HouseCall - Fall 2024

HOUSECALL HOUSECALL

FALL 2024

NEW FACES. FAMILIAR PLACES.

Amy, Moon Township Proud Mom Freelance Copy Editor Chronic Migraine Survivor

WHERE YOU'RE

MORE THAN A PATIENT

stclair.org

inside

SINCE 1954, St. Clair Health has been dedicated to quality, innovation, responsiveness to community needs, and the humanity of the physicians, nurses, and caregiving staff.

ARTICLES

6

JOINT REPLACEMENT Ortho Surgery Chief intros elite new team members.

MISSION CONTROL 10 Former Army Ranger now

focused on growing St. Clair.

12

INNOVATION STATION Specifically trained to step up to the surgical plate.

14

OB/GYN CARE Personalizing your care one delivery at a time.

16

PASSION PLAYS Leaning into life leads to love of shepherding yours.

18

WORLDLY WONDER Memories made to relish the memories you’ll make.

6

360° DREAMS 20 Around the corner, around

the country, for the community.

SWEET SPOT 22 Unique connections spark

a homecoming of expertise.

LASTCALL 24 Pair of registered nurses

inspired by "family business."

EDU LAB 26 This is how St. Clair Health

becomes a teaching Hospital.

14

18

HOUSECALL HOUSECALL A publication of St. Clair Health

Articles in this publication are for informational purposes and are not intended to serve as medical advice.

Please consult your personal physician.

Please visit providers.stclair.org to find a doctor near you.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 3

THANK YOU More than 500 supporters gathered in July for the 25th annual Summer Swing event, featuring an enchanting evening in Paris. Our incredible sponsors and guests made this year's event a success with more than $360,000 raised to support St. Clair Health's transition to a teaching hospital.

Save the date for next year's event: Friday, July 18, 2025

Barry S. Zaiser SVP & Chief Strategy Officer

FIRSTCALL

FUELING THE FUTURE AT ST. CLAIR HEALTH Key service line drivers paralleled by educational backbone. t its most fundamental level, strategy is a plan of action designed to achieve a specific goal. At St. Clair Health, that means building programs around the emerging needs of the communities we serve.

You’ll meet new team members from each discipline whose training is matched only by their personal connections to our community—and their passion for bringing the very best right to your backyard.

Because here, we make things personal—and that core value is what makes St. Clair different.

Without question, we are excited about their skills and techniques that lead directly to both same-day outpatient surgery and lifelong expert care. We are equally proud of the quality of human beings who’ve decided to make St. Clair their home.

Coordinated clinical teams and support staff. Seamless protocols and procedures. A consistently excellent patient experience at every level of our healthcare system.

Expert care from people who care is fostered through education, from the orientation of new team members through a cross-functional commitment to continuous improvement. It is advanced further through recruitment, from within a people-first culture of experts seeking and welcoming additional expertise. And it is enhanced through innovation, from our agile mindset rooted across integrated services to acute surgical robotics.

This edition of HouseCall exemplifies those critical driving forces at the forefront of St. Clair’s strategic goals.

Personalizing your care means meeting you where you are— from the orthopaedic considerations of Western Pennsylvania’s aging population in both Pittsburgh Metro and rural Pennsylvania to Women’s Health solutions through every stage of life.

As you turn the pages you’ll find keen insights from physicianleaders Brett C. Perricelli, MD, FAAOS, Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and Michelle L. Harvison, MD, Chair of OB/GYN at St. Clair, who set the tone for joint replacement and women’s services curated before, during, and after those impactful moments arrive.

Within our doors we are also profoundly moved to formally introduce our education platform to you.

Under the relentless stewardship of Amy Bunger, PhD, VP, Chief Academic Officer & Designated Institutional Official (DIO), St. Clair’s EDU LAB is being built across the pillars of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate Medical Education (GME), and Undergraduate Medical Education (UME). A groundbreaking residency program, EDU LAB will deliver expert training in a dynamic learning environment that creates unprecedented opportunity for our shared future.

At its most fundamental level, EDU LAB is Learning, Advancing, and Building on the aforementioned education, recruitment, and innovation foundation.

Setting out with tremendous intent. Actively seeking ways to raise the bar. Establishing resources today—like Dunlap Family Outpatient Center—in order to deliver the precision our community needs tomorrow.

And putting you at the center of everything we do.

This is growth, for the greater good—ensuring expert care from people who care…for generations to come. n

6 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

ORTHOPAEDICS

ARTICULATING SYNERGY Elite additions to St. Clair roster push joint replacement surgery forward.

T

hree joint replacement surgeons walk into an OR. No joke: Colonel Todd P. Balog, MD, FAAOS, a new orthopaedic surgeon with St. Clair Medical Group (SCMG), treated 4-star generals and fighter pilots in the Army—while his family waved Terrible Towels on football Sundays at every outpost around the globe. His wife hails from Beaver Falls.

“There’s truly something special about this place,” he says. “And I couldn’t be more excited to be part of the expanded team delivering advanced joint replacement care right here in the South Hills.”

For Brett C. Perricelli, MD, FAAOS, Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at St. Clair Health, the new orthopaedic surgeon joining South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, Nathaniel T. Ondeck, MD, MHS, hits even closer to home.

“Dr. Ondeck and I went to the same high school and our families attend the same parish. I knew he was from Murrysville, but it’s amazing to me how connected our team truly is,” Dr. Perricelli says. “That’s a common thread here.”

Emphasis on team, he continues.

“We’ve set up a great infrastructure—consistent communication, best-in-class protocols—but I’m a big believer that we always need to be challenging convention. It’s simple: three experts are better than one.”

Just as quickly, Dr. Perricelli dives into the topline details.

“This growth is tied directly to improving your access to top-quality care,” he says. “Adding surgeons of this caliber encourages healthy debates, because with the advancements in joint replacement surgery, there’s almost always more than one way to approach each patient.”

The team-wide goal?

“To get you exactly where you want to go,” Dr. Perricelli doesn’t miss a beat. “We’re going to get you ambulating—back to doing the things you love. Feeling happy again. And we’re going to get you there with less pain.”

Dr. Ondeck, a Carnegie Mellon engineering graduate ahead of completing medical school at Yale, followed by residency and fellowship

at New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery, joins St. Clair Health as Orthopaedic Innovation Officer.

“As we move more and more into a robotics-driven era, exploring the world of artificial intelligence [AI] and beyond, it’s critical that we utilize technology to improve patient outcomes as a group,” he says.

A ceaseless desire to test oneself against the best will steer the team into the future.

“We’re always striving to get better,” Dr. Perricelli says.

“Orthopaedics is an extremely competitive discipline, and we’re all wired that way.”

That line of thinking and manner of delivering care extends across your entire care team at St. Clair Health.

“You’re interacting with the full suite of us—from the office to the operating room—so that we can guide you through every step of the process, whether that’s an injection for pain management, therapy before and after your operation, arthroscopic interventions, or total joint replacement,” Dr. Perricelli says.

The key to unlocking so much potential in the building?

Building the treatment plan around each patient.

“We create personalized treatment goals,” Dr. Perricelli says.

“Holistically, we’re dialing you into the optimized correction for your specific indication—that’s where success comes from. We’re taking into account your pain level, lack of joint mobility, and more, all directly against the things you enjoy doing.”

At St. Clair Health, a key factor is understanding the difference between the “weekend warrior” mindset and simply being able to get down on the floor and play with your grandkids—or both.

“We want you to be able to go to church or a ball game and be able to enjoy those activities without sitting there in pain,” Dr. Perricelli says.

“Or maybe you’re an electrician or a plumber having a difficult time at work—maybe you can’t work—because of debilitating arthritis. That’s where we come in.”

St. Clair Health earned an America's 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement Award™ (2025) from Healthgrades™.

Continued on Page 8

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 7

Continued from Page 7

Challenging convention one conversation at a time.

Time and pressure. Western Pennsylvania’s aging population—ranked fifth in the country for people aged 65 and older, seventh for percentage of population in that group— literally feels the crunch.

“Father Time remains undefeated,” Dr. Perricelli says. “It could be that high school football injury finally catching up with you, or, normal wear and tear from years of yardwork.

We see everybody—and we build your treatment plan around that future state you desire to live in.”

It starts with a subset of questions and rankings that work to create a baseline to measure your care plan against.

“How bad is your pain? What is that pain keeping you from doing? What’s been limited— and for how long—and what have you thrown your hands up at and flat-out stopped?”

Here, Dr. Perricelli himself pauses. He’s got an important point to make.

“If I get one thing across, here, it’s this: you don’t have to live in pain.”

That simple truth dovetails directly into your course of treatment.

8 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

“Depending on your age, lifestyle, and the goals we’ve established, the next step is determining whether this is something we can manage in the short term with injections, platelet-rich plasma [PRP], physical therapy—or a combination of those things,” Dr. Perricelli says.

“And if you’ve tried some of those options already—or, if you’ve simply been grinning and bearing it to the bone-on-bone point of no return—has the time arrived to replace part or all of the joint?”

Ultimately, if that’s the best course of treatment for you, Dr. Perricelli is adamant that if you’ve got that big vacation planned or you need to walk your daughter down the aisle, “We can circle back to nonsurgical interventions right now knowing that we’ve got the long-term plan set.”

Here, he breaks it down into three essential segments: “If you’re thinking about short-term relief, an injection may last for two days, two weeks, two months, or two years! A variety of

BRETT C. PERRICELLI, MD, FAAOS

Dr. Perricelli is Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at St. Clair Health and is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He earned his medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh and completed residencies in general surgery and orthopaedic surgery at UPMC. Dr. Perricelli then completed an Adult Reconstruction fellowship at OrthoCarolina Hip & Knee Center, Charlotte, NC. He practices with South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates and was named a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2024.

To contact Dr. Perricelli, please call 412.283.0260.

"We’re going to get you ambulating— back to doing the things you love.

Feeling happy again.

And we’re going to get you there with less pain."

BRETT C. PERRICELLI, MD, FAAOS Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery

factors—including the severity of arthritis in the hip or knee, previous treatments, and lifestyle— affect the efficacy of this type of treatment.”

For the medium-term, Dr. Perricelli encourages patients to think about physical and occupational therapy (PT/OT) as an ongoing solution.

“In most cases, you’re going to benefit from PT/OT, working through exercises that can help everything around the joint supporting it—the connective tissue that not only helps you now, but can better set you up for success heading into the ultimate replacement.”

Dr. Perricelli points to this ongoing maintenance alongside lifestyle improvements as an often-overlooked element of total patient care.

“Controlling your weight, getting your diabetes in check, increasing your range of motion and flexibility, strengthening the muscles and ligaments around the joint—everything you can do ahead of replacing the joint is going to increase your long-term success.”

St. Clair Health’s consistent success with the more than 800 patients who receive total joint replacements each year is a driving force behind receiving advanced certification for total hip and knee replacement from the Joint Commission— after rigorous on-site review of its practices and policies deemed the multi-year, total-team effort at the highest standard of quality and value.

“As the only hospital in Southwestern Pennsylvania to earn that level of certification,

it really proved true our belief that this is the advanced joint replacement center from start to finish—and we’re right here in the South Hills.”

By direct extension, the spirit of teamwork making the dream work is driving Dr. Perricelli’s energy toward the pair of new physicians who will help push the progression of joint replacement surgery at St. Clair Health.

While knee arthritis is more common than hip arthritis, Dr. Perricelli’s success with the direct anterior (DA) approach to total hip replacement has pushed the bulk of his work into that arena.

“I’m excited to be challenged by peers who are leaning into this community with tremendous real-world experience,” he says.

“There’s a philosophical component related to critical elements like AI, plus a core process component related to anything we can do to continue creating efficiencies. And of course the integrated services with our awesome PT/OT team as we explore harnessing the power of everything Dunlap Family Outpatient Center [DFOC] and the St. Clair Health system can put at our fingertips.”

Parallel to the services offered inside the crown jewel of St. Clair’s main campus, Dr. Perricelli is steadfast in sharing the spotlight with nonsurgical team members who play key roles in prepping patients for their joint replacement journey.

Among these key players, Molly Keller, Orthopaedic Nurse Navigator, earns a nod for

ORTHOPAEDICS her work with pre-operative joint replacement education at St. Clair Health through specialized, in-person hip and knee classes.

“We want you to have as many opportunities to ask questions along the way as possible,” Dr. Perricelli says. “Because of the in-depth nature of the program, you’re coming in totally prepared for the procedure and the post-operative expectations.”

Integral at every step: Stefanie Herrmann, PA-C, Total Joint Program Physician Assistant, who coordinates the cross-functional effort and collates data for the team. Setting goals.

Defining the smoothest transition from start to finish. Achieving success through optimized treatment plans.

“Our commitment to making the entire process the very best is relentless,” Dr. Perricelli says. “Dr. Ondeck arrives highly trained and skilled in the field of robotics—he’ll help guide us toward creating the best robotic technology platform right here at St. Clair.

And Dr. Balog brings unique attributes earned during a decorated military career serving all over the world. I can’t think of a better pair of perspectives to help shape your care.” n

Dr. Ondeck and Dr. Balog: excited about same-day joint replacements.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 9

HERE WE GO, DOCTOR. HERE WE GO. Former Army Ranger’s next mission: facilitating St. Clair Health arthroplasty program’s growth.

T

hink about your first hero. The original wish you remember—and where that instinct comes from. When you daydream about your future only in Operational Camouflage Pattern Scorpion W2, is that precocious vision nature or nurture?

For Colonel Todd P. Balog, MD, FAAOS, a new orthopaedic surgeon with St. Clair Medical Group (SCMG), the answer to that question is now a green light at the intersection of Bower Hill Road and Wren Drive.

“There is absolutely nothing better than taking a person who’s living their life in pain, restricted from doing the things they love, and within a matter of hours giving them a new lease on life,” he says.

Dr. Balog grew up outside of Houston, Texas, and smiles something wry when talking about losing his accent while a plebe at West Point.

“My dad graduated in ’69. He’s a Vietnam veteran, and to say that it was always in the back of my mind is probably a bit of an understatement,” he says. “I grew up wearing his Army fatigues for Halloween.”

Roger Balog first stirred his son’s interest in helping others through the Boy Scouts, then cheered him on along with his mom, Marybeth, through a high school basketball career before Dr. Balog headed east for the first time to enter the United States Military Academy as part of the class of 1999.

Serving as a US Army Infantry Officer for six years after graduation, Dr. Balog’s deployments included serving with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq and the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. Among the numerous commendations from his selected military awards: a Ranger Tab, a Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

And yet, in order to find the best thing that happened to Dr. Balog during this time, one must scroll past the Presidential Unit Citation, Expert Field Medical Badge, and respective campaign medals. The field: Extracurricular/Personal. Married to Rachel Balog (née Kovacevic) since July 2000.

The Riverside High School (Beaver Falls) alum came from a bit of an Army family, too, as both she and her brother went to the military academy. Rachel and Todd met as cadets his last year.

“She was a commissioned officer in her own right,” he’s quick to point out. “Four kids, her own overseas tour in Afghanistan, and a master’s degree later, she’s now looking to teach.”

Inspired by a firsthand account of lifesaving medical care for wounded soldiers in Iraq, Dr. Balog applied to medical school and completed his medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.

10 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

 Dr. Balog has made a career of making his family proud.

A surgical internship and orthopaedic surgery residency followed, respectively, at Madigan Army Medical Center and Fort Lewis, in Washington state.

“After residency I was assigned as a staff orthopaedic surgeon to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

My three years there were full of memorable experiences—two more deployments, one to Afghanistan as part of a NATO hospital and one to Africa,” he says. “While back at Fort Campbell I was able to serve as the unit orthopaedic surgeon for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment—the unit made famous in the movie Blackhawk Down. Being able to care for the pilots and the crew members and get them back to doing their jobs was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time there.”

Dr. Balog’s next opportunity to take flight: an Army-sponsored Adult Reconstruction fellowship at New England Baptist Hospital, a U.S. News & World Report Top Hospital and home of the prestigious Otto E. Aufranc Fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery, which the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons ranked as one of the top fellowships in the nation.

“I’d been an orthopaedic generalist for three years—mostly sports medicine procedures for younger soldiers, fracture work, and some joint replacements,” he says. “I found my joint replacement patients to be the most fulfilling surgeries, like you had this one shot to replace a damaged joint with the perfect hip or knee—so

I wanted the extra training to become as proficient as possible.”

Parallel to that technical expertise: his now near-lifetime of service.

“I think that’s what we’re all here to do, it’s to help other people,” he says. “And with joint replacement in particular, you get to take these patients with very specific and debilitating pain who are unable to live their life the way they want to—maybe they’re getting along but they’re not really able to live.”

Golf. Pickleball. Hiking and skiing. And, of course, delivering peak performance at work.

Dr. Balog, who joins St. Clair Health as Clinical Director, Total Joint Replacement, is intensely proud of his peers who were staring down early retirement but were able to remain on active duty because the pain went away after surgery.

“And it’s more than just an aging population struggling with old injuries or time just catching up with them—the dynamic of veterans who’ve found themselves down on their luck because they can’t even stand and walk is something we can address directly.”

Among perhaps the most dynamic of his post-operative success stories is a retired F-16 pilot who flew in the Gulf War—and just won the Oahu CrossFit for his age group.

“Helping you get back out there is the best feeling in the world,” he says. “And I see it at every level of activity—I was playing basketball at a church a few months ago and a patient who I had performed bilateral hip replacements on was out there playing pickup with us.”

Which brings us back to there. As in Hawaii.

Dr. Balog’s final Army assignment at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu saw him deploy twice more—again to Afghanistan and also to Syria—while he served as Department Chief for four of his six years there and was also an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery for their residency program. He spent six years performing anterior hip replacements, full and partial knee replacements, as well as revision hip and knee replacements. Dr. Balog

ORTHOPAEDICS was also instrumental in bringing roboticassisted arthroplasty to Tripler and utilized this technology for his last 18 months of service.

Coincidentally, the forward surgical team Dr. Balog was assigned to in Syria was the 624th Forward Resuscitative and Surgical Team (FRST), based out of Erie, PA. As it came time to transition out of active duty, Pittsburgh was always considered the ideal landing spot for the family.

“Thanks to Rachel’s influence, wherever we’ve been, Pittsburgh has always been with us. We were married here. Our kids took turns wearing a Steelers onesie and a Terrible Towel has been proudly displayed wherever we were in the world,” Dr. Balog says. “The kids have always looked forward to their yearly visit to Kennywood, which is really cool since Rachel has memories of going there as a little girl with her parents and grandparents.”

Opportunity. Family. Community.

For the Balogs, Pittsburgh truly created a full-circle course of action. Dr. Balog was even able to transition to the Army Reserve and joined the 624th FRST as their orthopaedic surgeon—the very same unit he was with in Syria last year!

“The Army is a part of me and my family,” he says. “It’s that blue collar mentality, the true work ethic, and that sense of looking out for one another. It’s the same feeling I’ve always had coming to visit Pittsburgh every Summer with the family—great people, shared values, wanting to work hard and make a difference in the community. That’s the vibe I get being at St. Clair Health.” n

TODD P. BALOG, MD, FAAOS

Dr. Balog specializes in hip and knee replacement.

He earned his medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, and completeda residency in orthopaedic surgery at MadiganArmy Medical Center. He continued his education and completed an Adult Reconstruction fellowship at New England Baptist Hospital. Dr. Balog is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and an active member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. He practices with St. Clair Medical Group. To contact Dr. Balog, please call 412.942.7262.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 11

RIVERS OF INNOVATION One future surgeon’s promise to himself homegrown from both sides of the family tree.

E

leven and a half miles from where the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela form the mighty Ohio, one half of a familiar family origin story was built on grit.

“My father is from West Mifflin, and he helped pay his way through college working Summers in the mills,” says Nathaniel T. Ondeck, MD, MHS, a new surgeon with South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates. “His father was an electrician at Duquesne Works of U.S. Steel, and I remember talking with them about what they did—their sense of pride was palpable.”

The nonindustrial side made just as big of an impression, smoothing out the foundation of a rich patina of achievement.

“My mother is from Grove City. I was so fortunate to have that experience of being surrounded by everything there is to love about a small town,” Dr. Ondeck says. “It’s the feeling, where that carton of milk comes directly from my grandfather’s Dean’s Dairy delivery truck and everybody is always ready to lend a hand. Those connections are such an important part of the fabric of Western Pennsylvania and my life.”

Murrysville. McMurray. Grove City. West Mifflin.

White Oak. Duquesne.

“My whole family is Pittsburgh-born and raised,” he adds quickly. “It’s who we are—my heart and soul is here.”

Together, they set the standard for Dr. Ondeck.

“The importance of doing your best in anything you apply yourself to was always clear to me,” he says. “It’s about taking advantage of the opportunities you’re given, and an integral factor became CMU.” Two cousins before him. His older sister. Himself. His younger sister.

“Growing up in a family with a hands-on, blue-collar mindset, Carnegie Mellon was like the palace on the hill,” he says. “For all five of us to study engineering there—and to have overlap so there was always someone right there with you—was truly special.”

That connection made leaving home the hardest decision of Dr. Ondeck’s young life.

“The city, the rivers, all that black and gold—my family has always pulled in the same direction around this place,” he says. “Ultimately, I wanted to pursue the best training to prepare myself to become the best physician.”

12 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

T he Ondecks engineered a family of learning at CMU.

That drove his pursuit of both Yale, for medical school, and then New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS)—ranked No. 1 in orthopaedics for fifteen years running—where Dr. Ondeck completed an orthopaedic surgery residency followed by a fellowship in Adult Lower Extremity Reconstruction.

He was equally passionate about coming home.

“That was always the plan—to bring all the wonderful things I’ve learned back to Western PA and rejoin the community that has always supported my goals and dreams.”

Added bonus: “Now I get to re-explore the city! I’m particularly excited about those fundamental things like debating who’s got the best pierogies.”

ADVANCED CARE CLOSE TO HOME St. Clair Health offers world-class medical services in a convenient, comfortable setting—putting the best medical minds on your side, without having to travel to the other side of town.

For Dr. Ondeck, joining St. Clair represents the opportunity to exemplify wanting the best for the region.

“Putting the patient first is the core. The physician-patient relationship is unique, and more than anything, it’s a privilege to be entrusted with your care,” he says.

“The driving force is doing the right thing for every patient. I always ask myself, ‘What would I do if you were a family member?’ That’s the baseline. If you’re in your 60s, I think, ‘This could be my mom.’ If you’re in your 40s, you could be my cousin, Mark. When you put the patient’s needs first, you’re always going to make the right decision.”

One of the critical elements that drew Dr. Ondeck to St. Clair is personalizing patient care.

“Individualized treatment plans are built from a patient-specific approach,” he says.

“And that starts with recognizing that not every person in hip or knee pain needs to have that joint replaced.”

Strategic markers abound.

“That’s what makes your initial diagnosis so crucial—then we can build your plan,” he says.

“It’s not one-size-fits-all at St. Clair. Rather, it’s: How do we provide the best chance of meeting your goal?”

Ultimately, Dr. Ondeck leans into his extensive training.

“One percent of all joint replacements in the entire country are conducted at HSS,” he says.

“And I’ve had the great privilege of working with more than 35 different expert joint replacement surgeons over the last six years.”

That translates directly into deciphering which angle of approach is best for you.

“Each surgical approach and procedure has their own strengths, and we take them all into consideration to maximize outcomes. From multiple muscle-sparing techniques that offer less numbness and pain through the healing process, to aesthetic considerations, it all comes back to your goals,” he says.

Dr. Ondeck, who joins St. Clair Health as Orthopaedic Innovation Officer, has some of his own. In addition to the family values instilled from an early age, sports helped further his competitive intuition. He lettered in soccer at Franklin Regional—and moonlighted as a kicker on Friday nights under the lights.

“The great joy of orthopaedics comes from where that sense of work ethic and creativity come together,” he says. “That’s where we find the answers that drive innovation.”

Dr. Ondeck applies the same agile mindset regarding how a procedure like ACL reconstruction has advanced for athletes to joint reconstruction surgery for Western Pennsylvania’s aging population.

“The building blocks are the same, but we must always be seeking better ways to improve patient care,” he says. “This is an extremely dynamic, ever-evolving field, from implants designed to feel more natural and last longer to pre- and post-operative therapy that helps you get back out there quicker than ever.”

Technology helps steer every step of the process.

“HSS provided the opportunity to work not just with every major advancement in robotic surgery, navigation systems, and artificial

ORTHOPAEDICS intelligence [AI], but to train alongside the people who engineered them,” he says.

Dr. Ondeck is equally adamant about the human element shepherding those advancements.

“It’s critical for patients to understand— especially if you’re leery about the AI conversations taking place today—that your surgeon not only creates your plan, but they’re also the one with their hand on the controls confirming every decision,” he says. “The robot helps enact our plan as accurately as possible; ultimately, it’s your surgeon’s decision making and touch every step of the way.”

Parallel to getting clinical reps in like an athlete preparing for the big game, Dr. Ondeck says mentorship and research complete the medal trifecta—a three-level approach infusing more than 60 published works to date.

“Seeking better—turning potential into innovation—that’s why research is so important,” he says. “Applied clinical practice plus research translates to imparting that wisdom on the next generation, which is why I’m tremendously excited about what St. Clair Health is building with EDU LAB and working with learners from Duquesne’s new medical school.”

So what does Dr. Ondeck envision on the road ahead?

“Training as specifically and learning as deeply as possible—to continue to trailblaze in joint replacement surgery because it’s such an important factor,” he says. “Staying abreast of innovation in order to continue bringing the best technology to St. Clair. That is a privilege, and together, our promise to the community.” n

NATHANIEL T. ONDECK, MD, MHS

Dr. Ondeck specializes in joint replacement surgery and serves as Orthopaedic Innovation Officer at St. Clair Health. He earned his medical degree at Yale, where he also completed a master’s degree in Health Science. Dr. Ondeck then completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), New York, NY. He continued his education and completed an Adult Lower Extremity Reconstruction (Joint Replacement) fellowship at HSS. He practices with South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates. To contact Dr. Ondeck, please call 412.283.0260.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 13

FROM STRUGGLES TO SMILES Growing a family with expert help. e is the best baby ever! The happiest baby. The chubbiest baby.

The sweetest baby. The baby who loves to smile, laugh and snuggle.”

That’s how Kayla Freeman, RN, BSN, fondly describes her second-born, Ford.

It’s difficult to imagine now what life would be like without the newest member of the family. But at one point, Kayla and her husband, Danny, were unsure if they would be able to grow their family as they had hoped.

Kayla has polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age. She says, “A doctor in North Carolina told me that I would have a hard time getting pregnant because of PCOS. So I was surprised of course when I learned I was pregnant with my firstborn, Asher.”

Kayla and Danny welcomed Asher in 2021 while Danny was stationed at Fort Liberty, a military installation of the United States Army. He left active duty to join the National Guard following Asher’s birth, which allowed the couple to move closer to her family in Pittsburgh.

While the Bethel Park native raised Asher and Daniel, Danny’s older son from a previous relationship, Kayla also took on a nursing role at 14 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

the St. Clair Hospital Family Birth Center. It was then that the long journey to getting pregnant for a second time began.

“When I started working here, I was talking with a colleague one day about how I needed to find an OB/GYN who accepted TRICARE, the uniformed services health care program for active duty service members. Thankfully, one of the physicians chimed in upon hearing that conversation,” shares Kayla.

That physician was Amy B. Turner, DO, of Advanced Women’s Care of Pittsburgh, who Kayla began seeing for OB/GYN care. It was serendipity that Dr. Turner became her doctor, as she specializes in fertility and Kayla would need medical intervention to get pregnant with Ford—though she didn’t know it at the time.

“We started trying again right before Asher turned two. We accidentally got pregnant with him, but now we were struggling to get pregnant for a second time after actively trying for some time using ovulation strips, apps and more. When I asked Dr. Turner if that was normal, she said we could start looking into things at that time since I have PCOS,” explains Kayla.

“Dr. Turner ordered all the lab work. She got my hormones tested, made sure I was ovulating, and checked that my egg reserves were good.

We were checking all the boxes,” says Kayla.

“All of that looked good, so we started talking next steps. While fertility medications were an option, I chose to move forward with a hysterosalpingogram or HSG because I didn’t want to prolong things any further.”

During a HSG, a contrast dye is injected into the uterus and X-ray images are taken as the dye flows through the uterus and fallopian tubes. When Michelle L. Harvison, MD, Chair of OB/GYN, performed the procedure, Kayla distinctly remembers, “Only my uterus lit up on the screen. Both my tubes were blocked.”

She continues, “Dr. Harvison said she could try to force the tubes open by flushing the dye a couple more times if I was doing alright. She was able to get one side open but not the other, so Dr. Harvison suggested I talk to Dr. Turner about my options.”

While Kayla may have been able to get pregnant now that one fallopian tube was clear, there was a higher chance of ectopic pregnancy since the reason for the other blockage was still unknown. So they decided that Dr. Turner would perform an exploratory procedure, where she found and removed scar tissue to open the other fallopian tube.

“The anesthesia team came in and talked to me. Dr. Turner came in and explained everything

that she was going to do. They were all very calming and answered any questions I had,” says Kayla. “It was a quick and easy outpatient procedure, so I went home the same day.”

The successful outpatient procedure enabled Kayla to quickly become pregnant in August 2023—approximately one year after she and her husband first began trying to conceive their second child. Kayla says, “I told Danny the good news on his birthday.”

It was a full-circle moment nine months later, in April 2024, when Dr. Turner delivered Ford at the Family Birth Center after being with Kayla through every step of her journey. He was a healthy baby boy—born at nine pounds, two ounces and 22 inches long! Though she started experiencing early labor before reaching full term, Kayla was medically induced to ensure her labor progressed.

“My induction was honestly the best experience ever! Even my husband tells everybody that it was the best experience,” Kayla shares. “I mean, Danny has had three kids now, and he wants everybody to have the same awesome experience.”

She continues, “The team, my colleagues, decorated my room and were really respectful of everything that I wanted. Mandy, a friend and fellow nurse who previously served as my preceptor, was with me throughout my time at the Family Birth Center. She was phenomenal, going so far as to hold the monitor on the baby when he wouldn’t stay still.”

“I’ve always said I would not deliver my baby where I worked if I didn't trust the team. In fact, I didn't deliver my baby where I worked in North Carolina as I didn't feel like I had the same trust as I do with the physicians here at St. Clair,” Kayla stresses. “I see how they care for and remember their patients. I know they're invested in what happens with every patient.”

A commitment to that level of care is a hallmark of St. Clair Health—one that is shared by the physicians, nurses like Kayla, and everyone else at the Family Birth Center.

Dr. Harvison says, “We have multiple physician groups who deliver babies at the Family Birth Center. We work so well together not only because we care about one other. We also take care of each other and our families. It’s the same with the nurses, because we rely on them so much.”

She adds, “Our team is big enough that we have all of the resources needed to deliver high-

quality obstetrical care, but we're not so big that you lose the personal touch. Patients develop relationships with the physicians who see you through every stage of your pregnancy. The nurses who take care of you during your labor and delivery. The pediatricians who take care of your newborn.”

One nurse is assigned to one patient upon admission—and they remain intimately involved before, during, and after your delivery.

Kayla explains, “Our Family Birth Center is one unit, so the nurse who cared for you during labor may also be your postpartum nurse. It’s very individualized care because I get to spend so much time with my patients and really get to know them.”

She continues, “I have experience in pediatric care, so I also work in the special care nursery at the Family Birth Center. There are times where I will care for a mother through labor and delivery, then see her again during my next shift if the baby requires a special level of care.”

A board-certified Pediatric Hospitalist is in-house 24/7 to monitor babies in the Level II Special Care Nursery and provide other care as needed. Additionally, a certified lactation counselor from the on-site Lactation Center is available to help new mothers learn the ins and outs of breastfeeding. And a perinatal social worker will make sure mothers are prepared for discharge. Plus, a variety of educational programs and support groups are offered for new parents and their families.

All of these caring professionals—and more—work as a team to make decisions because they recognize no birth is routine, and no baby ordinary, at the Family Birth Center.

The personalized care each mother and child receives from this team makes the labor and delivery experience at St. Clair Hospital truly unique. As Kayla puts it, “You are a patient here, not a number.”

OB/GYN This exceptional level of care extends far beyond the Family Birth Center. The dedicated providers at both St. Clair Medical Group OB/GYN and Advanced Women’s Care of Pittsburgh provide the personalized, comprehensive OB/GYN care that women need throughout their lifetimes. Kayla says, “It's comforting to have that continuation of care. It makes you feel safe.”

“I've been here long enough to deliver a patient's baby, and then a few years later, do her hysterectomy—all under one umbrella, in one place,” says Dr. Harvison. “I also see multiple generations of women from the same family for care. I completed a mom's hysterectomy last year and just recently delivered her daughter’s baby.”

Even better, Dr. Harvison and her colleagues offer this incomparable care close to home—as a majority of the providers not only work but also live in the communities they serve. She explains, “Physicians go to where they're drawn to. Many of us chose to come to St. Clair Health because we want to serve the communities we grew up in.”

Dr. Harvison continues, “We love our jobs, and we love taking care of people in our community. When we see patients out in the community, we hope they will comment ‘I'm so glad this is my doctor’ or say hello.”

As both an employee and patient, Kayla isn’t shy about sharing those sorts of positive reviews. She says, “I cannot brag enough about our doctors and our staff. I love it here!

It’s why my cousin is now seeing our doctors and will soon deliver her first baby at the Family Birth Center.” n

MICHELLE L. HARVISON, MD

Dr. Harvison serves as the Chair of OB/GYN and is boardcertified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

She earned her medical degree at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University and completed her residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital. She practices with Advanced Women's Care of Pittsburgh and was named a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2024.

To contact Dr. Harvison, please call 724.941.1866.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 15

ONE WOMAN’S UNIQUE CAREER PATH FROM NURSE TO PHYSICIAN Her nontraditional journey and relentless passion combine to create a distinctive approach to women's health.

P

assion is a driving force for Kourtnie R. McQuillen, MD, of St. Clair Medical Group OB/GYN. Her fervor is evident, and her enthusiasm both palpable and contagious, when she speaks about something she is passionate about.

Her passion for celebrating her loved ones is apparent in the special occasions she plans and invites everyone to attend. Dr. McQuillen says, “If I weren't a doctor, I would have been an event planner. I recently hosted a huge Halloween-themed costume party for my youngest child’s first birthday.”

Her passion for animals shines through in the way she talks about her family pets over the years and the national dog shows she has attended.

Dr. McQuillen shares, “I'm a hardcore animal lover, which is why I'm vegetarian.

And I particularly love pugs! I’ve been known to stop my vehicle on the side of the road just to pet a pug.”

Her passion for gardening is relatively new but growing rapidly.

Dr. McQuillen says, “I'm obsessed with it! My entire basement was filled with seedlings and lights earlier this year, allowing me to grow 15 or 16 different types of flowers. I also had lettuce, tomatoes, and arugula.”

When Dr. McQuillen is passionate about something, she fully commits to becoming highly skilled in that area. As she says, “Whenever I do something, I do it to the fullest.” Her medical career is no exception.

The Johnstown native realized at just 12 years old that she wanted to advocate for women. Dr. McQuillen notes, “I am a true girl's girl.” This early realization made her certain that she would pursue a career as an OB/GYN physician—though her path to becoming a doctor was somewhat unique.

Dr. McQuillen began her healthcare career as a nurse aid at UPMC Montefiore Hospital while earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duquesne University. She initially considered becoming a nurse anesthetist, but her clinical rotations made her realize she wanted to care for people in a different way.

Dr. McQuillen worked full-time as a nurse following graduation but soon decided to pursue a postbaccalaureate program at Washington University in St. Louis that would allow her to complete the courses needed for medical school. Upon completion of that program, she pursued her medical degree at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton.

16 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

OB/GYN

C elebrating family is always a special occasion for Dr. McQuillen.

Between her first and second years of medical school, she continued to work as a nurse in the area—which is how she met her husband.

Dr. McQuillen says, “Joe was running a day camp for kids, where I served as the camp nurse that summer.”

After completing her residency at West Virginia University and practicing at one of the health system’s hospitals in Martinsburg, Dr. McQuillen and her husband wanted to return to Pittsburgh. She explains, “He also attended college in the area, and my little sister lives on Mount Washington, so we wanted to settle down here together.”

They now reside in a home on the edge of the Hickory Heights Golf Club with their three children: four-year-old Giuliana, two-year-old Jude, and one-year-old Jenson. Their family also includes pets of course, including Millie the goldendoodle and Sydney the long-haired Siamese cat.

It was serendipity that Dr. McQuillen’s nontraditional route led her to meet her husband, but it was her passion and dedication that drove Dr. McQuillen to achieve her ultimate goal of becoming an OB/GYN. “Being a doctor, for me, is the most fulfilling role,” she says. “I truly love caring for women and value the connections I build with patients.”

Dr. McQuillen continues, “Being an OB/GYN means that I’m there for some of the most intimate parts of a woman's life, when they can feel extremely vulnerable. So, I really respect the intimacy of that relationship.”

A nontraditional path also gave Dr. McQuillen a unique perspective on health care. “My nursing experience is invaluable,” she explains. “It allowed me to better understand the dynamics of health care and the critical role each person plays in patient care. It has undoubtedly helped shape the way I collaborate with colleagues and care for my patients.”

Dr. McQuillen prioritizes listening to her patients to meet them where they are. “Whatever you want to discuss, whatever is important to you— big or small, whether directly related to the appointment or not—we can talk about it. Because what matters most to you is what matters most to me,” she says.

Dr. McQuillen understood that what mattered most to one young patient was feeling safe and comfortable during her annual gynecological exam. “This patient was extremely anxious due to a previous bad experience with another physician outside St. Clair Health," she shares.

“By the end of our appointment, she felt like we had connected and that all her concerns were addressed. She even asked if she could give me a hug.”

As an OB/GYN, Dr. McQuillen is an advocate for women at every stage of life, with her greatest joy coming from improving their quality of life. She recalls doing just that for a patient who recently came to her complaining of an ovarian cyst.

“This patient had been telling doctors for years that she was in so much pain, she couldn’t even go out to dinner. I suspected she had severe endometriosis, which she did,” says Dr. McQuillen. “I performed a laparoscopy to remove endometrial tissue in her pelvis. At her follow-up appointment, she cried and told me that I literally saved her life.”

She adds, “When I’m the patient, I want to go to someone that I know, trust, and feel a connection with. I want the same thing for patients when they come to see me.”

Since joining St. Clair Medical Group OB/GYN earlier this year, Dr. McQuillen has already made a meaningful impact on her patients.

According to Tera S. Conway, MD, “Dr. McQuillen brings fresh enthusiasm to the practice and our patients have welcomed her with open arms. She cares about her patients and their outcomes, always striving to achieve the best for each and every person she cares for.” n

KOURTNIE R. MCQUILLEN, MD

Dr. McQuillen specializes in obstetrics and gynecology and is boardcertified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She earned her medical degree at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton, Pennsylvania and completed her residency at West Virginia University. Dr. McQuillen practices with St. Clair Medical Group.

To contact Dr. McQuillen, please call 412.942.5380.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 17

BRINGING A WORLD OF EXPERIENCE TO LOCAL PRACTICE A deep commitment to patient-centered care makes global traveler a valuable addition.

F

ollowing the completion of her residency and before joining St. Clair Medical Group OB/GYN this fall, Taylor S. Pollock, MD, traveled to Italy with her family. Last year, the whole family visited Holland for the annual Amsterdam Tulip Festival since the event was on her grandmother’s bucket list. They have also enjoyed time together at Glacier National Park in Montana— among other destinations.

These family trips may feed Dr. Pollock’s wanderlust and give her plenty of opportunities to flex her photography skills, but what this family-oriented woman enjoys most about them is the quality time and memories made. Dr. Pollock explains, “I enjoy traveling with my family because it's a rare time when we can all meet up and spend time together.”

Dr. Pollock is now able to see more of her grandparents and extended family who reside in Western Pennsylvania.

She sees her other family members whenever she can, even with her brother living in Charleston, South Carolina and her parents still in Latrobe—where she grew up— since they have always been a significant influence in her life.

“My parents really just wanted me to pursue anything in my life that would make me happy,” says Dr. Pollock.

“Though there is no one else in my family in healthcare, they supported me wholeheartedly as I pursued a career as a physician.”

Her love of science and anatomy inspired Dr. Pollock to participate in an allied health program during high school. Designed to introduce students to medical and health science careers, the program enabled her to shadow professionals at local hospitals. Dr. Pollock recalls, “After observing a couple of different surgeons in the operating room, I knew being a surgeon was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

18 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

 The family who travels together also supported Dr. Pollock on the road to becoming a doctor.

She continues, “I was blown away when I saw an open heart surgery! I thought it was so amazing that you could fix someone's heart surgically. I started college thinking I wanted to be a heart surgeon and kind of kept my mind open to that.”

Dr. Pollock joined the pre-med club and helped with research projects to explore the field as an undergraduate student at Duquesne University. It was the work she did on a project about genetics and preterm labor that changed the course of her career. She says, “I did extensive reading about pregnancy science and thought it was incredible that every time a healthy baby is born, many things had to align perfectly to lead to that.”

“Obstetrics is an art because every patient and every baby behave differently during pregnancies and deliveries. To be able to

have a part in that is really special,” shares Dr. Pollock. “I am incredibly passionate about obstetrics and gynecology, and I genuinely feel like I have found my calling.”

Her decision to pursue OB/GYN as a specialty was affirmed during medical school.

She says, “I never realized how broad of a specialty it is until my first year of medical school, when I worked in the OB/GYN department during a summer externship.

From helping with deliveries to seeing surgeries, everything was exciting and every day different. I just fell in love with the specialty and decided I wanted to be an OB/GYN.” It is not an overstatement to say that Dr. Pollock was excited to continue providing OB/GYN care as the newest member of St. Clair Medical Group OB/GYN. She appreciates not only the opportunity to be closer to family but also to practice with genuinely good people who have already been so kind and supportive.

Dr. Pollock must give what she gets, as her partners only have good things to say. According to Tera S. Conway, MD, who also practices with St. Clair Medical Group OB/GYN, “Dr. Pollock is an excellent addition to the practice. She is very kind and easy to work with. And having recently graduated from residency, she is up to date with best practices and technologies.”

Recognizing that delivering exceptional care isn’t just about her medical expertise, Dr. Pollock focuses just as much on bedside manner. She says, “I believe I am a good listener and have a calm demeanor, which I think can be reassuring to patients when they're discussing especially sensitive matters. I’m also quite an empathetic person, so I can understand what my patients may be feeling and going through.”

She adds, “What humbles me every day is being involved with the things that are so precious to every patient. I never take it for granted when someone trusts me with something as significant as their health and well-being.”

Interacting with people of different backgrounds and experiences as much as she has means Dr. Pollock approaches all patients without judgment. She takes into account the social factors that may affect their health to

OB/GYN figure out how to best meet their needs and help them achieve their goals. This patientcentered approach to care is partially informed by her previous work with underserved populations.

While at Duquesne University, Dr. Pollock did volunteer work with homeless individuals, Hispanic immigrants and youth from innercity schools. She later treated people with substance use disorder regularly as an OB/GYN resident in Charleston, West Virginia.

Dr. Pollock emphasizes, “I would say advocating for underserved populations is something I've always been passionate about.”

Dr. Pollock also cares about paying it forward to the next generation of healthcare professionals. She says, “I have always enjoyed serving in mentor roles and have had plenty of mentors throughout my schooling, training and career thus far that have made an impact on me. I would be excited to teach medical students—perhaps from my alma mater, Duquesne University, when they begin rotating here in a couple of years.”

Dr. Pollock continues, “Since I am a firstgeneration healthcare professional and now know what it is like to go through medical school and residency, I think it would be special to help someone else through that experience.”

For now, this new attending physician will focus on her ongoing education as she works with and learns from colleagues at St. Clair Medical Group OB/GYN. Knowing the practice provides a wide array of services to patients at multiple locations across the region, Dr. Pollock looks forward to providing a broad range of patient care to the community. n

TAYLOR S. POLLOCK, MD

Dr. Pollock specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. She earned her medical degree at the West Virginia University School of Medicine and completed her residency at the Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) in Charleston, West Virginia. Dr. Pollock practices with St. Clair Medical Group. To contact Dr. Pollock, please call 412-788-1330.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 19

RETURNING HERE WAS DEFINITELY THE DREAM Mt. Lebanon native & former St. Clair Hospital volunteer has come full circle.

W

hen kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, one of the most common answers they share is doctor.

Many kids may have a different response to this question as they grow older and explore new interests of course. For some, however, their answer never changes. Karrah E. Dattilo, DO, never wavered in her desire to one day become a doctor. As far back as her memory can go, she has never thought of being anything else.

Health care is something this Mt. Lebanon native has known her whole life, as her mother Susan McMahon, DMD, has practiced as a dentist since before her daughter was born. Dr. Dattilo says, “My mom owned her own practice and served as a real role model in terms of medical business. It has been really awesome to learn from her.”

She continues, “Much to her disappointment, I didn't want to be a dentist. Still, I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field. And whenever I thought about it, it was always OB/GYN.” Dr. Dattilo was introduced to the OB/GYN specialty at a young age thanks to another significant role model in her life—her aunt, Kimberly S. McMahon, MD, who has practiced as an OB/GYN specialist for more than two decades with Northwestern Specialists for Women in Chicago, Illinois.

As a Clinical Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University’s affiliate medical school, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. McMahon says, “I always strive to recruit students into the field of women's health, but Karrah didn't need any recruiting!

20 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

 Aunt Kim introduced Dr. Dattilo to the OB/GYN specialty at an early age.

I don't think any other specialty was ever a consideration for her.”

“Karrah met me at the hospital to watch her first delivery when I was on call and she was visiting one weekend during college! She later worked with me every day during a one-month rotation while in medical school,” shares Dr. McMahon. “She was such a smart, talented and enthusiastic student.”

There was no doubt that both Dr. Dattilo and her aunt knew she had found her calling.

Dr. Dattilo says, “Having the introduction to OB/GYN at a young age sparked my interest, but I was very much sold on the specialty after those experiences. It felt like this is what I was meant to do.”

While she majored in history and studied the American Civil War as an undergraduate student at University of Wisconsin–Madison, Dr. Dattilo always planned to pursue medical school with the ultimate goal to practice medicine and care for those in the community she calls home, just like her mother did.

“As a volunteer at St. Clair Hospital while in high school, I often helped to transport patients throughout the facility, including those leaving the maternity unit,” shares Dr. Dattilo. It was a full-circle moment when she stepped into St. Clair Hospital to deliver that first baby as a physician with Advanced Women’s Care of Pittsburgh.

“I always hoped I would come back here.

It's just very cool to actually do it,” she says.

“I love practicing in the community that I live in and grew up in. What I like most about coming back here is the connections to people all over the place.”

The connections she has with colleagues like Mary J. Sims, MD, MA, for example.

Dr. Dattilo explains, “We grew up together playing sports and going to camp, then graduated from the same high school in the same year. After reconnecting when I joined Advanced Women’s Care last year, we have grown closer and enjoy playing paddle ball together in our spare time.”

And then there are the connections she builds with patients. Patients who come to her with a variety of health needs. From general health to hormones. From menstrual cycles to the transition into menopause. Like all OB/GYN providers at St. Clair Health, Dr. Dattilo is a generalist who can handle an array of obstetrics and gynecological care.

“I was exposed to a variety of OB/GYN subspecialties during residency, but I never wanted to be limited to just one of them. I always knew I wanted the whole breadth of it—both performing gynecological surgeries and taking care of patients in need of obstetrics care,” says Dr. Dattilo.

She adds, “I love how every day can look different. I can be in the office seeing patients one day, then on call in the Family Birth Center the next day to deliver babies or perform surgeries as needed. Then I may end the week with scheduled procedures such as a urinary incontinence sling or roboticassisted hysterectomy.”

There is a good chance Dr. Dattilo may provide a range of care to a single patient, as she and her colleagues often care for women from adolescence through menopause and beyond. It’s also not unusual for her to provide care to multiple women from a single family, which lends itself to lifelong connections that are really something special.

“We aren’t just invested in medical practice.

We’re invested most importantly in our patients. That’s why we can recall that you had irregular bleeding due to a uterine fibroid years ago without consulting your medical records.

It’s our practice to know you and know what happened—and I just think that's awesome,” says Dr. Dattilo.

She continues, “It’s really incredible that patients trust me to take care of them throughout their life and during some of the most pivotal parts of their lives. It’s so rewarding to help them through something or watch them grow their families.”

The most gratifying labor and delivery for Dr. Dattilo may have been her own in 2023.

OB/GYN She appreciated the continuity of care and personalized care she experienced during her time as a patient in the St. Clair Hospital Family Birth Center. In fact, Dr. Dattilo fondly remembers seeing the same nurses before, during and after the birth of her daughter, Norah—who was delivered by her friend and colleague, Dr. Sims.

After personally experiencing the obstetrics side of things, Dr. Dattilo not only provides medical insights but also personal anecdotes with patients. She says, “Sharing what I remember and what they can expect I think builds an extra level of trust with your patients.”

With that trust and her medical expertise, Dr. Dattilo is able to provide care that is as personalized as the health care each patient needs. She explains, “There are so many different goals with OB/GYN care, including but not limited to managing menstrual cycles, getting pregnant or treating a chronic condition.

Providing individualized care helps patients meet their goals and optimize their health.”

Dr. McMahon insists OB/GYN was a great fit for Dr. Dattilo not only because of her interest, but because of who she is as a person. Dr. McMahon says, “Karrah's energy, deep compassion and ability to really hear her patients are many of the attributes that make her an amazing and holistic physician.”

When Dr. Dattilo isn’t busy seeing patients or studying to complete the oral portion of her board certification examination, you may run into her while she enjoys a walk with her husband, Marty, and their daughter. You may also catch her creating a beautiful flower arrangement with the same attention to detail that she displays in the operating room. n

KARRAH E. DATTILO, DO

Dr. Dattilo specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. She earned her medical degree at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. Dr. Dattilo completed both an internship and residency at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, an affiliate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria. She practices with Advanced Women's Care of Pittsburgh.

To contact Dr. Dattilo, please call 724.941.1866.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 21

Local woman joins the practice that first sparked her interest in OB/GYN.

T

he boomerang effect is real for Pittsburgh native Julianne M. Capozzi Ryan, DO. Though she left the Steel City after college to complete medical school and her residency, Dr. Capozzi Ryan has returned to her hometown like so many originally from this area.

There are several reasons why Dr. Capozzi Ryan came back to the ’Burgh, but chief among them, of course, was family. The Jefferson Hills native shares, “My whole family lives in Pittsburgh.

I have two brothers who each have children with their significant others, and then both my parents still live in the area.”

She looks forward to spending more time with her family now that she and her husband, Sean, have settled down in Bethel Park with their dog Kylie and son—who they welcomed in September at the St. Clair Hospital Family Birth Center.

Another reason Dr. Capozzi Ryan was happy to return to the area? She embraced the opportunity to join the practice that first sparked her interest in OB/GYN. “I initially thought I wanted to specialize in pathology, the study of disease and injury,” she explains. “I was always fascinated by how you can diagnose a disease and then treat it after growing up around medicine, or at least veterinary medicine because of my mom, Denise.”

OB/GYN wasn't even on her radar—until she completed a clinical rotation in medical school with Kristen E. Peske, DO, at Advanced Women’s Care of Pittsburgh. Dr. Capozzi Ryan says,

22 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

"St. Clair Health has taken the time to find well-trained providers who not only have a plethora of expertise but who are extremely invested in the people and communities they serve."

OB/GYN

JULIANNE M. CAPOZZI RYAN, DO Advanced Women's Care of Pittsburgh

“I think she kind of inspired me. I loved everything about the practice and the care that she was giving. It really did motivate me to choose OB/GYN at the end of the day.”

She continues, “Everyone was very welcoming and let me do a lot.

As a medical student, you get used to watching. But they allowed me to be very hands-on with the patients—following them through a disease course or being part of surgeries and deliveries. I think that really left an impact.”

Dr. Peske recalls, “Dr. Capozzi Ryan was an excellent medical student who was very motivated and eager to learn in every circumstance. I knew after she rotated with Advanced Women’s Care for a second time that she would fit in well with us and be an excellent future partner.”

“Our patients are going to love her friendly, outgoing and very compassionate personality,” shares Dr. Peske. “Plus, we love having another doctor who was raised in the area join the practice. It means they will hopefully stay with our practice for many years, enabling our patients to form meaningful, trusting relationships with our doctors.”

Those sorts of patient relationships are the most rewarding part of being a doctor according to Dr. Capozzi Ryan. She says, “OB/GYN encompasses a woman’s entire lifespan, allowing physicians to build long-standing rapport with their patients. I hope to help patients throughout their lives as they strive to meet their health goals.”

Knowing women's health care is constantly changing, especially as women evolve throughout their lifetimes, Dr. Capozzi Ryan focuses on meeting patients where they are. As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, she has been trained to look at the whole patient, not just the disease course.

She explains, “Meeting patients where they are means allowing patients to choose what matters most to them while we work together to manage conditions. For some, the goal may be the resolution of symptoms. For others, it’s being able to maintain their daily lifestyle or enjoy certain activities.”

While this approach to care was primarily informed by her medical training, her father’s cancer diagnosis during her final year of medical school also played a role. She clarifies, “Nothing compared to the knowledge I received being on the patient side of the medical experience. It forever changed how I view the patient experience and how I approach patient care.”

“Patients will never be judged for anything they come to me for.

I hope they will feel at ease with me knowing that I'm willing to work

 Dr. Capozzi Ryan celebrates the start of medical school with her parents.

with them, no matter their starting point and end goals,” says Dr. Capozzi Ryan.

Whether a patient is in need of an annual exam, gynecologic surgery, pregnancy and postpartum care, labor and delivery, or more, Dr. Capozzi Ryan can deliver the quality, compassionate care women need throughout their lifetimes. She shares, “I became interested in OB/GYN care due to the multifaceted nature of the field. I like that it is also is the perfect combination of primary and surgical care.”

Dr. Capozzi Ryan continues, “We are the sweet spot, right between primary care and surgical care, because we care for patients for a long period of time. And sometimes, we may even serve as their first doctor, especially in their teenage years through their childbearing years.”

Though obstetrics will always be her first love because of the relationships she builds with patients over the 40 weeks of pregnancy, Dr. Capozzi Ryan is a generalist who can provide a range of obstetrics and gynecological care. And she appreciates the opportunity to deliver that care in collaboration with colleagues who share her service mindset.

“St. Clair Health has taken the time to find well-trained providers who not only have a plethora of expertise but who are extremely invested in the people and communities they serve,” explains Dr. Capozzi Ryan. “This investment is why we will go the extra mile every time.”

She adds, “Growing up in the area, multiple family members received care through St. Clair Health—and it was always quality, accessible care.

That’s still the case today even as the health system continues to grow.

You don't feel like you're just a number here.” n

JULIANNE M. CAPOZZI RYAN, DO

Dr. Capozzi Ryan specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. She earned her medical degree at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania, and completed a residency at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Capozzi Ryan practices with Advanced Women's Care of Pittsburgh. To contact Dr. Capozzi Ryan, please call 724.941.1866.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 23

Asha Anderson-Ramos,

Shelby Sweitzer, RN

RN, MSN

LASTCALL

NEW FACES, SAME COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL CARE

Recent additions are already making an impact on patients and their teams.

A

sha Anderson-Ramos, RN, MSN, and Shelby Sweitzer, RN, are recent additions to the approximately 600 nurses who deliver care to St. Clair Health patients each and every day. Like their colleagues across the health system, these two young nurses share a passion for helping others. But that’s not all they have in common.

Both Asha and Shelby were inspired to pursue nursing careers after seeing the women in their families flourish in their respective health professions. When Asha’s great-grandmother experienced a stroke during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, her mother provided care at home as an experienced nurse. Between seeing her mom in action every day and becoming a caregiver for her great-grandmother before her passing, Asha was moved to change careers.

24 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

The former teacher explains, “I didn't realize how much care happens at home.

I think that's what made me want to be a nurse. I wanted to educate people on what happens after leaving the hospital and going home.”

experiences at St. Clair Health and other local health systems, but they ultimately chose to return St. Clair Health for their first full-time nursing jobs. It’s because the people and workplace culture left a lasting impression on them.

For Shelby, nursing was always on her radar as healthcare is sort of the family business. Her aunt is a respiratory therapist. Her mother returned to school to become a vascular ultrasound technician following her divorce. And her grandmother was a registered nurse.

Asha began working as a full-time nurse on Unit 6F, a medical/surgical unit, in May 2024 after taking nearly one year off from work following the birth of her triplets. She says, “I was so worried and nervous about coming back to work as a parent, and Unit Manager Jesse Gaefke, RN, BSN, BS, just made the transition super easy.”

She says, “My grandmother grew up in a time where women graduated school and got married, but she put herself through nursing school and also got her teaching degree so she could become school nurse.

She and my mom are both role models.”

Though Shelby and Asha went to different nursing schools at different times, they both completed hands-on training at St. Clair Health as part of their education.

Shelby not only completed a three-month clinical rotation on a medical-surgical unit; the Bethel Park native also worked as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in a standby capacity while earning her Associate Degree in Nursing from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC).

Asha moved from her hometown of Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to complete the Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing Program at La Roche University.

While participating in the accelerated program designed for graduates with a bachelor's degree in another discipline, she participated in a 14-week rotation on a post-surgical unit at St. Clair Health.

Both Asha and Shelby honed their nursing skills during supervised

Asha continues, “When touring the unit during the interview process, I saw firsthand that Jesse was a very hands-on manager and effective leader.

His ‘open door policy’ really creates a safe, open space.”

Additionally, Asha appreciates being part of a team that includes multiple nurses who have worked at St. Clair Health for an extended period of time. These tenured nurses are always happy to share their institutional knowledge with newer nurses like Asha to ensure the patients and staff get what they need to be successful—an attitude that is contagious on her medical/ surgical unit.

Plus, everyone is very understanding and supportive. Whenever I have a question, they are always happy to answer it or show me what to do.”

Because Shelby and Asha feel empowered by their respective teams, they make a difference during each and every shift. According to Laura Scarton, RN, BSN, MSN, Unit Manager of IMC, “Shelby is always willing to learn and help out others. She has been has been a great addition to the IMC team, fitting right in with the group and providing excellent patient care with joy and excitement.”

Laura adds, “Shelby has done a phenomenal job adjusting to new experiences and building a workflow that will work for her now and in the future. She continues to learn how nursing works, while taking care of a multitude of patients.”

Like Shelby, Asha often handles multiple patients and activities at once.

Whether caring for patients, administering medications, or collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, Jesse notices how Asha is always looking for ways to improve the care and well-being of her patients.

“The people who you work with can make or break your shift. And I’m proud to be part of a unit where every team member thinks about how to make today a good day for everybody,” says Asha.

“We are very happy to have Asha on our team,” says Jesse. “What makes Asha a great addition to the team are her clinical skills, her personality, and her kindness— all of which lend themselves to the patient-centered approach to care that our patients deserve.”

Also in her first year as a full-time nurse at St. Clair Health, Shelby echoes the sentiment that teamwork makes the dream work on her unit—the Intermediate Care Unit (IMC) unit. She says, “The whole team has been very warm and welcoming.

Both Asha and Shelby exemplify our commitment to delivering Expert care from people who care to every patient, every time.

It’s another commonality they share—not only with each other but with every team member at St. Clair Health. n

Expert care from people who care. It’s more than our tagline—it’s the relentless drive we bring to carry out our mission every single day. Interested in joining the team? Follow St. Clair Health Careers on Facebook and LinkedIn or visit stclair.org.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL I 25

BECOMING A TEACHING HOSPITAL Expert training. Dynamic environment.

Unprecedented opportunity.

As one of the remaining independent health systems in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, St. Clair Health is working to help address the current and future shortage of healthcare providers caring for patients in southwestern Pennsylvania. St. Clair Health is taking a bold step to convert from a training to a teaching hospital to address current and projected healthcare workforce shortages.

Our people—our doctors, nurses, and clinicians—allow us to deliver extraordinary care. It is our obligation, our mission, to ensure we have not only enough providers to serve our growing community, but also top-quality providers. To attract, train, hire and retain the best medical staff in the region we have a threepillar plan.

Combined, these three pillars will educate over 600 health science learners, medical students and residents per year. In return, these medical professionals will provide care to thousands of patients annually. These initiatives begin to address the healthcare workforce shortage now and build a long-term pipeline of well-trained professionals in Western Pennsylvania—the best of whom we will seek to recruit into full-time, long-term employment at St. Clair Health.

“We are passionate about creating a learning environment that is cultivating continuous growth, innovation, and collaboration so the next generation of primary care physicians are prepared to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care in our region.”

KRISTEN LIVESEY, MD Internal Medicine Residency Program Director

STEPS TO BECOMING A DOCTOR Undergraduate Degree

26 I ST. CLAIR HEALTH I HOUSECALL

Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) Medical School with 3rd and 4th Year Clinical Rotations

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Residency

Board Eligible/ Certified

Continuing Medical Education

EDU LAB

THREE PILLARS Health Sciences* & Nursing

Graduate Medical Education (GME)

Undergraduate Medical Education (UME)

Make St. Clair the best place for nurses and health science professionals to learn and work.

Launch accredited residency programs for medical school graduates.

To date, we have developed our education infrastructure, including building the Learner Lounge, centralizing onboarding, and calibrating current and future capacity. We have also established key academic partnerships in areas of critical workforce need.

Accredited by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), St. Clair will select and announce its inaugural class of residents on Match Day in March 2025. St. Clair Hospital opens its doors as a teaching institution.

Residents arrive in July 2025.

Become a clinical training site for undergraduate medical students through a partnership with Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

* Health Science includes Dietetics and Nutrition, Exercise Science, Laboratory Technician, Medical Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and Surgical Technologist.

With Clerkship Directors named and Preceptors identified, plus the advent of the Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DUQCOM) in 2024, medical students begin clinical clerkships at St. Clair Health in July 2026. Clinical rotations offered at St. Clair Health will include internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, family medicine, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and geriatrics.

ST. CLAIR HEALTH MEDICAL EDUCATION ROLLOUT TIMELINE

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

Nursing & Health Sciences

Institutional Accreditation

Program Accreditation

GME Commences With Residents

UME Commences With Medical Students

BUILDING LIFELONG RELATIONSHIPS 2022 was the introduction of an education strategy designed to use education as a lever to produce outcomes in the healthcare workforce shortage. By establishing partnerships with academic institutions throughout the region, St. Clair is working to help train 600 learners annually who will become the next generation of healthcare workers ready to care for our families, friends and neighbors.

“The most important question in education is what problem are you trying to solve?” says Amy Bunger, PhD, VP, Chief Academic Officer and Designated Institutional Official (DIO), who was recruited by St. Clair Health after having served graduate medical education in three other hospital systems. “One problem we're trying to solve proactively is the profound physician shortage that we are facing. So, our goal is to build primary care that’s longitudinal, where you’re not just a number, and your medical care isn’t just transactional.”

Residents will spend 1-6 years on-site in a best-inclass post-graduate training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. In partnership with our trusted physicians, residents will provide direct care to patients diagnosing, managing, and treating health conditions and injuries.

“A teaching hospital is one where we have a permanent commitment to you for the life of your residency program and where you become alumni of our organization,” comments Dr. Bunger.

She continues, “The difference between what we’re doing, and other careers is you have a fixed commitment. It’s a very long commitment. We make a commitment to you. You make a commitment to us. That is that longitudinal relationship. I learned from you. You learn from me. We grow together in the process. That in and of itself is very powerful.” n

1000 BOWER HILL ROAD PITTSBURGH, PA 15243 STCLAIR.ORG

@StClairHealth

Please visit providers.stclair.org to find a doctor near you.

Elite new clinicians enhance access.

This is ADVANCED CARE CLOSE TO HOME.