WHAT’ S NEWS IN MARS AREA
HOPE HOSPICE IS SEEKING COMPASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS
Looking to make a difference? One of the quickest ways to increase happiness and feel a sense of purpose is to be of service.
Hope Hospice( a North Hills nonprofit) is looking for kind and compassionate volunteers to visit with patients at home or in facilities. Consider helping those in your community by reading, socializing, doing arts and crafts, or merely offering your presence!
Hope Hospice is located at 3556 Babcock Boulevard, visit online at hopehospicepgh. org, or contact the organization at 412.367.3685 or wshearer @ hopehospicepgh. org.
AHN EXPANDS GERIATRIC CARE ACROSS WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
As the region’ s senior population continues to grow, Allegheny Health Network( AHN) has expanded its geriatrics program with the addition of two physicians, increasing access to specialized care for older adults.
Dr. Diana Rodriguez-Alcantara is now seeing patients at AHN Geriatric Medicine – Federal North in Pittsburgh, while Dr. Stephanie Sweeney is serving patients at AHN’ s Gibsonia and Mars locations.
Working alongside primary care physicians, the team provides expert care for dementia, frailty, fall prevention, and healthy aging. The expansion comes as more than 20 % of Allegheny County residents are age 65 or older, with the county’ s 85-and-over population projected to grow by 85 % by 2050.
AHN also continues to expand innovative programs supporting patients with dementia and their caregivers while earning national recognition for its age-friendly approach to senior care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 412.235.5874.
VA PITTSBURGH EARNS FOUR-STAR QUALITY RATING
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System received a four-star rating in the 2026 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services( CMS) Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, a significant improvement from its one-star rating the previous year.
The ratings evaluate hospitals based on measures including mortality, safety, readmissions, patient experience, and timely, effective care.
FIGHTIN’ PLANETS NAMED BEST HIGH SCHOOL MASCOT IN AMERICA
The Mars Area School District celebrated in the spring as the Fightin’ Planets were crowned the Best High School Mascot in America in the 2026 National High School Mascot Bracket.
Community members rallied throughout the competition, helping Mars to earn an impressive 899,296 votes in the championship round to secure the title. District officials thanked students, families, alumni and supporters for their overwhelming enthusiasm, calling the achievement a testament to the pride and spirit of the entire Mars community.
VA Pittsburgh leaders credited the achievement to the dedication of staff members and their commitment to providing high-quality care for veterans. The healthcare system serves nearly 80,000 veterans annually through its medical centers and outpatient clinics across Western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
CARNEGIE MUSEUMS ANNOUNCED $ 500 MILLION CAMPAIGN
Carnegie Museums publicly launched the ALL TOGETHER campaign, a $ 500 million fundraising effort that will support new exhibits, educational programming, accessibility initiatives and facility improvements across the four museums: Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Kamin Science Center and The Andy Warhol Museum.
Already, $ 360 million has been raised toward the goal, funding projects including Sports360 at the science center, The Pop District by The Warhol and renovations to Carnegie Music Hall. Future plans include new early learning experiences, outdoor space enhancements and additional exhibits designed to expand access and engagement for the more than 1.5 million people the museums serve each year.
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