For more than four decades, Carl Wolgemuth has trusted Jonathan Dranov, MD, with his care — so much so that he requested that Dr. Dranov take his wife Lois on as a new patient in 2003.

You may have heard a bell ring at the Lance and Ellen Shaner Cancer Pavilion at Mount Nittany Medical Center. A bell is rung as a symbol of celebration when cancer patients complete their final treatment. As the bell rings, patients and their families breathe a sigh of relief, the next chapter of their lives begins, and cancer patients who are still battling the disease receive hope and motivation.

Beth Kalenak has unique insight into how philanthropy can enhance both patient care and a physician's experience. She witnessed this firsthand as the spouse of a physician, first sparking her interest in healthcare philanthropy.

In August 2019, at the unveiling of Mount Nittany Medical Center’s new 26,000-square-foot, $15 million cardiovascular pavilion— funded in part through generous community support—Kathy Fescemyer had tears in her eyes as she spoke to cardiologist Albert Zoda for the first time. Four years earlier, Dr. Zoda had placed a stent in Kathy’s artery that saved her life.

We have exciting news — the Charity Ball has been moved to a new date and location. Mount Nittany Health and the Charity Ball committee invites you to enjoy an evening of delectables, libations, live music, dancing, fireworks, and games of skill and chance.

Since its inception in 1902, Mount Nittany Health has continuously evolved into a comprehensive health system with community partnership as a pillar of its growth and expansion. As we close out the year, we celebrate our philanthropic partnerships and the many ways they have positively impacted Mount Nittany Health.

The Dutton's story is one of dedicated service. Dr. John Dutton will complete 25 years of volunteer service with Mount Nittany Health in various capacities this month. His Mount Nittany Health journey began in the 1990s when he needed a fairly serious surgery that required five days of hospitalization for post-operative recovery.

"It was shocking to me," says Jignya about her diagnosis of breast cancer. "I had my annual mammogram and then had to go back for a biopsy. I still thought I'm fine, nothing was wrong, and then I got a call from my primary care physician. I was not ready for that diagnosis, and I didn't know what to do."

In the early days of the pandemic, Jennifer Gilbert, DO, anesthesiology, Mount Nittany Health, recalls that "planning and responding to the growing number of COVID patients was challenging."

Michael Norris and his wife were planning to go on an early-morning bike ride on a hot, humid Sunday in July 2019. “We got up around 5 to beat the heat,” he says. “But when I woke up I wasn’t feeling right. I didn’t have much pain, but I felt very anxious. I told my wife I think she needed to take me to the hospital.”

As a retired director of Mount Nittany Medical Center’s women & children's services unit, Dianne Barben didn't hesitate to help Mount Nittany Health with the immense task of vaccinating community members against COVID-19 when vaccines first became available in December 2020.

The day Lettie Allen was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, her life changed. She was a mom of three kids—the youngest just two years old, she was working a more-than-fulltime job, and she'd just bought a new car.