Penn State College of Medicine welcomed 152 new medical students from both its Hershey and University Park campuses with orientation from July 10 through 13.

Surgeons at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center recently performed their 500th heart transplant. For almost 35 years, the Medical Center has been the only heart transplant center in southcentral Pennsylvania.

Dr. Robert E. Harbaugh, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, has been named a senior vice president of Penn State Health Medical Group. Dr. Krish Sathian, chair of the Department of Neurology and professor of neurology, neural and behavioral sciences, and psychology, assumed leadership of the Neuroscience Institute, effective July 1.

Seven Penn State College of Medicine students joined the Accelerated MD Pathways program during a signing ceremony on June 7 with Dr. Craig Hillemeier, dean, CEO and senior vice president for health affairs. The students now have the opportunity to earn a medical degree in three years and move on to residency.

The Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved has accepted a new study examining health disparities of Appalachian residents. It was conducted by public health professionals from Penn State College of Medicine and three other schools.

Students point to their participation in Penn State College of Medicine's Global Health Scholars Program as an asset to their medical training.

The first six physicians to train in the new Penn State Health Family and Community Residency Program at Mount Nittany Medical Center are headed for the next steps in their medical careers.