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About 80 UPMC Altoona nurses rallied in a grassy area along Howard Avenue across from the hospital Wednesday evening to call attention to what they say is underinvestment and understaffing that violates promises made by UPMC when it took over the hospital in 2013.

Some of the nurses lined up side-by-side held pumpkins individually carved with letters spelling out “No more tricks UPMC” while a line of pumpkins at their feet spelled “Invest in our community.”

The rally was held in the context of negotiations between the hospital and the nurses’ union, SEIU Healthcare-PA, for renewal of a contract that expires at the end of the year.

There are now more than 300 fewer nurses than the 840 who worked at the hospital in 2013, reflecting the understaffing that has led to stress, overwork and burnout that compromises patient care and forces inexperienced nurses into situations they’re not ready for, leading to more stress, overwork and burnout, the nurses said.

The hospital didn’t respond to repeated invitations to comment on the rally.

Given that the hospital earned $364 million on operations during 2024 before interest, depreciation and amortization (although that only represents 1.2% of revenue), and given that CEO Leslie Davis earns $11 million a year — and given other trappings of corporate wealth — the hospital has the resources to fix the understaffing problem, according to speakers at the rally.

One of the key issues is alleged non-competitive RN pay.

The high caseloads and long shifts that sometimes result from the understaffing “wreak havoc on bodies, minds and family lives,” said nurse Paula Cain.

It also leads to “moral injury,” because nurses can’t give the kind of care they should, according to union local President Jaime Balsamo.

That moral injury can come from being “torn” between responsibilities to different patients, according to Elyssa Sitar, who recently transferred out of intensive care.

Once for her, such conflict occurred because of care needed by one patient who was dying and one who was unable to move, she said.

It causes distress, yet nurses are expected to be resilient — to “behave as if nothing has happened,” Sitar said.

Thirteen-year nurse Leann Oppel was one of 65 RNs in the Surgical/Progressive Care unit, she said. None of those are left. Problems that drove them away included nurses who were just a few months into their careers being assigned to be in charge, or to train other new nurses or to care for critically ill patients, she said.

“Stop the vicious cycle,” she said. “Bringing in new nurses, chewing them up and throwing them away.”

Representatives of other unions expressed support, including Bob Kutz, president of the Blair-Bedford Central Labor Council; Bob Miller, vice president of the Pennsylvania State Council of Machinists and Patrick Miller, president of the city’s International Association of Fire Fighters local.

“This is bull—-,” said Bob Miller, whose wife worked at the hospital for 30 years, of the situation.

A relative who came to the hospital gravely ill had to wait for hours in the Emergency Department for lack of beds on the floors, Bob Miller said.

Two floors of the hospital are currently closed, said Patrick Miller.

The responsibility for such issues that cause problems with care “falls squarely on UPMC,” Bob Miller said. “Corporate greed.”

“Stay loud, stay united, stay union,” Patrick Miller told the nurses.

The greatest show in college sports is almost here, folks.

With the weekend quickly approaching, crowds of students, alumni, and fans will be gathering in Happy Valley to witness the famous White Out game as the Nittany Lions take on the Oregon Ducks.

Although the teams face off in Beaver Stadium, the Ducks decided to stay nearly 44 miles south of State College in Altoona, Pa, at the Blair County Convention Center.

As the Ducks flock their way to Altoona for the big game, they may find themselves diving into the culture of a Pennsylvania town. To give the team some ideas on how to make the most of their stay, we’ve compiled a list of things the Ducks can do during their visit to Altoona.

All around Penn State Altoona’s campus, you’ll find ducks waddling around and acting like they own the campus. To feel more at home and blend in, the Oregon Duck can join the flock and discover what it’s like to be a Penn Stater.

Altoona-style pizza is Sicilian-style pizza topped with tomato sauce, salami, green bell peppers, and slices of yellow American cheese. To get a true taste of Altoona, the Ducks can head to a local pizza place to face off in an eating competition to see who can eat the most slices. They’ll want to be well-fueled for the big game, and this pizza may or may not do just that.

One of the best things about Altoona and the surrounding areas is the scenery and beautiful colors during fall, and what better way to enjoy the view than going for a hike? But not just any hike, a hike that only involves waddling. This is a great opportunity to see Pennsylvania for its beauty and to embrace being an Oregon Duck rather than a sitting duck.

For the past few weeks, Altoona and its surrounding areas have experienced warm weather and no rain. However, the forecast for the big game and the days leading up to it predicts a chance of rain. If Mother Nature decides to cry tears of joy thinking about Penn State winning the game, then the Oregon Ducks can waddle their way outside and jump through some puddles for good luck.

Altoona is best known for its history in the railroad industry, as trains constantly pass through the area. To pass time and bond as a team, Oregon and the Oregon Duck can take turns making quacking sounds as the trains go by to see who can quack the loudest. Not only will this give them something to do, but it will also expose them to a small fraction of the noise that they will hear from the electrifying crowd in Beaver Stadium.

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Franklin went 104-45 at Penn State and is tied with the second-most wins by a head coach in program history.

Smith is in his 12th season as a coach at Penn State.

The Blair County Convention Center will host the Oregon football team and guests during the Sept. 27 weekend, when the West Coast team travels east to square off with the Penn State Nittany Lions.

“It’s a bite at the apple for us,” convention center Executive Director Tom Schilling told the authority Wednesday when speaking of ongoing preparations to host the visiting Oregon Ducks, a first-time event for the convention center.

“We landed this one … and expect it could lead to more,” Schilling said.

In light of the teams’ current national rankings – Penn State as No. 2 and Oregon as No. 6 – the approaching matchup is drawing attention and visitors to central Pennsylvania.

“The nation’s spotlight will be on State College that night,” authority Chairman Matt Stuckey said.

In recent weeks, online posters have advised football fans interested in attending the game to make early room reservations and to consider hotels and weekend rental options in communities outside Centre County.

Those in charge of the Oregon team committed several months ago to use the convention center, with housing provided at adjacent County Inn and Suites by Radisson.

While portions of the hotel are being renovated, Schilling said he was assured that no construction will be going on inside the rooms assigned to the visiting team.

Schilling also mentioned the team’s accommodations include transportation to Altoona from the University Park Airport and related security details.

Bookings on the rise

Hosting the visiting football team comes at a time when convention center personnel are reporting an increase in bookings, particularly from statewide associations.

The School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania convened its conference at the convention center at the end of July, with attendees booking an estimated 500 rooms at five hotels, according to a report that Garrett Gierdoc, sales and marketing director, presented to the authority.

In November, the Pennsylvania Society of Health and Physical Educators will convene its annual conference at the convention center, requiring about 175 hotel rooms for the two day event. The PA Head Start Association has also booked the convention center in November for a conference stretching over three days that will require about 250 rooms, Gierdoc said.

“November used to be a slow month,” Schilling told the authority.

The convention center’s schedule also shows several events on its calendar, including the “N-Scale Weekend” starting Saturday and continuing Sunday, set up by the Altoona Association of Model Railroaders. About 125 vendor tables are to be set up.

And just days after the convention center bids goodbye to the Oregon Ducks, the facility will be set up for the Pennsylvania Square and Round Dance Federation’s Fall Festival, from Oct. 1-3, with a dancing schedule that stretches from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Financial reports show the convention center, between January and August, took in $1.6 million in revenue, exceeding budget projections by $63,867. Expenses added up to $1.56 million, which met budget projections.

The reported $1.6 million in revenue also included $76,574 from the county’s bed tax receipts, just short of budget projections through August. But the amount of future bed tax revenue, Schilling said, rests with the commissioners because their May 1 vote to decertify Explore Altoona as the county’s tourism promotion agency ended the division of bed tax revenue based on a 2016 agreement.

In late August, commissioners certified Discover Blair County, a newly created entity, to become the county’s tourism agency and plans call for that entity to set up an office inside the convention center.

Schilling declined to say if the convention center can operate without bed tax revenue from the county. Instead, he spoke of the convention center’s ongoing efforts and advertising, which draws people into the county and encourages overnight stays which generates the bed tax revenue.

“I believe the commissioners see the value of our advertising,” Schilling said.

In 2024, the convention center received $254,374 in bed tax, according to the center’s recently completed audit.

The audit also showed the center with revenue of $2.68 million, a figure that included $254,376 in bed tax revenue. Auditor Jamie Johnson of Young, Oakes Brown & Co. said her review showed 2024’s expenses adding up to $2.98 million, but that included $704,733 to account for depreciation.

If the 2024 bed tax revenue and depreciation are excluded, Johnson reported that the convention center’s operations came in about $158,981 in the black.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.