Katlyn Brummet is a Registered Nurse with experience in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Their background reflects a strong focus on clinical practice and patient care within diverse healthcare settings., a lifelong Hanover resident and Labor and Delivery nurse at UPMC Hanover, joins us to share how scholarships from the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation have shaped her journey in healthcare. Inspired at a young age by the nurse who cared for her grandfather, Katlyn has spent more than a decade caring for women in her community and is now pursuing an advanced degree to expand the level of care she can provide. Through the Foundation’s scholarship support, she has been able to continue her education without placing additional financial strain on her family. Listen in to hear Katlyn ’s story, the impact of investing in local caregivers, and why supporting the next generation of clinical leaders strengthens care across our region.

What inspires someone to step into the mental health field—and how can a scholarship help make that possible?

In this episode of In Their Words, brought to you by UPMC in Central Pa. and the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, we sit down with Sasha, a nurse and recent scholarship recipient who turned personal challenges into a mission to serve others. From navigating graduate school, to honoring the legacy of a colleague, to finding her path in psychiatric mental health care, Sasha’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and community.

Through the Foundation’s commitment to workforce development, scholarships like Sasha’s are helping to build a stronger, more compassionate healthcare team right here in Central Pa.

Listen now and hear how your support makes stories like Sasha’s possible.

In this episode, we’re joined by Emily Sullivan, VP of Operations at the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, to explore the inception of the Grateful Patient Program and the powerful role gratitude plays in our work. Emily shares how the program was built, why grateful patients are such an important part of philanthropy in healthcare, and how expressions of thanks help inspire meaningful connections, fuel generosity, and ultimately shape the care we provide across our communities.

After a major health issue changed the course of his life, longtime audio industry leader and community volunteer Ted Leamy discovered a new purpose in patient advocacy and gratitude. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, Ted now serves on the boards of UPMC Lititz and the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, volunteers with Cedars-Sinai’s Patient and Family Council, and speaks nationally to ostomy support groups. In this episode, he reflects on the medical journey that reshaped his outlook and the power of gratitude to transform both healing and service.

Jessie Myers serves as a People Experience Partner with Quandel, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the HR department and manages employee benefits. As part of her role, she partners with UPMC Cares to coordinate biometric screenings for Quandel’s workforce.

In this episode, Jessie shares how working alongside the UPMC Cares nursing team, including Maureen Zimmerman from Episode 1, has deepened her appreciation for their skill and compassion. She talks about how well the nurses know the employees they serve and how their expertise makes her own work easier and more meaningful, offering an inside look at the collaborative effort behind supporting employee wellness.

In this episode of In Their Words, we spotlight Maureen Zimmerman, Director of Corporate Wellness at UPMC, and the innovative CARES program—Corporate Ambassador Resource and Employer Solutions. Maureen shares how her team brings health screenings, biometric testing, CPR training, and personalized wellness education directly to workplaces and communities across Central PA. From uncovering undiagnosed high blood pressure to empowering employers to care for their staff in meaningful ways, CARES is changing lives, one on-site visit at a time.

Listeners will hear how this small but mighty team helps people take that crucial first step toward better health—especially those who may never otherwise walk through a clinic door. With help from the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, CARES is bridging gaps, saving lives, and proving that sometimes, a 20-minute screening can lead to lifelong transformation.

At UPMC Lititz, even the smallest changes make a big difference for mothers and newborns.

In the latest episode of In Their Words, brought to you by UPMC in Central Pa. and the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, postpartum nurses Brenda and Ann share their unique journeys into nursing—and how new bassinets, warmers, and the right resources are helping families during a record baby boom at Lititz.

Listen now and discover how compassionate care, trusted community connections, and the right tools can transform those first moments of life.

In this episode of In Their Words, we sit down with Tammy, Kayla, and Jasmee—three NICU nurses from UPMC Lititz and UPMC Harrisburg—who brought the Sweet Pea Project to life at UPMC in Central Pa. What started as a simple idea has blossomed into a program that celebrates every milestone for the tiniest patients, from colorful ribbons marking progress to graduation caps at discharge.

Through their compassion and creativity, these nurses have created moments of joy and encouragement for families during some of their most challenging days. Supported by the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, the Sweet Pea is proof that even the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference.

Join us as we share the story of Sweet Pea—an inspiring example of how hope, love, and innovation thrive in the NICU.

In this powerful episode of In Their Words, we hear from Shannon Downey, Intake Services Director at Cumberland County Children and Youth Services. With a decade of experience in child welfare, Shannon offers an unflinching look at what it means to be one of the first responders in cases of suspected child abuse. She walks us through the high-stakes, emotionally demanding process her team undertakes—partnering with law enforcement, ensuring a child's immediate safety, and working alongside the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) in Harrisburg.

Listeners gain insight into the critical role CAC plays beyond forensic interviews—from providing trauma-informed care and mental health coordination to being a vital training and support hub for caseworkers. Shannon reflects on the personal drive that keeps her in this field, the misconceptions the public holds about child protective services, and why community awareness and donor support are essential to sustaining this life-saving work. With stories of heartbreak, hope, and healing, this episode underscores the ripple effect of showing up for a child in crisis—and how the smallest acts of support can change the trajectory of a life.

In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Luther, Mental Health Coordinator at the UPMC in Central Pa. Child Advocacy Center in Carlisle. Jordan shares the many ways that mental health coordinators—and the entire dedicated team at the Child Advocacy Center—make a profound difference in the lives of children impacted by neglect and abuse. He also discusses the vital role of the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation in ensuring that patients and their families never see a bill, making compassionate, high-quality care accessible during an incredibly difficult time.

While the topic is a difficult one, it’s an important conversation about hope, healing, and the people working tirelessly to protect children in our communities.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of abuse, which may be distressing for some listeners.