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Upcoming events Page 3
Spirituality & healthcare Page 4
MH Residential picnic Page 5
Parish Nurse symposium Page 6
Reflection 	 Page 7
PNC Park Day Page 8
#People Centered Care Page 9
T&D	 Page 9
15 Minutes with... Page 10
Bill Connolly
Welcome Page 11
October 2015
V O L U M E X X | N O . X X | A P R I L 2 0 1 0
P U L S E
P I T T S B U R G H M E R C Y
w w w. p m h s . o r g
P A R T O F C A T H O L I C H E A L T H E A S T , S P O N S O R E D B Y T H E S I S T E R S O F M E R C Y
P I T T S B U R G H M E R C Y H E A L T H S Y S T E M
continued on page 2
Congratulations to the winners
in the PMHS Summer of 2015 Photo Contest
By Zandy Dudiak
S
o many great choices, but so hard to choose. We had it all—cute babies and
precious pets, scenic sunsets, and nature in its glory. About 60 employees
entered the first-ever Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) Summer of 2015
Photo Contest.
After the Pittsburgh Mercy Pulse Committee narrowed the field to 10 contestants
in each category, all employees had the opportunity to vote for their favorites via
Survey Monkey.
Drum roll, please! And the winners are:
People and Pets
•	 First place—Steve Wert, counselor 3, Glen Hazel Extended Acute Care (EAC):
“Kids watching the sunset on Albemarle Sound, Outer Banks.”
•	 Second place—Brian Milligan, Child and Adolescent Service Coordination
manager, Reedsdale Center: “Logan and Max playing on the beach in
Wildwood Crest, N.J.”
•	 Honorable mention—Michelle Harper, program specialist, Ross Adult
Training Facility (ATF): “Dog days of summer.”
Places
•	 First place—Jacqueline Reynolds, program assistant, Operation Safety Net,
Trail Lane Apartments: “Jefferson Memorial, Cherry Blossom Festival.”
•	 Second place—Michelle Wert, lead counselor, Hyland Hills Community
Living Arrangement (CLA): “Kitty Hawk sunrise.”
•	 Honorable mention—Benjamin Bishop, supervisor, Glen Hazel EAC: “Kabab
Trail, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park.”
First place winners will receive a $25 gift card and a framed print of their
winning photo. Second place winners will receive a framed print of their photo.
Honorable mentions will receive a certificate.
Thanks to all who participated and voted.
PULSE OCTOBER 2015	PAGE 2
Winners, continued from page 1
“Kids watching sunset on Albemarle Sound,” Steve Wert
“Jefferson Memorial, Cherry Blossom Festival,”
Jacqueline Reynolds
“Logan and Max playing on the beach,” Brian Milligan “Kitty Hawk sunrise,” Michelle Wert
“Dog Days of Summer,” Michelle Harper “Kabab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park,” Benjamin Bishop
PAGE 3
PAGE 3	 PULSE OCTOBER 2015
12th Annual Reindeer Ball
benefits vital child & adolescent services
By Linda K. Ross
R
ing in the season, create a new
holiday memory, and benefit
children in our community.
Join your friends at Pittsburgh
Mercy’s 12th Annual Reindeer Ball,
Sunday, December 6, 2015, from 4
to 7 p.m. at The Westin Convention
Center Pittsburgh Hotel, 1000
Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(Downtown). The spectacular
holiday gala and evening of fun
for young children and families
benefits Pittsburgh Mercy child and
adolescent services.
Dressed in their holiday finest,
guests will mingle with some of
their favorite holiday characters and
storybook friends, including Bad
Kitty, Curious George, Pokey Little
Puppy, Rudolph, and Frosty, and
be treated to a sensational musical
produced by Emmy Award-winning,
New York City-based entertainment
company RWS & Associates. The
evening culminates with the arrival
of jolly old St. Nick himself – Santa
Claus!
Guests will enjoy holiday craft
making, balloon and caricature
artists, and will savor dinner from
delectable buffet stations that are
suitable for the entire family.
Since its creation in 2003, the
Reindeer Ball has generated nearly
$900,000 for PMHS child and
adolescent programs. Last year,
nearly $80,000 was raised and
nearly 500 guests attended.
Pittsburgh Mercy, a part of Trinity
Health, serving in the tradition of
the Sisters of Mercy, empowers
children and families to overcome
barriers and lead healthy, successful
lives in the community. Pittsburgh
Mercy offers an array of valuable,
community-based services for
children and adolescents, including
individual and family counseling;
crisis diversion and acute stabilization;
partial hospitalization, residential,
and service coordination; behavioral
health rehabilitation; and school-
based prevention, assistance, and
intervention. Pittsburgh Mercy’s
experienced, integrated team of
mental, intellectual, and behavioral
health professionals serves more
than 7,000 children and adolescents
in Southwestern Pennsylvania each
year. More than 3,500 children have
benefited from Dancing Classrooms
Pittsburgh, a Pittsburgh Mercy
program that builds confidence and
promotes self-esteem in children in
the fifth and eighth grades.
Tickets to Pittsburgh Mercy’s 12th
Annual Reindeer Ball are $100
each per adult and $50 each per
child. To purchase tickets online,
visit www.pmhs.org/events. For
more information or to inquire
about Reindeer Ball sponsorship
opportunities, contact Connie
Murray, email Development@pmhs.
org, or call 724.934.3537.
To coincide with the 12th Annual
Reindeer Ball, Pittsburgh Mercy is also
hosting an online holiday auction,
November 4-17, 2015. Watch for
more information in the November
Pittsburgh Mercy Pulse.
Every journey begins with that first
step. The National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI) is proud to host the 9th
annual NAMI Walk, the largest and most
successful mental health awareness
and fundraising event in the United
States. Through the walk’s public, active
display of support, we are changing
how the community views mental
illness.
The 5K (3.1-mile) walk along the
beautiful Steel Valley Trail, which is part
of the Greater Allegheny Passage takes
place on Sunday, October 4, at the
Waterfront of Homestead. Registration
and check-in begin at 9 a.m. The walk
gets under way at 10 a.m.
Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS)
is proud to be a 9th annual NAMI Walk
Start/Finish Line Sponsor. A morning
of fun and festivities, including music,
entertainment, children’s activities, and
light refreshments – a true celebration
of recovery – will greet participants
at the race start/finish line at the
Waterfront of Homestead.
If you enjoy the great outdoors and
would like to help improve lives and
our communities, one step at a time,
we invite you to join Pittsburgh Mercy’s
team. Last year, we successfully raised
over $1,000. With your help, we can
raise even more this year.
To register for Pittsburgh Mercy’s team,
go to http://namiwalks.nami.org/
pghmercy, click on “join team,” and
follow the instructions to register. 
Unable to participate? Please consider
coming to the start/finish line to cheer
on our team or support a walker.
9th Annual NAMI Walk
hits the trail on Sunday,
October 4
By the Paths to Wellness
Committee
PULSE OCTOBER 2015PAGE 4
Spirituality and Pittsburgh Mercy Health System By Peggy Kearney
P
ittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) and our
parent organization, Trinity Health, encourage
spiritual care as an integral and important
dimension of our healing work. PMHS embraces an
integrated care system of mind, body, and spirit, certain
that spiritual care is imbedded in our beliefs about
wellness, our Mission, Core Values, and Catholic Identity.
Many studies and stories speak to the relationship
between spirituality, religion, and health care. Research
suggests that many people served, as well as our
colleagues in the field of behavioral health, believe that
spirituality plays an important role in
their lives and has a positive impact
on their own health; they want
spirituality to be an ongoing part
of their care. Connection to a faith
community is often an important
way to integrate into the life of the
broader community.
In the not-so-distant past, many
behavioral health providers,
clinicians, and faith communities
focused inwardly on their own silo of
ideas about spirituality, and did not
overtly support collaboration with
one another. Today, that is changing
globally and at PMHS. Now, there is
broader recognition that spirituality is a key component
of the recovery process. Resources and supports are
being developed and shared among providers, faith
communities, persons served, and peers promoting faith
and a spiritual connection as part of the recovery tool kit.
Spiritual care is seen as a source of hope, support, and
an effective tool for coping.
In embracing personal spirituality, the spirituality of
those we serve, and our colleagues’ spirituality as well,
Christians embrace the Gospel, at the heart of healthcare,
in attending to the whole person. The Gospel imperative
compels Christians to make solemn commitments, one
of which is “recognizing and celebrating the dignity of
the human person, and [honoring] each person’s culture,
spirituality, and faith tradition”—in other words, respecting
a person’s rights to autonomy and freedom of thought and
belief.
The PMHS Mission Council wholeheartedly supports
spiritual care for our colleagues and persons served in
whatever form it takes: connection with mainstream
religious groups (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim);
spiritual groups (older traditions Zen, Buddhism) or new
spiritual groups (contemporary meditation practices,
breath work). The provision
of spiritual care is a shared
responsibility among us all, and
is a tangible expression of our
ministry.
As you and others move forward
on your spiritual journey and have
an opportunity to review and
apply the PMHS Spiritual Care
Standards of Excellence, along
with the new Trinity Health and
PMHS Code of Conduct, please
know that Craig Douglass and I
(Peggy Kearney) are available to
meet with you to discuss.
In closing, I share with you reflections from Catherine
McAuley and the late Cardinal Joseph Bernadin.
“Put all your confidence in God who never fails us,” says
Catherine McAuley, “but don’t forget ... to dance.”
Bernadin admonishes: “We are to do for one another what
Jesus did: comfort others by inspiring in them hope and
confidence in life … The ultimate goal of our mission is to
give those we serve [and each other], through our care, a
reason to hope.”
“...Comfort others by inspiring in them hope and
confidence in life...” Cardinal Bernadin
PULSE OCTOBER 2015
PAGE 5
MH Residential Picnic was a cool place to be on a hot day
Lester C.
smiles for the
camera at
the Mental
Health
Residential
Picnic, held
September
2 at the
Vietnam
Veterans
Pavilion in
Schenley
Park. The
event theme
was “Super
Heroes.”
Buddy R., a Garden View resident, made
the sign that welcomed picnic-goers
from Pittsburgh Mercy Health System’s
residential programs to the annual event.
Laurel Spigler, site supervisor at
Garden View Manor, was the organizer
for this year’s gathering.
Super heroes Dewayne G. and George
B. of Journey Home Long-Term
Structured Residence (LTSR), pose
with Eric Tillman (front), program
supervisor at Journey Home.
Through
the smoke
from the
grill, John
Nickoloff,
a staff
member at
Carrick CRR,
flips the
burgers.
The smoke
gets in his
eyes as
Ron Miller
of Journey
Home LTSR
keeps the hot
dogs moving
on the grill.
A display of
Nature-Related
Programming
included some of
the good things
growing at Garden
View Manor.
Staff members Paul Protheroe of Morrow
Supportive Housing and Kathi Leicht of Monarch
Springs oversee the kitchen duties.
Picknickers who signed a
“tobacco free” pledge for the
day earned tickets to take a
chance on some great prizes. (Photos by Micaela Young)
PAGE 6
PULSE OCTOBER 2015
Wescott has
conducted
local, state,
national, and
international
presentations
on parish
nursing, end-of-
life issues, grief
support, self-
care, diversity,
cultural
awareness
and sensitivity, aging, funding, and
servant leadership. She has traveled
extensively to share her parish nurse
ministry with others, including trips
to Australia and Pakistan. Wescott
held and presently holds board
membership in organizations such as
Health Ministries Association, Kansas
Ecumenical Ministries, Agape Care
Cradle, New Orleans Community
Advisory Board, Senior Companion
Program, and Australian Parish Nurse
Resource Center. For more information
about Wescott, visit http://www.
kansasparishnurseministry.com.
Through hearing personal stories,
research, and other information,
participants will be able to:
•	 Define spirituality.
•	 Describe a personal plan for
one’s own spiritual journey
incorporating two to three
practical tools of interest.
•	 Explain why silence and
solitude are important parts
of one’s spiritual journey.
•	 Describe to others one’s
spiritual journey and the
experience of God speaking to
one’s heart and mind.
Three (3) continuing education credits
will be offered to registered nurses who
attend. The University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center (UPMC) is accredited
T
he Mercy Parish Nurse and Health
Ministry Program invites anyone
interested in whole-person health
to attend the 23rd Annual Mercy Parish
Nurse and Health Ministry Symposium,
“A Spiritual Journey: Opening Mind
and Heart,” Saturday, October 24,
2015, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the
Sister M. Ferdinand Clark Auditorium,
Level 2 at UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust
Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 (Uptown).
This year’s symposium will enable
participants to take a creative look
at what spirituality means to them
along with practical tools they can
explore on their journey, including
prayer, meditation, and gratitude. This
interactive symposium lets participants
take part in fellowship, storytelling,
prayer, meditation, music, and more.
JoVeta Wescott, executive director
and founder of Kansas Parish Nurse
Ministry Inc., will deliver the keynote
address, “A Spiritual Journey: Opening
Mind and Heart.” She is the author
of “Because I Care … I Am a Parish
Nurse … Becoming an Agent of Hope
and Healing,” which embraces her
love of parish nursing and how it
continues to make a difference in our
world. Wescott is a registered nurse
with a master’s degree in health care
administration from Trinity University
in San Antonio, Texas. She also holds
professional certificates as a spiritual
strengths healing coach and in spiritual
gerontology.
Since her call to faith community
nursing began in 1997, she has served
in such roles as parish nurse in a
congregation, coordinator, consultant,
educator, faculty for preparing
educators, and grant writer. She has
written articles and book chapters
of interest to faith community nurse
peers on the topics of spirituality, grant
writing, parish nursing, chronic illness,
older adults, advance directives, and
research.
October 17: deadline to register for
annual Parish Nurse and Health Ministry symposium By Linda K. Ross
as a provider of continuing nursing
education by the American Nurses
Credentialing Center’s Commission
on Accreditation. Participants who
attend the entire session and complete
an evaluation form will be awarded
a certificate and three (3) contact
hours for the symposium attended.
UPMC and ANCC do not endorse any
commercial products as a result of the
CE activity.
The cost is $40 for registered nurses
who wish to receive continuing
education credits; $30 for those who
do not wish to receive continuing
education credits; and $20 for
individuals who have never attended
the annual Mercy Parish Nurse and
Health Ministry Program symposium,
ordained pastors/clergy, and
undergraduate nursing students. The
cost includes brunch and free parking
in the Locust Street Parking Garage,
located at Locust and Stevenson
streets.
Registration is accepted by U.S. Mail
only. Seating capacity is limited.
Early registration is encouraged.
The deadline to register is Saturday,
October 17, 2015. To register, visit
http://www.pmhs.org/parish-nurse-
program/education-and-resources.
aspx.
For more information, contact the
Mercy Parish Nurse and Health
Ministry Program at 412.232.5815 or
email ParishNurse@pmhs.org.
PULSE OCTOBER 2015PAGE 7
Reflection: Unconditional Love	 				By James R. Dickey
God is unconditional love.
As a human being, we can only experience
A part of that love while on the physical plane.
Mankind can experience many facets of love.
Each is only a portion of the whole,
As water drops making up an ocean.
How do you express your love?
Is it physical, emotional, or spiritual?
And what conditions do you put on your love?
Does fear enter your heart?
Surround the fear with your love unconditionally,
And your soul will find peace and love.
In our world, we find many needs for love.
Look into your conscience for the answer
Of what need your love can do for humanity.
When our time in the physical bodies is over,
We shall be reunited with God
And experience the totality of unconditional love.
Editor’s note: James R. Dickey is a counselor at Davis Avenue Community Living Arrangement (CLA).
PMHS is
a Live Well
Allegheny partner
Contributed by Mark Rogalsky
Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
(PMHS) is proud to be a part of
the Live Well Allegheny campaign.
The Live Well Allegheny campaign
aims to improve the health and well-
being of Allegheny County residents
through a collaborative effort that
involves multiple stakeholders,
partners and residents. 
You can follow social media updates
for the campaign using the hashtag
#LiveWellAllegheny.
You can check out PMHS’ presence
on the Live Well Allegheny site
by clicking here or visiting www.
livewellallegheny.com.
Say what?!
By Nicole Graff
Have a question for Pittsburgh Mercy
Health System senior leadership?
Want to suggest a topic for Ray
Wolfe’s monthly “Say What?!” email?
Members of the Say What Team
would like to hear from you. Let us
know what’s on your mind. Submit
questions and ideas for consideration
via email to the Say What (SayWhat@
pmhs.org) mailbox in Outlook.
We look forward to hearing from you!
If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact us:
•	 Nicole Graff
•	 Mary Fries
•	 Christine Brown
•	 Judy Irvin
•	 Carla McCoy
Do you follow Pittsburgh
Mercy’s social media sites?
By Zandy Dudiak
Have you found time to “like” us,
“follow” us, “connect” with us,
“subscribe” to us, join our “circle,”
and “pin” us yet? We have a good,
solid following on our social media
sites. But, frankly, we still want to
grow!Show us some love. Just click
on the links below. And then share
them with your friends, relatives and
neighbors. Thanks!
•	 Facebook
•	 Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
•	 Twitter
•	 Pittsburgh Mercy (@PghMercy)
•	 LinkedIn
•	 Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
•	 Pinterest
•	 Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
•	 Instagram
•	 PghMercy
•	 YouTube
•	 Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
•	 Google+
•	 Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
Do you know, or do you remember that when you see the bright blue type in
PULSE, you can click on it to go to a website, an email address, or, if it’s on the
first page, listed in the “INSIDE” column, the blue type will take you to a specific
page in the issue. Try it on this page and see where it takes you.
PAGE 8
PULSE OCTOBER 2015
250 employees attend PMHS Day
at PNC Park Story and photos by Leland Koehler
About 250 staff members came out for Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS)
Day at PNC Park on August 20. The event kicked off with a pep rally at Reedsdale
Center that included music by PMHS’ in-house DJ Dave McAteer. Mercy 360
Wellness Group offered healthy wraps and water. There was also a raffle and a
cornhole game. The game kept the spirit of the day going as the Bucs defeated
the San Francisco Giants 4-0.
Leighton Koehler plays catch with
Louis Scialdone at the pep rally before
the game. They are the children of,
respectively, Leland Koehler and Julie
Scialdone of Human Resources.
Pittsburgh Mercy staffers David
Faynor and Carissa Wetzel enjoy the
game.
Walking to the game.
The seats were great for the game against
the Giants.
The crowd gathers outside Reedsdale Center before the game.
PULSE OCTOBER 2015PAGE 9
#PeopleCentered Care:
Terrence Brown By Zandy Dudiak
Terrence Brown, Pittsburgh Mercy safety manager, has
continuously dedicated tremendous effort to advocate,
plan, develop, and implement safety measures for
all staff and persons served within the organization.
His courageous leadership and integrity have led
to increased
awareness and
understanding
the significance
of work and
community safety.
Brown’s military
and law
enforcement
background
and knowledge
have provided
Pittsburgh Mercy
with insight to reduce risks to staff and the people we
serve. He has conducted safety assessments at each
of the organization’s more than 70 locations. He has
prepared staff to respond by conducting practice drills
and educating them on how to properly respond to a
threatening situation.
Brown’s ability to positively engage staff members led
to the successful implementation of Active Shooter
Preparedness training. Brown used his creativity
to reduce the costs associated with Active Shooter
Preparedness kits. When he was identifying safe rooms
for all Pittsburgh Mercy sites, he took into consideration
what staff members thought might be a good location
but he often had to explain why certain rooms would
not be good sites.
In every class he teaches for Pittsburgh Mercy, Brown
introduces his “5P” approach—“Proper planning
prevents poor performance.” The statement empowers
everyone by suggesting they develop a plan in their
minds before a situation happens. The “5Ps” bring out
the best in people because it makes them think about
others.
Most of all, Brown’s humility and honorable principles
related to leadership in security and safety have
remained steadfast despite obstacles encountered within
his advocacy for the welfare of all of Pittsburgh Mercy.
Training & Development:
Upcoming offerings
Contributed by Donna Carman
Listed below are several upcoming professional training
and development opportunities that are available to
Pittsburgh Mercy Health System employees.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: An Introduction
Friday, October 9, 2015, from 9 a.m. to noon
Seizure Disorder
Thursday, October 15, 2015, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Positive Approaches Part 1: Paying Attention
Monday, October 26, 2015, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
A complete list of current course offerings is posted in
Healthstream and on the G: drive. Visit T&D Calendars
and click on the 2015 Training folder. Register for training
through Healthstream. Remember, you can unregister
from a class yourself; go to your inbox, find the training,
and click on Unregister.
One of Pittsburgh Mercy’s core values is stewardship.
If you are unable to attend a training for which you are
registered, remember to cancel at least four hours prior
to the start of training or call Training & Development at
412.488.4374.
REMINDER: If you cannot attend a DDAP training the day
of the training and to avoid a $50 no-show charge, you
must unregister at: apps.ddap.pa.gov/TMS .
PAGE 10 PULSE OCTOBER 2015
15 Minutes with…
Bill Connolly, Pittsburgh Mercy’s new mission director
How many years have you
been with Pittsburgh Mercy
Health System?
Eight years as of September 17 (also
my four-year wedding anniversary)
What led you to work in your
field?
I guess the simple desire to help
people was always my motivation.
I started with the idea of working
in special education when I went
to college however, during my
final year, I began working with
a summer camp for individuals
with special needs and then
began doing habilitation (hab)
aide work with one of those
individuals in Duquesne, Pa. I
really began to enjoy community
work and found the classroom
setting less appealing. After
graduation, I began working as a
child-targeted case manager for
Mon Yough Community Services.
I was fortunate enough to have a
great boss, Luther Dupree, when
I started my professional career
and after he left to come to Mercy
Behavioral Health as an adult
service coordinator, he called me
and told me I should consider
applying. I followed his advice and
here I am.
Education?
I have a bachelor’s degree in
secondary English education,
with a certification in special
education, from La Roche College.
I also just finished my master’s in
organizational leadership from
Robert Morris University this past
August.
Experience?
As I mentioned before, I began
working for the organization as an
adult service coordinator in 2007 and
then switched to work as an assistant
site supervisor for Morrow Supportive
Housing in 2010. While in that
position, I was fortunate enough to
be asked to lead a new Accountability
Group, which introduced me to
a different side of the company.
My interest in learning new skills
outside of my comfort zone led me
to apply for a fellowship position in
the Quality, Risk, and Compliance
(CRQ) Department and I began that
part of my journey in February 2013.
Fortunately, that led to a full-time
position within the department. I
simply cannot express the amount
of gratitude I have for all of my
experiences throughout my time
here, especially my time in the CRQ
Department as it truly challenged me,
inspired me, and shaped who I want
to become as a professional.
What do you feel has been your
greatest accomplishment to date,
personally or professionally?
That’s a tough question because
I’ve been very fortunate throughout
my eight years here but, without a
doubt, it would be developing the
relationships I have with everyone here
at Pittsburgh Mercy, because those
are what I cherish the most. I think the
most notable relationship would be
the one with my wife, Linda, whom I
met as a service coordinator in 2009
and married two years later.
Do you have any plans for your
new role?
I certainly have a lot of ideas and
areas that I feel very strongly about,
but the plan for now is to take full
advantage of the opportunity to
apprentice under Peg Kearney, the
continued on page 11
Bill and his dog, Murphy, run along the beach in North Carolina.
PULSE OCTOBER 2015PAGE 11
current mission director, until the
end of the year. Working closely
with Peg will allow me to learn the
nuances of the job, but also gain
valuable organizational knowledge.
I certainly feel that this gives me a
head start and will allow me to hit
the ground running come January.
In your current role, what has
been your greatest “Aha!”
moment?
There have been many “aha”
moments because I honestly
was learning something new
every day. The realization that I
still had so much to learn was a
great motivator and inspired me
to go back to school. However, I
think the greatest “aha” moment,
looking back, is understanding
how valuable it can be to have
support from colleagues, including
superiors, when you are having a
tough time, doubting yourself, or
unsure of what to do next. Knowing
that support will be there whether
you succeed or not, is appreciated
and has had a huge impact on me.
Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by many different
people and my experiences at
Pittsburgh Mercy have given me
a long list of people who inspired
me in different ways throughout
the years. Most notably, Leland
Koehler. Any grown man who is
that confident and open for his love
of The Wizard of Oz and Michael
Jackson is a strong person who is
comfortable with himself.
Little known fact?
I actually read, and finished, the
“15 Minutes with Bobby Thomas”
article in the September issue of
the Pulse. It took longer than 15
minutes….
My personal motto is…
“You cannot change or heal what you
don’t acknowledge.”
First job?
My first job was actually working in
the rectory of my parish in Troy Hill
when I was 15. I simply did secretarial
and administrative work, but it was a
great and influential experience and
I worked there until my sophomore
year of college.
In my spare time, I like to…
spend time with family, friends, and
my dog, Murphy.
Favorite book or movie?
This constantly changes as I am a big
movie fan and have been since I was
a kid. The original Star Wars movies
will probably always be my favorite,
but one of the more recent movies I
really enjoyed was The Secret Life of
Walter Mitty (2013). I enjoyed the story
of man who simply was not satisfied
with his life and decided to take action
which turned into a journey that even
he couldn’t have imagined.
My favorite vacation spot is…
Outer Banks, North Carolina.
What makes you laugh?
Shane, the individual I’ve been
working with for the past 11 years
as a Hab Aide. We spend every
Saturday together and he finds joy in
everything, which is contagious.
I’m an avid…
runner. I enjoy running in the
mornings before work and like to take
Murphy when the weather is not too
warm.
My playlist includes…
almost everything and it completely
depends on what I’m doing at the
time.
I’ve always wanted to…
take an Alaskan cruise, something the
wife and I have on our bucket list.
If I were to win the lottery today,
I’d…
buy Shane and his mother a house
near me because after 11 years of
driving to Duquesne, I’m completely
tired of the Parkway East traffic. I’d
also have a window installed in Jean
Coyne’s office for her.
Secret vice?
Coffee and a few other things I’ll keep
secret.
My philosophy on our mission is…
I think the happiness of the majority
of our employees is not measured by
the wealth of the organization, but
rather by the quality of the services we
provide. Our mission is the foundation
of those services and it’s the common
theme that brings us all together. The
mission and core values are much
more than words on a wall and act as
a guide in how we treat the people we
serve and our fellow coworkers.
15 Minutes,continued
Publisher
Susan Welsh, RSM
Editor
Zandy Dudiak
Director of Communications
Linda K. Ross
Proofreader
Mary Fries
Layout
Micaela Young
OUR CORE VALUES
Reverence
We honor the sacredness and dignity of
every person.
Commitment to Those Who
Are Poor
We stand with and serve those who are
poor, expecially those most vulnerable.
Justice
We foster right relationships to promote
the common good, including
sustainability of Earth.
Stewardship
We honor our heritage and hold ourselves
accountable for the human, financial, and
natural resources entrusted to our care.
Integrity
We are faithful to who we say we are.
Community
We demonstrate our connectedness
to each other through inclusive and
compassionate relationships.
Courage
We dare to take the risks our
faith demands of us.
© Copyright 2015
Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
V O L U M E X X | N O . X X | A P R I L 2 0 1 0
P U L S E
P I T T S B U R G H M E R C Y
w w w. p m h s . o r g
P A R T O F C A T H O L I C H E A L T H E A S T , S P O N S O R E D B Y T H E S I S T E R S O F M E R C Y
P I T T S B U R G H M E R C Y H E A L T H S Y S T E M
VOLUME 6 | NO. 10 | OCTOBER 2015
Pittsburgh Mercy Health System is pleased to welcome the following August*
new hires to the PMHS family
Welcome to the family!
Contributed by Julie Scialdone
Pittsburgh Mercy Pulse is made possible
by the PMHS Newsletter Committee, and is
published monthly for employees of
Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS)
by PMHS Communications.
McAuley Hall
3333 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Submit story suggestions and comments to:
Pittsburgh Mercy Pulse
(pulse@mercy.pmhs.org)
Next issue: 11/01/15
Submission deadline: 10/07/15
Lynwood Barron
Reedsdale Center
Victoria Benacquista
Reedsdale Center
Ryan Bochacki, M.D.
South 9th Street
Jasmine Brotemarkle
East Commons
Brianna Circle
South 9th Street
Lydia D’Anna
South 9th Street
Antonio Driver
Baldwin ATF
Iren Evans
Garden View Manor PCH
Latracesha Goodman
Baum Boulevard
Andrea Hardy Jeter
Casual Pool
DeAzia Hutson
Casual Pool
David Jackson
Operation Safety Net
Korrie Korcan
East Commons
Andrew Miller
Monarch Springs LTSR
John Mittner
Reedsdale Center
Marissa Moore
South 9th Street
Karen Newsome
South 9th Street
Peter Owolabi
Lilac CLA
John Pellegrini
Reedsdale Center
Robert Pollock
Journey Home LTSR
Tamara Pritchard
Reedsdale Center
Tia Rhinehart
Casual Pool
Karyn Taylor
South 9th Street
Brittany Tunstalle
South 9th Street
Courtney Voss
South 9th Street
Taylor Voss
Reedsdale Center
Michael Watterson
925 Penn Avenue
Sean Weldon, M.D.
South 9th Street
Jamelle Williams
Casual Pool
Justin Yanko
South 9th Street
Susanna Zawacki
South 9th Street
*Due to publication deadlines,
new hires are two months
behind.
Key:
ATF Adult Training Facility
CLA Consumer Living 		
Arrangement
LTSR Long-Term Structured 	
Residence
PCH Personal Care Home

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10_Pittsburgh_Mercy_Pulse_October_2015_Vol._ 6,_No_10

  • 1. Upcoming events Page 3 Spirituality & healthcare Page 4 MH Residential picnic Page 5 Parish Nurse symposium Page 6 Reflection Page 7 PNC Park Day Page 8 #People Centered Care Page 9 T&D Page 9 15 Minutes with... Page 10 Bill Connolly Welcome Page 11 October 2015 V O L U M E X X | N O . X X | A P R I L 2 0 1 0 P U L S E P I T T S B U R G H M E R C Y w w w. p m h s . o r g P A R T O F C A T H O L I C H E A L T H E A S T , S P O N S O R E D B Y T H E S I S T E R S O F M E R C Y P I T T S B U R G H M E R C Y H E A L T H S Y S T E M continued on page 2 Congratulations to the winners in the PMHS Summer of 2015 Photo Contest By Zandy Dudiak S o many great choices, but so hard to choose. We had it all—cute babies and precious pets, scenic sunsets, and nature in its glory. About 60 employees entered the first-ever Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) Summer of 2015 Photo Contest. After the Pittsburgh Mercy Pulse Committee narrowed the field to 10 contestants in each category, all employees had the opportunity to vote for their favorites via Survey Monkey. Drum roll, please! And the winners are: People and Pets • First place—Steve Wert, counselor 3, Glen Hazel Extended Acute Care (EAC): “Kids watching the sunset on Albemarle Sound, Outer Banks.” • Second place—Brian Milligan, Child and Adolescent Service Coordination manager, Reedsdale Center: “Logan and Max playing on the beach in Wildwood Crest, N.J.” • Honorable mention—Michelle Harper, program specialist, Ross Adult Training Facility (ATF): “Dog days of summer.” Places • First place—Jacqueline Reynolds, program assistant, Operation Safety Net, Trail Lane Apartments: “Jefferson Memorial, Cherry Blossom Festival.” • Second place—Michelle Wert, lead counselor, Hyland Hills Community Living Arrangement (CLA): “Kitty Hawk sunrise.” • Honorable mention—Benjamin Bishop, supervisor, Glen Hazel EAC: “Kabab Trail, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park.” First place winners will receive a $25 gift card and a framed print of their winning photo. Second place winners will receive a framed print of their photo. Honorable mentions will receive a certificate. Thanks to all who participated and voted.
  • 2. PULSE OCTOBER 2015 PAGE 2 Winners, continued from page 1 “Kids watching sunset on Albemarle Sound,” Steve Wert “Jefferson Memorial, Cherry Blossom Festival,” Jacqueline Reynolds “Logan and Max playing on the beach,” Brian Milligan “Kitty Hawk sunrise,” Michelle Wert “Dog Days of Summer,” Michelle Harper “Kabab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park,” Benjamin Bishop
  • 3. PAGE 3 PAGE 3 PULSE OCTOBER 2015 12th Annual Reindeer Ball benefits vital child & adolescent services By Linda K. Ross R ing in the season, create a new holiday memory, and benefit children in our community. Join your friends at Pittsburgh Mercy’s 12th Annual Reindeer Ball, Sunday, December 6, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh Hotel, 1000 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (Downtown). The spectacular holiday gala and evening of fun for young children and families benefits Pittsburgh Mercy child and adolescent services. Dressed in their holiday finest, guests will mingle with some of their favorite holiday characters and storybook friends, including Bad Kitty, Curious George, Pokey Little Puppy, Rudolph, and Frosty, and be treated to a sensational musical produced by Emmy Award-winning, New York City-based entertainment company RWS & Associates. The evening culminates with the arrival of jolly old St. Nick himself – Santa Claus! Guests will enjoy holiday craft making, balloon and caricature artists, and will savor dinner from delectable buffet stations that are suitable for the entire family. Since its creation in 2003, the Reindeer Ball has generated nearly $900,000 for PMHS child and adolescent programs. Last year, nearly $80,000 was raised and nearly 500 guests attended. Pittsburgh Mercy, a part of Trinity Health, serving in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, empowers children and families to overcome barriers and lead healthy, successful lives in the community. Pittsburgh Mercy offers an array of valuable, community-based services for children and adolescents, including individual and family counseling; crisis diversion and acute stabilization; partial hospitalization, residential, and service coordination; behavioral health rehabilitation; and school- based prevention, assistance, and intervention. Pittsburgh Mercy’s experienced, integrated team of mental, intellectual, and behavioral health professionals serves more than 7,000 children and adolescents in Southwestern Pennsylvania each year. More than 3,500 children have benefited from Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh, a Pittsburgh Mercy program that builds confidence and promotes self-esteem in children in the fifth and eighth grades. Tickets to Pittsburgh Mercy’s 12th Annual Reindeer Ball are $100 each per adult and $50 each per child. To purchase tickets online, visit www.pmhs.org/events. For more information or to inquire about Reindeer Ball sponsorship opportunities, contact Connie Murray, email Development@pmhs. org, or call 724.934.3537. To coincide with the 12th Annual Reindeer Ball, Pittsburgh Mercy is also hosting an online holiday auction, November 4-17, 2015. Watch for more information in the November Pittsburgh Mercy Pulse. Every journey begins with that first step. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is proud to host the 9th annual NAMI Walk, the largest and most successful mental health awareness and fundraising event in the United States. Through the walk’s public, active display of support, we are changing how the community views mental illness. The 5K (3.1-mile) walk along the beautiful Steel Valley Trail, which is part of the Greater Allegheny Passage takes place on Sunday, October 4, at the Waterfront of Homestead. Registration and check-in begin at 9 a.m. The walk gets under way at 10 a.m. Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) is proud to be a 9th annual NAMI Walk Start/Finish Line Sponsor. A morning of fun and festivities, including music, entertainment, children’s activities, and light refreshments – a true celebration of recovery – will greet participants at the race start/finish line at the Waterfront of Homestead. If you enjoy the great outdoors and would like to help improve lives and our communities, one step at a time, we invite you to join Pittsburgh Mercy’s team. Last year, we successfully raised over $1,000. With your help, we can raise even more this year. To register for Pittsburgh Mercy’s team, go to http://namiwalks.nami.org/ pghmercy, click on “join team,” and follow the instructions to register.  Unable to participate? Please consider coming to the start/finish line to cheer on our team or support a walker. 9th Annual NAMI Walk hits the trail on Sunday, October 4 By the Paths to Wellness Committee
  • 4. PULSE OCTOBER 2015PAGE 4 Spirituality and Pittsburgh Mercy Health System By Peggy Kearney P ittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) and our parent organization, Trinity Health, encourage spiritual care as an integral and important dimension of our healing work. PMHS embraces an integrated care system of mind, body, and spirit, certain that spiritual care is imbedded in our beliefs about wellness, our Mission, Core Values, and Catholic Identity. Many studies and stories speak to the relationship between spirituality, religion, and health care. Research suggests that many people served, as well as our colleagues in the field of behavioral health, believe that spirituality plays an important role in their lives and has a positive impact on their own health; they want spirituality to be an ongoing part of their care. Connection to a faith community is often an important way to integrate into the life of the broader community. In the not-so-distant past, many behavioral health providers, clinicians, and faith communities focused inwardly on their own silo of ideas about spirituality, and did not overtly support collaboration with one another. Today, that is changing globally and at PMHS. Now, there is broader recognition that spirituality is a key component of the recovery process. Resources and supports are being developed and shared among providers, faith communities, persons served, and peers promoting faith and a spiritual connection as part of the recovery tool kit. Spiritual care is seen as a source of hope, support, and an effective tool for coping. In embracing personal spirituality, the spirituality of those we serve, and our colleagues’ spirituality as well, Christians embrace the Gospel, at the heart of healthcare, in attending to the whole person. The Gospel imperative compels Christians to make solemn commitments, one of which is “recognizing and celebrating the dignity of the human person, and [honoring] each person’s culture, spirituality, and faith tradition”—in other words, respecting a person’s rights to autonomy and freedom of thought and belief. The PMHS Mission Council wholeheartedly supports spiritual care for our colleagues and persons served in whatever form it takes: connection with mainstream religious groups (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim); spiritual groups (older traditions Zen, Buddhism) or new spiritual groups (contemporary meditation practices, breath work). The provision of spiritual care is a shared responsibility among us all, and is a tangible expression of our ministry. As you and others move forward on your spiritual journey and have an opportunity to review and apply the PMHS Spiritual Care Standards of Excellence, along with the new Trinity Health and PMHS Code of Conduct, please know that Craig Douglass and I (Peggy Kearney) are available to meet with you to discuss. In closing, I share with you reflections from Catherine McAuley and the late Cardinal Joseph Bernadin. “Put all your confidence in God who never fails us,” says Catherine McAuley, “but don’t forget ... to dance.” Bernadin admonishes: “We are to do for one another what Jesus did: comfort others by inspiring in them hope and confidence in life … The ultimate goal of our mission is to give those we serve [and each other], through our care, a reason to hope.” “...Comfort others by inspiring in them hope and confidence in life...” Cardinal Bernadin
  • 5. PULSE OCTOBER 2015 PAGE 5 MH Residential Picnic was a cool place to be on a hot day Lester C. smiles for the camera at the Mental Health Residential Picnic, held September 2 at the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion in Schenley Park. The event theme was “Super Heroes.” Buddy R., a Garden View resident, made the sign that welcomed picnic-goers from Pittsburgh Mercy Health System’s residential programs to the annual event. Laurel Spigler, site supervisor at Garden View Manor, was the organizer for this year’s gathering. Super heroes Dewayne G. and George B. of Journey Home Long-Term Structured Residence (LTSR), pose with Eric Tillman (front), program supervisor at Journey Home. Through the smoke from the grill, John Nickoloff, a staff member at Carrick CRR, flips the burgers. The smoke gets in his eyes as Ron Miller of Journey Home LTSR keeps the hot dogs moving on the grill. A display of Nature-Related Programming included some of the good things growing at Garden View Manor. Staff members Paul Protheroe of Morrow Supportive Housing and Kathi Leicht of Monarch Springs oversee the kitchen duties. Picknickers who signed a “tobacco free” pledge for the day earned tickets to take a chance on some great prizes. (Photos by Micaela Young)
  • 6. PAGE 6 PULSE OCTOBER 2015 Wescott has conducted local, state, national, and international presentations on parish nursing, end-of- life issues, grief support, self- care, diversity, cultural awareness and sensitivity, aging, funding, and servant leadership. She has traveled extensively to share her parish nurse ministry with others, including trips to Australia and Pakistan. Wescott held and presently holds board membership in organizations such as Health Ministries Association, Kansas Ecumenical Ministries, Agape Care Cradle, New Orleans Community Advisory Board, Senior Companion Program, and Australian Parish Nurse Resource Center. For more information about Wescott, visit http://www. kansasparishnurseministry.com. Through hearing personal stories, research, and other information, participants will be able to: • Define spirituality. • Describe a personal plan for one’s own spiritual journey incorporating two to three practical tools of interest. • Explain why silence and solitude are important parts of one’s spiritual journey. • Describe to others one’s spiritual journey and the experience of God speaking to one’s heart and mind. Three (3) continuing education credits will be offered to registered nurses who attend. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is accredited T he Mercy Parish Nurse and Health Ministry Program invites anyone interested in whole-person health to attend the 23rd Annual Mercy Parish Nurse and Health Ministry Symposium, “A Spiritual Journey: Opening Mind and Heart,” Saturday, October 24, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Sister M. Ferdinand Clark Auditorium, Level 2 at UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 (Uptown). This year’s symposium will enable participants to take a creative look at what spirituality means to them along with practical tools they can explore on their journey, including prayer, meditation, and gratitude. This interactive symposium lets participants take part in fellowship, storytelling, prayer, meditation, music, and more. JoVeta Wescott, executive director and founder of Kansas Parish Nurse Ministry Inc., will deliver the keynote address, “A Spiritual Journey: Opening Mind and Heart.” She is the author of “Because I Care … I Am a Parish Nurse … Becoming an Agent of Hope and Healing,” which embraces her love of parish nursing and how it continues to make a difference in our world. Wescott is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in health care administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She also holds professional certificates as a spiritual strengths healing coach and in spiritual gerontology. Since her call to faith community nursing began in 1997, she has served in such roles as parish nurse in a congregation, coordinator, consultant, educator, faculty for preparing educators, and grant writer. She has written articles and book chapters of interest to faith community nurse peers on the topics of spirituality, grant writing, parish nursing, chronic illness, older adults, advance directives, and research. October 17: deadline to register for annual Parish Nurse and Health Ministry symposium By Linda K. Ross as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Participants who attend the entire session and complete an evaluation form will be awarded a certificate and three (3) contact hours for the symposium attended. UPMC and ANCC do not endorse any commercial products as a result of the CE activity. The cost is $40 for registered nurses who wish to receive continuing education credits; $30 for those who do not wish to receive continuing education credits; and $20 for individuals who have never attended the annual Mercy Parish Nurse and Health Ministry Program symposium, ordained pastors/clergy, and undergraduate nursing students. The cost includes brunch and free parking in the Locust Street Parking Garage, located at Locust and Stevenson streets. Registration is accepted by U.S. Mail only. Seating capacity is limited. Early registration is encouraged. The deadline to register is Saturday, October 17, 2015. To register, visit http://www.pmhs.org/parish-nurse- program/education-and-resources. aspx. For more information, contact the Mercy Parish Nurse and Health Ministry Program at 412.232.5815 or email ParishNurse@pmhs.org.
  • 7. PULSE OCTOBER 2015PAGE 7 Reflection: Unconditional Love By James R. Dickey God is unconditional love. As a human being, we can only experience A part of that love while on the physical plane. Mankind can experience many facets of love. Each is only a portion of the whole, As water drops making up an ocean. How do you express your love? Is it physical, emotional, or spiritual? And what conditions do you put on your love? Does fear enter your heart? Surround the fear with your love unconditionally, And your soul will find peace and love. In our world, we find many needs for love. Look into your conscience for the answer Of what need your love can do for humanity. When our time in the physical bodies is over, We shall be reunited with God And experience the totality of unconditional love. Editor’s note: James R. Dickey is a counselor at Davis Avenue Community Living Arrangement (CLA). PMHS is a Live Well Allegheny partner Contributed by Mark Rogalsky Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) is proud to be a part of the Live Well Allegheny campaign. The Live Well Allegheny campaign aims to improve the health and well- being of Allegheny County residents through a collaborative effort that involves multiple stakeholders, partners and residents.  You can follow social media updates for the campaign using the hashtag #LiveWellAllegheny. You can check out PMHS’ presence on the Live Well Allegheny site by clicking here or visiting www. livewellallegheny.com. Say what?! By Nicole Graff Have a question for Pittsburgh Mercy Health System senior leadership? Want to suggest a topic for Ray Wolfe’s monthly “Say What?!” email? Members of the Say What Team would like to hear from you. Let us know what’s on your mind. Submit questions and ideas for consideration via email to the Say What (SayWhat@ pmhs.org) mailbox in Outlook. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us: • Nicole Graff • Mary Fries • Christine Brown • Judy Irvin • Carla McCoy Do you follow Pittsburgh Mercy’s social media sites? By Zandy Dudiak Have you found time to “like” us, “follow” us, “connect” with us, “subscribe” to us, join our “circle,” and “pin” us yet? We have a good, solid following on our social media sites. But, frankly, we still want to grow!Show us some love. Just click on the links below. And then share them with your friends, relatives and neighbors. Thanks! • Facebook • Pittsburgh Mercy Health System • Twitter • Pittsburgh Mercy (@PghMercy) • LinkedIn • Pittsburgh Mercy Health System • Pinterest • Pittsburgh Mercy Health System • Instagram • PghMercy • YouTube • Pittsburgh Mercy Health System • Google+ • Pittsburgh Mercy Health System Do you know, or do you remember that when you see the bright blue type in PULSE, you can click on it to go to a website, an email address, or, if it’s on the first page, listed in the “INSIDE” column, the blue type will take you to a specific page in the issue. Try it on this page and see where it takes you.
  • 8. PAGE 8 PULSE OCTOBER 2015 250 employees attend PMHS Day at PNC Park Story and photos by Leland Koehler About 250 staff members came out for Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) Day at PNC Park on August 20. The event kicked off with a pep rally at Reedsdale Center that included music by PMHS’ in-house DJ Dave McAteer. Mercy 360 Wellness Group offered healthy wraps and water. There was also a raffle and a cornhole game. The game kept the spirit of the day going as the Bucs defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-0. Leighton Koehler plays catch with Louis Scialdone at the pep rally before the game. They are the children of, respectively, Leland Koehler and Julie Scialdone of Human Resources. Pittsburgh Mercy staffers David Faynor and Carissa Wetzel enjoy the game. Walking to the game. The seats were great for the game against the Giants. The crowd gathers outside Reedsdale Center before the game.
  • 9. PULSE OCTOBER 2015PAGE 9 #PeopleCentered Care: Terrence Brown By Zandy Dudiak Terrence Brown, Pittsburgh Mercy safety manager, has continuously dedicated tremendous effort to advocate, plan, develop, and implement safety measures for all staff and persons served within the organization. His courageous leadership and integrity have led to increased awareness and understanding the significance of work and community safety. Brown’s military and law enforcement background and knowledge have provided Pittsburgh Mercy with insight to reduce risks to staff and the people we serve. He has conducted safety assessments at each of the organization’s more than 70 locations. He has prepared staff to respond by conducting practice drills and educating them on how to properly respond to a threatening situation. Brown’s ability to positively engage staff members led to the successful implementation of Active Shooter Preparedness training. Brown used his creativity to reduce the costs associated with Active Shooter Preparedness kits. When he was identifying safe rooms for all Pittsburgh Mercy sites, he took into consideration what staff members thought might be a good location but he often had to explain why certain rooms would not be good sites. In every class he teaches for Pittsburgh Mercy, Brown introduces his “5P” approach—“Proper planning prevents poor performance.” The statement empowers everyone by suggesting they develop a plan in their minds before a situation happens. The “5Ps” bring out the best in people because it makes them think about others. Most of all, Brown’s humility and honorable principles related to leadership in security and safety have remained steadfast despite obstacles encountered within his advocacy for the welfare of all of Pittsburgh Mercy. Training & Development: Upcoming offerings Contributed by Donna Carman Listed below are several upcoming professional training and development opportunities that are available to Pittsburgh Mercy Health System employees. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: An Introduction Friday, October 9, 2015, from 9 a.m. to noon Seizure Disorder Thursday, October 15, 2015, from 1 to 3 p.m. Positive Approaches Part 1: Paying Attention Monday, October 26, 2015, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. A complete list of current course offerings is posted in Healthstream and on the G: drive. Visit T&D Calendars and click on the 2015 Training folder. Register for training through Healthstream. Remember, you can unregister from a class yourself; go to your inbox, find the training, and click on Unregister. One of Pittsburgh Mercy’s core values is stewardship. If you are unable to attend a training for which you are registered, remember to cancel at least four hours prior to the start of training or call Training & Development at 412.488.4374. REMINDER: If you cannot attend a DDAP training the day of the training and to avoid a $50 no-show charge, you must unregister at: apps.ddap.pa.gov/TMS .
  • 10. PAGE 10 PULSE OCTOBER 2015 15 Minutes with… Bill Connolly, Pittsburgh Mercy’s new mission director How many years have you been with Pittsburgh Mercy Health System? Eight years as of September 17 (also my four-year wedding anniversary) What led you to work in your field? I guess the simple desire to help people was always my motivation. I started with the idea of working in special education when I went to college however, during my final year, I began working with a summer camp for individuals with special needs and then began doing habilitation (hab) aide work with one of those individuals in Duquesne, Pa. I really began to enjoy community work and found the classroom setting less appealing. After graduation, I began working as a child-targeted case manager for Mon Yough Community Services. I was fortunate enough to have a great boss, Luther Dupree, when I started my professional career and after he left to come to Mercy Behavioral Health as an adult service coordinator, he called me and told me I should consider applying. I followed his advice and here I am. Education? I have a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education, with a certification in special education, from La Roche College. I also just finished my master’s in organizational leadership from Robert Morris University this past August. Experience? As I mentioned before, I began working for the organization as an adult service coordinator in 2007 and then switched to work as an assistant site supervisor for Morrow Supportive Housing in 2010. While in that position, I was fortunate enough to be asked to lead a new Accountability Group, which introduced me to a different side of the company. My interest in learning new skills outside of my comfort zone led me to apply for a fellowship position in the Quality, Risk, and Compliance (CRQ) Department and I began that part of my journey in February 2013. Fortunately, that led to a full-time position within the department. I simply cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for all of my experiences throughout my time here, especially my time in the CRQ Department as it truly challenged me, inspired me, and shaped who I want to become as a professional. What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment to date, personally or professionally? That’s a tough question because I’ve been very fortunate throughout my eight years here but, without a doubt, it would be developing the relationships I have with everyone here at Pittsburgh Mercy, because those are what I cherish the most. I think the most notable relationship would be the one with my wife, Linda, whom I met as a service coordinator in 2009 and married two years later. Do you have any plans for your new role? I certainly have a lot of ideas and areas that I feel very strongly about, but the plan for now is to take full advantage of the opportunity to apprentice under Peg Kearney, the continued on page 11 Bill and his dog, Murphy, run along the beach in North Carolina.
  • 11. PULSE OCTOBER 2015PAGE 11 current mission director, until the end of the year. Working closely with Peg will allow me to learn the nuances of the job, but also gain valuable organizational knowledge. I certainly feel that this gives me a head start and will allow me to hit the ground running come January. In your current role, what has been your greatest “Aha!” moment? There have been many “aha” moments because I honestly was learning something new every day. The realization that I still had so much to learn was a great motivator and inspired me to go back to school. However, I think the greatest “aha” moment, looking back, is understanding how valuable it can be to have support from colleagues, including superiors, when you are having a tough time, doubting yourself, or unsure of what to do next. Knowing that support will be there whether you succeed or not, is appreciated and has had a huge impact on me. Who or what inspires you? I am inspired by many different people and my experiences at Pittsburgh Mercy have given me a long list of people who inspired me in different ways throughout the years. Most notably, Leland Koehler. Any grown man who is that confident and open for his love of The Wizard of Oz and Michael Jackson is a strong person who is comfortable with himself. Little known fact? I actually read, and finished, the “15 Minutes with Bobby Thomas” article in the September issue of the Pulse. It took longer than 15 minutes…. My personal motto is… “You cannot change or heal what you don’t acknowledge.” First job? My first job was actually working in the rectory of my parish in Troy Hill when I was 15. I simply did secretarial and administrative work, but it was a great and influential experience and I worked there until my sophomore year of college. In my spare time, I like to… spend time with family, friends, and my dog, Murphy. Favorite book or movie? This constantly changes as I am a big movie fan and have been since I was a kid. The original Star Wars movies will probably always be my favorite, but one of the more recent movies I really enjoyed was The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013). I enjoyed the story of man who simply was not satisfied with his life and decided to take action which turned into a journey that even he couldn’t have imagined. My favorite vacation spot is… Outer Banks, North Carolina. What makes you laugh? Shane, the individual I’ve been working with for the past 11 years as a Hab Aide. We spend every Saturday together and he finds joy in everything, which is contagious. I’m an avid… runner. I enjoy running in the mornings before work and like to take Murphy when the weather is not too warm. My playlist includes… almost everything and it completely depends on what I’m doing at the time. I’ve always wanted to… take an Alaskan cruise, something the wife and I have on our bucket list. If I were to win the lottery today, I’d… buy Shane and his mother a house near me because after 11 years of driving to Duquesne, I’m completely tired of the Parkway East traffic. I’d also have a window installed in Jean Coyne’s office for her. Secret vice? Coffee and a few other things I’ll keep secret. My philosophy on our mission is… I think the happiness of the majority of our employees is not measured by the wealth of the organization, but rather by the quality of the services we provide. Our mission is the foundation of those services and it’s the common theme that brings us all together. The mission and core values are much more than words on a wall and act as a guide in how we treat the people we serve and our fellow coworkers. 15 Minutes,continued
  • 12. Publisher Susan Welsh, RSM Editor Zandy Dudiak Director of Communications Linda K. Ross Proofreader Mary Fries Layout Micaela Young OUR CORE VALUES Reverence We honor the sacredness and dignity of every person. Commitment to Those Who Are Poor We stand with and serve those who are poor, expecially those most vulnerable. Justice We foster right relationships to promote the common good, including sustainability of Earth. Stewardship We honor our heritage and hold ourselves accountable for the human, financial, and natural resources entrusted to our care. Integrity We are faithful to who we say we are. Community We demonstrate our connectedness to each other through inclusive and compassionate relationships. Courage We dare to take the risks our faith demands of us. © Copyright 2015 Pittsburgh Mercy Health System V O L U M E X X | N O . X X | A P R I L 2 0 1 0 P U L S E P I T T S B U R G H M E R C Y w w w. p m h s . o r g P A R T O F C A T H O L I C H E A L T H E A S T , S P O N S O R E D B Y T H E S I S T E R S O F M E R C Y P I T T S B U R G H M E R C Y H E A L T H S Y S T E M VOLUME 6 | NO. 10 | OCTOBER 2015 Pittsburgh Mercy Health System is pleased to welcome the following August* new hires to the PMHS family Welcome to the family! Contributed by Julie Scialdone Pittsburgh Mercy Pulse is made possible by the PMHS Newsletter Committee, and is published monthly for employees of Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) by PMHS Communications. McAuley Hall 3333 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Submit story suggestions and comments to: Pittsburgh Mercy Pulse (pulse@mercy.pmhs.org) Next issue: 11/01/15 Submission deadline: 10/07/15 Lynwood Barron Reedsdale Center Victoria Benacquista Reedsdale Center Ryan Bochacki, M.D. South 9th Street Jasmine Brotemarkle East Commons Brianna Circle South 9th Street Lydia D’Anna South 9th Street Antonio Driver Baldwin ATF Iren Evans Garden View Manor PCH Latracesha Goodman Baum Boulevard Andrea Hardy Jeter Casual Pool DeAzia Hutson Casual Pool David Jackson Operation Safety Net Korrie Korcan East Commons Andrew Miller Monarch Springs LTSR John Mittner Reedsdale Center Marissa Moore South 9th Street Karen Newsome South 9th Street Peter Owolabi Lilac CLA John Pellegrini Reedsdale Center Robert Pollock Journey Home LTSR Tamara Pritchard Reedsdale Center Tia Rhinehart Casual Pool Karyn Taylor South 9th Street Brittany Tunstalle South 9th Street Courtney Voss South 9th Street Taylor Voss Reedsdale Center Michael Watterson 925 Penn Avenue Sean Weldon, M.D. South 9th Street Jamelle Williams Casual Pool Justin Yanko South 9th Street Susanna Zawacki South 9th Street *Due to publication deadlines, new hires are two months behind. Key: ATF Adult Training Facility CLA Consumer Living Arrangement LTSR Long-Term Structured Residence PCH Personal Care Home