Michael Celender: Organization Development Consultant
Mike has been with PFCC Partners and the Patient and Family Centered Care Methodology since October of 2008. He assisted in the development of that process and has directly contributed to its success as a practice for improving the care experience of patients and their families. Mike has over 15 years of experience as an Organization Development Consultant, facilitating performance improvement and team development in organizations such as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Heinz North America, Marconi, and Coventry Health Care as well as 10 years with UPMC.
Lindsey DelBene: Project Coordinator Assistant
Lindsey graduated in May 2009 from John Carroll University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications and a minor in Creative Writing. She is currently employed at PFCC Partners as a Project Coordinator Assistant with the primary responsibility of patient and family shadowing, summarizing and reporting observations.
Stephen DiGioia: Director of Technology Development
Stephen is the Director of Technology Development with PFCC Partners. Stephen was one of the first members of the former Innovation Center at UPMC and was responsible for the start-up of the department in the summer of 2006. Currently, Stephen is responsible for evaluating and developing new or existing technologies that are used as tools within the PFCC Methodology and Practice. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Patty Embree: Senior Director of Patient and Family Centered Care
Patty comes from a diverse healthcare background which includes both clinical and non-clinical experience. In her over 20 years of experience she has held a variety of roles in areas of Nursing, Healthcare Marketing, Community Outreach and Information Technology. Her most recent role at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is Senior Director of Patient and Family Centered Care, where she is responsible for the development and coordination of activities associated with the facilitation and exportation of the PFCC Methodology and Practice.
Michelle Giarusso: Senior Project Manager
Michelle is Senior Project Manager for PFCC Partners. She has over 15 years of nursing experience in direct patient care, including 5 years as Unit Director for Magee-Womens Hospital Inpatient Orthopaedic Program. In her current role, Michelle is responsible for assisting in the planning, organization, and coordination of PFCC Partners’ initiatives and projects. In December of 2008 she obtained a Master’s in Professional Leadership from Carlow University. Michelle is currently attending Carlow University for a Master’s in Business Administration.
Meghan Kelley: Senior Project Coordinator
Meghan has worked at PFCC Partners since summer of 2007 as a Senior Project Coordinator. She has previous experience working within UPMC as a Coder and Medical Staff Data Analyst. In her current role, Meghan is responsible for supporting and coordinating the acceleration and adoption of the Patient and Family Centered Care Methodology and Practice. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management from the University of Pittsburgh.
Michell Bulger: Training Coordinator
Michelle has more than 20 years of experience in health care, serving in patient access, finance, customer service management and training and development roles. Her current position as Training Coordinator for PFCC Partners @ The Innovation Center of UPMC allows Michelle to call upon her comprehensive background to promote the spread and adoption of the PFCC Methodology and Practice.
Stephen Pedaline: Assistant Project Coordinator
Steve graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an emphasis on Industrial/Organizational Development. He joined UPMC working with PFCC Partners as an Assistant Project Coordinator in June 2010. His primary role is to support the implementation of the Patient and Family Centered Care Methodology and practice. He hopes to bring his dedication to organizational development and improvement to numerous areas and disciplines across the hospital.
Lisa Schraeder: Organizational Development Consultant
Lisa has worked in the healthcare arena for over 10 years providing leadership development, customer service and orientation programs and has partnered with clinical and non-clinical departments to facilitate change. In her Organizational Development Consultant role at PFCC Partners, Lisa supports Working Groups new to the PFCC Methodology and Practice and educates audiences on the Six Steps of transforming health care culture to one that is patient- and family-centered.
Alisa Vickrey: Project Coordinator Assistant
Alisa graduated from Cornell College, IA in May of 2010 with a Bachelors of Special Studies in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She currently works at PFCC Partners as a Project Coordinator Assistant. Although primarily focused on patient and family shadowing, she also seeks to assist in the integration of PFCC Methodology and Practice in the academic setting for future healthcare providers. She has been with PFCC Partners since September of 2010.
Michelle Yakelis: Project Coordinator
Michelle graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in May of 2009 with a bachelors of science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Psychology. She currently works at PFCC Partners as a Project Coordinator Assistant and her primary focus is patient and family shadowing. She has been with PFCC Partners since October of 2009.
Anthony DiGioia, MD: Founder and Medical Director
Anthony M. DiGioia III, MD, is a practicing orthopaedic surgeon in Renaissance Orthopaedics, PC located at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. He has combined the art and science of medical practice by developing the Patient- and Family-Centered Care Methodology and Practice, an innovation in the process of care delivery that dramatically improves patient outcomes, quality and safety while delivering exceptional care experiences.
Dr. DiGioia is Founder and Medical Director of The Orthopaedic Program at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC and PFCC Partners at The Innovation Center of UPMC and collaborates with care givers and leadership in health systems to export the PFCC Methodologies and Practice for any care experience.