Conemaugh Health System Graduates Eight Aspiring Leaders; Selects Six for 2022 Class

December 10, 2021

This week, Conemaugh Health System graduated eight local healthcare professionals from the health system's Aspiring Leader program and selected six future leaders to participate in the 2022 Aspiring Leader class. Introduced in 2013, the program provides leadership skill development, mentoring, job shadowing, and field experiences to help grow the health system's next generation of local leaders. Today, nearly 30 alumni of the program are serving in leadership roles within the health system.

"Conemaugh Health System offers not only a wide range of rewarding careers, but extraordinary opportunities for professional growth and development," said William E. Caldwell, Market President, Conemaugh Health System. "Whether it is through this very successful Aspiring Leader program, continuing education and training offerings, tuition assistance, or a wide range of clinical opportunities, we strive to offer our team members a strong path to career growth within our health system."

The 2021 graduates include: Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
• Lauren Blue, RN - A Johnstown native and Westmont Hilltop graduate, Blue earned her bachelor's degree in nursing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is pursuing a master's degree as a family nurse practitioner at Chamberlain University. Blue has served in the health system for 11 years.
• Amber Knieriem, MLS - A Nanty Glo native and Blacklick Valley alumnus, Knieriem earned a bachelor's degree in biology at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and is a graduate of the Conemaugh School of Medical Technology. Knieriem is pursuing an associate degree in information technology at Eastern Gateway Community College and has served in the health system for seven years.
• Marisa Morales, Purchasing - A Conemaugh Valley alumnus and Johnstown native, Morales graduated from the Conemaugh School of Radiologic Technology and earned her associate degree from Penn Highlands Community College. She also earned a bachelor's degree from Grantham University in business management. Morales has served in the health system for five years.
• Katelyn Nicklow, RN - A native of Rockwood, Nicklow graduated from the Conemaugh School of Nursing and earned a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's in leadership and management at Grand Canyon University. She is continuing her studies at Saint Francis University to become a family nurse practitioner. Nicklow has served in the health system for five years.
• Jodi Noon, RN, Nurse Navigator, Diagnostic Radiology - A graduate of Greater Johnstown High School and Conemaugh School of Nursing, Noon is pursing a master's degree at Chamberlain University as a family nurse practitioner. She has served in the health system for 10 years.
• Francis Truscello, RN, Critical Care Coordinator - A 15-year veteran at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Truscello is a Conemaugh Valley and Conemaugh School of Nursing alumnus and a Johnstown native. He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Penn State University and a bachelor's degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University.

Conemaugh Nason Medical Center
• Alison Caddy, Respiratory Therapist & Manager, Cardiac Rehab, Cardiopulmonary & Cardiovascular Services - A Bedford native, Caddy earned an associate degree in respiratory care and a bachelor's degree in healthcare management from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She also earned a master's degree in health services administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has served in the health system for five years.
• Marie Simmers, RN, Director of Case Management - An Ebensburg native and Northern Cambria graduate, Simmers earned an associate degree in nursing from Mount Aloysius College and a bachelor's degree in nursing from Devry College. She has served in the health system for nine years.

The 2022 class will include: Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center:
• Jennifer Beers, Medical Laboratory Scientist - A Johnstown native and Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center graduate, Beers earned a bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Cincinnati and has served in the health system for 14 years.
• Devin Carson, Lead Vascular Technologist - A native of Julian, Pa., Carson is a graduate of Bellefonte High School and earned an associate degree at South Hills School of Business and Technology and a bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University. She has served the health system for 10 years.
• Makayla Dunlap, Mammography Technologist - A Fishertown native and Chestnut Ridge High School graduate, Dunlap is a graduate of the Conemaugh School of Radiologic Technology and La Roche University. She has served in the health system for four years.
• Priscilla Hoffman, Radiology Support Analyst - A 19-year veteran at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Hoffman is a graduate of Greater Johnstown High School. She earned her associate degree at Cambria Rowe Business College, her bachelor's degree in health care administration at St. Francis University, and her master's in human resource management at St. Francis University.
• Jasmine Nymick, Medical Laboratory Scientist - A North Star graduate, Nymick earned her bachelor's degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and graduated from Conemaugh's School of Medical Technology. She earned a master's degree in infectious disease at Drexel University College of Medicine and has served in the health system for six years.

Conemaugh Nason Medical Center:
• Paul Kagarise, Facility Regulatory Compliance Coordinator - A native of New Enterprise and a graduate of Northern Bedford County High School, Kagarise earned associate degrees in biology and pharmacy at Allegany College of Maryland, and a bachelor's degree in biology at Frostburg State University. He has served at Conemaugh Nason for the past 10 years.

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