At UPMC Passavant, we offer nurses many ways to advance their careers and make an impact on patients.
Our nurses are compassionate and highly skilled health care professionals. They are always looking for chances to grow professionally and improve the care of their patients.
Pairing their educational achievements and valued experiences, our nurses hold a deep commitment to helping the community and others reach their potential.
Lasting Friendships and Experienced Mentors
57% of our nurses have been with us for more than five years.
A Message from Lisa Bryan-Morris, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President, Patient Care Services
UPMC Passavant
As nurses at UPMC Passavant, we are leading the transformation of our nursing practice through evidence-based practice, research, and innovation while fostering a healthy professional practice environment with our collaborative partners. We are dedicated to ensuring a compassionate patient- and family-centered experience, with a focus on safety and quality.
Our Nursing Education staff leads new nurses through a year-long Nursing Residency Program. The goal of the Nursing Residency program is to develop competence and confidence in the new nurse throughout the first year of nursing practice. We then urge experienced nurses to advance through the My Nursing Career (MNC) Development Program. MNC rewards and salutes nurses for their contributions and professional growth.
We consider our professional staff nurses to be leaders. Our Shared Leadership Structure supports inter-professional collaboration and effective communication to make safe, quality patient care decisions. The outcome of shared leadership is greater accountability for practice, greater nurse satisfaction, improved clinical outcomes and greater efficiency.
UPMC Passavant Nurses Give Back
Christine Defibaugh, RN held a Yoga fundraiser class to support a project on the oncology floor. She collected supplies and then created “Chemo Comfort Baskets” filled with scarves, puzzles, snacks, fuzzy socks, lotions, lip balm and lap blankets.
Brenda Schafer, RN, RNCM created a “patient closet” in the Care Management Office. She noticed a trend of patients coming from far distances to receive their care and not having anyone to pick them up at discharge. Many patients did not have clothes, coats, or sometimes even shoes for the travel home in vans or ambulances. Now they have the “closet”!
Kelley Szelc, MSN, RN, CDCES organized a free Diabetes Support Group that meets frequently. Patients share their daily challenges with others and learn tips for healthy living in a supportive environment.
Kathleen Bryte, MSN, RN, OCN, Mary McLaughlin, MSN, RN, OCN and Elizabeth Shumaker, MSN, RN developed a colon cancer screening program which lessened the barriers to preventive screening. The free program included FIT testing along with small group education and follow-up procedures.
Maggie Lattanzio, MSN, RN, CCRN, continued her never-ending goal of seeing a world free of heart disease and stroke by organizing the annual Heart Walk in support of the American Heart Association.
Betsy Tedesco, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CEN, PHRN, and her team of clinical nursing leaders and educators offered the annual Domestic Violence Seminar to enhance the knowledge of this important topic for healthcare providers, legal professionals, social workers, teachers, clergy, and the general public.