In Their Words

When Every Second Counts: The Nurse and the Barbershop

when-every-second-counts-the-nurse-and-the-barbershop [https://support.doctorpodcasting.com/media/k2/items/cache/8e4ee638d4ca8615c5aa9e0b1be82ed6_S.jpg]https://support.doctorpodcasting.com/media/k2/items/cache/8e4ee638d4ca8615c5aa9e0b1be82ed6_Generic.jpg 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.

Investing in Care: Katlyn's Story at UPMC Hanover, Part 1

investing-in-care-katlyn-s-story-at-upmc-hanover-part-1 [https://support.doctorpodcasting.com/media/k2/items/cache/5617dadf38fc5d100e9b2dbb9b4ff6c6_S.jpg]https://support.doctorpodcasting.com/media/k2/items/cache/5617dadf38fc5d100e9b2dbb9b4ff6c6_Generic.jpg 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.

Building the Future of Care, Part 1 – Sasha’s Story

building-the-future-of-care-part-1-sasha-s-story [https://support.doctorpodcasting.com/media/k2/items/cache/89da26d6a495c169ec4b465988e08cb8_S.jpg]https://support.doctorpodcasting.com/media/k2/items/cache/89da26d6a495c169ec4b465988e08cb8_Generic.jpg 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.

The Road to Healing: The Grateful Patient Program Part 2

the-road-to-healing-the-grateful-patient-program-part-2 [https://support.doctorpodcasting.com/media/k2/items/cache/9b0a0145c8108bb0c86d9fba6e6e44be_S.jpg]https://support.doctorpodcasting.com/media/k2/items/cache/9b0a0145c8108bb0c86d9fba6e6e44be_Generic.jpg 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.

Gratitude Changes Everything Part 1: Ted Leamy

gratitude-changes-everything-part-1-ted-leamy [https://support.doctorpodcasting.com/media/k2/items/cache/7b75f4bcae12ecb32d489bab0fe34e97_S.jpg]https://support.doctorpodcasting.com/media/k2/items/cache/7b75f4bcae12ecb32d489bab0fe34e97_Generic.jpg 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.