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Messiah University collaborates with Long-Term Care Resiliency, Infrastructure Supports and Empowerment (RISE) program

Messiah University is excited to announce a collaboration with the Long-Term Care Resiliency, Infrastructure Supports and Empowerment (RISE) program to design and provide training to address/support the spirituality needs of employees in long- term care facilities in the South-Central PA region. RISE is a Pennsylvania Department of Health grant being delivered across the state by regional teams to provide long-term care communities free support by experts in professional development, infection control and emergency preparedness to advance quality improvement.

Penn State leads the South-Central RISE program for nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living facilities across Adams, Blair, Bedford, Franklin, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Cumberland, Lebanon, Dauphin, Fulton and York counties. Offerings include quality improvement projects, mentorship, staff wellness, wide ranging education programs specific to long-term care, and infection control and emergency management advising and support. The program is poised to support ongoing efforts in our long-term care communities to advance quality of care for their residents and increase staff resiliency and retention. 

“The RISE program is a great opportunity for long-term care communities to access free, high- quality education, training, advising, mentorship and resources for staff, to advance the quality of resident care and staff competency, safety and well-being,”  said Dr. Nicole Osevala, MD, FACP, chief, Division of Geriatric Medicine; associate professor of medicine and geriatrics; medical director, Penn State Health Post-Acute Care Service; and South Central RISE lead physician and principal investigator for the LTC RISE grant. 

The Bridge Center at Messiah University will host eight educational courses for entry- and mid-level long-term care leaders. Each course will focus on a unique aspect of spirituality and will encourage long-term care leaders in their personal journeys as well as provide tools to support their co-workers and team members. Courses can be completed as standalone events or participants can earn a Certificate of Completion if they complete the four core courses and two of the elective courses.

“Long-term care nursing staff, leaders and administrators are subject to considerable occupational stress and report high levels of burnout. Much of this has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic,” said Dr. Rob Pepper, Messiah University’s executive director and assistant to the president for innovation and university partnerships. “The Bridge Center is honored to be partnering with PSU LTC RISE to provide this much needed workforce resiliency training that will address the physical, psychological and spiritual well-being of long-term care personnel and ultimately improving employee satisfaction and resident care.”

The first course offered through this program will be held Oct. 19. More information and links to register can be found at . You can also learn more about the grant by visiting .

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Founded in 1909 and located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Messiah University is a nationally ranked, private Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences that enrolls nearly 3,300 undergraduate, adult degree program and graduate students. This partnership is facilitated through The Bridge Center for Continuing Education and the Office of University Partnerships at Messiah University.