First Friday, UPMC’s digital internal magazine, publishes monthly and aims to capture the spirit of innovation, dedication to caring, and attention to quality that permeates the work done across UPMC every day.
The August edition of First Friday focuses on the value of building something new and innovative from the ground up and how that effort makes a meaningful difference.
Inspiring change rarely happens overnight — it takes vision, dedication, and the willingness to lay each brick with intention. Our stories this month include a nurse’s overflowing compassion bridging the world of caring for patients and rescuing animals, building future careers along with a 900,000-square-foot patient tower, and students stepping into the future with immersive clinical experiences. Each of these journeys remind us that when we commit to something — whether it’s saving lives, launching careers, or redefining education — we create the foundation for real, lasting impact.
Nurse by Day, Animal Advocate by Night
Balancing the dynamic environment of the Emergency Department with the responsibilities of animal rescue, Andrea Patti, RN, senior professional staff nurse, Emergency Department, UPMC Chautauqua, demonstrates the profound reach of compassion in both human and animal welfare.
Laying the Groundwork for Success
For many, the construction of the Daniel G and Carole L Kamin Tower at UPMC Presbyterian is a milestone project. For graduates of the UPMC Toolbox program, learning at the site of UPMC’s largest construction project in history also serves as a foundation for their professional growth.
