The Northwest Hospital Foundation held its Annual Corporation Meeting Wednesday, October 15 at Wanango Country Club, where members were introduced to key new leaders and received updates on the Foundation’s financial health, milestones, and community initiatives.
Joseph Keebler, Esq., Chairman of the Foundation, introduced General Surgeon Dr. David Thomas, DO, and Jonathan Bailey, the newly appointed President of UPMC Northwest.
Dr. Thomas, a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his surgical residency with Forum Health/Western Reserve Care System in Youngstown, Ohio, and currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Northeast Ohio Medical University.
In his keynote address, he highlighted the advanced equipment donated by the Foundation to the hospital’s Operating Room, including the Medtronic PTeye Parathyroid Detection System, LigaSure Generator FT10, Stryker Neptune 3, and Medtronic StealthStation ENT Navigation System. This technology, he explained, enhances surgical precision and improves patient outcomes.
Dr. Thomas specializes in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery. He explained how robotic surgery is used, its benefits and applications, and how he will apply his expertise in treating patients at UPMC Northwest.
Bailey, who has been with UPMC since 1999, most recently served as Vice President of Operations at UPMC Northwest. He holds degrees from Slippery Rock University and Point Park University. In his remarks, Bailey celebrated UPMC Northwest’s recent recognition with a CMS 4-Star Quality Rating and certification by The Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. He also noted that the hospital contributed $10.8 million in community benefits in fiscal year 2024 and had an economic impact of $245.2 million on the region.
Between January and August 2025, UPMC Northwest recorded 4,223 admissions, 3,400 surgeries, more than 19,000 emergency department visits, and over 111,000 outpatient visits. Bailey also noted two additional new physicians: Pediatric Hospitalist Dr. John Gorlowski and Urologist Dr. Jigish Vyas.
In celebration of the conclusion of the 20th anniversary of UPMC Northwest, members were shown a new legacy video featuring past and present Foundation board members reflecting on the organization’s roots and sharing their vision for its future. Those in attendance were also the first to receive the newest Foundation 2024-25 annual report which details community support for projects such as SmartRail folding chairs for patient rooms, walking trail improvements, and nursing education.
The Foundation’s financial report, presented by Joy Strain of McGill, Power, Bell & Associates, LLP, confirmed a clean audit opinion for fiscal year 2024, with the 2025 audit in progress. Strain noted the Foundation’s net assets have nearly doubled in 20 years—from $16.15 million in 2004 to $30.88 million in 2024.
The Corporation elected five new members: Mishelle Beith, Michael Dulaney, Seth Herrick, Christopher Rakow, and Kate Whitling.
Chairman Keebler recognized the Foundation Board of Directors who recently kicked off the new fiscal year giving and achieved 100% Board participation for the eleventh consecutive year. He encouraged membership to “help amplify the story of what’s being accomplished through your support.”
