Passavant Hospital Foundations Tenth Annual Legacy of Caring Gala

Passavant Hospital Foundation will host its annual Legacy of Caring Gala on September 18 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh–Cranberry to honor eight extraordinary individuals

who embody a Legacy of Caring and have served long and well to make UPMC Passavant a world-class hospital. Since 2014, the Foundation has honored physicians, nurses, organizations, community members, volunteers, donors and others who have made a significant contribution to the mission and growth of UPMC

Passavant. Awards include the:

• James C. and Henrietta D. Lear Leadership Award

  
  

• Reverend William A. Passavant Humanitarian Award

  
  

• John P. “Jerry” Auld Award for Community Service

  
  

• Legacy of Service Award

  
  

• Excellence in Patient Care Award

  
  

• Matthew Morrow Spirit of Passavant Award

  
  

• Susan E. Hoolahan Leadership Award

  
  

• Legacy Beyond Award

This year’s honorees are:

Sam A. Buffer, Jr., MD Chairman, Department of Cardiology; Chief of Cardiology, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Passavant.

Years of Service at UPMC Passavant: 28

Dr. Buffer is the Chief of Cardiology at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute and Chairman of the Depart- ment of Cardiology at UPMC Passavant. He also serves as an assistant

professor at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine. Dr. Buffer is described as an exceptional leader, clinician, teacher, and physician. He has focused his career on improving patient care and outcomes and is extremely generous with his time, shared with his patients and colleagues.

Judi Dragun, BSN, RN, CSRN UPMC Passavant GI Lab

Years of Service at UPMC Passavant: 50

Judi Dragun has been a nurse at UPMC Passavant for five decades. She started her career on medical-surgical units, worked in the operating room for more than 25 years, then the GI Lab for 20 years, where she continues to work. She is caring, compassionate, gentle and kind, with a humorous demeanor. She is committed to treating patients as if they are her family, calming their anxieties and walking in their shoes. Judi comes from a family that boasts a long lineage of nurses, including her mother, twin sister and three other sisters, and her daughter. She has spent the entirety of her career at UPMC

Passavant and is grateful for the life-long learning opportunities she has received there. She enjoys working with her colleagues and friends at UPMC Passavant and giving back to the community in which she lives.

Terri-Ann Gizienski, MD, MPH Chief of the Clinical Breast Division of UPMC; Clinical Associate Professor; Director of Breast Imaging

Years of Service at UPMC Passavant: 20

Dr. Gizienski wears many hats as the chief of the Clinical Breast Division of UPMC, clinical

associate professor, director of Breast Imaging and the face behind the UPMC Magee

Women’s Imaging Services offered at UPMC Passavant. She developed the Mammography Center at UPMC Passavant, at both the McCandless and Cranberry campuses, and extended

the services to the UPMC Hampton Outpatient Center, as well. Commonly referred to as “Dr. G,” she’s extremely dedicated to her patients as a radiologist. If patients call with ques-

tions regarding their imaging, Dr. G takes the time to make sure their questions are answered before the end of the day. She even welcomes the patient back to her office to explain findings in person, as a way to ease their mind. She fosters camaraderie amongst the radiologists and staff, and often goes above and beyond to make sure they are all taken care of.

Patti Massa Senior Manager, IT

Years of Service at UPMC Passavant: 33

Patti Massa is the face of the UPMC Passavant IT Team. She embodies professionalism, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to UPMC Passavant. When someone has a

question or need that involves the IT Department, Patti is the first person who comes to mind. She is always available to assist, offer advice, and ensure there is a good solution. Patti

takes pride in making sure projects are completed in a timely manner and with the utmost efficiency. She has grown in her career, starting in the Purchasing department to now

successfully managing the UPMC Passavant PC Support Team for both the McCandless

and Cranberry campuses, plus an additional 25 satellite locations. Beyond her technical

expertise, Patti is known for her compassionate and approachable demeanor, and is an invaluable asset to UPMC Passavant.

Mary E. Miller, LPN Senior Practice Manager; UPMC Pulmonary Partners at UPMC Passavant

Years of Service at UPMC Passavant: 35

Mary Miller’s unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership, and passion for patient care literally defines the Legacy of Caring at UPMC Passavant Hospital. Long before Mary became the driving force enhancing the patient experience at UPMC Pulmonary Partners, she served as a nurse in the in-patient unit at UPMC Passavant – Cranberry. She joined UPMC Pulmonary Partners in 2008 and successfully streamlined patient flow to make practitioners more efficient, thus decreasing patient wait time. She has voluntarily assisted other practices to improve their work flow and patient experience, as well. She supervises a

staff of 30+ employees ranging from office workers to nurses to respiratory therapists, and

supports the group of physicians that manage the critical care units, pulmonary consult services, and sleep lab at UPMC Passavant. Her unfailingly positive outlook and can-do attitude are contagious throughout the office.

Nicole Santucci, MSN, RN, NE-BC Clinical Director

Years of Service at UPMC Passavant: 19

Nicole Santucci is a nursing clinical director. She has embraced every opportunity to advance both her clinical and professional career ladder, rising to the roles of being a

mentor, preceptor, and role model to all the UPMC Passavant nurses. She has always been an unwavering advocate for patients and their families, going above and beyond to ensure safe discharges, provide compassionate care, and offer a kind and

listening ear. Nicole has gone from bedside nursing to various leadership roles serving both UPMC Passavant-McCandless and UPMC Passavant-Cranberry campuses through the in-patient units and emergency departments.

Tad D. Scheri, MD Physician Genesis Medical Associates

Years of Service: 22

Dr. Scheri is known for his dedication, compassion and remarkable leadership that have made a difference in the lives of so many. As the president of Genesis Medical Associates, chair of Primary Care at UPMC Passavant, and certified medical director in longterm care, Dr. Scheri wears many hats — but it is the way he wears them that truly sets him apart. He brings a wise and calming presence to every setting, whether he’s caring for his patients in the office, rounding at the hospital, or supporting families and staff in the community. He is greatly respected not only for his clinical expertise, but for the kindness and humility with which he practices medicine. He is a trusted mentor to younger physicians, a steady advocate for patient-centered and outcome-based care, and someone whose integrity and quiet strength leaves a lasting impression on everyone he meets.

Amy C. Thompson, MSN, RN, NPD-BC Director of UPMC Passavant Medical Staff Services/Graduate Medical Education

Years of Service at UPMC Passavant: 28

Amy Thompson has established a distinguished 28-year career at UPMC Passavant, advancing from her initial position as a professional staff nurse to her current role as director of Medical Staff Services and Graduate Medical Education. Along the way, she has broadened her expertise by serving as the unit director of the emergency department, advanced clinical education specialist, and Quality Nurse coordinator. Her unwavering commitment to education and professional development significantly contributes to enhancing the competencies and knowledge of the entire medical staff at UPMC Passavant.

Throughout her tenure, she has consistently exemplified outstanding leadership and

demonstrated a resolute dedication to exceeding expectations in service to both patients and colleagues.

For more information on the Legacy of Caring Gala, visit PassavantHospitalFoundation.org