Reverend Paul Abernathy has learned that when serving others, love and opportunity are quite the weapons for positive and impactful changes. In and around Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Father Paul works to break down silos that perpetuate trauma and pain – connecting neighbors and creating a community of love and a culture of good health.

As a teenager, Kerri Jackson left home in McKeesport, Pennsylvania to attend the University of Pittsburgh and essentially stayed ever since. From library systems to research, Kerri has made a career out of helping others learn.

Bee Schindler is a Pittsburgh native who spent a decade split between California and New York studying journalism and social work before returning to the Steel City in 2009. Today, Bee is leading efforts to bring together local communities and researchers to promote good health for all.

In 2013, Mara Leff moved from Washington, D.C., back to her hometown of Pittsburgh to study global health at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research took her across the world, although after graduating, Mara would find herself leading programs to help solve global health problems right in her own backyard.

Patrick Gallagher never planned on leading a university, let alone becoming a physicist. As a child, Gallagher envisioned becoming a roller-coaster, yet as a teenager, he would find himself in Latin America managing well- and latrine-digging programs. His interest in science and engineering has always been coupled with an objective focused on public service.

Charles Jonassaint keeps a folder of rejection letters as a reminder and hope that ideas lead to something. He was an Academic All American and All Conference in football. Yet, instead of chasing his athletic dreams, Jonassaint decided to pursue a career in clinical psychology and behavioral medicine. A pursuit that hit road blocks, took a few detours, and ultimately led him to the University of Pittsburgh.

Jennifer Woodward moved from the Carolinas to Pittsburgh in 1998 as an expert in transplant immunology. However, over the years that followed, Jennifer would go from a scientist to an administrator, from the bench to the board room.

As a photojournalist exploring the streets of New York, Steve Reis quickly learned the importance of different perspectives. A view that led him to become a volunteer firefighter and eventually attend medical school. Today, Reis is a practicing cardiologist, researcher, and leader in translational science, creating and developing innovative strategies to address important problems in health science.

As a kid growing up in the 1980s, Don Taylor was introduced to some of the very first personal computers and soon thereafter, started creating software systems and solving challenges in health sciences. From multiple academic degrees to a range of start-up companies, hear about Don’s experience and approach behind his unique career.

Mylynda Massart’s career in medicine did not take a traditional route. Her education took her all over the country, and world, finally landing her in Pittsburgh. Throughout her travels and research, she never lost an interest in molecular genetics, in fact, it only grew. Mylynda recognized the importance of incorporating genetics into family medicine to provide the best care possible, especially to those in underrepresented populations.