NYSHIP Health Insurance Option Transfer Period

The New York State Planning for Option Transfer 2024 flyer has been mailed to homes. The publication includes information about the upcoming Option Transfer Period, when you can make changes to your 2024 NYSHIP option for yourself and your enrolled dependents. Health insurance Choices for 2024, which contains a more detailed comparison of NYSHIP benefits, will be available online and from your HBA later this fall. Shortly after, be sure to check your mailbox for the 2024 Rate information and Option Transfer deadlines.

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Productivity Enhancement Program for state employees opens Nov. 1

The Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) is open today, Nov. 1 through Dec. 11 for eligible New York State Employees who are represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP, and M/C-affiliated employees. PEP allows eligible employees to exchange previously accrued annual leave (vacation and/or personal leave) in return for a credit to be applied toward their employee share NYSHIP premiums on a biweekly basis for 2024. In no case can the credit available under the program be applied to the employer share of NYSHIP premiums. For more information, visit: http://gnexc.gz-jlwl.com/hr/intra/benefits/pep.php. Enrollment closes Dec. 11, 2023. 

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Open enrollment for the Flex Spending Account Program for state employees opens Nov. 1

The 2024 Flex Spending Account (FSA) Program open enrollment period for New York state employees is today, Nov. 1 through Dec. 11, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. To be eligible to enroll in the FSA Program, state employees must be annual salaried, work at least half time, meet the eligibility criteria for enrollment in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), and be expected to be employed for the entire 2024 calendar year. Please note that if you wish to continue your current enrollment, you will need to re-enroll for the 2024 plan year. For more information and how to enroll, visit:  http://oer.ny.gov/how-to-enroll

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3-Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) is Nov. 1

The 3-Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) will be held today, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. in 103 Weiskotten Hall. 3MT is an opportunity for graduate students and postdocs to present their dissertation research findings to a general audience in three minutes with only one slide. The goal is for students and postdocs to use their communication skills to make their research vivid and engaging to a general audience. The Upstate community is welcome to attend. Questions about the event? Email Shaunna Arnold at [email protected].

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Limb preservation conference is Nov. 4

The second annual Limb Preservation in 2023: Innovations and Advancements conference will be held Saturday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in 4414 Academic Building. In-person and virtual registration options are available. Pre-registration is required here: http://www.eventsquid.com/event/21334. Limb preservation, neuropathy, diabetic foot problems, and advanced wound care will be discussed. 

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Burn Run is Nov. 5

The 17^th annual Burn Run will be held Sunday, Nov. 5 at 148 Saunders Creek Parkway in E. Syracuse. The kids race begins at 8:30 a.m., 5K at 9 a.m., and 10K at 10 a.m. Proceeds support the Burn Foundation of CNY, which in turns supports burn survivors and Upstate’s Clark Burn Center. Questions? Call Paul Knierman at 315-374-1111. To register, visit: http://www.theburnrun.org. 

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Office of Finance and Management, Accounting and Budgeting, and Research Accounting will move Nov. 6

Upstate’s Office of Finance and Management, Accounting and Budgeting, and Research Accounting, currently located in rooms 208 and 209 of the Campus Activities Building, will relocate to the second floor of 5784 Widewaters Parkway, Dewitt, N.Y. 13214. All phone numbers will remain the same. For more information about the move, call Jennifer Stanley at 315-464-4660.

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Explore Hyperdrive prior to upgrade in the Playground beginning Nov. 6

Hyperdrive is scheduled to go live campus-wide Nov. 28. Beginning Nov. 6, users may preview and experience Hyperdrive in the Playground (PLY). Hyperdrive-PLY is Epic’s practice environment for training. It includes providers and patients with realistic profiles to practice common workflows. Users may find the Hyperdrive-PLY icon on Upstate-owned devices through the Citrix Storefront, as well as on workstations on wheels. To begin exploring, select a role or job title from the list of Upstate PLY logins here: http://gnexc.gz-jlwl.com/training/intra/epic/documents/epic_playground_training_logins_for_end_users_all_apps_dec_2019.pdf and refer to the Accessing Hyperdrive-PLY tip sheet here: http://gnexc.gz-jlwl.com/training/intra/epic/documents/accessing_hyperdrive_ply.pdf. Hyperdrive Production is presently in its pilot phase, engaging more than 200 selected users, and is set to advance to the second phase with a designated Super Site commencing Nov. 7. To access further details, including tip sheets, videos, and a project timeline, visit: http://gnexc.gz-jlwl.com/training/intra/epic/hyperdrive.php. To provide feedback or report on your experiences within the PLY, call the Help Desk at 315-464-4115 and specify that your inquiry pertains to Hyperdrive PLY.

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Ophthalmic Technicians Week is Nov. 6 to 12

Nov. 6 to 12 is Ophthalmic Technicians Week. An ophthalmic technician works with an ophthalmologist or optometrist. They perform the clinical work up including history, visual acuity and diagnostic testing all essential in helping the ophthalmologist/optometrist diagnose, and treat the patient’s ocular health. The ophthalmic technicians at Upstate hold certifications through the Joint Commission of Allied Health Professions in Ophthalmology and are a vital part of the Upstate Ophthalmology team. For more information Upstate’s Center for Vision Care and Ophthalmology department, call Mindy Cole at 315-464-8177.

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Compliance, Privacy and Ethics team to host events Nov. 7 and 9

Upstate’s Compliance, Privacy and Ethics team will host two informational events Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside Café 750 on the second floor of Upstate University Hospital and Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the cafeteria at Community. In recognition of Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week, staff will be on hand to answer questions about the importance of healthcare compliance, privacy, and ethics. The Upstate community is welcome to stop by to learn more and ask questions. For more information about the event, email Debbie Starosciak at [email protected].

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Toxicology Teaching Day is Nov. 8

The 27^th annual Toxicology Teaching Day will be held Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center. Pre-registration is required here: http://www.eventsquid.com/event/21388. The event is for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other health care providers who routinely care for poisoned patients.

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Explore academic opportunities at Upstate Medical University Nov. 9

Upstate Admissions will host an event highlighting academic opportunities Thursday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside Café 750 on the second floor of Upstate University Hospital. Staff will be available to discuss all opportunities at Upstate from bachelor’s to doctorate level, including advancing a future in health care and financial support. For more information about the event, email Maggie Moore at [email protected].

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Center for Philosophy, Psychology and Psychiatry presentation is Nov. 9

Philosopher Richard Boothby, PhD, professor of philosophy at Loyola University, will present Embracing the Void: Rethinking the Origin of the Sacred Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. in the second-floor grand rounds area of 713 Harrison St. Space is limited. R.S.V.P. to Michael Miller at [email protected] prior to the event. Boothby specializes in existential and phenomenological philosophy, as well as philosophy of psychoanalysis. This talk will explore the work of Freud and Lacan on our relationship to the unknown other, or "the Thing," and how this may inform the religious impulse. 

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Joint replacement seminar is Nov. 9

Zachary Telgheder, MD, an orthopedic trauma surgeon at Upstate, will present Joint Replacement Following Injury or Trauma Nov. 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. online and at Oasis/HealthLink, 6333 State Route 298, E. Syracuse. Dr. Telgheder will discuss causes of joint pain with a focus on hip and knee, treatment options, what happens during surgery, and what to expect during recovery. Time for Q and A will follow the presentation. Register here: http://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtc-mqpj4sGtBgziiKbSL3gzJ0bcyjYccv. Questions? Email Amy Allen at [email protected].

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Non-profit presentation is Nov. 9

Non-Profits at Noon speaker series will feature Sarah’s Guest House today, Oct. 26 and the Upstate Foundation Nov. 9. Both sessions will run from noon to 12:30 p.m., in the second-floor open forum at Nappi Wellness Institute. Additional dates will be forthcoming. For more information, email Matthew Capogreco at [email protected].

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Easy for You is Nov 14

Easy for You, Upstate's tobacco treatment program, will be held Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the multidisciplinary suite (C 3068) on the third floor of Upstate Cancer Center. Everyone with an Upstate ID is welcome to receive help quitting tobacco, chew, and vape. Free nicotine replacement is available. For more information, contact Theresa Hankin or Carolyn Walczyk at 315-464-3519 or [email protected].

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Sarcoidosis Support Group is Nov. 14

Upstate’s Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Division will present Ways to Improve Physical Fitness at the next Sarcoidosis Support Group meeting, to be held Nov. 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the fifth-floor classroom at Upstate Health Care Center. To register, email Shania Edwards-King at [email protected]. 

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Upstate Gala ‘Diamonds and Denim’ is set for Nov. 17 

Gala 2023, hosted by the Upstate Foundation, will be held at the OnCenter Friday, Nov. 17. Festivities begin at 8 p.m., with a patron party for sponsors starting at 7 p.m. The Diamonds and Denim theme welcomes guests to balance comfort with formal attire. For instance, men could wear a jacket with their denim, and women could wear bedazzling jewels and some form of denim. (Yes, you can wear jeans!) Other aspects of the Foundation’s signature event remain the same: small plate dining stations, live band, short presentation and plenty of time for socializing and dancing. There will be a special guest band performance by the Bronze Puppies featuring drummer Dr. Lawrence Chin, and someone will win a diamond. Gala proceeds will benefit the Upstate Foundation’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Campaign. For more information including reservations and sponsorship opportunities, or attire ideas, visit http://www.upstatefoundation.org/Gala, or call the Upstate Foundation at 315-464-4416.

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Applications for 2024 Your Cause charity due Nov. 30

Team Upstate seeks applications from the Upstate community for a CNY agency to be the featured Your Cause charity in 2024. The Your Cause sponsorship offers Upstate employees an opportunity to nominate a charity that will be the focus of Upstate volunteer outreach through the year. This year’s Your Cause agency was Francis House. To nominate an agency for the Your Cause sponsorship, complete and submit an application by Nov. 30. Team Upstate committee will review applications and announce the winning organization in December. Application is available here: http://gnexc.gz-jlwl.com/teamupstate/your-cause/. Email completed applications to Nancy Prott at [email protected]. Questions? Email Becca Pesci at [email protected]. 

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AIDS exhibit at Upstate Library now through Dec. 2

The National Library of Medicine traveling exhibit AIDS, Posters and Stories of Public Health: A People’s History of a Pandemic will be on display in the Health Sciences Library on the first floor of Weiskotten Hall now through Dec. 2. For more information about the exhibit, visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/aids-posters/about.html.

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iPage access when off campus

Off-campus login access has been upgraded to comply with enhanced security measures set by IMT. Since the default homepage for most browsers is set to the iPage, users will be greeted with the same login screen as seen when accessing other services, like Self-Serve.

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Nominations sought for 2024 SUNY Distinguished Professor ranks, SUNY Chancellor’s Awards and President’s Awards

The Upstate community is invited to submit nominations for 2024 SUNY Distinguished Faculty Ranks, SUNY Chancellor’s Awards, and Upstate Medical University President’s Awards. These honors recognize major contributions to the missions of Upstate Medical University and SUNY. Honorees will be recognized at the 2024 Fall Faculty Convocation. To nominate an individual for the Distinguished Faculty Rank, please direct inquires to Robin Townsend at [email protected] or Erin Peters at [email protected] by Friday, Dec. 8. To nominate an individual for President’s and Chancellor’s Awards more information on the awards or to enter an individual for a nomination, go to President’s and SUNY Chancellor’s Awards. Nomination deadline is Friday, Dec. 22. For questions or guidance on the process, email Lynn Cleary at [email protected].

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Upstate Foundation goes green

In response to requests from many of its fund advisors, the Upstate Foundation is going green. Fund reports will now be sent electronically, and reports for both restricted funds and endowments will be emailed quarterly going forward. Additional changes include opening an Amazon business account to place orders so that fund advisors don’t have to outlay their own money and wait for reimbursement, and they will save on sales tax. To learn more about this option, contact Patty Williams at [email protected] or 315-464-7845. Additionally, the Upstate Foundation now has digital fillable forms for the convenience of fund advisors. Along with fillable purchase orders and travel forms, various other fillable forms are located here: http://www.upstatefoundation.org/pages/about-us-r/upstate-foundation-forms or forms can be emailed directly upon request.

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Stop the Bleed training is open

Stop the Bleed training is open for registration. Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death in trauma. Learn to ‘Stop the Bleed’ with direct pressure, wound-packing, and tourniquets. Step 1: Take Stop the Bleed on Brightspace. Step 2: Sign-up for in-person Stop the Bleed Skills (15 minutes). Questions? Email [email protected]. 

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Volunteers sought for clinical trial

Leonard Weiner, MD, and his clinical trials team seek volunteers age 12 and older to participate in a clinical trial for the prevention of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in household contacts of an individual with symptomatic Covid-19. For more information about the trial, email Kristen Fluno at [email protected].

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Yoga for Everyone is first Friday of every month

Yoga for Everyone will be held the first Friday of every month from 8:15 to 9 a.m. in the Performance Center on the 11^th floor of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. The yoga sessions are co-facilitated by trained Upstate clinicians. No experience is necessary to join a class. For more information, email Nayla Khoury at [email protected].

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Institutional Equity annual report available online

Upstate’s Office of Institutional Equity’s 2022/2023 annual report is available online at: http://gnexc.gz-jlwl.com/equity/oie-annual-report/index.php. For more information about the report, email [email protected] or call 315-464-9590.

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Upstate’s General Counsel has moved

Upstate’s Office of General Counsel has relocated to the Campus Activities Building. The new address is: 155 Elizabeth Blackwell St., Room 301 Campus Activities Building. The mailing address is: 750 East Adams Street, Room 301/CAB, Syracuse, NY 13210. Phone numbers remain the same. 

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Fourth annual Advanced Practice Symposium is available on demand

Registration is now open for the fourth annual Advanced Practice Symposium offering 8 category 1 CME credits. This is geared toward a multidisciplinary audience and everyone is invited to attend. Topics include: breast cancer screening guidelines, treatment for high acuity teens, point of care ultrasound, types of shock in the emergency room, transfusion medicine, breastfeeding, newborns and HIV, common surgical pathologies and cancer overview. The symposium is virtual/on demand and will run through Dec. 31. To register, visit: gnexc.gz-jlwl.com/cme/online-register.php. Questions? Email Christine Lopez-Dwyer or call 315-464-6334.

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The Informed Patient podcast

The Informed Patient podcast recently featured interviews with these specialists about the benefits of short, high-intensity workouts and how to live with heart failure.

• The value of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and short, intense workouts in general, is discussed by exercise physiologist Carol Sames, PhD.
• How to live with heart failure is explained by Ashley Greiner, who has heart failure, and nurse Natasha Zmitrowitz, the coordinator of the Heart Failure Program at Upstate

The Informed Patient podcast and HealthLink on Air radio show are produced by Upstate Marketing and University Communications. The Informed Patient interviews are available through various podcast platforms, including YouTube. HealthLink on Air is broadcast on WRVO Public Media at 6 a.m. Sundays. Audio and transcripts of the podcasts and the radio shows are also available at gz-jlwl.com/informed. To suggest an Upstate expert or topic for a possible podcast, email Amber Smith at [email protected].