Penn State Health Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy

10/15/2026

𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞.

Proactive focus on daily routines now creates physical resilience and simplifies wellness management throughout the winter months. Here are some healthy habits to focus on this fall:

🥬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Incorporate nutrient-dense autumn produce such as pumpkin, butternut squash, apples, and dark leafy greens. These foods supply essential antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins that strengthen immune function.

💧 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Lower temperatures often reduce the sensation of thirst, leading to unintentional dehydration. Drinking adequate water daily supports cellular function, digestion, and energy regulation.

🏃🏻‍♀️ 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞: Shorter daylight hours can disrupt physical activity patterns. Scheduling structured indoor workouts or taking advantage of crisp afternoon weather for outdoor movement ensures physical fitness remains a consistent priority.

10/13/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞: 𝐁𝐌𝐈 𝐈𝐬 𝐍𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲
BMI (Body Mass Index) has been used for decades to assess weight and health. However, because BMI is only based on one's height to weight ratio, many other factors are not taken into account. Body fat distribution, waist measurements, muscle mass, and health conditions such as diabetes and joint pain can provide important additional information about how weight is affecting overall health.

Understanding these factors can help health care providers and patients make more informed decisions about health and treatment. Today, health care providers have a growing number of ways to assess and address obesity, including newer GLP-1 medications and other medical, nutritional, and lifestyle treatments.

The goal is not simply to reach a certain number on the scale, but to understand how excess weight may be affecting an individual’s health and identify an approach that supports better health and quality of life.

10/12/2026

🎙️ Tune in to on The Jerry Valeri Show on 3WZ radio on October 13, 2026.

Katy Nelson, CNRP at Penn State Health, will be on air tomorrow morning between 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.

Listen live at 3wz.com

10/09/2026

🍁 𝐃𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥.
Whether it is a weekend hike, a round of golf, or simply keeping up with everyday activities, persistent joint or muscle pain can make it harder to enjoy the season.

For some patients, a 𝐂-𝐚𝐫𝐦–𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐞 may be an option for targeted pain relief. Using real-time X-ray imaging, a C-arm helps the sports medicine team precisely treat the area causing discomfort.

If pain is limiting movement or keeping you from the activities you enjoy, a sports medicine evaluation can help determine whether a C-arm–guided procedure or another treatment option may be appropriate. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝟖𝟏𝟒-𝟖𝟔𝟓-𝟑𝟓𝟔𝟔 to request an appointment with a Sports Medicine care team member.

10/09/2026

🏆 A big recognition for Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center.
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Lancaster Medical Center has been named a 2026 Vizient Top Performer for quality, recognizing its commitment to high-quality, safe patient care.
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The medical center was one of 22 community hospitals recognized nationally with the Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Award.
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The recognition reflects ongoing work to use data, evidence-based practices and continuous improvement to advance quality and patient safety.
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Since opening in 2022, Lancaster Medical Center has continued to earn national recognition for its commitment to quality and safety, including being named a Top General Hospital by The Leapfrog Group in 2025 and receiving an “A” Hospital Safety Grade in spring 2026.
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➡️ Read more about the recognition and the work behind it: https://bit.ly/4zrhSIq

10/08/2026

💙 Hope, support and recovery will soon have a new home in Harrisburg.

Penn State Health Medical Group – Cameron Street will open to patients Monday, Oct. 12, bringing the Advancement in Recovery (AIR) Program to a new location at 100 N. Cameron St.

The new location expands access to medication-assisted treatment and counseling for people experiencing substance use disorder and problem gambling.

At the ribbon cutting, AIR patient Adrienne Pierce shared how the program has supported her recovery, describing the people who work there as “an extended family” who truly care about what happens to her.

The new location is another step toward making compassionate, whole-person care more accessible in our community.

Learn more about Psychiatry and Behavioral Health: https://bit.ly/4rRGc3g

10/07/2026

Bringing local leaders together for meaningful conversations about the future of our region. We were proud to host United Way of the Capital Region's CEO Summit and share perspectives on leadership, health care and our community. 💙

10/07/2026

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐀 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 is an opportunity to recognize the physician associates who are an important part of the health care team.

Physician associates (PAs) provide care across a wide range of specialties, from diagnosing and treating illness to managing chronic conditions, ordering tests, prescribing medications, and helping patients navigate their health care. Penn State Health honors the PAs whose combination of medical knowledge, clinical skill, and commitment to excellence bring world-class, patient-centered care to the Centre County region.

10/06/2026

When a family needs trauma care, staying together matters.

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is home to Pennsylvania’s only Level I trauma center for both adults and children — bringing the highest level of specialized trauma care together in one place.

Both our Adult and Pediatric Trauma programs have earned full accreditation from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation with no significant issues, reaffirming the expertise, resources and readiness of the teams caring for some of the most seriously injured patients.

And when multiple members of a family are injured in the same event, having both adult and pediatric Level I trauma care at one medical center means they can receive specialized care close to one another during an incredibly difficult time.

When every second matters, our teams are ready. 💙

10/05/2026

🩷 Your health deserves a place on your calendar, too.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder to make time for yourself and stay up to date with recommended breast cancer screenings.

Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer early, when it may be easier to treat and outcomes are often better.

If you’re due for a mammogram, schedule your screening today.

Find a Penn State Health mammogram location near you: https://bit.ly/4xZxeCN

10/05/2026

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞.
Did you know Penn State Health offers world-class care right here in Centre County? In partnership with Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and the Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Health provides primary and specialty care for the whole family – close to home.

From routine checkups to specialized treatment, you and your family can access trusted care at every stage of life. If you and your family members have not yet had your flu vaccine, call 814-235-2480 to schedule an appointment.

10/02/2026

❤️ Some reunions are worth celebrating.

Heart transplant recipients, their families and the care teams who have been part of their journeys came together for Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center's annual Heart Transplant Reunion.

Hear from some of the people whose lives have been transformed through organ donation and heart transplantation — and the hope, resilience and second chances that come with it.

10/01/2026

❤️ Stephen McNamara didn’t expect a heart failure diagnosis to change his life. He also didn’t expect to be back on the tennis court just a few years later.

In 2023, Stephen started experiencing symptoms he couldn’t ignore, including fatigue, shortness of breath, stomach pain and severe difficulty sleeping. When he went to the emergency department at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center, doctors discovered chronic heart failure and blood clots in his heart and lungs. His heart’s ejection fraction was just 17%.

With medication, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and changes to his daily routine, Stephen has worked to manage his condition and get back to the activities he loves.

Today, the Lancaster resident is playing tennis every week, golfing several times a week and taking walks throughout his workday.

His diagnosis changed how he thinks about his health — but it didn’t stop him from living his life.

👉 Read Stephen’s story in the Medical Minute, “Living well with heart failure,” to learn more about recognizing heart failure symptoms, treatment options and the lifestyle changes that can help people manage the condition: https://bit.ly/4dhbWsH

10/01/2026

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, and screening recommendations can vary based on age, family history, genetics, and other risk factors. It is important to have a conversation with a health care provider about your personal breast cancer risk and the screening schedule that makes sense for you.

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐭𝐨𝐨. Although it is much less common in men, breast cancer does occur. A lump, swelling, skin changes, ni**le changes, or discharge should not be ignored simply because breast cancer is considered more common in women.

🩷 This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a moment to ask: Is your breast cancer screening up to date, and is the current screening plan appropriate for your individual risk?

09/30/2026

💙 When Lewistown resident Barry Swartz was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he wanted to understand his options — and find a treatment that would allow him to keep doing the things he loves.

At Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Barry became a candidate for high-intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU, a minimally invasive treatment that uses targeted sound waves to destroy cancerous tissue.

Urologist Dr. Jay Raman used a robotic system to precisely target the areas of cancer while monitoring the treatment in real time.

For Barry, the treatment offered another option for treating his prostate cancer while helping him look ahead to the activities he enjoys, including hunting, fishing, golfing and traveling.

As Prostate Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, Barry’s story is a reminder that knowing your options matters when facing a prostate cancer diagnosis.

👉 Read Barry’s story and learn more about the robotic HIFU treatment at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center:

Barry Swartz, a 69-year-old Lewistown resident, underwent high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

09/29/2026

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐁𝐃: 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It is different from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although some symptoms can be similar. Common symptoms of IBD may include:
• Persistent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Blood in the stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue and changes in appetite

Early evaluation and appropriate treatment can help manage inflammation, reduce symptoms, and protect long-term digestive health. If ongoing digestive symptoms are interfering with daily life, talking with a health care provider is an important first step. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝟖𝟏𝟒-𝟐𝟕𝟐-𝟒𝟒𝟖𝟔 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫.

09/29/2026

💙 A little extra care can go a long way.

A team of Penn State Health employees recently came together to donate and deliver updated care kits to Tenfold, providing practical essentials to people in our community who may be experiencing homelessness or facing other challenges with housing and financial stability.

The kits include gloves, hats, neck gaiters, socks, blankets, snacks, water bottles and hand-sanitizing wipes — items that can provide comfort, warmth and support when they’re needed most.

A special thank-you to Diane Long, RN, and the Penn State Health employees who helped make this donation possible and personally delivered the supplies to Tenfold. Your generosity and willingness to support our community make a difference.

We’re grateful to partner with Tenfold and support the people they serve. 🫶

09/25/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲

At Penn State Health, keeping you and your family healthy is our priority. From infants to elders, the care teams in State College are here for you. Our doctors and practitioners provide physicals, check-ups and screenings as well as treatment options for injury or illness.

We are accepting new patients of all ages. Call 814-235-2480 to schedule an appointment today.

Breakthrough Medicine Lives Here.

09/23/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧.

Switch up your classic lasagna recipe for a lighter, fresher, low-carb dinner that does not sacrifice any of the flavor or richness!

Find the full recipe at pshcc.org/recipes.