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An essential part of the surgical services team, the sterile processing department serves as one of the first lines of defense against infections and the spread of germs. Kim Guthrie, senior central sterile processing technician, started working at UPMC Williamsport nearly two decades ago as a transporter. While delivering surgical instruments to be cleaned and sanitized, she found a department and a job she never knew existed. Kim is part of a 24/7 team of more than two dozen staff members that clean, sanitize, and organize hundreds of surgical instruments a day, ensuing staff are prepared for surgery and patients are safe from infection. A behind the scenes, yet invaluable role, the sterile processing department helps ensure the patient has the best experience possible. “Our role is very, very important because of infection rates,” Kim said. ”What we do is very important; we’re not just dishwashers.” The Sterile Processing team cleans hundreds of instruments every day, like forceps, drills, robotic arms, and scalpels for the emergency department, labor and delivery, and operating rooms. The process is much more thorough and in-depth than soap and a sponge. “You have to be very, very, very thorough and meticulous,” Kim said. “Anything that has a cannula has to be brushed, flushed, and air blown through, because stuff can be hiding in any little crack or crevice. “It's a job you have to take very seriously.” The cleaning process starts in the operating room where the instruments are taken apart, sprayed, and wiped down before the cart makes its way back to sterile processing for decontamination and prep and pack, which is where the instruments are reexamined, thoroughly flushed, brushed, and reassembled. “New high-tech equipment helps ensure the instruments are properly disinfected, inside and out, and is critical in helping keep patients safe,” said Brittany Younger, central sterile processing technician. “We have our own little sonic washer, which is wonderful, and the stainless-steel sinks are high-tech and make our job easier,” Brittany said. “We have ultrasonics that use sound, and it creates an implosion and it pretty much sucks the debris out of them. After you do all that, you put them on huge racks, and they go in the washing machine. Then we have a cart washer because the carts are contaminated, so they must go through that to ensure they’re properly cleaned.” After everything is correctly cleaned, the instruments are staged — meaning labeled — and loaded onto a case cart for surgeries. The hallway is lined with case carts that are meticulously labeled and organized at the ready for that day’s surgeries. “This is a very detailed, and it can be a very physical and stressful job, Kim said. “If a surgeon is doing three or four hips in a day, sometimes you have to turn over everything quickly and thoroughly.”

At UPMC, our employees are more than their job titles. Each day, they bring their unique skills and expertise to their roles. Beyond their professional contributions, our colleagues also embrace their artistic, athletic, and creative passions. Whether they’re rediscovering old talents or uncovering new ones, our workplace thrives on creativity. Meet John Baker, Software Engineer-intermediate, UPMC HealthPlaNET, Corporate Services. Beyond his IT role, John is a passionate independent filmmaker. In 2011, he contributed graphics and animation to a short film that evolved into a full-length feature, eventually showcased at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. Before diving into web development, John earned a graduate degree in Cyberarts from the University of Toledo, where he learned about digital design, video production, and 3D modeling. Simultaneously, he honed his skills in process and project management while working as an apprentice painter on comic books. Congratulations on your achievements, John!

Five stars for UPMC Harrisburg! UPMC Harrisburg, which includes UPMC West Shore and UPMC Community Osteopathic under its license, achieved the prestigious five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the highest rating possible using data that evaluates outcomes, patient experience, and process. Of nearly 5,000 U.S. hospitals evaluated, roughly 8 percent earned the highest five-star rating. In total, there are 381 hospitals nationwide and only 22 hospitals in Pennsylvania that received five-star ratings for 2024. UPMC Carlisle, UPMC Hanover, UPMC Lititz, and UPMC Memorial also achieved a remarkable four-star rating. "The five-star rating for UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC West Shore, and UPMC Community Osteopathic is a testament to our hospitals’ culture of excellence, compassion, and innovation", said Elizabeth Ritter, president, UPMC Harrisburg. "It reflects our relentless pursuit of quality, safety, and patient satisfaction. This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the entire team, from our clinical staff to our support services. The team plays a vital role in delivering exceptional care, and I'm grateful for their commitment to our community.”

Whoever you are and whatever you’d like to do, UPMC wants to help you thrive both personally and professionally. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a part of the UPMC team? UPMC Careers is here to share a closer look on our new "Working Here" page. Explore our extensive list of employee benefits or read new blog stories featuring real employees sharing their stories about life beyond work. Take a look over at https://lnkd.in/e_V6JacS!

At UPMC, our employees are more than just their job titles. Every day, they bring unique skills and expertise to their roles, but that’s not all! Our co-workers also embrace their artistic, athletic and creative sides. From re-discovering old talents to unveiling new ones, our workplace buzzes with creativity. Meet Mary Lynn Alpino, Guest Services Concierge at UPMC Presbyterian. When she’s not greeting patients and visitors at the hospital, you can find her writing about things that are important to her. She says that her talent allows her to write about things people would like to know, such as things from the past, family, and things having to do with Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh’s rich history! Her first big article that was published and started her writing journey was about her hang-gliding experience at Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head, North Carolina. For aspiring writers, Mary Lynn advises persistence--don’t be discouraged by rejection; keep writing, and success will follow! Keep up the great work Mary Lynn!

UPMC Enterprises, the innovation, commercialization, and venture capital division of UPMC, recently invested in Medicom Technologies Inc. Medicom, a health tech startup specializing in medical imaging, tackles the persistent issue of making medical images and relevant clinical data more accessible to patients, providers, and researchers. This partnership will support UPMC’s continued leadership in health care research. Learn more. https://lnkd.in/d47j9md7

Tammy Krents was just 3 years old when doctors diagnosed her with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a rare genetic eye disorder that leads to progressive vision loss. Many with RP lose their sight before adulthood.  In recent years, Tammy’s vision declined. She stopped driving and considered quitting her job. Meanwhile, her sister, Kimberley Bell, discovered her own vision was deteriorating after a routine eye exam at work.    Faced with the prospect of blindness, the sisters began looking for answers. Their search brought them to Pittsburgh and UPMC. The UPMC Vision Institute is one of only 14 centers in the country to offer Luxturna, a gene therapy that can help halt the progression of RP and preserve vision. Dr. Joseph Martel, who specializes in vitreoretinal surgery and diseases, recently performed surgery on Tammy. Kimberley expects to undergo the procedure soon. We have assembled a truly world-class team at the UPMC Vision Institute, harnessing clinical and research expertise to deliver comprehensive care to patients like Tammy and Kimberley.  I am so glad that we were able to support Tammy and Kimberley on their journey, and we wish them all the best.

In this week's episode of UPMC NOW: fun in the sun at Schenley Park during the 9th annual Walk for Children’s; UPMC partners with the community of McKeesport, Pa., to throw a party for those that wouldn't seek health care under normal circumstances; UPMC Passavant celebrates 175 years of providing world-class health care to Pittsburgh's North Hills community; and a Medical Equipment Recycling Program (MERP) location was opened at UPMC Jameson in New Castle, enhancing access to free medical equipment for the community.

Respiratory Therapy has never been more important to our patients and communities. As a Respiratory Therapist, you can help patients breathe easier, while building a high-potential clinical career. Through UPMC's partnership with Carlow University, students can gain the training and education needed to launch their Respiratory Therapy careers on an accelerated path, while enjoying a variety of potential benefits like flexible, part-time work while enrolled and employment opportunities at UPMC upon graduation. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eY4rS6fs

An operating room nurse works in the hospital setting to attend to patients before, during, and after surgeries. “I’ve had the opportunity to observe a wide variety of surgical procedures and participate in many aspects of the surgical process, which sparked my fascination with surgery and inspired me to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse in the operating room,” said Kelsey Heimbaugh, BSN, RN, at UPMC Harrisburg. “As a member of the robotic surgery team, I'm honored to work alongside phenomenal surgeons to provide life-changing care to patients every day.” To learn more or to apply, visit https://lnkd.in/eMiqP2iC or https://lnkd.in/eQk7Qr9U.