Staff from Geisinger’s Division of Child Protection and Advocacy planted blue pinwheels at the entrance of Geisinger Medical Center in Danville on Apr. 6 as part of activities for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The initiative is part of a national campaign called Pinwheels for Prevention, which aims to raise awareness about child abuse and promote the importance of providing safe and nurturing environments for children. The blue pinwheels symbolize playfulness, joy, and a carefree childhood.
According to the organization, members of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) team wore special T-shirts designed by Chelsea Whispell, daughter of Trisha Whispell, social work educator for the division. For a second year, Chelsea Whispell is selling these shirts to raise funds for the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA). PFSA collaborates with local organizations on prevention efforts and has launched Painting for Prevention, a statewide art project with displays in community spaces such as Geisinger pediatric and family practice clinics throughout April.
Staff participating in the event included Dayna DeSalve, MD; Jayme Hile, LPN; Paul Bellino, MD; Hailey Welker; Alexis Smith with Ollie (the CAC’s certified therapy dog); Chelsea Whispell; Cameran Gardner; Melissa Wagner; Marita Lind, MD; and Trisha Whispell. One photo from the event shows Cameron Gardner planting a pinwheel at the medical center entrance.
Geisinger describes itself as one of the nation’s leading providers of value-based care serving 1.2 million people across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by Abigail Geisinger, it operates more than 160 care sites including ten hospital campuses. The system employs over 27,000 people and joined Risant Health in 2024.
