SCHOLARSHIP

October 2024 marked Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Mark Nelson's 5,000th open-heart surgery, the latest accolade for our award-winning open-heart surgery program - the Heart & Vascular Institute at UPMC Western Maryland. Dr. Nelson has been with UPMC Western Maryland's cardiac program since it began in 2000 and has been the sole provider of open-heart surgery west of Baltimore, offering thousands of patients world-class care right here at home. Over the past 25 years, the program

"As an emergency doctor, you have to be good at everything, like a multi-tool Swiss army knife," says Dr. Rameen Shafiei, director of Emergency Medicine. They are a team of nearly 100 specially trained medical professionals. And with an on-site complement of 30 or so at any given time, they handle nearly 34,000 emergencies here every year. They are your friends and family members, and these specially trained workers care deeply about keeping you alive when you come to the UPM

When she thinks of him, she remembers Kilgore Falls. Young and adventurous, he had jumped from a cliff into the water below, urging her to follow. “Trust me, you can do it.” He locked eyes with her, and shaking with fear, she jumped — and he swam to her, beaming with pride. The crowd behind them erupted in cheers. That moment, full of courage and love, defined the man she loved: someone who believed in others, inspired confidence, and lived with his heart wide open. When thei

Our THANKSgiving event – the WMHS Foundation’s chance to thank our donors for the difference they make – drew its largest crowd ever in November. This work inspires joy, not only for the heroes who devote themselves to the patients at UPMC Western Maryland, but for our 5,000+ donors, who are doing good work for this community through their investment in saving lives. A real highlight of the evening, following our traditional feast, is the storytelling. Every year, we recount

This month, we visit with Amber Conway, a project manager in our Clinics and Practices who is pursuing an advanced degree as a nurse...

Grandma Betty loved to laugh. She was smart and a 4’10” spunky spitfire. Raised in a humble home, she and her older brother were...

At 31 years old, Mitchell Mast had been working his family’s 450-acre dairy farm since he was old enough to trail alongside his father....

Three longtime friends, sports buddies, met up at a local establishment, where the owner, a fellow athlete and friend since childhood,...

Doug Hinze has walked our halls every day for the past five years. Trim, fit, and quick, he has refereed basketball for 20 years and can...

Erica Messenger (left) always wanted to be a nurse. “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to help people and make a difference in...

Over the past five years, advances in the field of oncology have changed the face of cancer. New treatments and clinical trials begin...

Jeff DeHaven’s childhood was Smalltown, USA come to life, in a neighborhood with a dozen other children, mostly cousins. Dad coached his...

Derek Thompson, OTA in UPMC Western Maryland's Rehab Services, gives credit to the Foundation for helping him fund his education.