide testing for as many as 1,000 people per day, said Penn State Health.

People may register for a testing appointment here. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, though on-site registration also will be available.

The federal government will fund clinical staff, testing supplies and laboratory support associated with bringing in the “Increasing Community Access to Testing” (ICATT) team. In addition to hosting the site, Penn State Health will provide resources and operational support.

This story has been updated to reflect the Feb. 2 schedule and to clarify the registration requirements.

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High-volume COVID testing site to open at Hershey Medical Center

January 20, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

The PA Department of Health’s map of COVID testing sites in the state.

Getting tested for COVID soon will be easier for people in the greater Harrisburg area.

The state Acting Secretary of Health Keara Klinepeter announced on Thursday that the federal government has approved a high-volume testing site at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

“The south-central location was selected because it is in an area with a high population and a region that has experienced a large increase in cases and testing needs,” Klinepeter said. “The Hershey location was also selected because of its ease of access in the region and proximity to socially vulnerable populations in the surrounding communities.”

The Department of Health has not yet released details on when the site will open.

The drive-through site will allow people to stay in their cars to receive testing. According to Klinepeter, the clinic will provide COVID tests for around 1,000 people each day.

“The latest intense surge of COVID-19 cases reminds us that accessible, reliable testing is a key tool in managing this pandemic,” said Deborah Addo, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Penn State Health. “Penn State Health is proud to play a role in making this new testing site available to people across central Pennsylvania.”

The site will be staffed by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contractors with support from the medical center.

Clinical staff, testing supplies and laboratory support are funded by the federal government.

The creation of this site is part of the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) state initiative. The state recently announced another high-volume testing site at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Delaware County for the southeast region of Pa.

The department also has an up-to-date map online detailing where people can obtain a COVID-19 test.

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Much More than Chocolate: Hershey History Center tells a story of Derry Township dating back nearly three centuries.

September 30, 2021 | by Rachel Curry

Hershey History Center

Lisa Maloy has an affinity for locomotives.

As a volunteer for Hershey History Center, Derry Township’s grassroots historical society, she relishes the opportunity to put her passion to work.

“You could travel back in the day on the train and trolley and just cover the country,” said Maloy. “And Hershey, Derry Township, is just one stop on all that.”

This year, Hershey History Center received a narrow-gauge model train display called “Chocolate Town Special,” which depicts life in Hershey and Derry Township in the 1920s.

Maloy and the rest of the Hershey History Center team leapt at the chance to set up a limited-time exhibit. It shows locomotives and trolleys of the time amid the core buildings on Chocolate Avenue, plus the rolling countryside of central Pennsylvania, all in one seamless display.

The historical society, now 30 years old, started as a way to catalogue the rich history of Derry Township (Hershey didn’t get its name until 1903, long after the township’s 1729 incorporation).

“We started like most historical societies start—in the living room of somebody’s home,” Maloy said.

Back then, they were called the Derry Township Historical Society, eventually evolving to the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society.

“And here we are today as the Hershey History Center,” Maloy said.

Despite their name, the Hershey History Center covers much more than chocolate—and despite Maloy’s interests, the center covers much more than trains.

The Hershey History Center wants to be a repository for genealogical research, deeds, land maps and the like. However, they also want to represent the voices and stories that reflect the community. That means covering military history, sports history and all the other facets that make Derry Township what it is today.

The center’s executive director, Nikki Soliday, is the only full-time employee working to preserve, promote and interpret the history of Derry Township. She works alongside a slew of volunteers dedicated to keeping the center going.

“Our story is more based on the voices of the people—those who created the community, lived in the community,” said Soliday.

Since joining the Hershey History Center, Soliday has learned more about the Hershey Bears hockey team than she ever thought she would. The center features the largest public collection of Hershey Bears artifacts. The Bears, the seventh oldest hockey team in all of North America after the NHL’s original six, are the most winning team in the American Hockey League. The center’s original documentary, “B’ars to Bears,” covers all that and more.

Then there’s the exhibit that divulges the legacy of brownstone manufacturing in Hershey.

“We had one of the most far-reaching brownstone industries on the East Coast,” said Soliday, adding that innumerable brownstones in Brooklyn, Boston, St. Louis and beyond have Hershey roots.

The “Dick Winters Exhibit” about the decorated World War II veteran is one that can’t be missed.

“He lived right here in town on Elm Avenue,” Soliday said of Winters.

When Winters died, he donated his entire collection to the center. The collection went on to inspire the book and subsequent Steven Spielberg-produced HBO miniseries, “Band of Brothers.”

As they compete with entertainment, amusements and other organizations with hefty foundation endowments, they want to be the community’s historical repository.

The Hershey History Center holds an archive library, museum and event space—and the society holds programming offsite, too. The 24th Annual Preservation Gala is being held at St. Joan of Arc Parish on Oct. 2. This year’s theme, “La Festa Italiana,” honors the rich Italian history found in the Hershey area.

And, of course, the center is now gearing up for its most popular feature—the annual holiday train exhibit.

Looking ahead, a few other permanent exhibits are underway, focusing on the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Hershey Estates.

Often, the Hershey History Center feels like a hidden gem, but they don’t want to be hidden.

“We think we’re pretty cool, but we don’t want to be unknown,” Soliday said.

The Hershey History Center is located at 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey. For more information, visit www.hersheyhistory.org.

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Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center confirms its first COVID-19 patient

March 22, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center this afternoon confirmed its first positive case of COVID-19.

According to the Hershey-based medical center, the person is an adult, non-employee patient and is being treated in “negative pressure isolation” according to COVID-19 treatment protocols.

The center’s press release stated that its officials are in “close contact” with both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the PA Department of Health. It declined to share further information due to privacy concerns.

“Medical staff currently caring for the patient have extensive training in the treatment of highly infectious diseases,” according to the medical center release. “A dedicated, in-hospital patient care area designated to specifically treat infectious disease patients will ensure COVID-19 patients receive the best possible care while all necessary precautions are taken to ensure the well-being of employees and other patients.”

The center stated that it remains open to treat all patients, but has suspended all non-essential surgeries and put in place a restricted visitation policy.

Earlier today, the state health department confirmed the first case of positive diagnosis of COVID-19 in Dauphin County. Throughout the commonwealth, the state Department of Health today confirmed that 479 positive cases have been reported in 33 counties.

Son Run: Mechanicsburg dad runs 200-plus miles to increase pace of pediatric cancer research.

December 30, 2019 | by Karen Hendricks

It’s not every day that your teenager texts you uplifting messages like, “I’m extremely proud of you,” and “You’re a hell of a human,” and “Love you, Dad.”

There was also, “Thanks for letting me use the Jeep—I put $30 [of gas] in it.”

Those texts “were like fuel,” said Mike McCauley, which inspired his run throughout the first weekend of November. And it was the run of a lifetime by the 55-year-old Mechanicsburg dad, a run dedicated to his 17-year-old son Lachlan.

Retraced the Path

“As I evolve in my running, I want my miles to have purpose,” said McCauley, a real estate appraiser and lifelong runner who grew up in Harrisburg. “And I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to raise awareness, to run through my son’s cancer journey, his full circle of treatment?’”

So, this past fall, McCauley plotted a 210-mile circular course—from the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to Philadelphia’s Wills Eye Institute, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and then back to Hershey.

The plan was a carefully guarded secret until he began running on Oct. 31. Then it went viral in the Facebook group “Endure 4 a Cure,” which tracked McCauley’s progress and grew to nearly 2,500 members. And that’s how he wanted to reach people—personally, one-on-one.

“I wanted to make a big statement, to have this grow organically on social media because raising awareness is about developing compassionate hearts and minds,” he said.

The awareness is the “war” against pediatric cancer, including his family’s personal battle, which started in the fall of 2006. At the dinner table, then 4-year-old Lachlan’s eye looked glassy.

McCauley then recalled the ensuing “slow motion” series of events. A local eye exam led to an MRI in Hershey, appointments and surgery at world-renowned Wills Eye, then treatment at CHOP. The diagnosis? Rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive and rare cancer, which caused a tumor in the orbit of Lachlan’s eye.

Thirteen years later, McCauley’s footsteps retraced the same path on the diagnosis dates. Many of his fellow ultra-runners took turns running by his side for the four-day weekend. One of them was Leo Lutz, 49, of Harrisburg. He left work on Friday, hopped on an Amtrak train and headed to Philadelphia to join McCauley for 40 to 50 miles.

“This idea—all of it made complete sense” Lutz said. “You have to understand something about ultra-runners—you don’t say no to challenges.”

Like A Manhunt

Running into Philadelphia on Kelly Drive, Lutz recalls a “crazy, magical” moment that buoyed their spirits.

A running group passed them, going the opposite way. All of a sudden, one of the runners spotted McCauley and called out, “Hey, you’re that guy from Hershey.”

That’s when McCauley knew that his social media was working. Pacers and crewmembers posted, monitored and read, encouraging Facebook messages to McCauley along the way or in between meals and naps in the RV.

Kelly Spreha, Harrisburg Area Road Runners’ vice president, was a critical crewmember—she drove the RV that was never more than 10 miles away from McCauley. It was a tall task since the running route followed busy roadways, plus off-road paths such as the Schuylkill River Trail. Oh, and it was only the second time in her life that she’d driven an RV.

Many “serendipity stars aligned” along the route, said Spreha. For example, when they needed to plug the RV in overnight, they luckily found a restaurant where the manager—also a runner—obliged.

“Trying to navigate through the narrow streets of Conshohocken was the biggest challenge,” she said. “Outside of navigation, the biggest challenge was dropping pins for the pacers to find us—it was like a manhunt.”

Spreha stocked the RV with nutritional supplements—meals such as quesadillas, plenty of coffee and even pickle juice, which relieves muscle cramps.

How did McCauley feel physically?

“You can’t print what I would tell you,” McCauley said. “I’d never had pain that basically permeated through my bones.”

But he knew that Lachlan was awaiting his return to Hershey.

“He hugged me tight,” he said. “He was beside himself. And he said, ‘I knew you were going to do it.’”

Go Together

Today, Lachlan is a 17-year-old senior at Cedar Cliff High School who plays rugby and has perfect vision. McCauley calls him a “gentle giant.” He worries about his son’s future—which might include secondary cancers—and he’s frustrated by the slow pace of cancer research.

“A softer approach isn’t who I am,” McCauley said. “We need to do more cause kids are dying, and I know that’s harsh, but pediatric cancer is the number-one killer of kids under 16. The families are frustrated by the federal government giving less than 4 percent of [NIH] funding to pediatric cancer research.”

McCauley encouraged Endure 4 a Cure fans to support two organizations—Four Diamonds and the Emily Whitehead Foundation—and they responded with nearly $8,000.

“The five-year survival rate for children with cancer has increased to more than 80 percent, but many of those children may have long-term side effects from the toxic effects of what we call three pillars of traditional treatment—surgery, chemotherapy and radiation,” said Autumn Ghigiarelli, executive director of the Emily Whitehead Foundation.

The Philipsburg foundation may hold the key to the future of pediatric cancer treatment. It’s named for a Pennsylvania girl who was the first child in the world to receive innovative CAR T-cell therapy, which activated her immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells. Her leukemia has been in remission since her 2012 treatment at CHOP.

“There’s a saying that, if you want to go fast, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together,” Ghigiarelli said. “Not only does that directly apply to Mike, how far he went, and the people who supported him, but it’s also true for pediatric cancer treatment. If we all work together, we can get there.”

For more information, see fourdiamonds.org and emilywhiteheadfoundation.org. You can find the Endure 4 a Cure Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/endure4acure. Mike McCauley’s next adventures include several upcoming ultra-marathons and the April 20 Boston Marathon.

September News Digest

September 28, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda and Lizzy Hardison

HMAC Files Chapter 11

A month after a sexual assault allegation engulfed the House of Music, Arts & Culture (HMAC) in a social media maelstrom, its owners filed for bankruptcy and plan to sell their business.

HMAC (formerly the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center) will continue its normal operations as its owners restructure debt obligations to more than three dozen creditors, said John Traynor, who owns HMAC with his husband, Gary Bartlett, and two other partners.

Their company, Bartlett, Traynor & London LLC, last month filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. They believe that they have a buyer for the business, according to the filing documents. HMAC listed more than $5 million in total assets, chief among them the sprawling, historic building at 1110 N. 3rd St.

Traynor hopes to transition to new management and ownership by 2019.

“This allows us to reorganize, take a breath, and work with creditors,” Traynor said. “I think HMAC could use a fresh start, and Chapter 11 will help facilitate that.”

Traynor and his partners have developed HMAC for a decade and, in 2009, opened the first phase, Stage on Herr, a bar and concert venue. In all, they’ve since spent millions of dollars renovating the 34,000-square-foot property, which served as the city’s Jewish Community Center starting in 1924 and later housed Harrisburg’s Police Athletic League.

Today, HMAC is comprised of three separate performance venues, as well as a full-service bar and kitchen. It hosts shows by local and national performance artists, corporate events, weddings and community gatherings.

Renovated Playgrounds Reopen

Summer break may be over, but playtime is just beginning in Harrisburg.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse last month cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Cloverly Heights Playground, one of four play areas that were recently revamped with new equipment and green infrastructure.

After being closed all summer, playgrounds at Cloverly Heights, Norwood and Holly streets, Penn and Sayford streets and Royal Terrace are opening to the public.

The four sites have been outfitted with all-new play amenities, and each one has unique features, Papenfuse said.

Three of the sites also have storm water management enhancements thanks to Capital Region Water.

“Our parks are the city’s greatest assets,” Papenfuse said. “I’m glad we’re bringing all of our playgrounds up to the level that our community would like to see.”

The city will complete renovations at a fifth playground, at 4th and Dauphin streets, next year.

The citywide playground renovations were part of a $2 million partnership among Harrisburg, Capital Region Water, Impact Harrisburg, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The ribbon cutting represented the culmination of a project three years in the making. The five playground sites were first targeted for renovations in 2015, but renovations stalled while the city pursued funding and collected public input.

Another Purchase for Harristown

A downtown Harrisburg building project has changed significantly, as a developer now has plans to purchase and renovate the building next door.

Harristown Enterprises expects to close this fall on the purchase of 17 S. Market Sq., currently the home of the SkarlatosZonarich law firm, said Harristown CEO Brad Jones. A full renovation of the century-old, 33,809-square-foot building will follow.

“We’re still evaluating the uses of that building,” Jones said. “We think it’s going to become a mixed-used project.”

Last year, Harristown bought the neighboring building, a small, dilapidated, early 19th-century office and retail building at 21 S. 2^nd St., which notably once housed the Coronet restaurant.

It razed that building, with expectations to construct a new office building and attach it internally to the SkarlatosZonarich property. However, according to Jones, the plan changed after continuing discussions with the law firm.

“As we began to talk more, they indicated they were more interested in selling the building,” Jones said.

As a result, SkarlatosZonarich now will sell their Market Square building to Harristown and relocate to the Bowman Tower in Strawberry Square, which is also owned by Harristown.

In January, the firm’s 35 employees will move into about 11,000 square feet of office space, about double their current footprint, following a $1 million renovation, Jones said. After the relocation, Strawberry Square will have an office vacancy rate of only about 5 percent, he said.

Jones said that plans are still in flux for the redevelopment project at Market Square, but he expects a mixed use of residential, office and retail, with residential more likely for 17 S. Market Sq. and office more likely for 21 S. 2nd St.

Parker Departs City

A senior Harrisburg official left her post last month to work in the private sector.

Jackie Parker, who has headed the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) since 2014, left her position to take a job with a medical marijuana company, she told TheBurg.

Parker joined the city administration when Mayor Eric Papenfuse took office in 2014. She previously served as the mayor of Lebanon, Pa., and as deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

As the city’s DCED director, Parker was the point person for economic development projects, Papenfuse said. She managed employees in the bureaus of housing, planning, business development and parks and recreation.

Papenfuse said today that he does not plan to replace Parker. The mayor announced a city hall hiring freeze in June, but he also hopes to reorganize DCED in the wake of Parker’s departure.

He expects to prepare a reorganization plan ahead of his 2019 budget presentation in November.

“She’s been a wonderful, committed leader for the city,” Papenfuse said. “I think she’s irreplaceable.”

Trash Billing Proposal Revived

Unpaid trash fees are costing Harrisburg an average of $200,000 a month—a problem that city Treasurer Dan Miller thinks can be fixed by billing residents once a year for disposal services.

Miller proposed an annual trash billing structure earlier this year as part of an overhaul of Harrisburg’s sanitation laws. But City Council nixed the measure, saying it would stress the cash flow of low-income and fixed-income residents.

The city currently bills residents $32 a month for trash collection. It also has a monopoly on commercial accounts in the city.

Miller appeared before council last month to renew the case for annual billing. He’s proposing that Harrisburg include a line item for trash fees on every property’s annual real estate tax bill, which is mailed out in January. The trash collection fee would be subject to the same 2 percent, 60-day discount period as the real estate tax.

The city currently has a 98-percent collection rate on its real estate taxes. Miller hopes that trash fee collections would increase by streamlining the two bills into one. It would also save an estimated $100,000 a year in mailing costs.

Collecting up-front payments is key, Miller said, since the treasurer’s office doesn’t have many means to pursue delinquent accounts.

According to Miller, Harrisburg lost enforcement authority over delinquent trash bills when it restructured under the Harrisburg Strong Plan, the financial recovery plan it adopted in 2013.

Before the Strong Plan, Harrisburg had an in-house collections arm in its Operations Revenue Department (ORD). When the department could not collect bills from delinquent accounts, it could turn off the water at those properties to spur a payment.

But the Strong Plan dissolved the ORD and transferred Harrisburg’s water assets to Capital Region Water. As a result, the city lost the ability to terminate water services at delinquent properties.

“People discovered that, if they didn’t pay their bill, their trash was still collected and nothing else happened,” Miller said. “Maybe their bill went up [from interest], but nobody was doing anything about it.”

So Noted

Knead Bar Pies opened last month inside of Zeroday Brewing Co., 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. This is the second location for Knead, which also has a stand in the Broad Street Market, serving a different style of pizza. Pending approval of a liquor license transfer, Knead is planning a third location, Knead Slice Shop, at N. 3rd and Boas streets, a storefront long occupied by Mercado’s Pizzeria.

Paxton Ministries and Monarch Development Group last month broke ground on Paxton Place, an affordable senior housing development at 1100 S. 20th St., Harrisburg. The $8.6 million development, featuring a 37-unit apartment building, should be completed in fall 2019.

Penn State Health last month appointed Deborah A. Berini as president of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Berini most recently served as chief operating officer at the University of Texas Medical Branch Health System. She replaces Alan Brechbill, who has assumed the role of executive vice president for hospital operations for Penn State Health.

Salvation Army of Harrisburg last month broke ground on it new regional headquarters located at S. 29th Street and Rudy Road. When complete, the 39,000-square-foot facility will house the Salvation Army’s education and human services programs, which reach more than 18,000 adults and children in Dauphin, Perry and Cumberland counties.

Stash Vintage and The Midtown Dandy are teaming up to open a vintage clothing store in downtown Harrisburg, they announced last month. The two retailers will move into the storefront at 11 S. 3rd St. later this fall once improvements are made to the space, which is owned by Harristown Enterprises.

Changing Hands

Allison St., 1506: S. Maurer to J. Davison, $71,000

Boas St., 213: B. Wagner to L. & S. Godinez, $105,900

Brookwood St., 2466: Carrodo LLC to PA Deals LLC, $45,000

Conoy St., 110: M. & S. McLees to H. Peyrot, $153,000

Crescent St., 332½: Dynaspek Holdings LLC to K. Stoute, $50,000

Croyden Rd., 2981: J. Arvelo to Leonard J. Dobson Family Limited Partnership, $30,401

Cumberland St., 113: J. Townsend to J. Calla, $173,000

Derry St., 1603½: S. Vielle to R. Garcia, $37,000

Emerald St., 219: D Jay Investments LLC to M. Goldthwait, $31,600

Fulton St., 1713: A. Beck to M. Fagan, $125,000

Graham St., 310: N. Lindemyer to V. Arrington, $99,000

Green St., 1704: B. & C. Hansen to Z. Houseal, $209,900

Green St., 1914: L. Copus to K. Bogard, $194,900

Green St., 2316: Skye Holdings LLC to U&N Properties, $35,000

Holly St., 1844: V. Rivas to F. Eras, $40,000

Hunter St., 1610: M. Toro to P. Anandan, $44,000

Kensington St., 2044: PTSH Properties LLC to K. Cardona, $33,500

Kensington St., 2225: D. & S. Fenton and Harrisburg Property Management Group to F. Sisic, $54,000

Lewis St., 210: B. & C. Zandieh to T. Keller, $67,000

Logan St., 2329: I. Mirambeaux to D. Reyes-Martinez, $35,000

Maclay St., 332: JTA Consulting Group LLC to D. Jolley, $70,000

Market St., 2018: US Bank NA Trustee & Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC to C. Ovalles, $40,767

North St., 214: A. Lawson to J. Hunt & K. Lambert, $129,000

Norwood St., 920: J. & R. Lowery to J. Arocho, $91,180

N. 2^nd St., 901 & 903: W. & J. Hobbie to WG PA Holdings LLC & B. Golper, $365,000

N. 2^nd St., 909: C. Simmons to C. Adam, $165,000

N. 2^nd St., 1223: B. Jones to A. Holt & S. Hayes, $153,000

N. 2^nd St., 2425: S. & M. Hwang to A. Waltz, $168,000

N. 2^nd St., 3008: H. & K. Bey to S. & R. Bogash, $234,900

N. 2^nd St., 3209: Benchmarq Holdings LLC to H. & L. Robinson, $109,900

N. 3^rd St., 1628: C. Frater to Heinly Homes LLC, $100,000

N. 3^rd St., 1640: V. Jenkins to Heinly Homes LLC, $76,500

N. 3^rd St., 1806: HBG Rents LLC to C. Shokes, $242,000

N. 3^rd St., 3020: D. Porter to PA Deals LLC, $32,000

N. 4^th St., 2410: PA Deals LLC to K. Moulds, $70,000

N. 5^th St., 2251: K. Rolston to B. Kerstetter, $210,000

N. 5^th St., 3118: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Willowscott Investments LLC, $34,000

N. 5^th St., 3132: K. Hall to Willowscott Investments LLC, $62,000

N. 6^th St., 2947: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Trustee to D. Wenger, $61,425

N. 6^th St., 2987: C. De la Riva to E. & P. Grier, $125,000

N. 6^th St., 3151: A. Banks to E. Crawford, $69,900

N. 14^th St., 1116: Just Sold Another One LLC to Gator Management Group LLC, $31,000

N. 16^th St., 1326, 1328: W. Washington to F. Johnson, $95,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 212: D. Taylor to R. Viti & T. Luckenbaugh, $149,550

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 510: M. & L. Paszak to H. Evren & M. Saygin, $99,900

N. Front St., 2833: N. & P. West to A. & G. Shahbaz, $289,000

N. Front St., 3207: Remus Real Estate to 3207 N. Front St LLC, $390,000

Parkway Blvd., 2513: A. Maiga to A. Buglione, $30,000

Penn St., 1508: M. Parmer to C. Bury, $137,900

Penn St., 1608: R. Viti & T. Luckenbaugh to D. Hooker & B. Lister, $165,000

Penn St., 2117: JLP Holdings LLC to Wells Fargo Bank NA, $34,518

Penn St., 2233: J. Thomas to T. & R. Kenney, $109,900

Radnor St., 249: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to M. Chappelle, $115,620

Rudy Rd., 2339: Good Deal Properties LLC to W. MacMichael, $39,500

Rumson Dr., 2786: J. & K. Cabezas to PA Deals LLC, $40,000

S. 13^th St., 435: SWM Properties LLC to F. & P. Harden, $70,000

S. 13^th St., 1496: A. Roberts to DPM Development LLC, $41,500

S. 14^th St., 1402: D. & E. Stanton to City of Harrisburg, $41,000

S. 14^th St., 1431: R. Epps to City of Harrisburg, $57,000

S. 14^th St., 1434: W. Collins to City of Harrisburg, $45,000

S. 14^th St., 1456: G. Bullock & L. Gratkowski to City Harrisburg, $56,000

S. 16^th St., 17: D. Springer to W. Cherelus, $33,000

S. 18^th St., 1319: K. Shemory to J. Nguyen & T. Pham, $100,000

S. 27^th St., 634: S. Moore to D. Mateo, $50,000

S. 27^th St., 731: S. & M. Pandolfi to P. Menanga & J. Bidjeke, $135,000

S. Front St., 557: K. Stennett to K. Tatum, $128,000

State St., 1717: A. & R. Sharp to M. Demonda, $130,000

State St., 1823: C. & N. Bickel to M. Butler, $69,917

Susquenhanna St., 1730: Signature Rehab Services LLC to G. Harris, $111,200

Swatara St., 1905: H. Abukaffaya to A. Grove-Erazo, $37,000

Vine St., 119: W. Zutell to Wild Patch LLC, $80,000

Walnut St., 104: C. Hinson to MIV Properties LLC, $85,000

Walnut St., 1854-1860: T. Van, H. Van & T. Vo to H. Van, $85,000

Woodbine St., 236: M. Elganzoory to Lambar LLC, $34,000

Wyeth St., 1409: D. & M. Myers to H. Swanson, $117,000

Harrisburg property sales for August 2018, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Lights! Camera! Act Sick! Fake patients aim to help the real ones.

November 30, 2017 | by Joanne Kaldy

Keith McLaughlin has had a rough few years.

First he had progressive, degenerative diabetes. Then he was experiencing a rather embarrassing genital discharge. He also was a victim of an explosion, and he was in a bus accident. Then a few months ago, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

He’s spent a lot of time at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. But, in the end, he got a clean bill of health and even got paid for the time he spent at the hospital.

In reality, McLaughlin isn’t a patient but a performer. He is part of the Standardized Patient (SP) program at the medical center’s Clinical Simulation Center. Several times a year, he gets a script to follow, and he portrays a patient with a particular condition or problem. The SP program is one of several initiatives at the simulation center aimed at improving patient outcomes by promoting and enhancing practitioner skills, clinical competence, teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Like most of the 100 or so people who portray patients in the program, McLaughlin isn’t a professional actor. He actually is a retired accountant.

“This doesn’t come naturally to me,” he said. “It takes a lot of time and preparation.”

He reads through the scripts he is given and makes notes of key points to remember. SP participants also often must prepare to portray various emotions associated with the situation—such as anger, frustration or fear. Sometimes, the script calls for them to confess an embarrassing secret or to try to convince the doctor or nurse not to share bad news with a spouse. While they aren’t expected to give award-winning performances, they have to be convincing in these roles.

Participants often present the same case several times a day with different groups of students, which leads to more complications.

“After a while, it can be challenging to remember what you’ve said and to who,” said McLaughlin.

Nonetheless, it’s worth the time and energy.

“I want to help patients get the best possible care, and I want to help practitioners to feel more comfortable and confident interacting with patients,” he said.

It’s clear that he’s good at his job. After a multi-session program where he portrayed a patient with diabetes, he received a thank-you card signed by several of students who participated.

“Thank you for taking the time to teach us more about communication,” wrote one student. Another remarked, “It was clear that you really wanted to help us improve,” and another wrote, “I’ll always remember what you reminded all of us—that ‘before a patient is a patient, a patient is a person first.’”

While McLaughlin gets paid for his work in the SP program, helping medical practitioners get better at their jobs is a personal mission.

“My wife had breast cancer,” he said. “She was fortunate to have great doctors and nurses. I want to give back a bit for that. It makes me feel good. I want to do everything I can to make these simulations real for them.”

In Awe
Nursing student Caroline Farrell said that the SP program will help make her a stronger, more confident practitioner.

“It is useful to have the opportunity to mimic as closely as we can what we will see in the real world,” she said. “We’ll be able to pull from these experiences and apply them in our work.”

The program also helps to quell anxieties, said nursing student Natalie Sullivan.

“To be able to try things in a safe environment is tremendously helpful,” she said.

Not only are the simulations themselves useful, but, afterwards, the students get written feedback on their interactions. For this, they can learn first-hand from the “patient” what they did well, what information they missed, and what areas they might focus on for improvement.

Stacey Carmo, SP Program manager, said that she is constantly in awe of the quality of the simulations.

“It’s jaw-dropping how real some of them are,” she said. “We are fortunate to have great people involved in this program. Some of them have been doing it for as long as 15 years.”

The people, plus the mission of transforming students into excellent practitioners, help to make Carmo’s job a joy.

“Coming to work, I get excited every day,” she said.

1. UPMC

Key Features

2. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Key Features

3. Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals

Key Features

4. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital

Key Features

How the Expert-Recommended Orthopedic Hospitals in Pennsylvania Compare

Hospital

Service Area

Key Features

UPMC

Central, North Central and Western Pennsylvania

● Walk-in orthopedic injury clinics

● Highly accessible across the state

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Central Pennsylvania

● Level I Trauma Center

● Academic, research-driven care

Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals

Southeastern Pennsylvania

● Integrated specialty groups

● Comprehensive nonsurgical solutions

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital

South Central Pennsylvania

● Penn Medicine-affiliated orthopedic care

● Magnet-designated hospital

Methodology for the Top Orthopedic Hospital List

Choosing the Best Orthopedic Hospital in Pennsylvania

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