Headlines

 $150M investment aims to eliminate cost as barrier to graduate education, create distinctive ecosystem to ensure success

Carnegie Mellon University and the Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation announced a transformative new initiative to help address the Missing Millions — individuals whose personal circumstances have presented a significant obstacle to careers in the science, technology, engineering and math fields (STEM). Engaging and creating opportunities for these individuals to join the STEM professions is a priority for the nation's economic prosperity, security and global competitiveness.

The CMU Rales Fellows Program will increase access to STEM graduate education and help cultivate a new generation of domestic national STEM leaders. At its core, the program will eliminate cost as a barrier to select master's degree and Ph.D. programs for students from under-resourced and underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation students, by providing full tuition and a stipend; it also will support students through a distinctive, holistic ecosystem of developmental and networking opportunities that will benefit Fellows both during their time at CMU and as they advance in their careers.

The Rales Foundation gift will provide an endowment of $110 million to support the program, and CMU has committed a further $30 million in endowed funds. The two organizations also are jointly establishing a $10 million fund to support the program's developmental years. The first cohort of students will enroll in fall 2024; at steady state, the CMU Rales Fellows Program is expected each year to underwrite 86 graduate students in STEM fields in perpetuity, educating thousands of research and industry leaders in the coming decades.

The CMU Rales Fellows Program will increase access to STEM graduate education and help cultivate a new generation of domestic national STEM leaders. At its core, the program will eliminate cost as a barrier to select master's degree and Ph.D. programs for students from under-resourced and underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation students, by providing full tuition and a stipend; it also will support students through a distinctive, holistic ecosystem of developmental and networking opportunities that will benefit Fellows both during their time at CMU and as they advance in their careers.

The Rales Foundation gift will provide an endowment of $110 million to support the program, and CMU has committed a further $30 million in endowed funds. The two organizations also are jointly establishing a $10 million fund to support the program's developmental years. The first cohort of students will enroll in fall 2024; at steady state, the CMU Rales Fellows Program is expected each year to underwrite 86 graduate students in STEM fields in perpetuity, educating thousands of research and industry leaders in the coming decades.

U.S. research and development across STEM fields has been a key driver of innovation, economic growth and global competitiveness. But in just the last 20 years, the rapid growth of other countries' investments in these areas has put the U.S. global lead position in peril. To maintain the nation's leadership role, the research and education communities and the private sector have called for increased investment in research funding and talent development, especially at the master's and doctorate levels.

"Addressing the challenges of our modern world will require the concerted efforts of a highly talented pool of STEM trailblazers who can bring a diversity of ideas and experiences to engender solutions," said CMU President Farnam Jahanian. "At the heart of the CMU Rales Fellows Program is a commitment to remove existing barriers and empower this next generation of domestic talent so they can apply their skills and ingenuity to realize new scientific and technological breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. CMU is grateful to the Rales Foundation for their generous support, and we are honored to partner with them to enact our shared vision for this initiative and to honor the legacy of Norman and Ruth Rales."

 The CMU Rales Fellows Program is part of a larger, interconnected institutional commitment around access and support for students from underrepresented and under-resourced backgrounds, complementing the university's successful pre-college programs, including the Summer Academy for Math and Science for high school students interested in STEM, and the Tartan Scholars program for undergraduate students.

Source: CMU 

 Landlord Incentives Offered to Grow Transitional Housing in County

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald today announced a new pilot program for landlords to be managed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) aimed at increasing the supply of available affordable housing units in the county.

“An important component to ending homelessness in Allegheny County is ensuring that there is a continuous supply of affordable options so that people can move beyond a shelter and into a more permanent space. With this pilot, we’re hoping to make it easier for landlords to consider becoming part of this solution,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

The DHS initiative, the Allegheny County Housing Navigator Program, connects participating landlords to a member of the DHS Housing Navigator Unit. Housing Navigators identifying renters, ensure rent and incentive payments are made, and address any issues that might arise between a landlord and tenant.

New landlords are offered a $2,000 sign-on bonus for any apartment newly rented to an individual or family exiting homelessness. Landlords who renew the lease for an additional year are also eligible for a $1,000 retention bonus. Tenants will have supportive services and case managers to help prevent issues before they arise. Once tenants are stabilized, their case manager may assist them with permanent rental subsidy programs through Housing Choice Vouchers offered by Allegheny County Housing Authority or the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, allowing tenants to remain in the same unit. Landlords who participate in the program will receive guaranteed rental payments and will access to up to $3,000 to offset costs associated with damages above the amount of the security deposit or for vacancy loss.

“We understand that a big deterrent for landlords to rent to people moving out of a shelter is financial risk,” said DHS Director Erin Dalton. “With program incentives and a housing advocate who can serve as a connection between landlords and tenants to address issues before they arise, we hope to remove this barrier and make this an easy choice for landlords needing to find new tenants.”

Landlords interested in taking part in the pilot are asked to email the DHS Housing Navigator Unit at housingnavigators@alleghenycounty.us. More information on the program is available at www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/HousingNavigator

 A blueprint for engaging donors and expanding resources to overcome regional challenges and achieve a thriving Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA, Jan. 31, 2023… The Board and staff of the Pittsburgh Foundation have adopted a new strategic plan, acting on lessons from emergency response to COVID-19 and data indicating far less progress than many have assumed in eliminating longstanding inequities that have held back many communities.

The Foundation has set a vision statement for its new work: To realize a vibrant, equitable and just Pittsburgh region that supports everyone – regardless of race, identity or circumstance – to thrive and fulfill their potential.

“The plan that will guide us through the next five years comes out of an unprecedented effort to bring together diverse people and ideas: our nonprofit leaders who accomplish so much with so little; our donors and business leaders who invest for a better future; our community leaders and elected officials who advocate for change; and our generous foundation community,” said Pittsburgh Foundation President Lisa Schroeder today in announcing the plan.

“We all know that an inequitable Pittsburgh is a Pittsburgh unable to thrive,” Schroeder said, adding that the new plan requires “all hands on deck to move beyond helping people merely stay in place. We are reaching out across communities to understand what residents need to thrive over the long term.”

Board Chair John R. “Jack” McGinley, who led the yearlong strategy development, said the new plan recommits the Foundation to dedicated stewardship of its donors’ charitable giving. “The lifeblood of every community foundation is its donors, and our plan continues our 78-year partnership so that through our collective efforts, we can have an outsized impact on the most pressing needs,” McGinley said. “To increase the power of their personal philanthropy, we will continue to support and foster our donors’ philanthropic goals.”

In the past five years alone, the Foundation’s donors and its holders of designated, scholarship and agency funds, have given a total of $173 million to a wide range of causes across the region.

“Our daily experiences enable us to identify areas of compelling community need,” McGinley said. “That experience informs our formulation of this strategic plan.”

The plan’s overarching call to action is to achieve racial justice – to build a society in which race is no longer a determinant of who thrives and who gets held back.

To jump-start that work, the Foundation will invest $50 million of its unrestricted grant-making pool over the next five years to advance racial equity and racial justice. An example of that commitment is that, by 2027, at least 50% of unrestricted grants will benefit organizations led by and serving Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

To add to that investment, the Foundation’s staff will invest time and other non-monetary resources in its work to end inequities. The Foundation has already begun some of the work, Schroeder said, in reaction to recent research showing the need for urgency.

An example is the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, which reported in September that, while 12.8% of the nation – a total of 41.4 million people – live below the poverty line, Pittsburgh had a much higher rate across the board – 20.2%. More than a third of Pittsburgh’s Black and Latino residents, and more than one-in-four Asian residents lived below the poverty line last year.

Other surveys reported that the racial and ethnic well-being gap widened during the pandemic, burdening Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and immigrant communities and further highlighting historic disparities that have bolted the door to opportunities for generations of families.

McGinley cited Pittsburgh’s national reputation for moving past individual self-interest to work collectively to achieve economic and cultural renaissances. “We have a lot to be proud of, but we know that the work is far from done and that the benefits of our success have not been evenly enjoyed,” he said.

Three areas of concentration are pillars of the plan: Promote Philanthropy, Support Community and Catalyze Partnerships. Under each, there will be significant activities to address racial and economic inequities as well as new ways to engage donors in giving.

To better understand how to make significant progress, the Foundation last summer launched Community Conversations, a project involving more than 300 nonprofit and community leaders across Allegheny County. Participants compared notes about shared strengths and assets and put into words their dreams for the future.

The Foundation will build on these new relationships as well as those established across the region over nearly eight decades to identify community resources and identify gaps; to nurture cross-sector partnerships and investments; and to advocate for policy change to transform systems. To support implementation of the plan, the Foundation has:

• Increased the diversity of highly qualified BIPOC-, women-, disabled- or veteran-owned management firms advising on the Foundation’s primary investment portfolio from 9% in 2021 to 17% last year. Nationally, only 1.4% of invested assets are managed by firms whose owners meet one or more of the diversity categories.
• Connected nonprofits to a variety of non-monetary sources of support and capacity building through a “More-Than-Money” program.
• Created new staff teams devoted to public health, policy and community impact and increased internal resources for research and data analysis to better understand disparities and develop solutions.
• Boosted public convenings on significant community issues.
• Built infrastructure to support public fundraising campaigns, such as the Emergency Action Fund for COVID-19 relief and the Racial Justice Fund, leading to robust participation.
• Provided opportunities for donors who support Foundation initiatives to partner with Program staff in grantmaking to provide more resources to address inequities.

In addition to enhancing the engagement with long-term donors and inviting new donors to the table, the Foundation will focus unrestricted grantmaking on five community issue areas: Basic Needs, Equity and Social Justice, Environmental Action, Economic Mobility and Arts and Culture.

McGinley said navigating the new course will not be easy, “but it is the right course for us to take at this time in the Foundation’s history. It is precisely during a period when our disparities are glaring and well documented that a community foundation must demonstrate the value of building community for the benefit of all of us.”

Schroeder said that even with increased internal capacity, the commitment of additional resources and the sharper focus on equity, the Foundation can only succeed by engaging the public and a wide range of partners.

“We believe that our greatest assets are our funding ability and our convening ability – connecting people to critically important causes, providing facts and research and advocating for those who have been left behind. Under this plan, we will be doing all of these with greater humility and strength of purpose than ever before – and we can’t wait to get started.” 

Source: The Pittsburgh Foundation

The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger Award-winner and 2013 National League Most Valuable Player Andrew McCutchen to a one-year contract for the 2023 season.

The now Pittsburgh-area resident played each of his first nine seasons (2009-17) in the big leagues with the Pirates after the team selected him 11th overall in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of Fort Meade (FL) High School.

McCutchen returns to the Pirates after playing an instrumental role in helping the team return to the playoffs for three straight seasons from 2013-15. During that three-year period, McCutchen emerged as one of the best players in all of Major League Baseball both on and off the field after taking home MVP honors in 2013 while also being presented with the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award in 2015.

“We are thrilled to be able to reunite with Andrew. His return just feels right. It is right for our team, for Andrew and his family, for our fans and for the game of baseball,” said Pirates Chairman, Bob Nutting. “Andrew is a special player and person. It is going to be exciting to again see him take the field wearing 22 in the black and gold.”

The 36-year-old McCutchen ranks among the top 10 leaders in Pirates history in several categories, including fourth in home runs (203), seventh in extra base hits (539), 10th in total bases (2452), ninth in doubles (292) and 14th in games played (1346). McCutchen also ranks seventh all-time in Pirates history in games played (1327) among outfielders.

“Andrew means so much to the Pirates,” said Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington. “His past contribution to the Pirates and Pittsburgh speaks for itself. Most importantly for 2023, we believe Andrew’s on-field skill, work ethic, and experience are a great fit for our team.”

McCutchen played in 134 games during the 2022 season with Milwaukee where he hit .237 with 17 home runs and 69 RBI while collecting his 1000th career RBI on September 23.

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus this week officially installed officers to serve in the 2023-24 legislative session in a virtual ceremony that included guests Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, former PLBC members Pennsylvania Lt. Gov.-elect Austin Davis and U.S. Rep.-elect Summer Lee, and other dignitaries, PLBC members and former members.

Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania Judge Lori Dumas administered the oath of office.

The following members were installed as officers:

Chairwoman, Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila.

Vice Chairman, Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery

Secretary, Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila.

Treasurer, Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster

In her remarks as the returning chair of PLBC, Bullock recognized the 50 years since the organization was formed in the legislature.

 “This is a moment 50 years in the making,” she said. “We are sending folks to Congress, the lieutenant governor's office, all over this country to continue the good work that we do here in the General Assembly. Two years before the PLBC was formally formed, Black members met in secret. We are not meeting in the shadows anymore. We are doing the work. We are getting the job done. This year, with the largest and the most diverse PLBC membership in our commonwealth’s history, we represent Black, Latino and Asian communities across the commonwealth. While we center our policies on Black Pennsylvanians, we acknowledge that it's with our coalition – together – that we are stronger. This coalition of leaders of color will no longer be silenced. But tonight, I'm inspired by us - the collective of us - and what we can do together. We have the power to move some mountains and shake some tables and I'm ready to get things shaking.”

Established as an official caucus in 1973, the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus was formed to empower Black legislators and to serve as an information and advocacy vehicle to advance the interests of Black, Latino and other Pennsylvanians of color. Many of the original members were afraid to meet in an open forum and had previously met in secret to establish a shared legislative agenda.

 Say the name Franco Harris and most everyone talks about the catch, the Super Bowls, and the glory he brought to the game of football. But in the fifty years we bonded as friends, I always talked about his character and compassion.

Fifty years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers had just finished a dominant regular season with their first division title. They celebrated Christmas just days after beating the Oakland Raiders on one of the most famous plays in NFL history – the last-second Immaculate Reception by their rookie running back, Franco Harris. While the Steelers would barely lose the conference championship game to the undefeated Miami Dolphins, Franco went on to a Hall of Fame career that led the Steelers to four Super Bowl titles in six years as the dominant team of the 1970’s.

But that’s not why the Pittsburgh Steelers – and Franco – are close to my heart.

It was this week fifty years ago when my first wife and infant daughter were killed and my two young sons were badly injured in a car accident while they were out getting a Christmas tree. I had just been elected to the U.S. Senate and I was in Washington when I got the call and rushed home to Delaware.

I rarely left my boys’ bedside until they got better. But one day I did to go shopping for them. When I returned, they were smiling for the first time since the accident. Art Rooney, the generous and honorable owner of the Steelers, had flown out with a couple of players, including Franco, and the tough as nails Rocky Bleier. Busy with their own lives, they took the time to be with my boys, sign footballs, and then left with no publicity. A small act of kindness that meant the world to us.

Sports have a powerful way of bringing people together. As families gather for Christmas this weekend, there will be countless Pittsburgh Steeler and Penn State fans sharing stories of Franco with their children and grandchildren who will discover his greatness on the field. But I know there will also be countless families like mine that will remember him for all that he did to lift our spirits when we needed it – in the most quiet, personal, and American of ways. We don’t have to ask. We show up. We reach out. We share a compassion that is a source of our enduring strength as a nation.

The last few times I saw Franco were in September and November of 2020 on the campaign trail in Latrobe and Pittsburgh. This week of all weeks, my family remembers him and keeps him close to our hearts.

May God bless, Franco Harris – a dear friend, a good man, and a great American.

May God bless the love of his life Dana, their family, and all of Steeler Nation. 

 Allison Holker is honoring her late husband Stephen "tWitch" Boss.

In a Dec. 14 statement confirming the former Ellen DeGeneres Show DJ's death, the mom of three reflected on his legacy.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us," Holker said in a statement to E! News. "Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans."

"To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt," she continued. "I am certain there won't be a day that goes by that we won't honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children."

She concluded with a message to her husband, saying, "Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you."

It is reported by various news organizations that  Boss died by suicide. He was 40 years old.

 A September 9, 2022 Forbes article describes a perfect storm associated with the fact that, “In the past six months, dozens of college presidents have announced resignation or retirement plans.” Consequentially, search firms are flourishing; highly qualified candidates are being more selective; and there is the real possibility that some presidential/chancellor searches could fail this year.

Buttressed by a search firm, the University of Pittsburgh is in the process of searching for a new Chancellor. At some point during the search process, one of the final candidates might be asked, “If offered, why would you accept the position of Chancellor at our University?”  Hopefully, she/he will respond substantively, in their words, as follows.

Pitt states, “Since 1787, we've never stopped pushing the edge of what's possible.” As such, the University is well positioned to continue its institutional progress during the 21st Century as evidenced by facts such as [1] it is the number one public university in the Northeast as well as one of the nation’s top 25 public universities; [2] it is a leader in National Institute of Health funding; [3] it has at least a $5.2 billion Pennsylvania impact; [4] it has five Campuses with more than 32,000 high achieving students and 14,000 talented employees; and [5] it has approximately 350,000 alumni, with 97% of the most recent graduating class having achieved a successful career outcome within 6 months of graduation!   

With its main Campus located in Pittsburgh, Pitt is uniquely qualified to fulfil its community engagement mission.  Notwithstanding the fact that the City of Pittsburgh’s Gender Equity Commission’s 2019 Report (“Pittsburgh Inequality Across Gender and Race”) cited facts that portrayed Pittsburgh as one of the most difficult cities in which Blacks live, ironically, Pittsburgh has been ranked as one of America’s “most livable cities.”  In terms of Pitt’s progress, what is required is that Pitt play its appropriate roles in making Pittsburgh the most livable City for all of its citizens. 

As an example of what can be done by way of community engagement, consider the fact that Pitt “…announced a $100 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation — the nonprofit’s largest single-project investment in its 74-year history — to fill in a vital missing link in the region’s economy. The grant, to be disbursed in $10 million increments over 10 years, will help build a highly specialized biomanufacturing facility on an old mill site and former brownfield in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood. Called Pitt BioForge, this facility will leverage the cutting-edge biomedical research conducted at Pitt and the world-class clinical care offered at UPMC. This project will bring an entirely new commercial manufacturing sector to Pittsburgh and, if all goes according to plan, increase the economic opportunity for residents and families in and around Hazelwood…” (Pittwire, March 17, 2021). 

Given Pitt’s $5.2 billion Pennsylvania impact, plus the facts that [1] it is a leading employer in Pittsburgh; [2] it has rich experiences related to developing more than 83 companies in five years; and [3] it has a vast vendor contracting budget, Pitt is uniquely qualified to be of service in terms of preparing Pittsburgh citizens to participate meaningfully in a 21st century workforce. 

For a new Chancellor, this is a special moment given that, about a decade ago, Pitt entered the rarefied air of capital campaigns by completing a more than $2 billion campaign. In recent years, UC Berkeley and the University of Texas at Austin initiated $6 billion campaigns. Therefore, leading Pitt’s next capital campaign is a magnificent opportunity to implement a similar, if not greater effort. 

Of all that it does, nothing is more important than Pitt’s role in developing our precious human resources, particularly students who are increasingly a matter of national concern. By way of clarification, the 2022 Institute of Education Sciences Report On the Condition of Education indicated the following: “In fall 2020, of the 49.4 million students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools, 46 percent were White (a decrease from 54 percent in 2009), 15 percent were Black (a decrease from 17 percent), and 28 percent were Hispanic (an increase from 22 percent) …During this time, public school enrollments among White students decreased from 26.7 million to 22.6 million, and Black students’ enrollment decreased from 8.2 million to 7.4 million. In contrast, Hispanic students’ enrollment increased from 11.0 million to 14.1 million between fall 2009 and fall 2019 before dropping to 13.8 million in fall 2020. In both fall 2009 and fall 2020, Asian students made up 5 percent of public elementary and secondary enrollment, and American Indian/Alaska Native students made up 1 percent. In fall 2020, Pacific Islander students made up less than one half of 1 percent of public elementary and secondary enrollment, and students who were of two or more races made up 5 percent (Racial/Ethnic Enrollment in Public Schools).

…In 2020, the immediate college enrollment rate for Asian students (86 percent) was higher than the rates for White (67 percent), Hispanic (60 percent), and Black (54 percent) students. For Asian, White, and Hispanic students, the immediate college enrollment rates were not measurably different between 2020 and 2010. However, for Black students, the immediate college enrollment rate decreased from 2010 (66 percent) to 2020 (54 percent)…”  

Given Pitt’s [1] outstanding scholars and senior leadership in its School of Education; [2]

nationally renowned Learning Research and Development Center; [3] distinguished faculty members from related Departments throughout the University; and [4] highly qualified graduate students, Pitt is uniquely qualified to be of service in terms of working with the Pittsburgh Board of Education and other school districts to help address the foregoing high school student dynamics. Indeed, it is in Pitt’s vested as well as national interests to do so.

Structural racism exists at Pitt as well as at all other historically White institutions of higher education, so much so that many are “sick and tired of being sick and tired” of the slow rate of change. However, without excusing the snail-like pace of change, it must be understood that the race for equity and social justice is not a moment, but a movement; not a quick sprint, but rather a tortuous long-distance race. That is precisely why Pitt’s next Chancellor must be an experienced person who will be transformative in terms of pushing the edge regarding the rate of equity and social justice progress at Pitt as well as within the region. 

In sum, Pitt is one of the very best nationally ranked institutions seeking a new Chancellor. Serving as the next Chancellor is an outstanding opportunity to be of service when it comes to [1] leading the University, City, State, and Nation in terms of providing equal opportunities for all of our children from pre-K through post-doctoral programs; [2] continuing the University’s progress in terms of teaching, research and service excellence; and [3] becoming a national model for a university advancing equity and social justice and, in turn, contributing to the main Campus’ host City becoming the most livable City for all. In terms of a decision to accept the position of Chancellor, also of great significance is the fact that Pitt does not need a messiah, but rather a person willing to serve in an inclusive fashion while knowing there are thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community members who are prepared to help sustain Pitt’s national and international reputation. 

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

November 8, 2022

 The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC have selected MaCalus V. Hogan, M.D., MBA as the new David Silver Professor and Chair of Pitt’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at UPMC, following a thoughtful yearlong national search to succeed Freddie H. Fu, M.D., whose legacy as department chair from 1998 to 2021 attained a stellar international reputation for leading key scientific and clinical innovations. The department grew into one of the most ethnic- and gender-diverse orthopaedic departments in the nation, preparing dozens of physicians to become leaders in orthopaedics at universities and hospitals throughout the world. Dr. Fu passed away in September 2021.

“The appointment of an individual to replace the ‘irreplaceable’ Dr. Freddie Fu is a decision that required great consideration. After a lengthy and very deliberate selection process, Dr. Hogan was clearly the preferred choice to not only build upon Dr. Fu’s legacy, but also lead the department into new territories for the future,” said Anantha Shekhar, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences, Pitt; and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean, Pitt School of Medicine. “His commitment to building a diverse environment at Pitt/UPMC and growing the academic excellence in musculoskeletal research made him the ideal next chair.”

Dr. Hogan was recruited to Pitt and UPMC by Dr. Fu in 2013. Dr. Hogan’s focus has been serving as the Chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery at UPMC, Vice Chair of Education and Residency Program Director in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UPMC. He is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, with secondary appointments in the Department of Bioengineering and the Katz School of Business. Dr. Hogan was the founder and Director of the Foot and Ankle Injury Research (F.A.I.R.) group at Pitt, within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He serves as a foot and ankle consultant for the athletic departments at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, and Robert Morris University. He is the Assistant Team Physician for Point Park University, including the Conservatory of Performing Arts, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Dr. Hogan also serves as the foot and ankle consultant for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the UPMC Sports Medicine Institute.

“I am proud and delighted that Dr. Hogan will serve as the new chair. He is a compassionate clinician and dedicated researcher who demonstrates the Pitt/UPMC shared values and vision to continuously improve the definition of excellence and leadership in orthopaedic care,” said Leslie C. Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer, UPMC.

“Dr. Hogan’s expertise and extensive accolades demonstrate his utmost competency to lead our orthopaedic department’s academic faculty, physicians and clinical teams who have already set the standard in delivering the best evidence-based care for our patients and communities. UPMC’s orthopaedic department is known around the world for its leading advanced research, innovation and training for many aspects of orthopaedic and sports medicine care,” said Joon Sup Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President, UPMC; President, UPMC Physician Services; and Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs, Pitt School of Medicine. “I am confident that Dr. Hogan’s leadership will continue the success of the department for many years to come.”

Dr. Hogan has been selected as a “Best Doctor” by Best Doctors in America® and Pittsburgh Magazine annually since 2016. His physician executive and community efforts resulted in his selection to DiversityMBA's Top 100 Under 50 Executive Leaders in 2018. Most notably, he was selected as one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 15 Up and Comers as an emerging national leader in health care in 2018.

Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Hogan is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Orthopaedic Association, Orthopaedic Research Society, among other national organizations, and currently serves on the board of directors for the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. He is the author of over 250 manuscripts, book chapters, and abstracts and frequently presents both nationally and internationally on his management of foot and ankle injuries, regenerative bioengineering, clinical outcomes research and health care delivery transformation.

“I am honored to take on this leadership role and look forward to taking UPMC and Pitt orthopaedics to the next level. There is no other option for excellent care than UPMC. What we offer locally, nationally and globally is unmatched,” said Dr. Hogan. “I am excited to get to work, amplifying and advancing this department and orthopaedic service line into the future through cutting-edge care and innovation.”

Originally from Muscle Shoals, Ala., Dr. Hogan completed his undergraduate studies at Xavier University of Louisiana with a B.S. in biochemistry and minor in biology. He received his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, Va., which included a National Institutes of Health Clinician Scientist fellowship year with a focus in musculoskeletal tissue repair and regeneration. He completed his foot and ankle fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, where he served as a consultant for the New York Ballet Company, American Ballet Theatre, and several collegiate and professional sports teams. In 2018, Dr. Hogan also earned an Executive Master of Business Administration in health care at the University of Pittsburgh – Katz Graduate School of Business.

Source: UPMC

 County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, City of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) Board Chair Senator Wayne D. Fontana today announced that Aaron Waller has been selected as the next Executive Director of the agency. The appointment follows a national search to replace Mary Conturo who announced in January her intent to leave her position as executive director. The SEA Board will formalize the hiring at today’s meeting where they will vote to appoint Aaron Waller and ratify his employment agreement.

“On behalf of myself and the other members of the SEA Board, we welcome Aaron Waller to Pittsburgh and our authority. We look forward to Aaron advancing the SEA mission of working together with our region’s sport teams and tourist attractions,” said Fontana. “We are grateful to Mary Conturo for her many years of dedicated service to the SEA. Her leadership has positioned and primed the authority for an exciting future. We thank her for all that she’s done for the residents of this region.”

Aaron is currently the Capital Improvement Program Budget Manager for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission where he manages a work program of over $600 million. With experience in operations, engineering, financial management, logistics and event execution, he also has prior work experience with Convoke as Vice President of Operations and spent 11 years with the Washington Commanders football team as Vice President of Administration and Operations. In his over 30 years of increasingly responsible positions, he has worked in business planning, finance and operations, and project management.

 We’re thrilled to welcome Aaron Waller to the SEA following an exhaustive search by the same firm who brought us candidates for the Airport Authority, Health Department, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and Southwestern PA Commission,” said Fitzgerald. “Aaron quickly rose to the top of the candidates and impressed the members of the SEA Board along with county and city administration. We are excited about his energy, experience and knowledge and look forward to seeing what he brings to the organization. We are extremely thankful for Mary’s years of service that moved the agency to where it is today and grateful that she will assist in Aaron’s transition.”

 Aaron holds an MBA from Clark Atlanta University and earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. He has also participated in continuing education opportunities at Stanford University and Indiana University participating in an Executive Business Management Seminar and a Capital Improvement Program Certificate.

“I am incredibly thankful for the work that Mary Conturo has accomplished as Executive Director of the SEA,” said Gainey. “Her leadership has creating the foundation for further innovation that will help move Pittsburgh forward. Aaron Waller brings a wealth of experience to this role, and I believe he is poised to do great things with the SEA. We look forward to working with him to build a strong and thriving Pittsburgh for all of us.”

Mary has agreed to remain a SEA employee through this transitional period to assist Aaron in acclimating to his new role. Aaron will assume the position of Executive Director on Monday, September 12. He will be responsible for leading the agency in its development and management of first-class sports, entertainment, recreational and convention venues to benefit the region’s economy and improve quality of life.

Dr. Charlene Newkirk, Southeast Region President, Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), has been appointed to the Commission on Structured Pathways of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Dr. Newkirk, one of two dozen commission members, will serve a three-year term.

The Commission on Structured Pathways focuses on strategies for scaling community college pathways across systems, states and the nation. The commission also contributes to the development of the AACC Pathways resources and related work through identification of pertinent resources, technical assistance expertise and college examples, as well as through review of emerging evidence on the efficacy of pathways.

The pathways that are addressed during the commission’s biannual discussions pertain, specifically, to academic pathways that prepare students for the work they intend to pursue after graduation. These are career pathways that community colleges provide.

“My membership on the Structured Pathways Commission of the AACC gives me the opportunity to explore and share best practices regarding the development of career pathways in community college education. In addition, my membership presents the opportunity for CCAC to pursue collaborative cutting-edge opportunities with other educational institutions to develop approaches that will prepare our students for their future careers,” said Dr. Newkirk.

Dr. Newkirk has previously served terms on the AACC Structured Pathways Commission as well as the organization’s Global Education Commission.

Mayor Ed Gainey released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade:

"Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is an attack on the civil and human rights of our entire country. Abortion is healthcare and denying the right to bodily autonomy of women, trans men, non-binary, and disabled people in America is stripping them of their fundamental right to privacy. Abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania and I will do whatever it takes to protect and defend that right in Pittsburgh and across our entire Commonwealth. We must ensure that people can make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures and all of us must recommit ourselves to the work of making America more just and equal for everyone."

 Kimberly Easton, a former television news anchor and reporter at WPXI-TV  in Pittsburgh, PA  was found dead Monday (February 7, 2022) at her home in Columbus, Indiana. Easton worked  at WPXI-TV  from 04-2003 to  08-2010  and later held positions as a  journalist for a number of television stations nationwide.   Easton's sister, Kelly Easton of Columbus, says she died of heart failure, she was 56.  "We had a wellness check on Kimberly Monday after not hearing from her, at that time, Columbus police found Kimberly dead in her home. We are absolutely devastated as a family of her sudden passing." Kelly says that the last time she spoke to Kimberly was Friday night."

Kimberly leaves behind a daughter, three grandchildren and an legacy where she was committed to diversity and inclusion disparities in education.  Through her work she wanted underrepresented citizens to be heard and she was devoted to  helping to bridge the gap of inequities in education.  

Read the Obituary: Kimberly Easton | Former WPXI-TV reporter and trailblazing journalist from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette

 Funeral arrangements: 

https://www.barkesweaverglick.com/obituaries/Ms-Kimberly-Sue-Easton?obId=23967156&fbclid=IwAR1qz6K8zdr_WhR3F6WotNBD12bDr-7QrnVJ45k4tolXZqumt4PeySnAX78#/celebrationWall

On a personal blog, Kimberly posted the following biography:

https://kimberlyeastoncareerportfolio.com/2021/04/24/example-post-2/

 Kimberly Easton, our Multicultural Diversity leader for the District, is a native of Columbus, Indiana. Easton, who founded KEI Connects, moved into the strategic communications industry after an extensive career as an award-winning Television News Anchor | Reporter. Easton has lived and worked all over the country with stints in the states of Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, and Kentucky including Chicago, Illinois. She’s interviewed sports legend, Hank Aaron; poet, Maya Angelou; actress, Eartha Kitt; and political figures, Jesse Jackson, Oliver North, Governor Douglas Wilder, the First Black Governor of Virginia. Easton’s recognition for professional excellence in broadcasting include the National Association of Professional Women, the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, numerous Michigan Associated Press Awards and the coveted Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcaster’s Award.  With her media talents and connections, Easton directed and assisted in the publishing of several books, one of which hit the New York Times Best Sellers list on the day of its release. Armed with a Master’s Degree in Communications and The Arts, an array of experiences in the field of communications, and a threshold of cultural experiences; Easton, as our Multicultural Diversity Leader, will continue to work with BCSC’s Stakeholder Guide Teams on the following initiatives established by the District:  Diverse Curriculum Restorative Justice Under-represented Teacher Retention & Recruitment Family Academic Achievement Network | FAAN Kimberly loves traveling, swimming and spending time with family and friends, especially her 5 and 2-year old grandsons. She remains a long-time member of the National Association of Black Journalists. 

Recently, Kimberly had been working for the past three years with The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) as the Multi-Cultural Coordinator. The organization released the following statement today regarding her passing:  

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) announced Tuesday morning the sudden passing of Multi-Cultural Coordinator Kimberly Easton. During her three years with the school system, Easton led many diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts around the district.

Easton developed guiding teams in the areas of Diverse Curriculum, Family Academic Achievement Network, Under-Represented Teacher Recruitment and Retention, and Restorative Justice. A Columbus North graduate, Easton returned to her hometown after a successful career in journalism and the founding of KEI Connects, a strategic communications company.

“In her time here, Kimberly was very passionate about her work. She cared for all of our students, and especially our marginalized students,” BCSC Director of Secondary Education Bill Jensen said.

Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts added, “Based on the significant work that Kimberly started when beginning her role with us, we transitioned her from part to full-time to help ensure all students had better access to opportunity. Kimberly was critical to their continued growth and development.

https://www.localnewsdigital.com/2022/02/08/bcsc-announces-sudden-passing-of-kimberly-easton/