Rotary Club of Harrisburg, 23rd in all the world, meeting minutes from June 21, 2021. (Any numbers people paying attention to that?)
At the stroke of 12:02 President James opened the meeting via ZOOM and welcomed attendees to “Club 23 best ever Service Above Self organization for business and community leaders. He was quick to note that Summer is here and it came in like a sauna (90 degrees on my phone weather report).
A thoughtful invocation was presented by Vladimir Beaufils blessing each day we are given and thanked God for looking over us. Saluting our service to others by individuals and together. Closing with a blessing request for our members and our families.
Addeline selected the singing of Amma Johnson to “Lift Every Voice and Sing” remembering love through and in a new day. A spirited Pledge of Allegiance followed as did a joint repeat of the Rotary Four Way Test. Let’s salute President James for his ongoing commitment to instilling the values of that long-standing test of values.
President James then had to inject one of a few last jokes before leaving office at the end of the month. It was one of his grandfather stories not to be repeated here by this note taker. He did save the day by wishing all dads Happy Father’s Day. He being one.
Our expiring president reminded everyone of the Central PA Food Bank project this very evening. This Service on a Monday has been a consistent service project through our frantic pandemic times. Thanks to each of those inspiring volunteers. And, don’t forget the Club Celebrate Rotary event July 21st, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the West Shore Country Club. Complimentary appetizers, cold drinks, fun. Bring guests! But, please register on Club Runner. Check out the Rotary Round Up for complete details of all events and a list of our Corporate Sponsors.
Our own Addeline took a few minutes to underscore the importance of registering for future IN PERSON meetings at the Hilton. To keep personal safety in mind, food will be served and a RSVP will ensure your menu option. A deadline to register is the Wednesday before the following Monday. RSVP using the link in the Rotary Roundup, Wednesday email or in the Events Calendar . Note the meal selection in the comments section. If you bring a guest (No, make that WHEN you bring a guest), please register them, as well. If you have any questions email
addeline@hbgRotary.org or call her at 814-523-3052. (Yes, 814.)
The Meet the Member presentation was presented by Curt Stutzman currently President/CEO at Lifeways of Mechanicsburg. He spoke of his spouse Kathy noting 40 years of marriage. (Wonderful!) He has been a Rotary member for some 25 years as he moved into various leadership positions starting in Virginia. He has served on numerous committees over the 7 years here at HRC. His recent concentration has been on the Scholarship Committee (Chair) and he saluted the work of the committee members who work diligently to select winners of a $2,000 scholarship. This year there were four recipients. He announced his retirement from Lifeways at the end of this year. This will be followed by a time of reflection on what he wants to do in his third portion of life.
Go Get’em Curt! Job well done!
Mary Oliveira was thrilled to be asked to introduce our speaker. Mary saluted Roxanna Gapstur, PhD, RN for her 25 years in healthcare service and operations. Mary noted Gapstur’s extensive leadership and executive roles in this every-changing a critical profession. Mary reviewed Gapstur’s awards as a Power Player by the Central Penn Business Journal (CPBJ), Game Changer again by the CPBJ and winner of the Minnesota Healthcare Trust award. This dynamic leader also serves her community on many boards including the United Way and the Hemophilia Association.
Gapstur gave a clear and passionate presentation about WellSpan Health and its service to the patients and community especially during pandemic challenges. Of importance to her commitment and vision mission were:
- Being a regional leader in Value-Based Care and becoming a valued partner to patients and the community. This led to shattering traditional healthcare practices during the Covid crisis and facilitated a differentiation of value for WellSpan. All the while, building partnerships and making investments to cause less frustration to their consumers.
- Accepting consolidations and vertical integration to deal with competition while raising consumer expectations through uncharted challenges.
She was particularly proud of WellSpan enhancements:
- Digital access and services saving patients time and cost
- Introducing MyWellSpan Baby Scripts
- Enabling scripts online
- Making telemedicine (DAX) a reality for physicians and patients receiving care and charting using voice recognition.
- Bringing online registration for Covid vaccinations in under 4 hours
- Cost transparency and estimations even before receiving care
- Providing Covid related grants for county organizations providing food, medicine, housing, education, protection and vaccine education.
She saluted her 20,000 team members quick response to the pandemic with 6,000 moving to work-from-home operations, establishing testing sites, and providing vaccinations inhouse and in the community. She teased us with a plan to cooperatively bring to market a new mask design.
Gapstur also announced the new WellSpan heart and Vascular Center brining 56 heart-focused caregivers to a central location for patients.
Closed by answering member questions addressing concerns of delayed cancer screenings during pandemic shutdown periods, stressing her vision of affordable healthcare for all and delivering the right care at the right time.
President James thanked Gapstur for her excellent presentation and reminded members that next week is his not to be missed Year-in-Review.
