Mover & Shaker of the Month Mary Ann Zieger Pennsylvania State President of Alpha Delta Kappa Special Education Inclusion Teacher, Avonworth School District Click here for article

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Butler Health System and the Butler Memorial Hospital Auxiliary awarded six scholarships of $1,000 each to students pursuing advanced education in the field of health care.  The recipients were:  Robert Alden, Heather Fagen, Brooke Gilliland, Shannon Hemphill, Megan Macoskey and Lisa Rodgers.

Shane Sarver, 20, of Freeport won the St. Barnabas Medical Center 5K Run/Walk on August 4, with a time of 15:33.  Capturing first place in the women’s division was Diana Filtz, 18, of Harrison City with a time of 18:49.  A record-setting 840 runners and walkers participated.

Shelana Gibbs-McElvym, MD, left, was appointed as the medical director at HealthSouth Rehabilitation of Sewickley.

George Cherian, MD, FACOG, and his wife, Lorraine, a hematology-oncology nurse, have opened a new practice, Perrysville Laser Clinic and Aesthetics, at 965 Perry Highway.  The office number is 412-366-4778.  Dr. Cherian has been in practice for over 30 years and specializes in gynecology and cosmetic procedures.

The 2007 American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Cranberry Township was a complete success, raising over $108,330.  Approximately 100 cancer survivors brought great hope and inspiration to the event, as they were present for the Survivors’ Dinner and Survivors’ Lap.

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation announced that the General Nutrition Centers (GNC) Live Well Foundation has pledged $500,000 toward the creation of the GNC Family Wellness Center slated to be a part of the new Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC campus opening in 2009.

Joseph E. Imbriglia, MD, FACS, left, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and Chair of the Board of the Hand and UpperEx Center in Wexford, has accepted the position of Chair of the Board of Directors of The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh.

Toni Darville, MD, an infectious disease specialist recognized internationally for her research on the pathogenesis of chlamydial infections, has been appointed chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Pgh. of UPMC.

The orthopedic and joint replacement specialists at The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh are offering the Zimmer Gender Solutions Knee replacement.  The hardware is fabricated from state-of-the-art materials and is specifically shaped and sized to optimally fit a woman’s anatomy.

The Butler Downtown Revitalization Committee was presented with the 2007 Community Champion Award.  The award honors an organization in Butler County that has contributed outstanding service to the community. 

Franklin Blackstone, Jr., right, was elected Board Chair of Jumonville, a hospitality organization well-known for its summer camp and retreat opportunities.

The American Hospital Association named Woodwell, a joint program of Presbyterian SeniorCare and Family Hospice and Palliative Care, a 2007 Circle of Life Award® winner.

Weinstein Imaging Associates, a leading ultrasound and breast imaging facility in Western Pennsylvania, is introducing Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging to the region.  BSGI is an advanced diagnostic test that helps detect breast cancers and evaluate questionable findings on mammography or ultrasound.  Offices are located in the North Hills, South Hills and Shadyside.

Allscripts the leading provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions that physicians use to improve healthcare, announced that Butler Health System (BHS) has selected Allscripts as their provider of an Emergency Department Information System for Butler Memorial Hospital as well as an Electronic Health Record (HER) for their physician practices.

Donald Zolnosky, left, has been named general manager of the St. Barnabas Communities.

North Hills Community Outreach received a check for $45,685 for their volunteer efforts during the recent U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club.  Several nonprofit organizations staffed concession tents to earn a percentage of the proceeds, but North Hills Community Outreach was the top charity, filling 571 volunteer shifts over seven days.  Each shift was worth $80.01.

U.S. Representative Jason Altmire (PA-4) has secured $300,000 for the Ross Township Police Department to upgrade its communications system.  The money will be used to purchase communications equipment to link the records management system at the Ross Township police station and the Mobile Computer Terminals in each of the department’s patrol cars.

Alicia Dal Lago of Alicia Photography in the North Hills has been awarded two Honorable Mentions at the national children photography contest.  A portrait of a child with Down syndrome was honored (see photo, right), and the winning image is part of a series of images that will be featured in a fundraising calendar by the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh.

McCandless Floral participated in the national 2007 Make Someone Smile Week, which ran July 22-28. They distributed 750 of their Be Happy® Mugs arrangements to local hospitals and charities such as: Vincentian Regency, Pristine Pines, Manor Care North and North Hills Community Outreach faith in Action.

Local dentist, Susan Petruska, DMD, right, has won a gold medal for her entry in the 13th Annual American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Smile Gallery competition sponsored by American Dental Labs, Inc.

St. Barnabas Health System announced its Employees of the Month for July: Laurel Boris, Joyce Kirkbride, Katherine Mueller and Donna Salmane.

Jim Greene, left, has been promoted to director of Information Technology at St. Barnabas Health System.

Since it was founded five years ago, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC’s bilingual clinic has grown to include expanded medical and cultural services and additional programs for Pittsburgh’s Hispanic community.  For more information, visit http://www.chp.edu/centers/spanish_clinic.php.

Sunset Hills Farm Alpacas, Butler, breeders of quality alpacas and founded by Dave and Laurye Feller, right, was recently presented with the highest award provided by the AFCNA, “The Spirit of the Fiber Industry Award,” for the fleece that most represents the type of fiber sought by the industry. 

Tickets for Kids Foundation has changed its name to Tickets for Kids Charities. 

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds Professional Soccer Club and Everton Football Club of the English Premier League announced a Player Development Program that will bring many benefits to players, coaches and fans throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Mover & Shaker of the Month Mary Ann Zieger Pennsylvania State President of Alpha Delta Kappa Special Education Inclusion Teacher, Avonworth School District

By Paula Green For nearly three decades, Mary Ann Zieger has been working in an occupation that she thoroughly enjoys, teaching.  She is a fifth grade special education inclusion teacher in the Avonworth School District.  Prior to that, she held a teaching position with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIC).  “I love teaching. It really has been a rewarding experience for me,” Zieger said. She is currently in her first year of her state presidency with Alpha Delta Kappa.  This group is an international honorary organization of women educators dedicated to educational excellence, altruism and world understanding.  “Alpha Delta Kappa was founded back in 1947 by a female teacher who was interested in promoting the teaching profession.  Today there are seven regions in the United States with 46,000 members.  In the state of Pennsylvania, there are 16 various chapters.  We belong to the Delta chapter,” Zieger said. The organization is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.  There are nearly 1,600 chapters located in towns and cities in every state in the U.S., and around the world in Australia, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico and Puerto Rico. “I have enjoyed being the Pennsylvania state president.  I have done quite a bit of traveling and have made some great friends as a result of my ventures.  It is a generous organization that believes in giving back to the community.  Alpha Delta Kappa annually contributes $30,000 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and $30,000 to St. Jude Children’s Hospital,” Zieger said. During the summer when school isn’t in session, Zieger spends her time tutoring students who are in need of some extra academic support.  This past summer she tutored seven students.  She also manages to get in a few rounds of golf playing with her weekly league. Zieger is a McKees Rocks native, and she attended Duquesne University, where she received a dual certification in Elementary Education and Special Education. In 1995 she was honored with the Anne Sullivan Award by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.  She was bestowed with this honor for going over and above her normal teaching duties. She resides in Franklin Park with her husband Frank.  As for her future, Zieger plans to continue her involvement with Alpha Delta Kappa.  She has recently been asked to be the historian of the northeastern region.  “My experience with the sorority has been really wonderful and enriching.  It has also been great for professional development,” Zieger said. Back to top

Spotlight on Schools

Mary Smolter, a teacher at St. Alexis School, won the Golden Apple Teacher’s Award.  This is the first win for a teacher from St. Alexis.

Providence Heights Alpha School students will be greeted by a new principal, Sr. Rochelle Holly, CDP, this school year.  Sr. Rochelle comes from Detroit, MI, with over 35 years’ experience in administration and 25 years in education. 

Alexandra Gregory, D.M.A., right, has joined La Roche College in McCandless Township as dean of the School of Professions.  The Mt. Lebanon resident joined La Roche from Point Park University, where she served as associate vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of Graduate Studies, as well as a professor of music.

Holy Spirit School in Millvale is pleased to announce the appointment of their new pastor, Reverend Daniel Wahlend, and new principal Ms. Linda Bechtol.

The 1987 North Hills football team was named national champions by USA Today.  The team was among 16 inductees in the inaugural class of the WPIAL Hall of Fame.  They will be recognized during a pre-game ceremony at 7 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 31, at Martorelli Stadium.  For more information, visit www.wpial.org.

Fox Chapel Area High School social studies teacher Victoria Robins has been awarded a Fellowship for the 2007 Summer Study Tour to Turkey.  The Fellowship is a joint collaboration between the World Affairs Council and the Turkish Cultural Foundation.

The Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors appointed David P. McCommons, Ed.D., as assistant superintendent of the Fox Chapel Area School District.  He replaces Michael T. Nealon, Ed. D., who retired from the district in June 2007 after five years of service.

Paul Surloff will once again serve as acting principal of Northway and Seville Elementary schools in the North Hills School District.  Surloff retired from the Shaler Area School District is 2002, following a 34-year career.  Last year he was acting principal of Northway and acting assistant principal at North Hills Junior High School.

Northway Elementary welcomes Havilia Cortes as an administrative intern for the 2007-08 school year.  Cortes will serve as the school’s educational leader.

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