ACMS Foundation Annual Report 2024-2025

Your support strengthens a physician-rooted charitable organization focused on better health across Allegheny County.

The ACMS Foundation directs physician-led investment to trusted local partners, confidential physician support, and prevention efforts that protect families and the healthcare workforce. Founded in 1960, the Foundation extends physician leadership beyond clinical settings. Grantmaking supports practical, locally led programs that reduce barriers to health and support community stability. The Physician Wellness Program offers a confidential pathway to therapy and coaching for physicians. The public health partnership through the Allegheny County Immunization Coalition strengthens prevention efforts through education, outreach, and community.

Our mission is to advance wellness by confronting social determinants and health disparities.

How can you get in touch with us?

Don’t just take our word for it

Your support fueled three priorities that strengthen health before crisis care begins: community-based prevention, confidential physician support, and coalition-led public health partnerships. By turning physician-led insight into real community impact, your generosity strengthens local partners, reduces barriers to care, and sustains prevention strategies that work in real-world settings.

Here’s what your generosity looked like this year:

29

local partners across Allegheny County were supported by community grantmaking.

$259,750 was awarded to them.

The Allegheny County Immunization Coalition advanced prevention through education, convening, and community outreach.

CARE YOU CAN TRUST

Physician Wellness Program strengthened access to independent, confidential therapy and coaching for physicians outside of their employer systems.

A message from leadership

“The ACMS Foundation allows us physicians to take off our white coats and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the nonprofit community organizations of Allegheny County, directly funding projects to improve social determinants of health.  It is a privilege we look forward to every year.”

Keith Kanel, MD

2025 ACMS Foundation Board Chair

2025 Foundation Board

The ACMS Foundation Board brings together physicians and community leaders with direct experience in medical practice, nonprofit oversight, finance, law, and community services. This structure supports clear decision making, responsible use of charitable funds, and strong accountability. Board members focus on governance, financial oversight, and long term priorities, while staying connected to the needs of physicians and the communities served by the Foundation.

Dr. Kanel provides leadership for board governance, sets priorities for board work, and partners with staff leadership to support oversight and long term planning.

Dr. Ellis supports board operations, documentation, and continuity of governance practices.

Dr. Straka supports financial oversight, budget review, and fiduciary responsibilities of the Board.

Dr. Lin contributes clinical experience and physician leadership to support governance and mission focused decision making.

Dr. Hoffmaster serves as a trustee and brings experience from clinical practice and organized medicine to support board oversight and decision making.

06.

Dr. Coppula provides clinical insight to inform governance and the Foundation’s commitment to community health.

Dr. Pontzer brings physician perspective to board discussions and supports oversight of programs and charitable resources.

Ms. Baker brings experience in health systems operations and care delivery environments.

Ms. Lucas brings experience in family services and early childhood programs to inform community focused decision making.

Ms. Schwager contributes nonprofit governance experience and knowledge of community based organizations.

Ms. Caravello contributes legal expertise and an equity focused perspective to board discussions.

Sara

leads operations, grantmaking, and implementation of board priorities in partnership with the Board of Trustees.

We had an incredible year

With your support, the ACMS Foundation advanced 3 strategies that reinforce each other. Together, they strengthen health, stability, and access across Allegheny County.

1. Community Grantmaking

We funded practical local programs that reduce barriers and strengthen stability. Grants expanded food access, increased mental health care, supported early screening and intervention for children, strengthened housing stability during crisis, improved care navigation, and funded adaptive equipment for children with complex needs.

2. Physician Wellness Program

In 2025, the Physician Wellness Program achieved a regional milestone through noncontractual collaboration with UPMC, Allegheny Health Network, St. Clair Health, and an independent direct primary care practice, reflecting a shared commitment to independent physician support.

3. Public Health Collaboration through ACIC

Through Allegheny County Immunization Coalition, partners across healthcare, education, public health, and community organizations work together on outreach, education, and advocacy that strengthen vaccine awareness and access. Your support helps make trusted vaccination information easier to find and easier to use, supporting informed decisions for families across Allegheny County.

Health is shaped long before a clinic visit

Food security, stable housing, early childhood support, transportation, and access to mental health care influence whether people stay well.

Your support funds practical local programs that reduce barriers and prevent avoidable harm.

We provided food and basic needs support for families under pressure. We expanded access to mental health care through trusted local providers. We supported early screening and intervention for children. We helped families maintain housing stability during crisis.

We provided equipment and practical support for children with complex needs.

Creating real results together

These partner highlights offer a snapshot of how physician-led funding supports families and communities across Allegheny County.

Familylinks

Familylinks expanded its Community Health Worker program to help residents overcome barriers to care. In FY25, the program supported 231 clients, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those receiving behavioral health services. One participant, for example, only felt comfortable sharing health concerns after months of support. Through this trust, the program enabled timely medical follow-up and coordinated care, demonstrating the power of patient-centered relationships.

Variety the Children’s Charity

Variety provided four customized adaptive strollers for children with disabilities in Allegheny County. Families gained safer mobility and access to everyday activities.

Samaritan Counseling, Guidance, Consulting

The Samaritan Cares program helped remove financial barriers to therapy. Over the reporting year, the program provided 1,111 subsidized sessions and 87 pro bono sessions, which is a 64% increase from the previous year.

Beverly’s PGH

Beverly’s PGH helped families with infants by providing formula and essential supplies. This support not only reduced immediate risks but also eased the burden on caregivers navigating limited resources.

Jeremiah’s Place

Jeremiah’s Place offered safe, short-term childcare for families in crisis, giving caregivers the time they needed to work, attend appointments, handle emergencies, and regain stability.

We are nothing without our partnerships

In 2025, the ACMS Foundation supported 29 community partners through grantmaking. Their work carries physicianled insight where it can make the greatest difference. Together, we are building healthier, more resilient communities.

Abiding Missions • Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry • Angels’ Place, Inc.

Beverly’s PGH • Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh (BVRS)

Community Human Services Corporation • Familylinks • Garden Home Ministries

Healthy Start, Inc. • Homeless Children’s Education Fund • Jeremiah’s Place

Light of Life Ministries, Inc. • Mary & Alexander Laughlin Children’s Center

MAYA Organization • New Sun Rising (Fiscal Sponsor for Camp Lucy)

North Hills Affordable Housing dba HEARTH • NurturePA • Our Giving Kitchen

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) • Pittsburgh Mercy • Reagan’s Journey

Roots of Faith • Samaritan Counseling Center of Western Pennsylvania

Sojourner House MOMS (Mentoring Opportunity Motivation Spirituality)

South Hills Interfaith Movement • Strong Women, Strong Girls • The Blessing Board

The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh • Variety the Children’s Charity

“Without the partnership with the Allegheny County Medical Society, most of these children would not receive screenings. Additionally, children who are referred for further care may not be aware of the need for it.”

LAUGHLIN CHILDREN’S CENTER

“Without ACMS support, the Center for Urban Breastfeeding would not have been able to maintain the staffing consistency needed to coordinate referrals, manage class logistics, support lactation followup, and provide timely communication to pregnant and postpartum families.”

HEALTHY START, INC. – CENTER FOR URBAN BREASTFEEDING

“This grant allowed us to be seen and valued for what we bring to the table. Being recognized and supported by ACMS strengthens our position among the medical field.”

REAGAN’S JOURNEY

Physicians say PWP is easy to use, scheduling is simple, and they are completing all 4 sessions.

Get confidential care on your own terms

The Physician Wellness Program provides independent, physicianfirst support that reduces two barriers: trust and friction. Physicians can access therapy or coaching outside employer systems through a simple, flexible process.

How the program works Browse a secure directory of vetted therapists and life coaches. Contact your chosen provider directly. Attend with confidence through private, confidential care built for physicians.

What physicians seek support for Physicians seek support for work stress and burnout, anxiety and depression, relationship and family strain, grief and trauma, and the weight of clinical responsibility.

A shared pathway across Pittsburgh healthcare

In 2025, the program reached a regional turning point. We launched a partner toolkit that makes it easy for hospitals, independent practices,

and training programs to share the Physician Wellness Program pathway with minimal setup. Partners can offer PWP in tandem with their own internal resources by integrating it into existing communications and workflows. This is a win because physicians see the same trusted option across settings and get a clear, independent path to support. That consistency reduces hesitation and supports earlier use.

What comes next

Our focus is on consistent visibility inside partner environments while protecting confidentiality and independence. The goal stays simple. Wherever physicians practice, the resource appears in trusted channels and feels safe to use.

CHAMPIONS OF PHYSICIAN WELLNESS

169 attendees at the 20th Annual ACIC

Public health collaboration

Allegheny County Immunization Coalition (ACIC) builds community immunity in Western Pennsylvania by connecting trusted messengers to practical vaccine education, outreach, and collaboration. The coalition brings together healthcare, public health, education, and community partners so immunization information stays easier to find, easier to trust, and easier to act on.

exhibitor and community supporter organizations represented

Fiscal sponsorship

Beginning July 1, 2025, ACIC became a program of the ACMS Foundation. Fiscal sponsorship strengthens operational support and protects a long-standing regional resource for immunization education and outreach.

Why ACIC aligns with ACMS Foundation strategy

ACIC strengthens the Foundation’s long-term public health strategy through trust and convening power. The coalition connects clinical expertise with community settings where confidence and access are shaped. The partner network helps translate evidence-based guidance into locally usable education and outreach.

“

I enjoyed learning about alert fatigue, and communication strategies; vaccine hesitancy was very relevant and relatable.

- Conference Attendee

Building the future of healthcare professionals

In 2025, the Foundation invested in the next generation of the healthcare workforce at two points in the pipeline, supporting both future physicians and allied health clinicians essential to patient care in Allegheny County. Together, these scholarships reflect the Foundation’s long-term commitment to strengthening the regional healthcare workforce, from medical students entering residency training to frontline clinicians preparing to deliver direct patient care.

ACMS Medical Student Scholarship

This scholarship supports future physicians through the ACMS Medical Student Scholarship program, administered through the Pennsylvania Medical Society Foundation.

In 2025, one medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine received a $4,000 award

The scholarship supports students as they enter residency training

Since 2007, $81,000 has been awarded to 29 medical students

Allegheny County Medical Society Health Careers Endowed Scholarship (CCAC)

This scholarship supports CCAC students pursuing allied health and nursing careers, strengthening the frontline patient care workforce.

In 2025, six students received $670 each, totaling $4,020

The scholarship supports students preparing for direct patient care roles

Founded in 1992 and endowed in 2012 to provide sustained workforce support

We couldn’t do this without you

We handle your support responsibly. Your gifts support physician wellness, public health, and local health programs, and we honor your intentions. We provide updates so you can see your impact.

$5,000+ Dream Maker

Robert Cicco, MD

Lawrence John, MD*

Thomas Snyder*

$1,000 to $4,999 Champion

John Conomikes*

Frances Donahue*

Peter Ellis, MD and Kathy Ellis*

Keith Kanel, MD*

The Children of Dr. Larry John*

Kirsten Lin, MD

Terence Starz, MD*

IDI Consulting – William Thomas*

Robert Turner, MD*

$500 to $999 Circle of Friends

Mark Biedrzycki, MD*

George and Langley Cass*

The Capone Family Charitable Fund – Vanguard Charitable

Theodore Christopher, MD*

Mark Goodman, MD*

Michael Hayes*

John Kight*

Kevin Kotar, DO*

Regina Numrich*

Raymond Pontzer, MD*

John Williams, MD

$100 to $499 Advocate

Michael Aziz, MD*

Tom Bonidy, DDS*

Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Bucklew*

Daniel Chantz, MD*

Leslee Dinunzio*

David Deitrick, DO*

Gus Engel*

Sharon Goldstein, MD*

Richard Hoffmaster, MD*

Louis & Marijo Jannetto*

Dr. Micah and Mrs. Beth Jacobs*

Graham Johnstone*

Brian Kelly, MD*

Matthew Korbich, DMD*

John and Nancy Krah*

Leonard Labriola*

Lacey Lupetin*

Thomas and Frances Monaco*

Lindsay Mork*

Donald Middleton, MD*

Weston Nix, MD*

Judith Pinchok*

Jamie Probst-Siska, MD*

John Rinker*

Thomas Smith*

Matthew Straka, MD*

David Thompson*

Elizabeth Ungerman, MD*

Hannah Van Horn*

Arvind Venkat, MD and Veena Venkat, MD*

Nicole Vélez, MD*

Edmond Watters, MD*

Heather Wilson*

$1 to $99 Supporter

Mark Corbett*

Faith Colen*

Kaylee Dakers*

Mary Grace Ferraro*

Andrew Flanders*

John Mantione, MD*

Reid Mauro*

Evelyn Perrett*

Maria Smith*

Anne Sundo*

Thomas Wein, MD*

*Gift made in honor of 2025 Spirit of Service Award recipient Dr. Larry John.

Lawrence John, MD was recognized with the ACMS Spirit of Service Award for more than 45 years of leadership in family medicine and organized medicine. A former President of ACMS and the Pennsylvania Medical Society, Dr. John continues to give back through his support of the ACMS Physician Wellness Program, reinforcing the importance of caring for those who care for others.

www.acms.org/acms-foundation/about-the-foundation/