|
| Inside this edition: Penn State Health discontinues abdominal transplant programs, lawmakers debate remote voting, and communities worry about hydrogen hub projects. |
|
 | Photo provided by Penn State Health |
|
Real quick: Penn State Health will discontinue its troubled liver and kidney transplant programs amid scrutiny from federal regulators. The move comes only months after the programs relaunched following serious disciplinary sanctions and what health system leaders described as an extensive effort to rebuild, Spotlight PA’s Wyatt Massey and Charlotte Keith report.
A little more: In recent weeks, the health system stopped performing liver and kidney transplants at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center after drawing renewed scrutiny from federal regulators over concerns about clinical processes and institutional culture.
The abdominal transplant program has been plagued by problems for years.
In September 2022, a national oversight group declared the hospital a “member not in good standing” after flagging problems with kidney and liver transplants — the most serious disciplinary action taken against a hospital in more than 15 years.
Afterward, Penn State Health leaders pledged to rebuild. The health system hired new surgeons, updated its equipment, and promised to overhaul its internal operations.
“This was not an easy decision as we know our community depends on us to provide the health care services they need and want us to deliver,” a spokesperson for Penn State Health said in a statement Tuesday.
But during discussions with regulators and an internal review, “it became apparent to us that the ongoing challenges we have faced to keep the programs running make closing them the right course of action at this time,” the spokesperson said.
The full story: Read more here. |
|
We're nearing the end! Our annual Spring Member Drive ends this Saturday at 11:59pm. There are only a few days left to make a donation and make your mark by having it DOUBLED thanks to a generous matching grant from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism!
Support Spotlight PA State College by making a gift now »
You can also give via PayPal or Venmo, or send a check to: Spotlight PA, PO Box 11728, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1728. Please put “State College” in the memo line.
Thank you to those who have given so far, including Alan H., who said, “Information is important, especially in a time when falsehoods proliferate.” Join Alan & make a gift now » |
|
» Lifesaving or misguided? Funding Pa. coroners with opioid settlements criticized
» Attorney general candidates rebuild campaign coffers after pricey primaries
» She beat the party-backed candidate for Pa. treasurer. Donations are starting to roll in.
» The COVID pandemic let Pa. House lawmakers vote remotely. The GOP says it’s time to restrict that rule.
» Communities fear health, environmental harms as they await more info on hydrogen hub projects
» SETTLEMENT STRATEGY: Join us TONIGHT from 6-7 p.m. ET on Zoom for a free panel on how counties are using their opioid settlement funds, and what influences these decisions. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org. |
|
 | Daniel Fishel / For Spotlight PA |
|
| Spotlight PA will soon launch a new weekly newsletter focused on caregiving and caregivers across Pennsylvania. Every Tuesday, “How We Care” will feature original reporting and perspectives on how we care for one another at all stages of life, the huge economic and policy questions ahead, and how it’s affecting the lives of millions of people across the state. You can sign up for How We Care here. |
|
Amy Z. attended a World War II reenactment at Pennsylvania Military Museum in Centre County on Memorial Day and shared this image.
Have a north-central Pennsylvania photo to share? Send it to us by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. |
|
| WAKE UP WITH SPOTLIGHT PA |
|
Our brand new “Now Brewing the Truth” coffee/latte mugs are here! Matte black with white inside, perfect for everyday use or as a gift! Proceeds from the Spotlight PA store benefit our nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism. Please allow 1-2 weeks for shipping. Have an idea for a product you'd like to see? Send us a note at membership@spotlightpa.org. |
|
|
Want us to list your event? Send it to us.
» May 30-June 2: Rhoneymeade Fest is a music and visual arts festival in Centre County featuring more than 40 performers.
» June 1: Food trucks, crafts, and entertainment highlight the SUN PrideFest & Summer Craft Fair in downtown Lewisburg, Union County.
» June 1-2: The Palmer Museum of Art opens in its new location, The Arboretum at Penn State, Centre County. Opening weekend features programs for all ages.
» June 2: FrogFest, held at Muddy Paws Marsh in Centre County, offers an opportunity to learn more about the creatures' role in the ecosystem.
» June 2: “Get inspired” to get outside at the Outdoor Adventure Expo in Bellefonte, Centre County. |
|
An anagram is a word, phrase, or name formed by rearranging the letters of another. For example, “spotlight” also forms “stoplight.”
Decode the anagram and send your answer to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org. We’ll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA State College swag.
T U T O R
Good luck! Last week’s answer: PostmanThere were no new winners this week. Send this newsletter to your friends so they get a shot at receiving Spotlight PA State College swag! Those who answered correctly: Don H., Rena Z., and Martina M. |
|
Do you have events, community shoutouts, questions about our region, or tips on stories that we should pursue? Email our team.
|
|
|
| |
|
