UPMC

Grateful for our partnership with Alliance 412 to help spread the word about the importance of heart screenings. Check out coach Milan Brown's impactful story:

Milestone achieved: Our acute care surgery team at UPMC Williamsport has completed their 100th robotic surgery case in emergency situations. This technology allows for reduced complications and faster recovery for our patients. A big thanks to the entire OR team for their 24/7 dedication!

The UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion program celebrates 25 years this year and appropriately honored Dr. Mark Lovell for distinguished contributions to the field of concussion and to our program. Concussion grand rounds – where invited speakers present cutting-edge clinical research to colleagues – has also been renamed in his honor. Mark Lovell, PhD, is a retired professor of both orthopaedic surgery and neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. He was the founding director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, starting it in 2000 alongside Dr. Micky Collins as executive director, and later in 2010 recruiting Dr. Anthony Kontos as research director. Dr. Lovell, along with Dr. Collins and Dr. Joseph Maroon, were the co-developers of the ImPACT computerized concussion testing tool, which is one of the most widely used tools in the field. We are proud to celebrate our concussion clinic and research program’s 25 years of getting people back to sports and life after concussion, and to honor Dr. Lovell, whose contributions have helped the lives of millions of patients with this injury.

Kinley Boal, lead medical laboratory scientist, Clinical Lab, UPMC Williamsport Divine Providence Campus, was unsure of her career path. She had a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and was currently working as a barista at Wegmans. She loved science and wanted to get into research but was unsure of the next step to take. One day, Kinley was talking with one of her co-workers and discovered that her mom ran the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) program at UPMC Williamsport. “I was telling her how I wanted to work in a hospital and use science and help people and be behind the scenes and she said, ‘Sounds exactly like what my mom does,’” Kinley said. Kinley applied and entered into the program more than four years ago, climbed the Laboratory Career Ladder, and now helps oversee a team of phlebotomists, lab technicians, and processors. “I always knew that I loved science and that I wanted to use my love of science to help people,” Kinley said. Her team tests bloods samples, nasal swabs, and urine samples for both inpatient and outpatient. Many of the blood samples they test come from the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. These samples need to be turned around quickly to get the patient proper care and treatment. Once the sample is ordered and collected, it is sent to the lab where it’s processed and spun down – separating blood components using centrifuges. It’s then analyzed and requires a chemistry or hematology test. Sometimes it will need to be viewed under a microscope for further analyzation. Average turnaround time for these samples is typically between 10 and 30 minutes. “We realize that every result that we put out affects the patient and their treatment. If we give a wrong result, that patient could be given the wrong medication and something bad could happen,” Kinley said. “We try to keep that in the forefront of our minds; that everything that we're doing is affecting somebody, even though we don't necessarily know that patient face-to-face.” Kinley attributes much of her success to the Medical Laboratory Scientist program. The one-year program trains students in chemistry, hematology, urine, microbiology, and blood bank. The program –which has a 100% graduation and employment rate – features both classroom instruction and hands-on learning with eight to 10 weeks in each department. The MLS program opened Kinley’s eyes to a clinical lab setting and gave her a greater appreciation for all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into patient diagnosis and care. “I don't think most people realize that we're tucked away back here, and I don’t think they fully understand what happens to that sample after you collect it,” Kinley said. “Patient care technicians, nurses, and doctors are collecting these samples, but they may not consider all the work that goes into processing that sample after collecting it. Our lab is right here locally, and we’re here working alongside you to care for the patients.”

At UPMC, we are proud to have talented women working at all levels of leadership throughout our organization. From breaking barriers to leading with compassion, these women embody the spirit of innovation, resilience, and excellence. ❤️ In honor of #InternationalWomensDay, we would like to shine a spotlight on systems analyst Emily Yarish. Emily's journey began at the University of Pittsburgh, where she initially aspired to become a physician assistant. However, her volunteer work at UPMC Presbyterian revealed her passion for supporting clinicians behind the scenes. Inspired by her sister, who worked in health care IT, Emily joined UPMC’s IT Rotational (ITR) program—a two-year salaried program that includes four rotations across the IT department. “For someone trying to find their groove, their confidence, and their way through corporate America, it truly was an outstanding experience,” said Emily. Now, seven years into her career at UPMC, Emily values the network of mentors and peers she has built. As a key member of the UPMC Bridges team, she helps build and optimize health records for dentistry, oral surgery, neurology, and pulmonology specialties within ambulatory medicine. “Every day, my job is to make sure that our clinicians in those departments have everything they need on day one of go-live,” says Emily. Recognizing the importance of mentorship, Emily took on a leadership role with Women in Information Technology’s (WIT) college outreach program to inspire young women to pursue IT careers. The team engages in career fairs, speaker panels, and talks at more than 30 local colleges and universities. Thank you, Emily, for sharing your wisdom and inspiring young women to pursue careers in IT! #IWD25

Dr. Olubusola Ogunlade is an ob-gyn hospitalist or commonly referred to as a laborist for UPMC Magee-Womens in North Central Pa. As we celebrate International Women's Day, Dr. Ogunlade is one of the many UPMC women who continue to carry the torch for the women who were at the start of practicing medicine. At UPMC Williamsport, she manages obstetrics and gynecology emergencies, with the support of midwives, nurses, and clinical staff. She holds additional board certifications in minimally invasive gynecological surgery and pediatric and adolescent gynecology. “My desire to become a physician was rooted in the belief that healing goes beyond treating illness—it involves promoting preventive care. I strongly believe that when a mother is healthy, her child thrives, and in turn, the entire community flourishes. Interacting with both patients and staff is the most rewarding aspect of my job. I take pride in being a problem solver, and my role as a physician allows me to do just that.” When Dr. Ogunlade is not helping patients, she finds peace and restoration in nature. “The beauty of nature strengthens my resolve and inspires me to continue striving to make the world a better place, one individual at a time.”

On this International Women’s Day, UPMC is highlighting the excellence of our female doctors. Meaghan M. Marley, MD, is a breast surgeon who sees patients in Altoona. Hear from Dr. Marley about her experience at UPMC Magee-Womens Surgical Associates in her own words. As a proud member of the UPMC Magee-Womens Surgical Associates team, I'm thrilled to collaborate with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to provide exceptional care to breast cancer patients. Access to the most up-to-date treatment plans and cancer therapies is a crucial factor in breast cancer prognosis. UPMC exemplifies a commitment to offering the latest evidence-based care, and I am delighted to be part of the team bringing this excellence to the Altoona community. Breast cancer treatment often involves a multidisciplinary approach, where patients receive care from a team of surgical, medical, and radiation oncology specialists. My passion for breast surgery stems from the opportunity to take an active role in treating breast cancer in many patients. The most rewarding aspect of my job is witnessing the transformation in my patients' lives. I cherish being able to see my patients live vibrant, happy, and fulfilling lives after completing their treatment. Breast cancer is unfortunately very common; one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. It’s crucial for women to prioritize yearly screening mammograms, starting at age 40 for most, and to remain vigilant about any changes in their breasts, such as masses, skin changes, or nipple discharge. I often hear that women avoid mammograms out of fear that something may be found. I hope to alleviate this fear, as early diagnosis significantly improves prognosis. Patients diagnosed in the early stages of cancer tend to fare much better than those diagnosed later. I encourage all women to get their yearly screening mammograms and to motivate their mothers, sisters, friends, and all the women in their lives to do the same.

The NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) has awarded the Arthur C. Rettig Award for Academic Excellence to UPMC’s Dr. David Okonkwo, team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers, for his groundbreaking research presented at the NFLPS Scientific meeting. Findings from Dr. Okonkwo’s research will help advance how concussions are managed both in the NFL and other settings. According to the NFLPA, Dr. Okonkwo’s “Fencing Response Following Concussion and Recovery Time, Concussion Severity, Outcomes in Professional American Football Players,” provides essential information that aids the team physician in the management of concussions and represents a great example of the power of the extensive and detailed NFL Injury Surveillance System database. Congratulations, Dr. Okonkwo!

Many thanks to Green Building Alliance for showcasing UPMC Mercy Pavilion, home of the UPMC Vision Institute and the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, in its Inspire Speaker Series event “Building Intentionally and Inclusively” at MuseumLab on Feb. 20. Architect Chris Downey, AIA, President of Architecture for the Blind, consulted for HOK on the Pavilion project and detailed how various design elements help people with blindness and low vision navigate the space. He also outlined how critical resources like the building’s life skills apartment and rooftop sensory garden enable people to adapt to reduced vision safely in real-world environments. Art consultant Renee Piechocki discussed the critical steps in developing an inclusive art program and highlighted unique pieces that engage visitors by encouraging them to interact with the artwork, such as a sound-reactive display in the Vision Institute entrance and a hands-on installation in the shared waiting area for the building’s low vision and physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics. Learn more about UPMC Mercy Pavilion and the services available in this state-of-the-art facility: https://lnkd.in/dbKQgx5P

On Feb. 22, our colleagues at UPMC Memorial faced a tragic act of violence that has deeply affected the entire UPMC community. Our hearts are heavy as those impacted begin their journey of recovery. The path to healing, both physically and emotionally, is long, but the entire UPMC team stands with the York community every step of the way. In these difficult times, a kind word can make all the difference. Please share your messages of support with the staff at UPMC Memorial at memorial.upmc.com.