UPMC

Shawn Lively, executive chef, Dietary, UPMC in North Central Pa., started in the food service business as a 13-year-old working for his uncle’s catering business. Later in his teen years, he worked at Country Cupboard in Lewisburg, until he decided to take the next step in becoming a chef. Shawn completed the Le Cordon Bleu program with an associate’s degree in culinary arts at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute. After going back to school for business education and considering the idea of becoming a teacher, Shawn ended up back where he wanted to be all along – in the kitchen. Shawn has been the executive chef for the region since July and though he says, “don’t fix what isn’t broken,” he’s made subtle tweaks to recipes for patients, residents, and staff and is looking forward to tasting and updating more dishes. “I get a great deal of satisfaction working with our team of professionals to safely ensure that we are producing the highest quality entrees, soups, and sides that provide nourishment to our patients, residents, staff, and patrons,” Shawn said. “So it’s really because of that goal that I understand what UPMC as a whole is trying to do, and that's to nourish the patient.” Shawn has nearly 15 years of experience as a chef. Some of his responsibilities include monitoring, adjusting, and creating recipes, assisting in the development of retail, patient services, and long-term care menus, and ensuring the consistency of recipes that are being used. One of his biggest challenges is tweaking or creating new recipes while following the nutritional guidelines for patients. “Regardless of how I feel from a culinary standpoint, oftentimes I have to take a step back and think –even though I understand that this could use more salt, or this could use more sugar, or this could use more fat or whatever it might be, I have to kind of rein that in a little and do what’s best for our patients,” Shawn said. This allows for creative problem solving. Recently, Shawn was tasked with creating a better tasting protein pudding for patients and residents. He came up with versions including chocolate, vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, banana, and is in the works of butterscotch pudding. Each serving has 15 grams of protein, which equates to nearly two ounces of chicken. The pudding gets taste tested from other kitchen staff and is reviewed by dietitians before it’s rolled out across the region. While Shawn is still making his way through the various menus, his next big task is to get around to all the hospitals and senior communities to spend time with and cook with his staff and ensure there’s a standardization across all kitchens. “I want to make sure I'm enveloped in what is happening in all our locations and then being able to look forward and push out new pieces and processes,” Shawn said. “Even without me, this team is amazing. They really are the backbone of what's happening here.”

On Oct. 22, UPMC Western Maryland cardiothoracic surgeon Mark Nelson, M.D., and his team performed the program’s 5,000th open heart surgery. This milestone is the latest accolade for the open-heart surgery program at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Western Maryland. On Monday, Nov. 18, UPMC Western Maryland leaders gathered with local dignitaries, patients, HVI staff, and the many teams that support them to celebrate this amazing milestone. “The impact that I have had on these patients is very gratifying,” said Dr. Nelson. “It’s very important to provide continuity of service to this community so patients don’t have to travel out of town. It’s heartwarming and gratifying to provide this care, and I think the patients feel it too.” Congratulations to the many clinical leaders, staff members, and medical professionals who have played a role in this milestone over the last 24 years.

The AJMC Institute for Value-Based Medicine is partnering with UPMC to host a value-based care event focused on cardio-kidney-metabolic disease in primary care. Speakers will discuss models for endocrinology, renal, and cardiovascular care as well as best practices for integrative collaboration between providers. Join us on Thursday, December 5. Register here for this free event: https://lnkd.in/gv-qP9rd

On Veterans Day, we pause to honor the service and sacrifices of the men and women who have bravely served our country. At UPMC, we’re privileged to not only provide care for our veterans, but to also work closely with veterans like Marc Migala, director of UPMC Veteran Care Services. Marc’s journey began in 1996 when he enlisted in the US Army with his first assignment in the 82nd Airborne Division. After 20 years of service with deployments to South Korea on the DMZ, Kuwait, and Iraq, he retired from the military in 2016 and joined UPMC just days later. Driven by his dedication to his fellow veterans, Marc has helped build UPMC Veteran Care Services in central Pennsylvania, striving to make healthcare for veterans more accessible and coordinated. The UPMC Veteran Care Services team acts as a “one-stop-shop” for veterans in central Pa., offering a concierge-like service to help veterans access the care when referred from the VA medical center. From routine imaging and lab work to more complex services, like transplants, Marc and his team are committed to providing every veteran they assist with the Life Changing Medicine UPMC provides collaboratively with the VA. This dedication extends beyond just healthcare; Marc and his team advocate for veterans, ensuring they’re aware of the benefits, support, and services available to them. Embedded VA-employed community nurse liaisons are stationed in UPMC hospitals across central Pa., reaching out to veterans in emergency departments and inpatient settings to connect them with necessary VA benefits. On this Veterans Day, we thank Marc Migala, our Veteran Care Services team, and all veterans for their remarkable service. To the veterans, staff, families, friends, and community members who enrich our lives, UPMC thanks you. Your dedication inspires us to make life-changing differences, and we are honored to serve you. UPMC is honored to have your 6, and we humbly thank you ALL for your service.

Employees and volunteers came together at UPMC Horizon−Shenango Valley on Nov. 7 to surprise Chuck Hoyt during his volunteer shift the day after his 100th birthday. Chuck, who is a WW2 veteran, has volunteered at the hospital since 2003, logging over 7,000 volunteer hours. Chuck’s secrets to longevity: Chuck reads two books a week, does two crosswords a night, walks every day, enjoys chair Zumba, volunteers at the hospital and his church, and has tight relationships with his family — including a Sunday call with his grandkids every week. Happy birthday, Chuck, and thank you for your service!

In this week's episode of UPMC NOW, watch as the Pittsburgh Steelers, UPMC Magee-Womens and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center cook up healthy competition in support of breast cancer awareness; see how we're preserving the legacy of Dr. Matt El-Kadi for his commitment to improving spinal care synergy and accessibility; learn more about how the Pinnacle Health Auxiliary lends support for breast cancer journeys through the Knitted Knockers program; and a walk to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and promote the mission of the UPMC Child Advocacy Center in Central Pa.

Gabriella G. Gosman, MD, vice president of medical affairs (VPMA) at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, has taken on a high-profile national leadership role. Effective Nov. 1, she has assumed the position of executive director, chief of medical affairs, for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). As the board certification entity for ob-gyns in the United States, ABOG plays a critical role in maintaining standards in the obstetrics and gynecology field. As she steps into this new role, Dr. Gosman will continue to serve on the UPMC Magee-Womens leadership team as VPMA. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Gosman on this significant professional achievement!

Veterans and military families: Join us for the annual Pathways for Veterans Career Fair on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/e5-H8MqF Meet with employee veterans and community organizations, get to know UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, and explore career opportunities.

There is no better place for nurses to work than UPMC, and I am proud to share that UPMC is making impactful salary structure adjustments over the next three years to support them. Earlier this week, UPMC announced an increase to bedside nurse salaries starting in 2025 and progressing through 2027. When you add our rich total rewards and benefits, our total compensation is unmatched compared to local competitors. For new graduates, sign-on bonus and monthly loan repayment adds to the lucrative total compensation. For experienced nurses, our nursing career ladder offers more opportunities and accelerated growth, which means greater compensation. We are committed to providing the best environments and economic packages to our nurses, and I am grateful for the commitment and compassion our talented nurses bring every day to our patients and community. To explore our nursing opportunities, visit: https://lnkd.in/eBfVbpbB . I am excited to have you join our team! 

In the recent report, “Life Sciences Assessment and Strategic Growth Opportunities for the Pittsburgh Region” by The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance (PLSA), UPMC’s big contributions to next-gen therapeutics, clinical trials, and workforce development and education were highlighted- emphasizing how we’re driving innovation, economic growth, and teamwork in the region’s life sciences ecosystem. The report noted UPMC Enterprises among regional partners leading in pre-seed funding for life sciences companies and described the Enterprises' digital solutions division as a “signature asset,” developing and investing in innovative healthcare technologies by providing strategic, technical, and financial support. UPMC executive leadership, Alison Beam, JD, senior vice president, Chief Government Affairs Officer, UPMC (PLSA Board Member), Jeanne Cunicelli, president, UPMC Enterprises (PLSA Strategic Advisory Committee), and Mr. Brook Ward, President, UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene (PLSA Strategic Advisory Committee) support the important work the alliance is doing to connect clinical, research, manufacturing, and technology pillars to enable our region as a global life sciences leader. https://lnkd.in/ea3FmGFw