March 31, 2020 Volume 66 Issue 28

A $6 million grant from Arnold Ventures will support replication and rigorous study of the outcomes of the Transitional Care Model (TCM) in four US health-care systems. Designed by a team at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, the TCM has been proven in multiple National Institutes of Health–funded randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to improve health outcomes, reduce rehospitalizations and decrease total health-care costs among the growing population of Medicare beneficiaries.

“To achieve positive outcomes for older adults with complex health and social needs, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) collaborates with patients, their family caregivers and health-care teams to design and implement individualized plans of care that extend from hospital to home,” explained the project’s lead, Mary Naylor, the Marian S. Ware Professor in Gerontology and the director of the NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health. Dr. Naylor is the architect of the TCM at Penn Nursing.

The study will evaluate the effects of the TCM in nine hospitals located in five states which are part of Swedish Health Services, Trinity Health, University of California San Francisco Health and the Veterans Health Administration. Together, these systems will recruit 1,600 Medicare patients to participate in this RCT. Mathematica will conduct an independent evaluation.

“TCM has very promising evidence of sizable reductions in rehospitalizations and net health-care costs among Medicare beneficiaries,” said Erin Crossett, evidence-based policy manager of Arnold Ventures. The grant is part of the organization’s Moving the Needle initiative to expand delivery of programs that have been rigorously shown to improve important life outcomes, ensuring significant headway against US social problems. “The successful replication of TCM would provide convincing evidence that TCM could be used in hospitals nationwide to improve patient health and generate major healthcare savings,” said Ms. Crossett.

When the trial is launched, the Penn Nursing team will coordinate the initiative, providing participating sites with the training and support essential to implement the TCM as designed. The overall goal of the study is to determine if the health and economic benefits demonstrated by the TCM in NIH-funded RCTs conducted in Pennsylvania can be replicated both within and across health systems spread throughout the US.

“If the TCM’s effects can be reproduced, participating health systems are committed to spread the model, accelerating their ongoing efforts to improve the care and outcomes of the growing population of older adults living with complex needs. Evidence that the TCM is generalizable also will encourage voluntary adoption among other health systems,” said Dr. Naylor.

The Penn team also will examine factors that may influence the implementation and, if successful, health systems’ expansion of the TCM.

“With a diverse set of hospitals in terms of size, geographic location, patient population, and post-acute and community-based service partners, the RCT findings will provide an actionable path for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other payers to reduce health-care costs among Medicare beneficiaries, while maintaining high-quality care,” said Dr. Naylor.

Ignacio Javier López, professor and chair of romance languages in Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences, has been appointed Edwin B. and Leonore R. Williams Professor of Romance Languages. A highly distinguished scholar of the literary history of Spain from the 19th century to the present, Dr. López has authored six books on the modern Spanish novel, including Revolución, Restauración y novela and La novela ideológica, 1875-1880, and dozens of articles exploring a range of topics in romanticism, the modern period, surrealism (Prados, Larrea, Dalí and Buñuel), and Spanish post-modernity. Currently he is the general editor of Hispanic Review, a position he has held for nine years.

His scholarship and service have been recognized with many honors, awards and fellowships, including awards from the Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte, Spain and the Program for Cultural Cooperation US/Spain. Dr. López has served as the department chair for 15 years.

The late Edwin B. and Leonore R. Williams established this chair through their estate in 1982. Edwin B. Williams served on the faculty of the department of romance languages (1919-1962). He served as chair of the department of romance languages (1931-1938), dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (1938-1951) and Provost of the University (1951-1956). Leonore R. Williams was an active member of University life for more than 60 years. She was a founder of the Faculty Tea Club and was an honorary board member of the Penn Women’s Club. The Edwin B. and Leonore R. Williams Humanities and Languages Hall was named in their honor in 1972.

Penn Dental Medicine has received a $1 million gift from the Colgate-Palmolive Company to help advance patient care through the new Penn Dental Medicine Care Center for Persons with Disabilities and the development of the Colgate Innovation Laboratory there. Through the Innovation Laboratory, to be embedded within the Center, Colgate experts will work side by side with Penn Dental Medicine faculty, students and researchers throughout Penn to assess needs and develop and refine new dental products that facilitate optimal dental care for patients with disabilities.

“This dynamic partnership with Colgate-Palmolive, a global leader in oral care, will help Penn Dental Medicine address the diverse dental needs of patients with a full spectrum of disabilities. For some, that may include the creation of entirely new types of personal care products,” said Penn Dental Medicine Dean Mark Wolff. “Together, we will work to make the lives of this underserved population easier and healthier.”

A fall 2020 opening is projected for the new Care Center for Persons with Disabilities, to be located within the School’s Robert Schattner Center at 240 S. 40th Street. The 3,500-square-foot center will be dedicated to providing preventive and interceptive oral health care for patients of all ages living with all forms of disability and is estimated to serve approximately 10,000 patients per year in the 12-chair facility. The center will be outfitted to serve patients in wheelchairs as well as on a gurney. In addition, there will be a stimulation room with low lighting and sound baffling to accommodate patients with sensory sensitivities.

Worldwide, millions of people—as many as 57 million in the United States alone—live with acquired and developmental disabilities. Many lack access to properly trained dentists and dental specialists, and to the equipment and products required for successful treatment. In addition to providing the highest quality of patient care and support, the center’s comprehensive educational program will train Penn Dental Medicine students to confidently provide safe, effective and empathetic care to patients with disabilities.

“A key goal of the center will also be to educate practicing dentists, hygienists, teachers, nurses and caregivers on how preventive practices and teamwork can improve the quality of life for both the disabled and their families,” added Dean Wolff. “We plan to develop and report on best practices through targeted publications as well as organized dental and research groups nationwide.” Penn Dental Medicine will also measure the impact of this type of innovation model on student learning and build data on how a prevention-focused approach can improve the care experience, oral health and quality of life for patients.

“The creation of the Colgate Innovation Laboratory and innovation team at Penn Dental Medicine marks an unprecedented opportunity to help overcome the disparity in oral health care for patients with disabilities by developing innovative, cost-effective products that will improve the quality of their lives,” said Patricia Verduin, chief technology officer at Colgate-Palmolive.

“We look forward to joining forces with our esteemed colleagues at Penn Dental Medicine to aid in the development and implementation of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies to address the oral care needs of people with disabilities in collaboration with their caregivers and health-care providers, ultimately improving their oral and overall health,” said Maria Ryan, chief dental officer at Colgate-Palmolive.

Today we are announcing that the University of Pennsylvania’s interruption of all onsite operations, except for those that are life-sustaining essential employees, will continue until further notice. We will keep you updated well in advance when more information is available on an exact date for returning to onsite operations.

During this period, those employees engaging in life-sustaining activities will continue to work onsite, following social distancing guidelines and taking other recommended precautions. (Please refer to the University Notification from March 20, 2020, https://tinyurl.com/mar20pennoperations, for additional information about life-sustaining activities at the University.)

All other employees should continue to work remotely, if possible.  Those who are unable to work remotely will continue to remain in paid status.

When scheduling those employees expected to be onsite, staffing should not be in excess of what is necessary to support life-sustaining operations. Practice social distancing and other healthy habits.

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your cooperation during this very challenging time. Your commitment to Penn and to the broader community is commendable, for that we are truly grateful.

—Wendell E. Pritchett, Provost
—Craig R. Carnaroli, Executive Vice President

Jing (Jane) Li has been named an Eduardo D. Glandt Faculty Fellow in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Dr. Li is an associate professor in the department of electrical and systems engineering and in the department of computer and information science at the School of Engineering and Applied Science. She holds a PhD in electrical and computer engineering from Purdue University and joined Penn from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she was an assistant professor for four years. Dr. Li is the recipient of several awards, including a National Science Foundation CAREER award, a DARPA Young Faculty Award and the IBM Research Division Outstanding Technical Achievement Award.

The Eduardo D. Glandt Faculty Fellowship was established by Peter Douglas in 2015 in honor of Eduardo D. Glandt, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science from 1998 to 2015.

Keisha Johnson has been named associate director of the University of Pennsylvania College Achievement Program (PENNCAP). She will coordinate and oversee the Pre-Freshman Program (PFP), a free, invitation-only and academically rigorous pre-orientation program for first-generation and/or highly aided students, as well as those from underrepresented backgrounds, urban or rural high schools. One hundred-eighty new undergraduates participate in PFP onboarding, gaining essential skills in critical analysis, reasoning and problem solving while forging a sense of engagement and belonging at Penn. Once their formal studies begin, PFP participants continue receiving support and advising from PENNCAP until graduation.

Ms. Johnson previously served as director of the Penn Knowledge is Power Program (PennKIPP), an innovative partnership offering comprehensive support to academically talented graduates of KIPP charter schools who attend Penn. PennKIPP was established in 2012 through the generous support of Bruce and Martha Karsh (Almanac October 9, 2012).

“Keisha is an extraordinary and indefatigable advocate for KIPP students at Penn,” said Rev. Will Gipson, associate vice provost for equity and access. “She took on her director role with great energy and learned very quickly how to navigate Penn to ensure that PennKIPP students got the support they needed. She built a network of relationships across the campus with key offices such as SFS, the four undergraduate advising offices, Career Services and The Tutoring Center. At the same time, she encouraged students and joined with them in their pursuit of their academic and intellectual goals and aspirations.”

“We are fortunate to have Keisha as a member of our growing team, and her expertise will be instrumental as we continue to advance this important work,” added Pamela Edwards, director of PENNCAP and PFP. “Keisha has been a wonderful partner in her work supporting first generation and low-income students. She’s a natural fit, and I look forward to collaborating more closely moving forward.”

In her new role, Ms. Johnson will cultivate and strengthen collaborations with Penn First Plus (P1P) staff and faculty directors to deepen faculty engagement with PENNCAP participants. “I am excited to join the PENNCAP team,” Ms. Johnson said. “Together, we have the opportunity to meet students where they are, while also providing holistic support that inspires unapologetic excellence throughout their Penn journey and prepare them to impact the global marketplace upon graduation.”

Ms. Johnson has more than 12 years’ experience managing programs designed to enhance student academic success, including first-generation, low-income and other traditionally underrepresented populations. 

Prior to Penn, she served as assistant director of Science Diversity Initiatives in the Eberly College of Science at the University Park campus of Penn State University. She also worked as a biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office in Annapolis, Maryland.

Ms. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in agricultural science with a concentration in water quality from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  She completed doctoral coursework in soil science at Penn State.

A search is underway for Ms. Johnson’s successor at PennKIPP.

Effective March 23, Walter Biggins became the new editor-in-chief at the University of Pennsylvania Press.

Mr. Biggins joined the Press from the University of Georgia Press where he served as executive editor; he had previously been at the University Press of Mississippi. An active member of the academic publishing community, Mr. Biggins has made many contributions over the years to the Association of University Presses, including service on the Annual Meeting Program Committee and the Standards and Admissions Committee. In addition to having built up remarkable lists in fields that range from American history and culture to media studies and diasporic studies, he brings a wealth of experience in managing and planning lists and seasonal schedules, shaping publishing workflows, establishing and running prizewinning series, creating successful mentoring programs and collaborating on campus initiatives.

Mr. Biggins is also a freelance writer. With Daniel Couch, he is the author of 33 1/3: Bob Mould’s Workbook (Bloomsbury, 2017), and his work has been published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Quarterly Conversation, Bookslut, RogerEbert.com, The Baseball Chronicle, and other periodicals.

Penn Press Director Mary Francis said, “We are delighted to have Walter joining our team.  In addition to bringing a distinctive editorial vision, Walter is a real leader in the university press community, and I know he will embrace a similar role as a leader for scholarly communication on the Penn campus.”

The Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) and Penn Law’s Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) have formed an alliance to promote and strengthen the rule of law in democratic institutions, the University of Pennsylvania public policy centers announced March 12.

The collaboration draws on the strengths of each center to advance thought, research and public policy–making in US democratic governance and national security: It combines CERL’s expertise in national security and the rule of law with APPC’s nationally recognized work in policy making and communication scholarship to enhance the institutions of democracy.

CERL will maintain its affiliation with the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School but be based at the Annenberg Public Policy Center.

“It is an honor for CERL to partner with Kathleen Hall Jamieson and APPC,” said Claire Finkelstein, Algernon Biddle Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy at Penn Law and CERL’s founder and faculty director. “CERL’s resources and affiliated experts and APPC’s public policy foothold are a natural fit for educating policy makers and citizens on the necessity of maintaining and strengthening our deep-rooted ideals and institutions, including the rule of law,” added Dr. Finkelstein, who is also a distinguished research fellow at the Annenberg Public Policy Center.

“I am delighted that APPC and Claire Finkelstein’s fine center at the Penn Law are launching this important partnership,” said Dr. Jamieson, director and founder of the Annenberg Public Policy Center and Elizabeth Ware Packard Professor of Communication at the Annenberg School for Communication. “By focusing the complementary strengths of CERL and APPC on issues of concern to both centers—from climate communication to protecting democratic institutions from cyberthreats—we hope to leverage each center’s talents to magnify our joint impact.”

The centers will collaborate on two major conferences annually as well as on joint publications, CERL’s summer internship program and special projects. The first two conferences that CERL and APPC are collaborating on are Left of Launch: Communication and Threat Escalation in a Nuclear Age, and Circling the Arctic: Security and the Rule of Law in a Changing North.

The Annenberg Public Policy Center was established in 1993 to educate the public and policy makers about communication’s role in advancing public understanding of political, health and science issues at the local, state and federal levels.

The Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law is a nonpartisan interdisciplinary center dedicated to preserving and promoting the rule of law in national security, warfare and US governance. CERL draws from the study of law, philosophy and ethics to educate and guide policymakers, academia, the private sector and the general public.

Thanks for keeping the Almanac going in this upended world. It’s never been more important to have reliable news about and from Penn. I applaud the president, the provost and the rest of the on-campus community, especially the health-care faculty and staff, for their steady leadership and sacrificial dedication. Studying the varied global responses to COVID-19 and the economic, social, political and cultural upheavals being wrought by it will surely occupy University scientists and scholars for years to come. I have no doubt that their work will help my grandchildren, now doing their lessons online and facetiming me, better understand this time of plague—and, I hope, appreciate those who are, as Camus wrote, “refusing to give way.”

—Mary Ann Meyers, Senior Fellow, John Templeton Foundation;

former Secretary of the University of Pennsylvania

Speaking Out welcomes reader contributions. Short, timely letters on University issues will be accepted by Thursday at noon for the following Tuesday’s issue, subject to right-of-reply guidelines. Advance notice of intention to submit is appreciated. —Eds.

Perry World House has opened two grant opportunities for Penn faculty.

Given the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), there remain some questions regarding future policies on visitors to and events on campus. However, these grants can be used for many different types of engagements, including those hosted virtually.

Global Policy Course Grants for Penn Faculty

The Global Policy Course Enrichment Grants allow Penn faculty to make classes more policy-relevant by supporting:

• the design of a new course;
• curricular redesign of an existing course;
• guest speakers from relevant policy communities;
• the development of policy-oriented case studies, or other creative connections with the policy world.

This program aims to build bridges between classes in the Penn curriculum and the world of global policy.

Applications are due May 1, 2020. To apply, go to https://global.upenn.edu/perryworldhouse/global-policy-course-enrichment-grants

Workshop Proposals from Penn Faculty

Perry World House is also seeking applications from Penn faculty members from any school or department to create a workshop that will advance knowledge and policy engagement in the global space.

Workshops should be 1-2 days in duration, and PWH can provide support of up to $20,000. We are especially, but not exclusively, interested in applications that fit within one of Perry World House’s two research themes:

• The Future of the Global Order: Power, Technology, and Governance. https://global.upenn.edu/perryworldhouse/future-global-order-power-technology-and-governance
• Global Shifts: Urbanization, Migration, and Demography. https://global.upenn.edu/perryworldhouse/global-shifts-urbanization-migration-and-demography

This program is designed to encourage collaboration between Penn faculty and Perry World House on critical global issues.

Applications are due May 1, 2020. Go to https://global.upenn.edu/perryworldhouse/workshop-grants-penn-faculty to apply.

For more information about PWH grant and fellowship opportunities, visit https://global.upenn.edu/perryworldhouse/grants

Saul Winegrad, emeritus professor of physiology in Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, died peacefully in his sleep after a long illness on March 13, two days short of his 89th birthday.

A native Philadelphian, Dr. Winegrad received his BA in chemistry in 1952 and his MD in 1956, both from the University of Pennsylvania. After interning in Boston, Dr. Winegrad held a research fellowship at the NIH. Sir Andrew Huxley invited him to spend a year at University College London, after which Dr. Winegrad joined the Penn faculty as assistant professor of physiology and medicine, in 1962. Seven years later, he became a full professor. He founded and organized the Biomedical Graduate Studies program, which oversees all of Penn Perelman School of Medicine graduate groups. The Saul Winegrad Award for Outstanding Dissertation was established for the graduate groups upon Dr. Winegard’s retirement.

Dr. Winegrad’s research interests were in cardiac muscle physiology at the sub-cellular level, specifically the role of myosin binding protein (MyBP-C) and its phosphorylation in the contractile function of the heart with particular attention to structure-function correlation and interaction with other myofibrillar proteins. He was recognized internationally for his research and was a Fulbright Fellow, National Science Foundation Fellow, Guggenheim Fellow and Fogarty-CNRS International Fellow. He served as vice president for research for the American Heart Association and received the National Award of Merit from the American Heart Association. Dr. Winegrad was a founding member of the Philadelphia muscle-centric group known as the Myo-Bio Club, now the Pennsylvania Muscle Institute. 

According to Kevin Foskett, the Isaac Ott Professor and chair of the department of physiology: “Saul was a great systems thinker and organizer but he also brought a deep empathy and interpersonal understanding to everything he did. During the Vietnam War, he led anti-war protests and organized the Faculty Senate at the Medical School according to Robert’s Rules of Order to address important issues. Saul was committed to finding and training the best and brightest students, regardless of background. One year, he helped expand access to minority students who were underrepresented in top medical schools by pushing the Faculty Senate to interview every minority candidate and accept a cohort of students who had promise but might require additional preparation and mentoring. Saul also created opportunities for Penn’s minority students to conduct research, locating hospitable labs in a number of countries where they could experience working abroad, and procuring private funding for the project. Penn came to be regarded as a welcoming and supportive institution by minority students.”

Dr. Winegrad is survived by his wife, Dilys  (Gr’70), retired founding director of the Arthur Ross Gallery; children, Naomi and Gwyneth; and grandchildren, Ben, Amelia, Theo and Kira. A memorial will be planned for the future. 

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To Report A Death

Almanac appreciates being informed of the deaths of current and former faculty and staff members, students and other members of the University community. Call (215) 898-5274 or email almanac@upenn.edu

However, notices of alumni deaths should be directed to the Alumni Records Office at Suite 300, 2929 Walnut St., (215) 898-8136 or email record@ben.dev.upenn.edu

#VisitFromHome and Dig Deeper into Penn Museum Collections

While temporarily closed, Penn Museum is glad to be able to stay connected with you. Be sure to follow the Museum on social media, where it will be sharing objects from its collections (including staff favorites), links to lectures and more.

Shown below are two of the countless items from the Penn Museum that are online. These are from the Middle East Galleries. #VisitFromHome and Dig Deeper into Penn Museum Collections. Look out for exciting new content to come, such as recipes and fun at-home crafts on Pinterest and digital Daily Digs.

The Museum can be found on Instagram and Twitter at @pennmuseum, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennmuseum and on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/pennmuseum

For more information about the many offerings, visit penn.museum

The Penn Art Collection is pleased to be included in the virtual art tour of Philadelphia created by the Association for Public Art (aPA). To see art located all over Philadelphia, visit https://www.associationforpublicart.org/ 

Penn’s Office of the Curator noted that while “we miss seeing all of you on campus, we are thrilled to be able to share this resource with you. Explore and enjoy!”

Women and Public Art: 2020 is a milestone year for women’s rights in the United States. It’s the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment to the US Constitution, which granted select American women the right to vote. In collaboration with Vision 2020’s Women 100: A National Celebration of American Women, the Association for Public Art (aPA) is honoring this historic occasion by highlighting a number of important public artworks in Philadelphia created by women artists. 

One of those works is Atmosphere and Environment XII (1970) by Louise Nevelson (1899-1988). It is now located at the University of Pennsylvania, on Shoemaker Green (east of 33rd Street between Walnut and Spruce Streets). Ms. Nevelson is one of the most influential artists of the decades following World War II. She is known for her wall-like sculptures painted in one color and incorporating a myriad of abstract forms. Atmosphere and Environment XII is made of 18,000 pounds of Cor-Ten steel on a granite base, height 18’3”; width 10’; depth 5’ (base height 2’6”). Purchased by the Fairmount Park Art Association (now the Association for Public Art, or aPA), this sculpture is on long-term loan to the University of Pennsylvania.

Last summer, aPA placed two monumental works on long-term loan to Penn: Atmosphere and Environment XII and Social Consciousness (1954) by Sir Jacob Epstein. Both sculptures were moved from the West Terrace of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Shoemaker Green and the Memorial Garden Walkway, respectively. 

Ms. Nevelson’s Atmosphere and Environment XII was installed on Shoemaker Green—a landscaped area near the Palestra where the artwork can be viewed in the round, providing strong silhouettes of the work in both directions. The sculpture only needed minor attention from conservators, as the work had undergone a comprehensive conservation treatment in 2007 through the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s conservation department.

Atmosphere and Environment XII was originally exhibited in France and New York before the sculpture was ultimately purchased by aPA in 1971. Having been unable to find an appropriate “city scape” site, the sculpture was placed at the West Terrace of the Philadelphia Museum of Art where Auguste Rodin’s The Burghers of Calais once stood. After Rodin’s sculpture was relocated to the Rodin Museum, aPA used the empty pedestal and placed the Nevelson sculpture there in 1973, where it resided until it was relocated to Penn in 2019. .

Download the April AT PENN calendar as a PDF or visit the online version at https://almanac.upenn.edu/at-penn-calendar/april-at-penn-2020

All events in this calendar are virtual becaue of COVID-19.

Talks

31    The Coronavirus Pandemic and Human Rights; Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Perry World House Professor of Practice of Law and Human Rights; noon; register for this virtual event: https://global.upenn.edu/perryworldhouse/event/virtual-event-world-today-coronavirus-pandemic-and-human-rights (PWH).

        Data Visualization and Accessibility, Kara Gaulrapp, senior web accessibility analyst, ISC; noon-1-p.m. via BlueJeans; accessibility in data visualization design goes well beyond making considerations for color blindness; Ms. Gaulrapp talk about different methods, tools and resources that you can use in any data viz project; join in for a conversation on inclusive practices and how you can make your data more accessible for every user; iCalendar: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/group/sigcal/Mar2031DataVisualiz.ics

Open to faculty and staff.

Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Webinar—Caring for the Caregiver; 4/1; 12:30-1:30 p.m. The primary necessity of being a good caregiver is learning to take care of yourself. This workshop outlines strategies for caring for the caregiver. It will help participants understand the types of caregiver stress, review and prepare a checklist for the care-receiver and caregiver, and learn tips and coping strategies for the caregiver. The workshop reviews the grieving process, as well as the Caregiver’s Bill of Rights.

Vanguard Live Webinar—Volatile Markets: Principles of Investing Success; 4/2, 4/7, 4/9; noon-1 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. This webinar will teach you how to set clear investment goals, create a broadly diversified mix of investments, keep costs low and invest for the long term.

Call Up Calm Mindfulness Workshop by Phone; 4/3; 12:30-1:45 p.m. In these uncertain times it’s essential to release fear and step into the calm. This call is offered for participants to have the opportunity to be led in guided meditation, practice letting go of stress, fear and anxiety, and be present to having courage, and resilience. The guided meditations will focus on breath, letting go of negativity and fear, and allowing one’s self to feel inner reserves of strength, clarity and intentionality. No experience necessary. After you register, access information will be provided by email.

Webinar—Prevention Resources and Education for Parents and Caregivers; 4/8; noon-1 p.m. Parents and caregivers are the most powerful influence in deterring their children from alcohol, nicotine and other drug use. When parents and caregivers have skills, knowledge and resources regarding substance use and prevention, their influence on their children’s actions and decisions increases. This program for parents, grandparents and other caregivers provides information that research shows can reduce the chances that young people will engage in substance use.

Webinar—Digital Distractions: When Technology Takes Over; 4/21; 12:30-1:30 p.m. When does technology move from being a tool to taking over a person’s life? This seminar increases awareness of this modern dilemma while sharing specific strategies for employees to consider in order to experience a more balanced life where technology enhances versus detracts from being their best on the job, spending quality time with family and friends and/or enjoying hobbies and other interests outside of the virtual world.

—Division of Human Resources

Are you enrolled or plan to enroll in Penn’s High Deductible Health Plan? If so, there is an important change coming to the Health Savings Account (HSA) that you should note. 

BNY Mellon, the current custodial bank of the HSA program administered by WageWorks, has resigned. HealthEquity will become the new custodian of your HSA, effective May 21, 2020. So, what does this mean for you?

If you wish to have your account transferred to HealthEquity you do not have to take any action with respect to your HSA funds. Your funds will be automatically transferred from BNY Mellon to HealthEquity on the effective date. However, once your account is established you will need to re-submit your direct deposit and beneficiary information.

You will be receiving detailed information from WageWorks/HealthEquity regarding this transition. HealthEquity will also provide a welcome packet and a new HealthEquity Visa Health Account Card to use in place of your WageWorks HSA debit card. Please read all of the materials carefully.

If you do not want to have your funds transferred to Health Equity you can follow the instructions in the letter that you will receive. However, please note that if you do not have your funds transferred you will not be able to make contributions from your paycheck or receive any employer contributions.

Health Savings Accounts are an important benefits option that allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for a variety of products and services such as allergy medications, eyeglasses, physical exams  and many other eligible expenses (see https://tinyurl.com/PennHSAeligibleexpenses), as well as save for future health-care costs for you and your family.

Here are some important dates for you to remember about the transition.

• Week of May 11, 2020—New HSA cards and welcome kits mailed to participants allowing access to HealthEquity member portal.
• May 11, 2020— Note: This applies only to participants who do not want their funds transfer to HealthEquity. Remove funds from HSA account or complete a transfer of your HSA.
• May 14, 2020—Last day to use WageWorks HSA debit card. Note: Your WageWorks debit card will still be available to use for any other services provided to you by WageWorks such as health reimbursement arrangements and flexible spending accounts.
• May 21, 2020—HSA account balances transferred from BNY Mellon to HealthEquity.
• May 22, 2020—Funds available on HealthEquity HSA cards with balances from BNY Mellon.

If you have any questions, please contact HealthEquity at (844) 373-5899.

For more information about HSAs, visit the Health Savings Account webpage, https://tinyurl.com/vudnwp4

—Division of Human Resources

In episode 18 of Perry World House’s podcast, The Global Cable, Governor Martin O’Malley talks about the three things every citizen needs to hear from government during a pandemic; how policymakers can use data to tackle society’s biggest problems, from coronavirus to climate change; and his dream of meeting Bruce Springsteen.

“However large the emergency, there are really three questions that any leader has to be able to answer for her or his people: What has happened? What are we doing about it? And what should I and my family do to protect ourselves?”

Martin O’Malley served as governor of Maryland and mayor of Baltimore. Throughout his time in office, he championed new ways of thinking about city and state government. He introduced systems called ‘CitiStat’ and ‘StateStat’ to improve performance management in government, and ‘BayStat’ to help turn around a 300-year decline in the health of the Chesapeake Bay. He recently published his second book, Smarter Government: How To Govern for Results in the Information Age.

To hear the podcast, visit https://global.upenn.edu/perryworldhouse/news/fighting-coronavirus-martin-omalley

As the COVID-19 pandemic grows across the US, Penn Nursing’s Alison Buttenheim, a public health researcher and behavioral epidemiologist and Penn Medicine’s Carolyn Cannuscio, a social epidemiologist, join Amplify Nursing to discuss the coronavirus—what we need to know, what we need to do to help lessen the spread, and what we should expect in the days and weeks to come.

A second COVID-19 episode features Lisa Campbell, professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing and chairperson of the Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations. Dr. Campbell talks about the current state of our public health system, the effect this rapidly changing pandemic is having on that system, and what we could be doing differently to flatten the curve.

Amplify Nursing was created and is hosted by Marion Leary, Penn Nursing’s director of innovation, and Angelarosa DiDonato, associate program administrator. It features nurses who are leading the way in nursing science, policy and innovation. The podcast is made possible by the Krista and Rich Pinola Fund for Innovation in Nursing. New episodes will be available every other Wednesday through iTunes, Spotify, GooglePlay and more.

University of Pennsylvania Police Department Community Crime Report

Below are the Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against Society and Crimes Against Property from the campus report for March 16-22, 2020. View prior weeks' reports. —Ed.

This summary is prepared by the Division of Public Safety and includes all criminal incidents reported and made known to the University Police Department for the dates of March 16-22, 2020. The University Police actively patrol from Market St to Baltimore and from the Schuylkill River to 43rd St in conjunction with the Philadelphia Police. In this effort to provide you with a thorough and accurate report on public safety concerns, we hope that your increased awareness will lessen the opportunity for crime. For any concerns or suggestions regarding this report, please call the Division of Public Safety at (215) 898-4482.

18^th District Report

Below are the Crimes Against Persons from the 18th District: 5 incidents (4 assaults and 1 domestic assault) were reported for March 16-22, 2020 by the 18th District covering the Schuylkill River to 49th Street & Market Street to Woodland Avenue.

This edition of Almanac is digital-only. Please distribute to your colleagues and encourage them to subscribe to receive the E-Almanac at almanac.upenn.edu/express-almanac

No issues were printed to distribute across campus because of COVID-19.

Another tip in a series provided by the Offices of Information Security, Information Systems & Computing and Audit, Compliance & Privacy

As the COVID-19 virus dominates the news, the Penn Office of Information Security (OIS) and other information security affiliates have identified a disturbing new trend: COVID-19 phishing scams. Cyber scammers are taking advantage of your desire to learn more about the coronavirus to lure you into opening malicious email attachments, or clicking on fake website links, all in an effort to steal your identity and harvest your credentials. These scams include, but are not limited to:

Fake websites with web addresses (URLs) like “coron-virus-map[dot]com” or “corona-virus-map[dot]com” that are designed to steal sensitive data.

Emails with links to fake web-login screens designed to steal employee credentials, such as your PennKey and password or other login information.

Email messages with malicious links claiming to provide information on how to protect yourself and your family from the coronavirus. When you click the links, malware or ransomware is downloaded to your computing device and used for the scammer’s financial gain.

Malicious phone apps with names like “coronavirusapp[dot]site” designed to load ransomware on phones.

The IT professionals at ISC are working diligently to block identified malicious web addresses and email messages at the Penn network border. However, with many Penn affiliates now working, teaching and learning remotely, you should take the following steps to help keep your computing devices, Penn-sensitive data you have access to, and your personal information safe:

1. Download and run Symantec antivirus on your home and work computing devices—it is available for free (https://tinyurl.com/PennSymantec) to Penn community members.
2. Verify Penn-related emails urging you to click on links or attachments by contacting your School or Center IT support staff. Report suspicious emails, text messages or chat announcements to your IT support staff or to phishing@upenn.edu
3. Back up your data frequently to avoid work interruption and denial of access.
4. Enable and use two-factor authentication whenever possible, including on your personal email account and on websites you visit.
5. Seek information from credible resources, e.g., “My HR”/Penn Human Resources, the CDC, and official state and federal websites.

For additional information, visit https://tinyurl.com/coronavirusscams

For additional tips, see the One Step Ahead link on the Information Security website: https://www.isc.upenn.edu/security/news-alerts#One-Step-Ahead

On March 17, 2020, the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed.

On March 21, 2020, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania announced that the deadline for filing state income tax returns was also extended to July 15, 2020. Penalties and interest on 2019 personal income tax payments will be waived through the new deadline of July 15.

As of March 17, some states, such as California, Delaware and Maryland, have extended state tax return filing deadlines for residents. We are unaware at this time whether any similar taxpayer relief will be granted in New Jersey. We will provide more detail when it becomes available.

The Office of Corporate Tax, Compliance and Payroll is continuing to monitor these developments at both the federal and state level and will post updated information on the office’s website at https://www.finance.upenn.edu/tio as more is provided.

If you have any questions, please contact the Penn Employee Solution Center at hcmsolutioncenter@upenn.edu or (215) 898-7372.

—Office of Corporate Tax, Compliance and Payroll

Penn Athletics is proud to introduce online auctions. Fixed auctions give fans the opportunity to purchase unique memorabilia like a 90th Anniversary Palestra Banner, game-worn jerseys, posters, signage and more. Supplies are limited.

To shop the collections, visit PennAthletics.com/Auctions

Did you enjoy last year’s historic Penn Relays?

This 4’x9’ Commemorative Franklin Field 125th Anniversary Banner from last year’s Penn Relays is one of many collector’s items available during this sale/auction. Another item that can help recreate the Relays while staying home this year is a 125th Anniversary Penn Relays Commorative Seat Cushion.

Dear Penn Community,

Thank you for your continued generosity. It is especially notable during the holiday season, but evident at all times. There are no words to adequately describe your generosity. Many continue to benefit from your willingness to give. Here are examples of various efforts:

Thank you to President Gutmann for hosting her Annual Holiday Party where over 300 toys and gifts were donated. These toys along with many others were donated to Councilwoman Blackwell’s Annual Holiday Party for the Homeless.

Thank you to the following departments; they brought joy to families during the holidays by “adopting” them:

• African American Resource Center coordinated by Valerie Allen and Colleen Winn
• School of Arts and Sciences coordinated by Danielle McNinch
• Career Services coordinated by Jamie Grant
• College Houses and Academic Services coordinated by Linda M. Kromer
• Contact Center and Concierge Reception coordinated by Yvonne Giorgio
• Facilities and Real Estate Services coordinated by Perry Bloomfield
• General Counsel coordinated by Helen Logan
• Graduate Education CPRE Consortium coordinated by Katarina Suwak
• GSE Urban Teaching Residency coordinated by Lori Noll
• Iwamoto Family coordinated by Ellen Iwamoto
• Netter Center for Community Partnerships coordinated by Deb Sokalczuk
• Office of the Comptroller coordinated by Celestine Silverman
• Office of Gift Planning coordinated by Lorleen Finor-Maxwell
• Office of the Provost coordinated by Carolyn Rasp
• Penn Champions Athletics Development coordinated by Emily Shields
• University Communications coordinated byLauren Summers
• Penn Employee Solution Center coordinated by Stephanie C. Brown
• Penn Fund coordinated by Joshua Nay
• Penn Museum coordinated by Jill DiSanto
• Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care coordinated by Susan Turbitt
• Research Services coordinated by Tina Nemetz
• SAS Programs and Events coordinated by Danielle McNinch
• Training and Development HR coordinated by Holly Marrone
• University of Pennsylvania Libraries coordinated by Jeanne Shuttleworth
• Wharton Customer Analytics coordinated by Rachel L. Dutcher
• Wharton Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center coordinated by Lauren Hurray
• Wharton Executive Education coordinated by Anne Corcoran-Petela
• Wharton Major Gifts coordinated by Lisa Balogh
• Wharton Marketing and Communication coordinated by Marcia Longworth
• Wharton School Dean’s Office coordinated by Jennifer O’Keefe

Several departments adopted multiple families.

Additional families adopted because of generous donations of gift cards.

Thank you to the Carolyn Henry family; they brought joy to a deserving family during the holidays.

Special thanks to Carisma Therapeutics coordinated by Kara Collins who generously participated in our program.

Special thanks to the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, coordinated by Stephanie Yuhasz, for their generous donation of gift cards that increased our capacity to partner with local agencies.

Special thanks to the Department of Public Safety for their large donation of gifts and toys.

Special thanks to the Smilow Center for Translational Research coordinated by Patricia Mericko for the generous donation of gift cards that helped to adopt additional families, and provide holiday dinners.

Special thanks to Helen Logan and the Office of General Counsel for adopting several families.

Special thanks to Human Resources coordinated by Syreeta Gary, and others from across the University for their large donation to the Annual Coat Drive.

Special thanks to SAS Finance, Facilities and Computing for their “Warm Me Up” donations.

Thank you to the entire University community for donating over 1,200 gifts and toys.

Thank you to the Dropsite Volunteers who collected all the toys/gifts and made it possible for us to respond to request for donations from our neighbors listed below:

• Councilwoman Blackwell’s Annual Holiday Party for the Homeless
• Beyond the Exterior, Inc.
• Parents Against Drugs
• Baring House Crisis Nursery
• Dare to Imagine
• People’s Emergency Shelter
• Christ Lutheran Church
• Stewart Street Holiday Party
• Local families

Additionally, the following pantries benefitted from the University’s Annual Food Drive:

• Authentic Minds
• St. Barnabas Mission
• Baring House Crisis Nursery
• 59th Street Baptist Church Food Pantry
• New Kensington CDC
• Men Unifying Men Food Pantry
• Life Center of Eastern Delaware County

Thank you to all the special persons both named and unnamed for their remarkable generosity.

Please forgive any oversights, and send corrections to Isabel Sampson-Mapp at sammapp@upenn.edu

Join Penn VIPS Drives Committee

Penn volunteers provide a drop off location to collect the many donated items we receive during our annual drives.

A variety of drives are conducted during the course of the year to partner with and help support local schools, families, and agencies. Dropsite volunteers are located throughout campus.

Volunteers post the events, set up collection sites and help select the recipients for the donations. They also participate in an annual thank you luncheon.

Drives are held during the following times:

• School Supplies Drive: August
• Food Drive: November
• Gift/Toy Drive: December
• Change Drive: March
• New School Uniform Drive: Ongoing

Contact Isabel Sampson-Mapp at (215) 898-2020 or sammapp@upenn.edu for additional information.