UPMC PINNACLE FOUNDATION
2024 ANNUAL
GRATITUDE
REPORT
Dear Friends of the
UPMC Pinnacle Foundation,
As we reflect on a year of incredible accomplishments in 2024, we at the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation are proud to bring you our annual gratitude report, featuring stories that wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community. You’ll read about the ways the new Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Cancer Center Wing at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is touching oncology patients, advancements in the care we’re providing to our littlest patients at the UPMC Carlisle neo-natal intensive care unit, how gratitude turned one UPMC Lititz patient into a volunteer and leader, and much more.
Now more than ever, we are grateful for our community and the commitment we share to build a healthier, stronger Central Pa. and support our staff who provide life-changing care every day. In the wake of the tragic incident at UPMC Memorial in February 2025, we have received a tremendous outpouring of support from our community members, and there are not enough words to express our gratitude for all who have shown up for us and partnered with us to support our staff as they heal. We are truly stronger together.
Looking forward to the rest of 2025, we are excited to adopt our new strategic plan, which will guide the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation as we grow and implement workforce development initiatives, support community health initiatives, and continue to focus on providing resources for patients in need. I have no doubt that 2025 will be another incredible year.
I hope you find the good news in this year’s gratitude report uplifting and meaningful. Thank you for your partnership and your support.
Jessica Ritchie
President, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation
Hope and Healing:
The Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Cancer Center Wing
"Rocco Ortenzio's unwavering dedication to improving cancer care exemplified a deep compassion for others. His legacy of generosity will continue to inspire our mission to provide the best possible care for patients in need."
– Jessica Ritchie,
President, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation
The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation celebrated the opening of the Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Cancer Center Wing at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in the spring of 2024. The 38,000-square-foot facility embodies a commitment to comprehensive cancer care, offering services from laboratory and genetic counseling to chemotherapy, medical oncology, and gynecologic cancer services. The grand opening marked a significant step forward in our shared commitment to advancing patient-centric, cutting-edge oncology care in Central PA. Since opening, 8,156 patients found hope, healing, and world-class care in this new facility.
Remembering
Rocco Ortenzio
The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation was deeply saddened by Rocco’s passing in October 2024, and we celebrate his extraordinary commitment to advancing cancer care at UPMC Central Pa. Rocco was a visionary philanthropist whose extraordinary generosity has profoundly transformed cancer care throughout UPMC in Central Pa.
Together with his wife, Nancy, Rocco's commitment to advancing oncology services began in 2013 with the establishment of the Ortenzio Cancer Pavilion. Most recently, their contributions enabled the creation of the Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Cancer Center Wing at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Rocco's legacy lives on through the Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Fund for Clinical Excellence, dedicated to advancing clinical trials and research in oncology. His compassion and unwavering support will continue to inspire our mission to provide the best care possible to patients in need.
NICU Renovation at
UPMC Magee-Womens Carlisle:
Transforming Infant Care and Family Connections
The opening of the renovated neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at UPMC Magee-Womens in Carlisle has made incredible things possible for our littlest patients. Births at UPMC Carlisle increased by nearly 13% in 2024, thanks in large part to the new NICU and the specialized care provided there. Prior to these renovations, all infants born at less than 35 weeks gestation would be transferred to a higher level of care; now, UPMC Magee-Womens in Carlisle is able to keep mothers and their babies together as early as 32 weeks gestation.
The new NICU at UPMC Carlisle was made possible thanks to a generous gift from the Young family. Their support also enabled us to make NicView a reality at UPMC Carlisle. This innovative webcam system connects families with their newborns in the NICU, offering comfort and reassurance during a challenging time. NicView allows parents to stay connected with their little ones 24/7, no matter where they are.
The UPMC Magee-Womens NICU in Carlisle represents our commitment to providing the best care possible in our local communities, ensuring our neighbors never have to go far to receive life-changing care.
Pictured is Baby Benjamin Ward at the UPMC Carlisle NICU hours after his birth on April 23, 2024. The Ward family is one of the first families to use NicView.
Your Impact By the Numbers
The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation's remarkable impact in 2024 reflects the extraordinary generosity of our donors and their shared commitment to advancing healthcare excellence throughout Central Pennsylvania.
In 2024, we invested over $18M in patient care, healthcare programs, and community initiatives:
Donor Impact: Our Community of Healthcare Champions
Leave a Lasting Legacy: How One Donor's Heart Lives On
A legacy gift is more than just a designation in your will; it’s also the love you leave behind.
That was the case for John Hilbert, whose estate gift to the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation was used to create the new John and Alice Hilbert Heart and Vascular Endowment Fund. This fund will be used to support wellness initiatives, diagnostics, surgery, risk assessment programs, and rehabilitation activities within the Heart and Vascular Institute of UPMC Central Pa. This transformative gift will make a lasting impact on the Heart and Vascular Institute and the patients it serves.
Making a will can feel daunting, but it’s also the best way to leave your legacy and make a lasting impact on the causes you care most about.
A Gift of Gratitude:
Twenty Years After
A Life-Changing Kidney Transplant
For Mike Terry, his kidney transplant in 2004, made possible by a kidney donation from his brother-in-law Mike Stevens, gave him the gift of the life. Dr. Yang and Dr. Holman performed the surgery at UPMC Harrisburg on August 10th, 2004, and though twenty years have passed since then, he never forgot his gratitude for everyone involved in his transplant.
On the 20th anniversary of his transplant, Mike and his wife, Fran, decided to pay that gratitude forward. They made a generous gift to the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation’s Transplant Fund to support kidney transplant patients like Mike and generous kidney donors like his brother-in-law. This fund provides medication, mortgage and rent assistance, transportation, and more for patients in need, removing a source of stress and allowing patients to focus solely on healing.
“I was able to work an additional 15 years post-transplant. Now we hope these monetary donations help others in some small way.
We can never thank enough my brother-in-law and now "brother" Mike Stevens for his wonderful gift of life, without which I would likely not be here to make these simple monetary gifts. We continue to be so appreciative to Dr. Yang and all the other doctors, nurses and support staff for their services prior to my transplant and all the years subsequent.”
- Mike Terry
From Student to Success:
Celebrating Our First Class of UPMC Nurses
The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation is proud to support the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing at UPMC Harrisburg and grateful for the donors who have invested in future nurses. In December 2023, we celebrated a monumental landmark for the program as the School of Nursing graduated its inaugural class of students. Since then, we have celebrated the graduation of 120 future nurses from the School of Nursing.
In last year’s gratitude report, we featured Ta’Liah Jones, the speaker at the School of Nursing’s inaugural graduation. Since completing the rigorous program, Ta’Liah has worked as a Professional Staff Nurse at UPMC Community Osteopathic Hospital, and it’s safe to say that she loves her job.
“Sometimes I wake up and I’m just like, ‘Am I really a nurse?’” Ta’Liah says. “But I got to where I am because of the support that I had. Now I’m here, standing here today, saying that I’m a nurse. I’m a nurse at UPMC, and I’m very proud of that.”
Watch more about Ta’Liah’s first year as a nurse at UPMC Central Pa. below.
Growing a Healthier Community
Food plays a critical role in overall health, but not everyone has access to the fresh whole foods doctors may recommend. That’s where the Farm to Hospital initiative at UPMC Memorial comes in. With a sustainable farm growing produce year-round, this exploration into holistic healthcare allows patients to access fresh produce right on campus. Led by Dr. KimberLee Mudge and in partnership with York Fresh Food Farms, the Farm to Hospital initiative endeavors to address the root causes of health issues and contribute to a healthier lifestyle for individuals and the community at large.
In 2024, 6,853 produce sale transactions were conducted, representing thousands of pounds of fresh food being distributed to UPMC Memorial patients, staff, and the York community.
“As produce is harvested, it’s taken up the hill to our cafe, and it becomes part of the cafe menu. We also have a farmer’s market that will expand in the near future. [Additionally], we very soon will be rolling out a plant-based option on the inpatient menu and will be initiating cooking classes that will be targeting wellness.”
-Dr. KimberLee Mudge, Breast Surgeon
Creating a Culture of Safety at UPMC Hanover
A new safety system is coming soon to UPMC Hanover. The duress badge system, made possible by the generous support of Give Local York donors, Hanover Golf Tournament attendees, and the Hanover Hospital Foundation, features an innovative wearable locator badge that can trigger a response from the security team with a press of a button. The badge notifies department staff and security of the location of the staff member who requires assistance automatically, ensuring an immediate response.
“These badges provide our team with immediate access to assistance in any emergency, reinforcing a safe work environment and ensuring rapid responses to the location where staff are throughout the hospital when it matters most,” says Tara Slagle, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at UPMC Hanover. “By prioritizing safety, we empower our staff to focus on delivering exceptional patient care with confidence and peace of mind.”
Auxiliary Feature
Pinnacle Health Auxiliary
With roots that stretch back to 1888, the Pinnacle Health Auxiliary has a long history of supporting the needs of the UPMC in Central Pa hospitals and residents of central Pennsylvania. Each year, the Pinnacle Health Auxiliary raises nearly $300,000 through events and other services to support UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC West Shore, and UPMC Community Osteopathic. In addition to raising funds for UPMC in Central Pa, the Pinnacle Health Auxiliary also provides scholarships for promising students pursuing health care careers and operates the Bailey House—a “home away from home” for patients and families being treated from outside the Harrisburg area.
Hanover Hospital Auxiliary
The Hanover Hospital Auxiliary is celebrating their 100th year in 2025, and for a century, they have been a cornerstone of health in the Hanover community. This vibrant organization of dedicated volunteers contributed 5,670 hours of service and raised over $60,000 in funds to support critical hospital programs and patient services. Current priorities for the Hanover Hospital Auxiliary include the Hospital-Pediatric Orientation program providing educational tours and the annual student health fair, ongoing support for the Special Needs Fund, ensuring all patients receive necessary care regardless of financial circumstances, and the LPN Academic Excellence Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in nursing education.
Thank you to all our Pinnacle Health Auxiliary and Hanover Hospital Auxiliary members for your dedication and commitment to strengthening our community’s health resources!
From Patient to Leader:
One Man's Journey to Serve UPMC Lititz
Ted Leamy’s journey with UPMC Lititz began when he became a patient in 2022. When Ted visited UPMC Lititz for care for his advanced Crohn's disease, he never knew he would leave with a heartfelt mission to become a volunteer. "UPMC Lititz stands out as one of the most caring places I have visited," said Ted. "The respect all staff showed me ranks highest on my list of praises... We are blessed to have such a healthcare resource in our community. My experience was profound enough to cause me to become a volunteer."
Since then, Ted’s commitment to UPMC Lititz has only grown. He joined the UPMC Lititz board of directors in 2023, a role that allows him to invest his skills and passion in the hospital that provided him with life-changing care.
While serving on the board, Ted became familiar with the work of the wound care nurses in central PA, specifically how they support people with ostomies of all kinds post-surgery. He now also volunteers with the regional UPMC ostomy education and support groups, supporting their work as a member and even sometimes as a speaker.
"As a volunteer at UPMC, one gets an inside look at the culture that has been created - a culture of leadership and professional care that is always focused on the patient."
- Ted Leamy
2024 Events:
A Year In Review
Our events make an incredible difference for our UPMC Central Pa. patients and neighbors, and they wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of donors like you!
A Summer of Golf
Thank you to all who teed off with us this summer and made our summer of golf a swinging success!
In Their Words:
Stories of Hope and Healing from UPMC Central Pa
Have you ever wondered how healthcare providers and patients come together to create meaningful change? Discover the heartwarming and inspiring stories at UPMC in Central Pa. with our podcast, "In Their Words." Listen on your favorite podcast platform as we highlight the incredible journey of grateful patients, dedicated staff, and passionate community partners.
Listen on your preferred podcast platform, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review!
Karen Cointot,
Community Paramedicine
"They feel that we have opened that door and they can be honest with us and that we are not judging them. We're trying to assist them in any way, shape or form."
Ashley Fox,
Patient
"She saved my life. Dr. Silver and Virginia saved my life. Had I not been told about them, I don't actually know that this journey would have happened..."
Laura Lacroix,
UPMC Street Medicine
"It has to be mission-driven. It has to be something that comes from deep inside of you. I know that UPMC Street Medicine is in good hands."