WHAT’ S NEWS IN CRANBERRY
CARLA A. CONRAD PROMOTED TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR BREATHE PENNSYLVANIA
Just prior to the start of the new year, the Breathe Pennsylvania Board of Directors promoted Carla A. Conrad, MS, RRT-NPS, to the position of Executive Director.
Conrad originally joined the Breathe Pennsylvania staff in April 2015 as the Program Coordinator and Director of Tobacco and Health Programs.“ Breathe Pennsylvania provides vital, timely educational services for individuals living with lung disease. I believe in the mission of our organization, and I am thrilled to work with our passionate Board of Directors and staff to continue and expand the great work of our organization,” she says.
Before joining Breathe Pennsylvania, Conrad worked at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and West Penn Hospital’ s School of Respiratory Care, where she taught Respiratory Care students, clinically and didactically. Prior to that, she was the Clinical Director of Laurel Business Institute’ s Respiratory Care program in Uniontown, and worked as a Neonatal Respiratory Therapist at West Penn Hospital.
Conrad earned her Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2008.“ I chose a degree in Respiratory Care when my grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer,” she explains.“ I saw the impact that quality respiratory care had on patients with lung disease and found that it was a perfect fit.”
She went on to earn her Master of Science in Health Services Leadership from Saint Vincent College in 2012. Currently, she is a Doctoral student in the Administrative and Leadership Studies program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is focusing her dissertation on the effect of health literacy on chronic lung disease management. She also is actively involved in the Pennsylvania Society of Respiratory Care( PSRC) and is a member of the American Association of Respiratory Care( AARC).
Breathe Pennsylvania Board President William E. Otto, Esq., says,“ We are happy to be transitioning our leadership between two outstanding individuals, and I look forward to working with Carla to help Western Pennsylvanians breathe better and live healthier.”
Conrad is preceded by John P. Rupp, MBA, who has been appointed Deputy Executive Director and will continue to manage several projects in their advanced stages, as Conrad assumes day-to-day control of the organization. Rupp also will resume his position on the board as a full voting member.
Otto said that the changes have been part of a transition during 2016 that will continue through this year.“ We thank Jack for his decades of service and support of Breathe Pennsylvania, and we look forward to keeping him involved with the organization in the years ahead,” he notes.
Under Rupp’ s leadership, Breathe Pennsylvania completed a number of important achievements, including earning the Seal of Excellence awarded by the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations( PANO). There are fewer than 60 nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania that have successfully completed PANO’ s rigorous examination.
About Breathe Pennsylvania
Headquartered in Cranberry Township, Breathe Pennsylvania helps western Pennsylvanians breathe better and live healthier through empowering individuals through awareness, education and direct services.
For more information about specific lung health education and advocacy programs for children and adults, visit breathepa. org or facebook. com / BreathePA, or call 724.772.1750.
PAINTING WITH A TWIST HOSTS FREE SCAVENGER HUNT
Painting with a Twist will be hosting a free local neighborhood scavenger hunt on April 29. All studios in the western Pennsylvania region will be participating, making it a great way to meet your local studio owners as well as local businesses— and have fun doing it!
Each studio will have its own unique set of rules and prizes to promote the fun in their respective neighborhoods. An after-party will follow to keep the night alive! Even if you’ ve never Painted with a Twist, contact the studio nearest you to find out what all the fun is about! What Twist will they throw your way?
Teams will be groups of two, three or four, and drivers must be 18 years or older. Bring a person who has never before Twisted and score extra points! Neighborhood knowledge will win you the most points, so contact your local studio for more information: Pittsburgh‐North in Wexford, 724.426.2935.
HOPE HOSPICE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
Hope Hospice is looking for volunteers to visit hospice patients, either in patient homes
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