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Gerry Balbier
Director, Tomorrow's Healthcare
MPM, Carnegie Mellon University, Public Management & Information Systems

Mr. Balbier is the Director of Tomorrow's Healthcare, a web-based learning platform designed to advance quality, safety and best practices in health care. Gerry brings strong technical and business qualifications with an impressive track record of more than 15 years of hands-on experience in strategic planning, business development, project and product management and investment strategies. Most recently with Apangea Learning, Inc., Gerry grew the sales for this producer of education software by 40% in Q3 2009 while also managing new product line introduction. Gerry also played a key role in evaluating Apangea's new generation of online instruction and tutoring and helped guide more effective education policy making in partnership with the RAND Corporation and the U.S. Department of Education. Prior to Apangea, Gerry worked for more than 13 years as a Senior Program Officer in Education for The Heinz Endowments and spent approximately four years as a Legislative Aide to Senator John Heinz.  Contact: 412-594-2585, gbalbier@prhi.org.Back to To

Carla Barricella
Communications Manager
BA, Point Park University, Journalism and Communications
Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, Health Careers Futures

Ms. Barricella has a wealth of experience in health and human services, communications and event management.  She joined the Foundation in 2004 after 12 years at United Way where she held the positions of Special Events Director and Corporate Relations Manager.  Prior to United Way, Ms. Barricella worked as Staff Assistant to Elsie H. Hillman, Republican National Committeewoman.  She was involved with the planning and execution of political visits involving the President, Vice President and Cabinet members, and served as a liaison to the White House Office of Political Affairs.  She also worked for the local CBS affiliate, KDKA-TV, in public affairs, studio and remote production.  Contact: 412-594-2568, barricella@jhf.org.Back to Top

Katherine M. Brewer
Educator / Trainer / Coach
MPH, Yale University; BS, Albion College, Physics

Ms. Brewer joined PRHI after completing an Administrative Fellowship with UPMC’s Physician Services Division, where she was manager of a family medicine practice and involved in numerous corporate initiatives. Ms. Brewer is also a National Rural Health Association Fellow with a long-standing interest in primary care and rural health. Contact: 412-594-2572, kbrewer@prhi.org.Back to Top

Jennifer Condel, SCT(ASCP)
Project Manager / Educator / Trainer / Coach
BS, University of Pittsburgh, Medical Technology; Cytology Certification, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC

Ms. Condel has 19 years experience working in the healthcare industry.  Most recently, she was an Improvement Specialist for the Donald D. Wolff, Jr. Center for Quality Improvement and Innovation of UPMC where her work comprised of applying and teaching lean concepts including problem solving, and assisting and facilitating patient and process improvement initiatives within the UPMC Health System.  Ms. Condel has a strong laboratory background including experience as an Anatomic Pathology Manager, Cytotechnologist and Medical Technologist.  For three years, she served as a Team Leader for the UPMC Anatomic Pathology Learning Line utilizing the tools and principles of the Perfecting Patient Care methodology to create a Histology Department Learning Line model for all areas of pathology.  This implementation resulted in changes to daily pathology practice by simultaneously reducing pathology errors, decreasing specimen turnaround time and decreasing cost.  Ms. Condel has also published and presented in the areas of problem solving, lean concepts and quality assurance in pathology.
Contact: 412-594-2589, jcondel@prhi.org.Back to Top

Mimi Falbo
Chronic Care Consultant
MSN and BSN, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing; RN, Westmoreland School of Nursing

Previously, Mimi Falbo (formerly Priselac) served most of her 35-year career at UPMC Braddock/Braddock Medical Center/Braddock General Hospital, most recently as President and CEO. She also served as Executive Vice President, Vice President of Nursing, Director of Psychiatric Services, and Psychiatric Head Nurse. Along with her vast knowledge of hospital operations, Mimi brings particular strength in developing low-cost, high quality, community integrated health care dedicated to improving the health status of all served. She has demonstrated the ability to engage partners and develop creative solutions to identified community needs, winning recognition for her work in community outreach, mental health and children's programs. In addition to serving on numerous healthcare-related boards, Mimi was honored with the 2003 Susan B. Anthony Women of Vision Award.Back to Top

Naida Grunden
Communications Consultant
BA, California State University, East Bay, English; Secondary English Teaching Credential

Naida Grunden has 25 years of experience as a writer in health care, environment and business. She assists the Communications and Marketing Manager in creating strategic communications, newsletters, peer-reviewed journal articles, and website (www.prhi.org). She received the 2006 Challenge Award from the American College of Clinical Engineering for an article she wrote for Biomedical Instrumentation and Technology. Previously, Ms. Grunden managed community and public communications for Southwestern Pennsylvania's largest suburban school district, the North Allegheny School District. Back to Top

Tina Hahn
Project Manager / Educator / Trainer / Coach
BS, University of Pittsburgh, Psychology

Ms. Hahn has worked in the healthcare industry for more than eleven years. Her clinical experience includes intake and diagnostic evaluations of children with developmental and behavioral disorders. She served as a team leader for two years implementing Perfecting Patient Care^sm in an outpatient pediatric setting. Most recently she has served as a Systems Analyst at UPMC, collaborating with clinical end users to define requirements and design specifications for an interoperability application aimed at bringing together patient data from disparate electronic medical record systems. Contact: 412-586-6715, thahn@prhi.org.Back to Top

Leah Holleran
Business Manager
Associate in Specialized Business, Duff's Business Institute; RN Coursework, Mercy School of Nursing

Ms. Holleran is the Business Manager for the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and its supporting organizations.  Previously, she was at UPMC Mercy for four years as a Senior Secretary in the Department of Surgery, supporting Surgical Research, Infection Control, Orthopedics, as well as administrative work for the Chief of Pediatric Surgery. Contact: 412-586-6708, lholleran@prhi.org.Back to Top

Linda Horwitz Vicaro
Educator / Trainer / Coach
MA, University of Colorado, Communications

Ms. Horwitz provides training and coaching support for healthcare staff in both primary care and long term care settings. Additionally, Linda spent two years as a lead coach for the Incumbent Worker Investment and Skills Enhancement program designed to promote engagement, skills enhancement and retention among frontline healthcare workers. She joined PRHI after serving as an educator in the Communications Department at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Contact: 412-594-2586, lvicaro@prhi.org.Back to Top

Barbara Jennion
Director, Perfecting Patient Care
MEd, Pennsylvania State University, Health Education; BS, Gannon University, Therapeutic Recreation; BA, Mercyhurst College, Art Therapy

For most of the past 20 years, Ms. Jennion was as a mental health clinician and manager at Allegheny East Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center, Inc. For two years, she led a team in applying Perfecting Patient Care^sm principles on the behavioral health unit at Forbes Regional Hospital. Ms. Jennion directs PRHI's Center for Perfecting Patient Care^sm, working on curriculum and coordination for the PPC educational program. She teaches classes and coaches on site. Contact: 412-586-6711, bjennion@prhi.org.Back to Top

Jason Kunzman
Chief Financial Officer
CPA; MBA, University of Baltimore; BA, University of South Florida, Criminology
Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, Health Careers Futures

Mr. Kunzman joined the Jewish Healthcare Foundation after two years as a police officer in Baltimore County, Maryland and then nearly five years as a fraud investigator (forensic accounting) in both New York City and Pittsburgh. He also manages the Foundation’s government grants related to the provision of HIV/AIDS services within Southwestern Pennsylvania. Contact: 412-594-2560, kunzman@jhf.org.

Laura K. Mahood, SCT (ASCP)
Project Manager / Educator / Trainer / Coach
MS, Duquesne University, Education; BS, Thomas Jefferson University, Cytotechnology

Ms. Mahood brings to PRHI over 18 years of healthcare experience in a variety of roles within the field of pathology, including laboratory technologist, educator, manager and quality assurance coordinator.  She has a special interest in quality improvement methodologies and continuous work process improvement techniques. Contact: 412-586-6718, lmahood@prhi.org.Back to Top

Harold D. Miller
Strategic Initiatives Consultant
MS, Carnegie Mellon University, Public Management and Policy

Mr. Miller is President of Future Strategies, LLC, a management and policy consulting firm in Pittsburgh. He created and maintains www.PittsburghFuture.com, an Internet resource that explains and comments on economic development strategy issues for the Pittsburgh region. He also serves as an adjunct Professor of Public Policy Management at Carnegie Mellon University's H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management. Mr. Miller provides JHF and its supporting organizations with analytical services on projects funded to help shed light on the financial impact of hospital-acquired infections, among other things. He previously served as the President of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania. In those roles, he designed and implemented a wide range of initiatives designed to improve the economy and quality of life in the Pittsburgh region. Mr. Miller served for 10 years as the Director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Growth Alliance, a 10-county, public-private partnership dedicated to promoting the economic development needs of the region with state and federal officials. Between 1987 and 1992, Mr. Miller served as Associate Dean of Carnegie Mellon's Heinz School. During the 1980s, he served as Director of the Pennsylvania Governor's Office of Policy Development. Mr. Miller serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and is President of the Board of Directors of Eastern Area Adult Services, Inc., an agency helping senior citizens. He is the author of a number of articles and books in the fields of science and public policy.Back to Top

Betsy Milliron
Administrative Assistant
Liberal Arts Studies, The University of Tampa

Ms. Milliron is an Administrative Assistant for the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative.  She supports the PPC team and PRHI’s Board of Directors.  Prior to joining PRHI, Ms. Milliron served as an Accounts Payable Specialist and Assistant to the COO for GMS Florida West Coast, Inc., a physician group. She has over 10 years of administrative and business support experience in the healthcare and finance industries. Contact 412-586-6714, bmilliron@prhi.org.Back to Top

Cliff Shannon
Chief Communications Officer
Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, Health Careers Futures
BA, Dickinson College, English and Political Science

Mr. Shannon is the Chief Communications Officer for the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and all of its initiatives. Prior to this, he was president of SMC Business Councils (previously The Smaller Manufacturers Council), a Pittsburgh-based small business association comprised of 5,000 smaller Pennsylvania employers. His eleven years at SMC were preceded by 15 years in Washington, D.C. as chief-of-staff to two U.S. Senators: the late Senator John Heinz of Pennsylvania and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas. His earlier career included two stints with Senator Heinz and one as chief-of-staff to the Pennsylvania Secretary of Labor and Industry. Contact 412-594-2554, shannon@jhf.org.

Steve Taninecz
Educator / Trainer / Coach
MS, Geneva College, Organizational Leadership; BS, Youngstown State University, Industrial Management

Mr. Taninecz  has a rich background in the manufacturing sector in the areas of lean implementation, quality practices and continuous improvement.  He has over thirty-six years experience with General Motors in the manufacturing sector.  His responsibilities in that area consisted of management positions ranging from Production Manager in various assembly departments to Quality Director at facilities in Ohio and Michigan.  He spent two years studying the Toyota Production System at GM’s joint venture with Toyota, New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. in California.  Subsequently, he became a member of GM’s Global Manufacturing System group, teaching and implementing TPS in GM facilities throughout North America.  Mr. Taninecz has held adjunct professor positions at both Kent State University and the University of Phoenix.   His transformation to the healthcare industry began with consulting opportunities involving standardization, visual management, teamwork and problem-solving in the Pittsburgh area.
Contact 412-586-6706, staninecz@prhi.org.Back to Top

Brian Turcsanyi
Senior Research Analyst
BS, Pennsylvania State University, Management Information Systems; MBA University of Pittsburgh

Mr. Turcsanyi works in a number of areas including the development of Tomorrow's Healthcare, a web-based learning platform designed to advance quality, safety and best practices in health care, and managing large data sets relative to PRHI's initiatives. He joined the staff after a number of years at the University of Pittsburgh, Center for Pathology Quality and Healthcare Research, where he managed the informatics needs of the research group which include the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) funded Improving Patient Safety by Examining Pathology Errors database and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) funded Best Practices for Pathology database.  Brian developed a datamart that included data from the laboratory information system and other information systems to track the progress of the Toyota Process intervention in the histology lab, as well as other AHRQ interventions. Contact: 412-586-6712, bturcsanyi@prhi.org.Back to Top

Jessica Turner
Research Associate
PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Ms. Turner is a Research Associate for the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, providing information regarding best practices and quality metrics, as well as clinical and technical data for the development of performance improvement modules for Tomorrow’s Healthcare.  Originally from Seattle, she moved to Pittsburgh in 2003 where she earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2008.  Jessica remained at the University of Pittsburgh where she served as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Surgery, while also studying Health Policy and Management at the School of Public Health.  Ms. Turner earned her B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Washington and worked as a Scientist for Cell Therapeutics, Inc. Contact: 412-594-2552, jturner@prhi.org.Back to Top

Colleen Vrbin
Research Analyst
BS, Carnegie Mellon University, Policy and Management, Political Science, and Social and Decision Science

Ms. Vrbin's focus is on research, including identifying funding opportunities, grant writing, as well as analyzing data and developing metrics. Prior to joining PRHI, she was a research assistant at the University of Pittsburgh, Center for Pathology Quality and Healthcare Research. She worked on numerous patient safety studies pertaining to pathology errors, co-authoring 10 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 14 abstracts and presenting more than 30 posters. Ms. Vrbin has been involved with various studies, including AHRQ-related and others, studying physicians’ perceptions of the usefulness of various healthcare professionals, variations in existing quality measures designed to detect errors in pathology, and implementation of interventions geared to reduce errors. Larger-scale interventions include implementation of Toyota Production principles into the practice of collecting Pap smear and thyroid fine needle aspiration specimens. Contact: 412-586-6710, cvrbin@prhi.org.Back to Top

Nancy D. Zionts
Chief Program Officer
BS, Concordia University, Chemistry; MBA, Concordia University

Ms. Zionts is the Chief Program Officer for the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, overseeing a grant agenda that includes aging, end-of-life care, health workforce development and quality and safety. Among other immediate responsibilities, she is engaged in the Foundation’s efforts to develop an online quality and safety platform, Tomorrow’s Healthcare, and coordinated the Foundation’s participation in development of the Squirrel Hill Health Center. She has been active in the development and implementation of many JHF initiatives including the Coordinated Care Network, the Squirrel Hill Kosher Food Pantry and Elderhostel Pittsburgh. Ms. Zionts has also been involved in the development of special publications including, Aging Environmental Scan, Moderating the Effects of Aging: A Caregiver’s Manual, and the Health Information Technology Scan. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Grantmakers In Aging and Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania. Prior to joining JHF, she was employed for 10 years at Forbes Health System in the areas of administration, planning and continuous quality improvement. Contact: 412-594-2559, zionts@jhf.org.Back to Top