Team captains sought for Making Strides

The American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides of Syracuse walk will be held Sunday, Oct. 18. In preparation, a Strides Team Captain meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 1 at noon in C1076 A/B/C on the first floor of Upstate Cancer Center. The meeting will provide all the information and resources needed to rally a team of co-workers, family, friends, and neighbors wanting to fuel the fight against breast cancer. To register for the team captain meeting, email [email protected] by Aug. 24.

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Nominations sought for SUNY Chancellor’s Horizon Awards for Faculty Research and Scholarship

Nominations are sought now through Oct. 1 for the 2026-27 SUNY Chancellor’s Horizon Awards for Faculty Research and Scholarship. This award honors early-career faculty whose scholarship or creative activities have already achieved significant recognition and hold strong promise for field-defining impact in the future. The award is highly inclusive and open to faculty across all disciplines, including performance-based or creative disciplines and those that focus on pedagogical research. Up to ten awards will be conferred within the SUNY system. A campus review of all nominations will take place in early October 2026. Selected honorees will be celebrated and formally recognized at the 2027 Fall Faculty Convocation. For eligibility requirements, nomination guidelines, and to submit, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/academic-affairs/fall-convocation-awards/horizon-award.php. Questions? Email Lynn Cleary, MD, at [email protected] or Cheryl Alger at [email protected].

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Student Admissions seeks volunteers to serve as interviewers

Student Admissions seeks Upstate volunteers to serve as interviewers for the upcoming 2026–2027 admissions interview cycle. Interviewers help select candidates for Upstate’s MD program using a virtual, one-hour MMI format held Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. All interviewers—new and returning—must complete registration to receive scheduling details and updated training materials:

https://engage.upstate.edu/register/interviewers. Questions? Email [email protected].

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Cancer Center Nursing Grand Rounds is Aug. 11

Chaplains Tom Anderson and Kate Dunn will present Utilizing Spiritual Care in the Cancer Center Aug. 11 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the conference rooms on the first floor of Upstate Cancer Center. The event will also be offered live virtual via Webex and provide one contact hour of continuing nursing education. After the presentation, the recording will be posted to Brightspace where members of the Upstate community will be able to self-enroll. Questions? Email Jessica Montena at [email protected].

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Epic Behavioral Health Module available Aug. 11

The Epic Behavioral Health Module is live today, Aug. 11. To help psychiatric providers, therapists, social workers, nurses, and support staff prepare, a comprehensive collection of training resources is now available. Education includes guidance on new and updated workflows such as group documentation, safety checks, treatment plans, and other behavioral health tools that will be introduced or enhanced as part of the implementation. Training materials include workflow guides, tip sheets, videos, and role-specific resources designed to support a successful transition. All behavioral health staff are encouraged to review the available materials prior to go-live.

Visit the Behavioral Health Module System Update Bulletin to access training materials and resources.

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Spiritual Care graduation is Aug. 13

Spiritual Care will hold a graduation celebration for five summer chaplain interns Thursday, Aug. 13 at noon in the Interfaith Chapel on the first floor of Upstate University Hospital. Graduating from the Upstate Clinical Pastoral Education Program are Carlos Gonzales (8EFG), Nora Elisabet Kalkman (9EFG), Ceara Curry Kilpatrick (4B), Mary Riley (10EGH) and Emma Timbers (5AB). The Upstate community is welcome to attend. Questions? Email Rev. Terry Ruth Culbertson at [email protected].

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Cardiology Grand Rounds is Aug. 14

Eugene Yang, MD, MS, FACC, University of Washington School of Medicine, will present Beyond the Monolith: Why Disaggregating Data is Essential for Asian Cardiovascular Health Friday, Aug. 14 at 7:30 a.m. in 0103 Weiskotten Hall. There will be a WebEx option, here: https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=m4ae28f169d67e45994a82e6f7050707c Password: Cardiology1

Meeting number: 2310 852 2763. CME is available for this session. For more information, email Lisa Carroll at [email protected].

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Volunteers Sought for Mary Nelson’s annual school supply giveaway event Aug. 15

Volunteers are sought for Mary Nelson’s annual youth day celebration to be held Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Meachem Field in Syracuse. Registered students will receive backpacks and school supplies. The free community event includes food, music, family resources, and on-site community partners. Volunteers are needed. Volunteering at the event is open to Upstate friends and family. Questions? Email Becca Pesci at [email protected]. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49ABAE2FA2FEC70-64729391-mary#/.

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Co-Elevate session Beyond the Screen: Bringing Care Back to the Bedside is Aug. 17

Co-Elevate will be held Aug. 17 from 7 to 8:15 a.m. in 103 Weiskotten Hall. There will also be a virtual option. Learn how meaningful bedside conversations and interdisciplinary collaboration between nurses, physicians, pharmacists, patients, and the broader care team can improve patient safety, quality, teamwork, and the patient experience. To join virtually, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=mac4eac528e964420e93a8a5b1a5f04d3. Questions? Email Yolanda King at [email protected].

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Volunteers sought for Samaritan Center breakfast service Aug. 19

Join members of Upstate Emerging Leaders United at the Samaritan Center (215 N. State St.), as the group helps with breakfast service Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 6:15 to 9 a.m. The Samaritan Center mission is No One Goes Hungry. To participate, or for more information, email [email protected].

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Cancer Center Genetics and Cell Biology Program seminar is Aug. 19

Michael G. Smith, PhD, single cell and spatial technology specialist at Illumina, will present Illumina Single Cell Technology Wednesday, Aug. 19 from noon to 1 p.m. in 4709 Neuroscience Research Building (located within IHP). Registration is required: https://eventregistration.illumina.com/event/SUNY0804/register?RefId=Flyer. Hear how the unique Illumina Single Cell approach, combined with sequencing and informatics solutions, will provide a complete solution and single point of support so that researchers can advance discovery faster and more economically. Questions? Email Mariano Viapiano at [email protected].

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Active Shooter Knowledge (ASK) presentations are Aug. 19 and Sept. 2, 16, 30

University Police will host Active Shooter Knowledge (ASK) presentations Aug. 19 and Sept. 2, 16, 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in 2218 Silverman Hall and via Teams (meeting: 294 234 538 757 9 and passcode: Hq98so38). Questions? Email Officer Bordonaro at [email protected] or Officer Becher at [email protected].

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HealthLink on infectious diseases is Aug. 20

Upstate Global Health Institute will present Awareness and Prevention of Infectious Diseases Thursday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Join this session to gain a better understanding of conditions such as c.diff, including prevention, overall health awareness for how these diseases spread and current research. Register to receive the Zoom link: https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/QTUvLkDwTkuRD1heZuCKOA. Questions? Email Amy Allen at [email protected].

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Retirement celebration for Sharon Brangman is Aug. 25

A retirement celebration honoring Sharon A. Brangman, MD, FACP, AGSF, distinguished service professor and chair of Geriatrics will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. in 4414 B/C Academic Building. Dr. Brangman retires after 37 years of service to Upstate. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. R.S.V.P. by Aug. 17 to [email protected].

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Upstate Oasis open house celebrating 25 years is Aug. 25

Upstate Oasis—an award-winning educational enrichment program for people over 50—will host an open house celebrating the program’s 25^th anniversary Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oasis/HealthLink, 6333 State Route 298, E. Syracuse. The Upstate community is welcome. The event will feature a sampling of classes and a meet and greet with Oasis staff and instructors. The open house will allow guests to see how Oasis continues to thrive after 25 years of helping seniors stay fit, make new friends, and embrace the future through community engagement. Questions about the event? Email Sandra Roberts at [email protected].

Upstate's Oasis opened in Dewitt at Shoppingtown Mall in 2001 following the findings of the 1997 MacArthur Study of Successful Aging in America, which found that enhanced quality of life in later years depends on maintaining a low risk for disease/disability, high physical and cognitive function, and ongoing involvement in life.

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SUNY Center for Professional Development offers certificate in leading change beginning Sept. 1

The SUNY Center for Professional Development is offering the Leading Change in Higher Education certificate in two courses. Participants can expect to spend three hours per month in synchronous meetings and three to five hours per week on asynchronous readings, videos, and online discussions. The price for Upstate staff is $620 for both courses.

• Course 1: Sept. 1 to Nov. 23 is Foundations of Leading Change in Higher Education
• Course 2: March 30 to May 10 is Championing Change Leadership in Higher Education

For details on the certificate and each course, visit: https://cpd.suny.edu/lche/. Questions? Email Emma Sheedy at [email protected].

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Outpatient Pharmacy closures for Labor Day Sept. 8

The Outpatient Pharmacies located at Nappi Wellness, Upstate University Hospital, Community, and Slocum Dickson will be closed Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day. Normal business hours will resume Sept. 8.

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Convocation is Sept. 9

Convocation will be held Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. in the Medical Alumni Auditorium of Weiskotten Hall. A reception will follow.

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Clark Burn Center trivia event is Sept. 18

Clark Burn Center trivia night will be held Friday, Sept. 18 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Crazy Daisies Flowers and Garden Café, 4693 Kasson Road, Syracuse. Tickets are $20 each and seating capacity is limited to those who register for the event. Proceeds support survivors of burn injuries and their families. To register, visit: https://2026BurnTrivia.givesmart.com. Questions? Email Tamara Roberts at [email protected].

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The Burn Run will be held Oct. 31

The Burn Run will be held Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Canastota Volunteer Fire Department, 127 East Center Street. Kids Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m. The 5k and 10k begin at 9 a.m. Chili and refreshments will be provided. Children and adults are welcome wear costumes that are safe to run in. To register, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/NY/Canastota/BurnRunCanastota.

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Global Health seeks participants for a variety of studies

Upstate Global Health Institute seeks study participants for a variety of clinical trials. To see a list of studies and criteria, visit: https://upstateglobalhealth.org/clinical-trials/currently-enrolling-clinical-trials/.

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Upstate HealthTech Pilot Fund seeks applications

Have an idea, device, or project you want to partner with industry to develop? The Upstate HealthTech Pilot Fund is a competitive research and development cost-sharing program designed to accelerate collaboration between industry partners and Upstate researchers, clinicians, and world-class facilities.

Projects are considered based on:

• Alignment with Upstate's research strengths and growth areas
• Commitment from an Upstate Principal Investigator (search for experts here: https://researchconnect.upstate.edu)
• Scientific and innovative merit
• Potential for future collaboration and growth
• Completion within 12 months or less
• Company cost-sharing support (typically a 2:1 company match)

To learn more and submit an application, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/research/industry-ip/healthtech.php. Questions? Email [email protected].

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Upstate Well announcements

Looking for a volunteer role to spread joy, comfort, smiles and a pawsitive impact, one wag at a time? We need session supervisors to support Pet a Pooch visits, particularly at Community. For more information, email Christine Cole at [email protected] or Sophia Brooks at [email protected].

In our Upstate Well Community in OneUp, we’re featuring Upstate's new Nursing Health and Wellness Manager, Kerryanna Elhage, MS, RN, BSN, CNML, HNB-BC, BCC. To be featured as an employee or department success story in this community, email Jodi Butterfield at [email protected].

Pet a Pooch for staff will be held as follows:

• Aug. 12 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Community Room #0124 at Community
• Aug. 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., 9405A Upstate University Hospital
• Aug. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., outside cafeteria at Community
• Aug. 26 from 1 p.m., to 2:30 p.m., 12405A Upstate University Hospital
• Aug. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Community Room #0124 at Community

Friday’s Physical Activity Team Challenge will be held Fridays through Aug. 28. Track physical activity minutes every Friday. Team members from top 10 teams will receive a prize. For more information, visit: https://oer.ny.gov/physical-activity-team-challenge.

WellNYS Everyday will host webinars August 12, The Importance of Hydration and August 26, Sleep Hygiene Strategies. For more information and to register, visit: https://oer.ny.gov/wellnys-everyday-webinars.

Tranquility Tuesday is held every Tuesday from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m. on the second floor of Nappi Wellness Institute or virtually via WebEx. To join the virtual option, visit: https://upstate.webex.com/upstate/j.php?MTID=m4cf0ace0b87237183612a0b6496ca516 (Meeting ID: 2305 438 7566, Password: jyYW3FriJ74). Each session is a unique meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and relaxation practice experience. Questions? Email [email protected] or [email protected].

For more on Upstate Well, 4KARE, and Community Building, visit: https://www.upstate.edu/wellness/.

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Apparel sales

• The Emergency Department holiday apparel store is open now through Aug. 28. Proceeds benefit the Adult Emergency Department staff recognition fund. To view and order items, visit: https://emergencydept2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/. Questions? Email Kristina LaValley at [email protected].

• Patient Advocacy is selling shirts to support staff recognition efforts. To view and order, visit: https://www.bonfire.com/store/office-of-patient-advocacy-shirt-shop/. Questions? Email Amanda Kersey at [email protected].

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Upstate Foundation celebrates 50 years: 1996-2005 highlights

1996: Joslin Diabetes Center opened with support from the Foundation. Two Foundation board members were a driving force behind the campaign to bring an affiliate of Boston’s Joslin Diabetes Center to Syracuse. Those board members were David Tye and Dodie Vlassis, who along with Dodie’s husband Dean, made founding gifts to launch the campaign. A minimum of $1 million was needed for the naming rights to Joslin Diabetes Center. A cornerstone of the campaign was named giving, with most of the rooms in the center designated to individuals and corporations. Need for the center was so great that it quickly outgrew its original offices at the Upstate Health Care Center in downtown Syracuse, moving to a site on the east side of the city, to its current location in the new Nappi Wellness Institute.

1997: Vision 2000 endowment campaign launched (renamed in

2024: John A. Hoepner, MD, Endowed Professorship in Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences)

1997: John K., MD, and Mitzi Wolf Endowment for Neurological Education established

1998: John Bernard Henry, MD, Endowed Professorship in Experimental Pathology established

1998: Support provided for child life specialists, family resource librarian and other positions to enhance pediatric patient care

Thank you for being a vital part of this important milestone. For all highlights, visit: https://www.upstatefoundation.org/50th.

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The Informed Patient podcast

The Informed Patient podcast recently featured interviews with Upstate experts on GLP-1 drugs for mental health uses and a clinic to treat a type of inherited heart problem.

• Researchers see a potential positive benefit to mental health from GLP-1 medications, which are often prescribed for weight loss. Psychiatrist and researcher Roger McIntyre, MD, explains the connection.
• The new channelopathy clinic at Upstate Medical University offers advanced care for the inherited heart problems known as arrhythmias. Cardiologist Jorge Romero, MD, and researcher David Auerbach, PhD, tell about these disorders, what patients can expect from the first visit and what sorts of therapies are available from the clinic team.

The Informed Patient podcast and HealthLink on Air radio show are produced by Upstate Marketing and University Communications. The Informed Patient interviews, which feature subtitles, are available through various podcast platforms, including YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTRingYNAhMI-BCsmNqTAx-7FAQMdNNlH.

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 here: https://www.upstate.edu/informed/.