HPM Alumni Stories

Department of Health Policy and Management alumni have crafted interesting career paths and are applying their wealth of professional and academic experiences in a variety of roles.

Hernandez: 2019 Delta Omega Inductee

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Inmaculada Hernandez (HPM ’16) is assistant professor in the Pitt School of Pharmacy. She earned her PharmD degree and a master's in health economics in Spain and completed her PhD at Pitt Public Health in three years. She has earned multiple academic awards as she continues her career in the health services of pharmaceutical polices, culminating in being named one of Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30 in Healthcare in 2019.  

Scott is new president of SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

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SSM Health has named Steven M. Scott (HADM '85) as president after he's served as interim president since January. In this role, he is responsible for leading the 356-bed academic medical center that specializes in organ transplant, advanced cancer therapies, and trauma services.   

Hernandez comments on new poll: Americans Support Government Action to Curb Prescription Drug Prices

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NPR - "With the current awareness and the bipartisan agreement in the recognition of drug prices as a major concern, we are in an optimal environment for the design and implementation of policies targeted at controlling prices, and assuring the affordability of medications to the U.S. public,” states Inmaculada Hernandez (HPM '16). "Financial barriers for medication…are having a detrimental effect on our fellow citizens' health."  

Hernandez study investigates rising drug prices

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PITT WIRE - A recent study led by Inmaculada Hernandez (HPM '16), assistant professor of pharmacy and therapeutics, found that new drugs entering the market drive up prices, but drug companies are also hiking prices on older drugs.   

Sevco named COO of UPMC Pinnacle

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Congratulations to Mark Sevco (HPM '91) who will be the COO of UPMC Pinnacle in Harrisburg. Sevco was formerly president of UPMC McKeesport in McKeesport, PA and UPMC East in Monroeville, PA.  Read the announcement from Becker's Hospital Review.    

Hernandez's research says prescription drug costs driven by manufacturer price hikes, not innovation

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WESA - The skyrocketing cost of many prescription drugs in the U.S. can be blamed primarily on price increases, not expensive new therapies or improvements in existing medications as drug companies frequently claim, says a new study published in Health Affairs by Inmaculada Hernandez (HPM '16).   

Christopher Gessner will be the next president and CEO of University of Colorado Hospital

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KDKA RADIO - The University of Colorado Hospital announced Christopher A. Gessner (HPM '91), the current president of UPMC Children's Hospital and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, will be their next president and CEO, overseeing the Anschuntz Medical Campus, Broomfield Hospital, Highlands Ranch Hospital, and other outpatient locations in the Denver area.   

Alumna, Kathryn Puskar, inducted into international research hall of fame

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THE ALMANAC - Associate dean for undergraduate nursing education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, KATHRYN PUSKAR (BCHS '78, HPM '81) has been inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, one of 20 inductees for this year. “It’s really humbling. I feel very honored to be part of that cohort,” Puskar said.  

Hernandez is one of Forbes 30 under 30 for 2019

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FORBES - Congratulations to INMACULADA HERNANDEZ (HPM '16) for being selected as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2019. She will be joining the most exclusive club in the world of young entrepreneurs and game-changers. After graduating from Pitt Public Health with her doctorate, Inma has led work with heavyweight drug pricing researchers and quantified the full cost of recently approved CAR T cancer therapies.  

Elbeshbishi receives 2018 Ivan and Mary Novick Award for Young Alumni Leadership

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Congratulations to YARA ELBESHBISHI (HPM '16) for receiving the 2018 Ivan and Mary Novick Award for Young Alumni Leadership. This is a highly competitive award that was established by the Novick family to recognize and honor young alumni who have enriched the life of the University of Pittsburgh though their volunteer leadership efforts. The award will be presented at the Alumni Association's 2018 Homecoming Awards Luncheon in October.  

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HPM Alumni Awards & Profiles

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Hernandez: 2019 Delta Omega Inductee 

Hernandez: 2019 Delta Omega Inductee

Inmaculada Hernandez (HPM ’16) is assistant professor in the Pitt School of Pharmacy. She earned her PharmD degree and a master's in health economics in Spain and completed her PhD at Pitt Public Health in three years. She has earned multiple academic awards as she continues her career in the healt... (04/22/2019)
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Alumna, Kathryn Puskar, inducted into international research hall of fame 

Alumna, Kathryn Puskar, inducted into international research hall of fame

THE ALMANAC - Associate dean for undergraduate nursing education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, KATHRYN PUSKAR (BCHS '78, HPM '81) has been inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, one of 20 inductees for this year. “It’s really humbling. I ... (11/16/2018)
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Hernandez is one of Forbes 30 under 30 for 2019 

Hernandez is one of Forbes 30 under 30 for 2019

FORBES - Congratulations to INMACULADA HERNANDEZ (HPM '16) for being selected as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2019. She will be joining the most exclusive club in the world of young entrepreneurs and game-changers. After graduating from Pitt Public Health with her doctorate, Inma has led wo... (11/14/2018)
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Elbeshbishi receives 2018 Ivan and Mary Novick Award for Young Alumni Leadership 

Elbeshbishi receives 2018 Ivan and Mary Novick Award for Young Alumni Leadership

Congratulations to YARA ELBESHBISHI (HPM '16) for receiving the 2018 Ivan and Mary Novick Award for Young Alumni Leadership. This is a highly competitive award that was established by the Novick family to recognize and honor young alumni who have enriched the life of the University of Pittsburgh th... (11/05/2018)
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Miles is winner of Pittsburgh Business Times' 30 Under 30 award  

Miles is winner of Pittsburgh Business Times' 30 Under 30 award

PITTSBURGH BUSINESS TIMES - The winners of Pittsburgh Business Times’ 30 Under 30 awards program represent a diverse group of young professionals who are being recognized as up-and-coming executives, innovators, and thought leaders who will shape the future of Pittsburgh. ABBY MILES (HPM '13), mana... (09/10/2018)
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Alumna Elbeshbishi receives the Superstar Award from UMPC Health Plan 

Alumna Elbeshbishi receives the Superstar Award from UMPC Health Plan

YARA ELBESHIBISHI (HPM '16) was nominated for 1st Quarter of the Superstar Award through UPMC Health Plan. UPMC celebrates and honors individuals for their dedication to UPMC Insurance Services Division PRIIDES values. Yara is recognized as a valuable contributor and quickly becoming a subject matte... (07/02/2018)
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Meet HPM alumna, Johanna Bellon 

Meet HPM alumna, Johanna Bellon

JOHANNA BELLON (HPM '15) is the Senior Director of Quality Analytics and Performance at the UPMC Wolff Center. UPMC is a 40+ hospital integrated finance and delivery system with over 3,500 providers and a multitude of clinical sites. (03/01/2018)
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Meet alumna Inmaculada Hernandez from HPM 

Meet alumna Inmaculada Hernandez from HPM

INMACULADA HERNANDEZ (HPM ‘16) is working on developing her own independent research program at Pitt's School of Pharmacy, which is built at the intersection of pharmaceutical health services and outcomes research, pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacoeconomics and pharmaceutical policy.  (01/01/2018)
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