In this episode of In Their Words, we sit down with Dr. Robin Hicks, physician medical director of UPMC Supportive Care and Palliative Medicine in Central Pennsylvania, for a conversation about compassion, connection, and caring for patients and families through some of life’s most difficult moments.
Dr. Hicks shares what drew her to palliative medicine, some of the misconceptions surrounding this often-misunderstood specialty, and how listening to patients and families continues to shape her work. She also discusses the role philanthropy can play in providing meaningful support beyond traditional medical care.
From honoring a patient’s wishes to finding small but powerful ways to support families, Dr. Hicks offers a thoughtful look at the human side of medicine.

In this episode of In Their Words, Angela Miller, a lead LPN at UPMC with more than 40 years of nursing experience, shares a deeply personal perspective on palliative care.

After a career spent caring for others, Angela found herself on the other side of healthcare when her father faced advanced heart failure. She reflects on how her family’s experience with the palliative care team transformed her understanding of end-of-life care and showed her the profound impact of compassionate, patient-centered support.

In this episode, Pamela Miller, Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist and Health Educator II, discusses tobacco cessation programs offered through UPMC Central Pa and at UPMC Memorial. Pamela shares how education, personalized support, and practical strategies help individuals and employees successfully quit smoking. She also reflects on Bill’s journey from the previous episode, sharing how meaningful his experience was to her and how emotional it was to see the program truly change someone’s life after so many years of trying.

After decades of failed attempts, Bill thought quitting smoking was impossible. Then one workplace program at UPMC Central Pa changed everything. Six years later, he is smoke-free and thriving. Hear what clicked for him, why this approach worked when nothing else did, and the moments that transformed his mindset.

Sometimes, life changes because of a moment that almost didn't happen.

For Doug Knepp, it was a routine follow-up appointment with his primary care physician. As the visit was wrapping up, he nearly dismissed a small, itchy spot on his chest that looked like nothing more than a tick bite. Instead, he mentioned it. That simple conversation set in motion a journey through a diagnosis of male breast cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and survivorship.

But Doug's story is about much more than cancer.

It's about the people who answered the phone when he was scared, the nurse navigators and physicians who guided him through each step, the support groups that welcomed him, and the comprehensive network of care that helped him heal. Along the way, Doug embraced every resource available—from oncology specialists and survivorship services to nutrition counseling, acupuncture, behavioral health support, and peer connections—discovering that cancer care is about caring for the whole person.

Today, Doug continues to advocate for others by sharing his story, supporting fellow patients, and helping improve the experience for those who come after him. His journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection, the value of community, and the life-changing impact healthcare professionals can have on a person's life.

In Doug's own words, the team at UPMC "saved his life."

This is Doug's story, in his own words.

On this episode of In Their Words, the podcast brought to you by UPMC in Central PA and the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, we share the stories, voices, and perspectives that matter most in healthcare and healing. Today's episode features Stacie James, Program Director for the UPMC Hanover Pediatric Rehabilitation Center.

In this episode, we'll get to know Stacie. her journey, her passion, and what drives her work every day. And we'll hear her perspective on our last episode, where we spoke with Katie St. Claire about her son Dominic's remarkable journey at the Pediatric Rehabilitation Center. a journey that helped him gain independence and truly transformed his life.

Kathryn St. Clair shares the remarkable journey of her son, Dominic, whose diagnosis of spina bifida during pregnancy set their family on a path filled with decisions, challenges, and moments of profound strength. Now four years old, Dominic receives much of his ongoing support through UPMC Hanover’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Program, where physical and occupational therapy have helped him gain strength, confidence, and independence.

In honor of Donate Life Month, this episode of In Their Words features Rebecca Brown, Director of the Kidney Transplant Program at UPMC in Central Pa., offering an inside look at what transplant care truly involves.

From evaluation to life after transplant, Rebecca walks through the full journey patients and families experience. She shares what it means when a patient gets “the call,” the realities behind the growing transplant waitlist, and the critical role of living donors in saving lives.

Through both clinical insight and human connection, this conversation highlights the urgency, the hope, and the impact of organ donation.

Candice S. Coleman, Workplace Culture and Community Engagement Consultant at UPMC Central Pa., David Krissman, creator of The Great Social Experiment, and Riley Brubaker, Campaign Associate for The Great Social Experiment and a kidney transplant recipient, come together to share a powerful look at the impact of living kidney donation. Candice reflects on donating a kidney to save a family member’s life, while Riley offers her lived experience navigating kidney failure, dialysis, transplant, and recovery. Listen in to hear how lifesaving donations brought these three together and the remarkable stories that fuel The Great Social Experiment and its mission to change outcomes for patients in need.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jennifer Rascoe, stroke coordinator at Harrisburg Hospital with UPMC, as she shares her innovative approach to community health outreach. After transitioning from luxury property management to nursing at age 30, Jennifer has dedicated her career to stroke prevention and care.

In this episode, Jennifer discusses her groundbreaking barbershop outreach program, born from witnessing too many young men in their 30s and 40s arriving at the hospital with preventable strokes. Rather than waiting for people to come to traditional healthcare settings, Jennifer takes health education directly to the community—starting conversations about blood pressure, stroke prevention, and overcoming the fear of medical knowledge in the familiar, trusted environment of local barbershops.

Discover how Jennifer's personal, conversational approach is breaking down barriers to healthcare access, addressing everything from stroke symptoms (using the BE-FAST acronym) to connecting people with primary care physicians and community resources. Learn why she believes "we can't be more afraid of knowledge than we are of death" and how her program is expanding to beauty salons with plans to include stroke survivors sharing their stories.

This episode highlights the power of meeting people where they are and the impact one person can make in preventing devastating, yet often preventable, health outcomes in their community.