Leadership Welcome
Welcome to Partners in Medicine (PIM) at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center! PIM is dedicated to introducing our members and their spouses to one another while offering an outlet for networking, coordinating social activities and facilitating friendships. We support each other and our greater community through acts of service.
PIM is a group comprising spouses and significant others of residents, fellows, medical students and new attending physicians (within their first three years of employment) in all specialties at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Although we come from various backgrounds and perspectives, we share a common bond: the medical journey.
The 2021-2022 year brought several changes. For the first time in our history, we are including medical students, fellows and new attendings. This expansion allows us to more closely follow our group’s goal to provide support to all stages of this medical journey. We have also created a dedicated diversity committee; this group has already done an incredible job facilitating conversations and education for our members.
Rehan Milarachi, co-presidents
Emily O’Conor, treasurer
Jump to topic
Search
Partners in Medicine Committees and Groups
About the Group
The Partners in Medicine book club holds monthly meetings at rotating members’ homes. The club’s goal is to discuss a wide variety of books – fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry and more.
A poll is taken at the beginning of each month to determine the book for the month.
All book lovers are welcome!
Leadership
The 2023-2024 book club officers are Alison Johnson and Chelsea Burke.
About the Group
The communications officer for Partners in Medicine:
- Coordinates monthly newsletter contributions from officers and other members
- Creates a monthly calendar of events
- Assembles and distribute a monthly newsletter to all Partners in Medicine members
Leadership
The 2023-2024 communications officer is Chelsea Burke.
About the Group
The Partners in Medicine community service committee exists to coordinate and encourage members to serve the Hershey area.
For partners, community service is a great way to get to know their new home, meet people in the area and feel good about giving back.
The community service committee provides easy ways to participate in charitable activities and events in the community and also organizes Partners in Medicine group efforts. Throughout the year, the group collects items for charities at PIM events, so members are encouraged to keep an eye on monthly newsletters for details.
The group is currently trying to practice social distancing and staying in smaller groups, so community service events may be limited. Members are encouraged to contact the group if they know of a community service opportunity that might be a good fit.
Leadership
The 2023-2024 community service officer is Kirsten Ambrose.
About the Group
The officers of the fitness club plan and lead regular meetups to walk or run together during warmer months.
Meetings occur on a weekly, bi-monthly or monthly basis, depending on interest. The club plans for those with and without children.
Leadership
The 2023-2024 fitness officer is Megan Baer.
About the Group
One of the special things Partners in Medicine’s hospitality committee does is to provide meals and assistance to members who are bringing new children into their homes.
Group members know how tough those first few months can be, so they try giving new parents a little extra relaxation time by supplying them with dinner.
Those expecting a baby or planning to adopt soon should contact the group.
The hospitality committee also offers meals and assistance to members in need due to surgery, an illness or a death in the family. While the group hopes members never have to face tough times, when they do, they’d like to have a part in making them a little easier. Members are again encouraged to contact the hospitality committee in a time of need.
Leadership
The 2023-2024 hospitality officer is Grace Mawhorter.
A Partners in Medicine rafting event in summer 2022.
About the Group
The large social events group plans and coordinates large events that offer something for the whole family. This includes a Welcome Back Picnic and Favorite Things Party, a Friendsgiving Dinner, graduation and more.
The group holds a monthly Members’ Night Out, which rotates evenings each month. Appetizers are provided by Partners in Medicine, and an Evite invitation is sent every month with the date and location.
The group also hosts a variety of events throughout the year; again, Evites will be sent.
Leadership
The 2023-2024 large social events officer is Deborah Chen.
A river float was one of the 2019-2020 Partners in Medicine activities. Note: This activity took place before COVID-19 social-distancing and masking requirements.
About the Group
For those who need a night out or need to leave their spouse at home and let loose with people having similar thoughts, the “Members’ Night Out” program sets up fun monthly get togethers.
Past activities have included axe-throwing, indulging in sweets for a night, snuggling goats and drinking wine, rafting down a local creek and more.
Leadership
The 2023-2024 “Members’ Night Out” officers are Rehan Milarachi and Marissa Golub.
The playgroup visits Paulus Farms in fall 2022.
About the Group
The Partners in Medicine playgroup plans weekly meetings for children of all ages. This provides an opportunity for parents and kids to meet, explore and build friendships.
During mild weather, the playgroup often meets at local parks or playgrounds, exploring options around the greater Hershey area. On rainy or wintry days, they check out indoor options.
Once a month, the group plans a special outing that will sometimes require a small fee. These are great opportunities to try out wonderful activities for kids of all ages. The playgroup usually holds special parties for holidays, with snacks and crafts and activities for kids.
Information about playgroup activities is in the Partners in Medicine monthly newsletter and also on the playgroup’s Facebook group. Any changes due to weather or other circumstances are posted on Facebook, so playgroup members should make sure to join the group.
To be added to the Facebook group or with ideas for parks to visit or special outings, contact the playgroup officers.
Leadership
The 2023-2024 playgroup officers are Katie Portolese, Laura Tuohy, Stephanie
Keith, Steph Rosen and Brooke Avon.
Children of Partners in Medicine members are seen during the 2020 Partners in Medicine orientation activity.
About the Group
Partners in Medicine sponsors are local businesses that the group has chosen as its favorites, and in exchange for a $75 annual donation, they are given advertising space and opportunities to market directly to members.
Sponsors are given the “PIM Preferred” label, and they are a way for group members to be exposed to some of the best businesses in the area while helping to keep membership dues at a minimum. Some sponsors even offer special discounts to PIM members.
The sponsorship program is important to PIM members, so members are encouraged to do their best to remember the sponsors and to support them as they have supported the group!
Members who find a business that might be a great sponsor for Partners in Medicine should contact the sponsorship committee.
Members are asked to “Like” current sponsors on Facebook and to check out their websites as well. All sponsor logos are listed at the end of each newsletter. The group also has a regional guide that serves as a great resource for local businesses and great activities in Hershey and the surrounding areas.
Leadership
The 2023-2024 sponsorship officer is Abby Tucker.
Connect with Partners in Medicine
Learn more about Partners in Medicine by emailing PIMHershey@gmail.com.
The group maintains two Facebook groups – one for all Partners in Medicine information and one specifically for its playgroup. Contact the group or check the monthly member newsletter for details.