Providing quality health care to a community isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. As a health care provider and hospital system, UPMC knows this truth better than most.
From cities like Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, a small town in the mountains of Maryland, UPMC is uniquely positioned to get to know our communities both big and small. Our role as a health care provider fosters a special relationship with the areas we serve, allowing us to discover the strengths, challenges, and unique experiences of our communities, as well as to create connections and bridge the gap between the people of a region and the institutions that support them. UPMC’s role in health care is about more than just providing quality patient care — it’s about working together to make a lasting impact in the places we serve.
McKeesport, Pa. is one such region that UPMC is proud to call home. Located 15 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, McKeesport was once a center for steel manufacturing, but the city suffered economic difficulties as the industrial sector declined through the twentieth century. Home to UPMC McKeesport, the city holds a bright future as the people of McKeesport and their local partners work to revitalize and empower the city they love.
UPMC is proud to champion local communities like McKeesport, providing investment and resources that uplift the neighborhood and impact its residents for the better.
"UPMC’s role in health care is about more than just providing quality patient care — it’s about working together to make a lasting impact in the places we serve."
Investing in Youth and Families
Families are the heartbeat of every community, no matter the size. Strengthening local families and investing in the next generation is one of the most powerful ways to unlock a prosperous future for a region, and UPMC is proud to support McKeesport’s youth and families through a variety of avenues.
Career Coaching at the Club Teen Center: In partnership with UPMC, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania opened The Club Teen Center in 2023 to provide teenagers with daily access to career coaching, mental health services, and academic support.
McKeesport Community Day: UPMC McKeesport sponsors this annual community event, featuring free family activities, live entertainment, and health screenings for all.
Connection to Local High Schools: Recruiters from UPMC McKeesport regularly visit area high schools to deliver information sessions on health care careers, connecting students to job opportunities and career pathways at UPMC.
Empowering the Local Workforce
Right in your neighborhood, you’ll find capable workers and local talent who are well-equipped to take on important careers and step into opportunities in your community. Sometimes all that’s needed is investment through developing skills and encouraging passions to build a thriving workforce of tomorrow.
UPMC Scholars Program: McKeesport and The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) partner to offer tuition loans to local students that fully cover the cost of a Registered Nurse (RN) education, scholarships, and a three-year work opportunity at UPMC McKeesport.
Allied Health Apprenticeship: McKeesport Area Technical Center offers allied health students an apprenticeship program at UPMC McKeesport, providing hands-on experience in health care while furthering their education.
Freedom House Foundations: Named after the Freedom House Ambulance Service founded in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in the 1960s, this six-week long course introduces high school graduates to a variety of health care careers, with the first cohort launching in March of 2024.
Auberle’s Employment Institute: This McKeesport, Pa.-based nonprofit operates the Employment Institute, a workforce development program that helps teens and adults find employment through placement at a UPMC facility or one of more than 200 other partner organizations.
Home-Grown Leadership: UPMC McKeesport values its roots and connection to the community, with leaders born and raised in the Mon Valley, including Jeff Alvarez, CNO & VP Patient Care Services; Dr. Marc Cordero, Vice President of Medical Affairs; and Malissa Guzik, Clinical Director.
Supporting the Community at Large
UPMC partners across the community with organizations that are locally rooted, providing financial investment and developing business relationships that make a difference for McKeesport.
Social Determinants of Health Grant: The city of McKeesport, in partnership with UPMC and other community organizations, recently received a $125,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address social determinants of health.
Help for Families Impacted by Addiction: Faces and Voices of Recovery and Bridge to Hope at UPMC McKeesport provide information, education, and support for families and individuals impacted by substance use disorders.
412 Food Rescue: UPMC McKeesport supports 412 Food Rescue in its mission to reduce food waste and increase food access in local communities, donating over 1,100 lbs. of food in the first month of the partnership.
Emergency Services (EMS) at Kennywood: UPMC McKeesport staffs Kennywood and Sandcastle Waterpark with a team of 36 expert EMS providers, providing quality medical care to parkgoers at these local attractions.
Sponsorships & Community Support: UPMC supports various community organizations by actively participating in local events and sponsorships, including but not limited to the Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce, Auberle, Human Services Center Corporation, and the Ninth Street Clinic.
Our dedication to areas like McKeesport is more than just a partnership. It’s a commitment that we’re proud to uphold, because at UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means working together for the good of the community — in McKeesport, and beyond.
To learn more or explore opportunities to join the UPMC McKeesport team, visit careers.UPMC.com.
