UPMC

Dr. Donald Yealy, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, UPMC spoke at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce breakfast event. He discussed the recent merger of UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene and outlined future plans for the hospitals. Yealy emphasized UPMC’s commitment to invest $300 million over the next decade to enhance services and upgrade facilities in Washington and Greene, and to increase the UPMC Washington Foundation’s assets to $40 million. He also highlighted the long-standing clinical collaborations between UPMC and UPMC Washington in various specialties, which have provided care for over 10,000 patients annually. https://lnkd.in/d_T9ps5A

Thank you to the Pittsburgh Business Times for sitting down with me to discuss some of the exciting work happening at UPMC. I look forward to coming into the office each day because of all the opportunities we have to build amazing things. We truly have the opportunity to shape the future of health care. What’s more, we’ve assembled a stellar team at every level of our organization, a team that keeps me energized and constantly learning. When I took on the role of CEO in 2021, our organization was at a pivotal moment. We were still navigating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its lasting impact on the health care industry. Yet our commitment to delivering accessible, world-class health care to every patient remained as strong as ever. Even in this time of immense change, we stay focused on expanding access to care, enhancing the patient experience, and supporting our communities every step of the way.  We don’t shy away from the big obstacles — we reimagine the way forward. Most of all, I want to thank the 100,000 UPMC employees who provide the real impact to our patients and deliver Life Changing Medicine. https://lnkd.in/e5qtKRnC

For more than six decades, UPMC Lancaster Family Practice & Associates has provided care to families in Manheim Township, Pa., and nearby communities. During that time, three generations of the Hirsch family — Irwin, Lorin, and Elliott — have cared for patients at the family practice. Dr. Irwin Hirsch began the practice in 1962, seeing patients in his own home and making house calls. He opened an office in Manheim Township with another physician in 1984. In 1989, Dr. Lorin Hirsch joined the practice and worked with his father until Irwin’s retirement in 1998. Dr. Elliott Hirsch, Lorin’s son and Irwin’s grandson, joined the practice in 2023. Although Irwin Hirsch died in 2016, his son and grandson are carrying on his legacy of caring for patients today who were Irwin’s patients from decades ago. Other patients are the children and grandchildren of former patients, making UPMC Lancaster Family Practice & Associates a true “family” practice — generations of doctors caring for generations of families.

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital has expanded its doula program to its Erie location, offering emotional, physical, and informational support to pregnant clients through doula support. Prominent officials, including Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary, Valerie Arkoosh and Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Debra Bogen, joined UPMC leadership to highlight the expanded doula services and the Women’s Recovery Center. Doulas provide support during prenatal and postpartum visits in outpatient settings and continuous support during labor in the hospital. They use pain management techniques like counterpressure and massage, which can reduce the need for medication. Benefits of doula services include increased breastfeeding rates, higher satisfaction with the birth experience, and decreased postpartum depression. The UPMC Magee-Womens Pregnancy and Women’s Recovery Center (PWRC) supports women with substance use disorders who are pregnant or have children. The PWRC offers medication-assisted treatment to prevent withdrawal and reduce fetal exposure to opioids and other substances, helping women on their path to recovery. Stay tuned for more updates on how these programs are impacting the community. https://lnkd.in/eJvmmPXD

On Wednesday, October 9, UPMC Memorial Hospital hosted a ‘Farm to Hospital’ presentation and tour at the UPMC farm for Pennsylvania officials, including Kristin Phillips-Hill (Senator, York County), Dr. Debra L. Bogen (Secretary of Health), Russell Redding (Secretary of Agriculture), Scott Burford (Vice President Commissioner, York County), Doug Hoke (Commissioner, York County), Seth Grove (State Representative), among others. Dr. KimberLee Mudge, a UPMC surgeon and initiative champion, delivered an insightful presentation on the benefits of healthy food for patients, followed by a tour of the farm. The UPMC farm, in collaboration with York Fresh Food Farms and the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, provides fresh produce to patients, staff, and community members, aiming to combat chronic illnesses, support community health, and reduce food insecurity. Learn more about the program: https://lnkd.in/dDzD2TDK

For always looking out for her patients, Kayla Brown, RN is this month’s UPMC Pittsburgh Penguins Healthcare Hero Spotlight. As a nurse in the UPMC Passavant–Cranberry Emergency Department (ED), Kayla sees many people on their worst day. She strives to do everything she can to improve those days by being a positive presence. “To be a positive person as much as possible, depending on the situation, can be so impactful for these patients and their families,” says Kayla, a professional staff nurse. Kayla has worked at UPMC Passavant–Cranberry since 2018. She says she always felt drawn to the emergency department. “You are there by the patient’s side during the good times, the bad times, the victories, the failures, all of that,” she says. “It's a beautiful thing to be a part of that. And I've always wanted to be that positive person because, especially in emergency medicine, I'm meeting patients on the worst day of their lives or what they believe is the worst day of their lives.” Soon after Kayla became a nurse, she took training to become a forensic nurse and sexual assault nurse examiner. Those nurses care for victims of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and more. “Forensic nursing is always something I've been interested in because you can make such an impact,” she says. “It's not an immediate impact. It's not an instant satisfaction with these cases because they take a long time to go through the court systems and whatnot. But to be that one person that can sit there and just listen to these patients and process their accounts of what happened and be their advocate … is just an amazing opportunity.” Kayla acknowledges that working in the emergency department can be emotionally taxing. But she comes to work to help patients in their most stressful situations and give them the answers they need. “They're so incredibly vulnerable that whole time,” she says. “Just a smile or just sitting down next to them, even if it's for 30 seconds, can make such a significant difference, and it’s worth it.” “To be able to give them an answer and help them get through this time (is so important).” Congratulations, Kayla!

Please join the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery and the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition for the New Paradigms in Gastrointestinal Surgery and Medicine conference on November 9, 2024. We will discuss: Innovations in gastroenterology and surgical practices Barriers to equitable patient care Development of multidisciplinary colorectal cancer treatments Register here: https://lnkd.in/eFXFPyCH

UPMC’s Schools of Nursing are essential to producing highly qualified nurses who embody our values. They play a crucial role in strengthening our nursing workforce and fostering a culture of learning and confidence. Through collaboration and dedication to student success, our schools continuously innovate to meet future healthcare demands. Our commitment to developing the nursing workforce is key to addressing industry-wide staffing challenges. UPMC’s nursing schools, including UPMC Shadyside, UPMC Mercy, UPMC Jameson, UPMC St. Margaret, UPMC Shadyside at Harrisburg, and UPMC Jameson at Hamot, provide students with career growth opportunities while immersing them in UPMC culture. Each school offers a unique educational experience, and their leadership teams work closely to prioritize student well-being and success. Although accredited separately, the schools share best practices and standardize their curriculum and policies. “While many hospital-based nursing programs have gone away, we still see the value in educating our own, reflecting a long-standing belief in the value of nurturing internal talent,” says Angela Balistrieri, director UPMC Mercy School of Nursing. Despite evolving student needs, demographics, and curriculum, UPMC’s Schools of Nursing continue to excel in providing the best education for students and the community.

Representation in health care is not just about numbers; it's about ensuring that all patients receive the personalized and effective care they deserve. Stacy Bartlett, MD from UPMC Family Medicine discusses her approach to care and how she works to affect change in the very health care systems that have historically perpetuated inequities. "Research shows that access to primary care is one of the most effective ways to reduce inequity. I’m grateful to care for patients in underserved communities where I can share what I know and learn from them. Family doctors touch so many aspects of a person’s life — their physical health, mental health, and reproductive health." https://lnkd.in/eUZGQvpv

Global Links presented UPMC East Hospital and UPMC McKeesport with the Outstanding Hospital Partner Award in recognition of a combined 30+ year commitment to surplus medical equipment rescue and sustainability 🌎 #sustainability #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors #UPMC #Pittsburgh