In the heart of Aspinwall, UPMC St. Margaret combines clinical expertise with a deep commitment to the region it calls home. Over the past year, its community-centered mission drove investments in people, technology and services to ensure patients can access high-quality care close to home.
“Everything we do starts with our community,” said Andy Ritchie, vice president, UPMC Health Services Division and president of UPMC St. Margaret. “Our responsibility is to not only deliver excellent care but to build a stronger, healthier future for the people who rely on us.”
Accolades That Reflect a Culture of Excellence
UPMC St. Margaret received national and state-wide recognition that reflect an environment where safety, quality and an exceptional patient experience are embedded in daily practices.
In the fall of 2025, the hospital earned another “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for the seventh consecutive year, marking 14 straight top safety ratings — a distinction achieved by only a small percentage of hospitals nationwide. These grades recognize high performance in areas such as infection prevention, fall reduction, hand hygiene and surgical outcomes.
That same commitment was reaffirmed with the successful completion of The Joint Commission’s tri‑annual survey, confirming that the hospital meets rigorous national standards for quality and regulatory excellence.
“These recognitions speak to the consistency and dedication of our teams,” Ritchie said. “They’re a reflection of caregivers who never stop pushing for better outcomes for their patients.”
The hospital continues to pursue accolades and achievements that reflect the high standard of every staff member. They are currently pursuing their fifth Magnet® designation after earning their fourth recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), an honor received by fewer than 5% of hospitals in the U.S.
Meeting Growing Demands With Innovation
This past year, UPMC St. Margaret celebrated the renovation and expansion of the UPMC St. Margaret Dermatology Clinic, doubling surgical capacity with three new procedure rooms. The expansion also included the addition of two new surgeons: Katherine Thompson, M.D., and Carli Whittington, M.D.
Alongside Melissa Pugliano-Mauro, M.D., associate program director, department of Dermatology, they help provide access to timely, specialized care, like Mohs surgery, a tissue-sparing treatment for skin cancer available at only one other UPMC location.
UPMC St. Margaret also expanded access to advanced men’s health services with a newly renovated urology clinic, introducing new services such as transperineal biopsies and prostate MRIs. These diagnostic advancements strengthen early detection and disease prevention, key priorities identified in the hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment.
“The addition of these services represents our commitment to bringing state-of-the-art urologic services closer to home,” said Ritchie. “We’re thrilled to offer cutting-edge care in a new space that not only supports our outstanding staff but also provides patients with greater convenience and access.”
After UPMC St. Margaret began offering transperineal biopsies, the urology team reduced infection rates to zero without the use of antibiotics. This advancement is now being implemented across UPMC.
“By achieving a zero-infection rate without antibiotics, we’re not only improving individual patient safety but also supporting responsible antibiotic stewardship and reducing the risk of resistance,” said Robert Turner, M.D., urologic oncologist at UPMC St. Margaret. “This outcome benefits patients well beyond a single procedure.”
In January 2026, UPMC St. Margaret performed the first irreversible electroporation of the prostate, commonly known as the NanoKnife procedure, in western Pennsylvania. “This focal therapy approach allows us to precisely target cancerous tissue while preserving surrounding structures, making a meaningful difference in quality of life for patients,” said Dr. Turner.
Across multiple service lines, technology continues to elevate patient outcomes. UPMC St. Margaret offers minimally invasive robotic procedures using the da Vinci Xi® Surgical System, Mako® robotic arm assisted technology and the newly added VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution for knee replacement surgery. These tools support greater precision, shorter hospital stays and improved recovery.
“When we invest in advanced technology, we’re investing in better experiences and better results for patients,” Ritchie said. “That’s what access truly means.”
Fueling the Pipeline for the Future of Health Care
Education and workforce development remain central to UPMC St. Margaret’s mission. Today, more than 60 residents train across family medicine, general surgery, psychiatry, pharmacy, geriatrics, sports medicine, obstetrics and faculty development programs with a 100% graduation rate across all UPMC St. Margaret’s programs.
The UPMC St. Margaret Family Medicine Residency Program is ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania for the second consecutive year by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). The program ranks first among 60 family medicine residency programs in Pennsylvania and placed in the top two percent nationally, ranking 15th out of 840 programs nationwide.
The UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing, founded in 1910, graduated 34 students in December 2025, with the majority accepting positions within UPMC. “We are proud to say many of our graduates choose to stay at UPMC and right here at UPMC St. Margaret,” said Ritchie. “This helps ensure continuity of care and builds a workforce that understands and cares for our community. “
In addition, the hospital welcomed students and community members for a hands-on career expo, offering interactive panels, demonstrations and one-on-one conversations designed to inspire the next generation of health care professionals.
Serving the Community Beyond Hospital Walls
Guided by its Community Health Needs Assessment, UPMC St. Margaret partners with organizations across New Kensington, Sharpsburg, Verona, Blawnox, Etna and Millvale to address access to care, prevention, and healthy living.
In 2025, teams delivered many community health services, including blood pressure screenings, flu shots, cholesterol and glucose tests, and educational “Ask the Doctor” discussions. Through close collaboration with partners such as Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg, the St. Margaret Foundation also supported food access and wellness initiatives that engaged hundreds of residents.
In fiscal year 2024, UPMC St. Margaret contributed $30 million in community benefits, including $16 million dedicated to care for those without means to pay, while generating an annual economic impact of $589 million for the region.
“Our story is one of continuous partnership with our patients, our staff and our neighbors,” said Ritchie. “Together, we are building a future stronger than any single achievement.”
As 2026 continues, UPMC St. Margaret remains focused on advancing care through innovation, expanding access to essential services and prioritizing the health of the communities it serves.
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