Community Engagement

A team of CRNA volunteers cared for patients at the Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh free care clinic, held on October 24-25, 2025, at David H. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh.

Heather Margonari, DNP, FNP-BC, and Jacques E. Chelly, MD, PhD, MBA, were featured speakers at the first event hosted by the Integrated Cultural Society in Pittsburgh on November 1, 2025.

Kristin M. Ondecko Ligda, MD, FASA, visited the BioScience class at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School to teach about academic and career options in science and healthcare and demonstrate essential anesthesia skills on manikins.

The team collected and donated new socks in support of Socks for Soldiers, as well as bookbags filled with essential school items for local children.

Our anesthesiology residents have once again joined the ASA-Lifebox Resident Challenge to help make surgery and anesthesia for everyone, everywhere by supporting Lifebox.

They successfully raised $2,200 for One Day to Remember, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children whose parents are battling end-stage cancers.

Rachel Hicks and Jessica Kridler from UPMC Shadyside continued their STEM education outreach efforts to introduce high school students to careers in nurse anesthesia at several “Medical Milestones” events throughout February and March 2025.

The Magee Anesthesia Cares committee, a compassionate group of CRNAs at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, recently organized a community service initiative to support Red Door, a ministry that provides essential resources to individuals in need in downtown Pittsburgh.

In the show's latest episode, the ER team treats 81-year-Willie, who was once a medic for the Freedom House Ambulance Service, which was founded by our first chair, Dr. Peter Safar.

Our nurse anesthesia mentorship programs have significantly contributed to the professional development and success of certified registered nurse anesthetists and student registered nurse anesthetists.