Foundation Team

Charles “Boo” Hagerty is the president of the Hamot Health Foundation which is the philanthropic organization that supports UPMC Hamot and many community health initiatives. He first joined UPMC Hamot in 2001 as the vice president of marketing and corporate communications and transitioned to vice president of strategic resources in 2009 overseeing marketing, corporate communications, community advocacy and patient services. He was named the vice president of northern tier markets for UPMC Health Plan in 2012 and served in that role for four years, helping the health plan to further grow its market share in the northwest region of Pennsylvania.

As a lifelong member of our community, he has served as a volunteer and board member of many non-profits and organizations. He currently serves on six boards including ACES, Erie Bank, Safe Harbor Behavioral Health, Erie Center for Arts and Technology, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, and the United Way of Erie County.

Boo received a bachelor's degree in advertising from West Virginia University and was the founding partner and owner of Fishtank Creative from 1989–2001. He is the proud husband of Aimee and together they have 5 children — Brendan, Kirsten, Maria, Kaitlin, and Alex.

Jaimee joined Hamot Health Foundation in February 2006. Her role is instrumental in developing short and long-term strategies for development priorities and ongoing fundraising initiatives and managing daily operations of the foundation.

Jaimee graduated summa cum laude in 2004 from Edinboro University with a bachelor's degree in marketing. She also previously attended St. Bonaventure University and has a background in real estate sales. Jaimee and her husband Travis have been married since 2006. They have a son and two daughters.

Emily joined the Hamot Health Foundation team in August 2010. In this position, she provides direct support to Boo Hagerty and the entire Hamot Health Foundation team. Emily joined UPMC Hamot in 2006 as a Unit Secretary in the MICU/TCU department. In 2008, she joined UPMC Hamot's Information Systems as an Administrative Staff Assistant. A short time later, in 2009, she joined Regional Health Services doing physician billing. Emily has her Associates degree in Business from Bradford School of Business in Pittsburgh, PA. Emily and her husband Jason have been married since 2009 and have one son.

Mark brings years of volunteerism and community involvement to the development efforts of Hamot Health Foundation. Over the past three decades, Mark has served on numerous boards including the Flagship Niagara League and the Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows. He is a past president of The Rotary Club of Erie and has been a distinguished member of the UPMC Hamot Board of Corporators for the past 11 years, serving also as its president.

Mark joins the Foundation at a vital time when philanthropy is playing a key role in such milestone projects as the UPMC Jameson School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot, UPMC Hamot Patient Care Tower, Magee-Womens Research Institute in Erie, and the Hillman Cancer Fund.

Annmarie joined the Hamot Health Foundation in March 2023 as the Director of Grants and Contracts. In this position, she assists with grant writing, data coordination, and the creation of HHF’s e-newsletters and magazines. She is passionate about the foundation’s groundbreaking work and strategic vision, and relishes the opportunity to communicate it with federal, state, and local audiences.

Annmarie has worked at UPMC Hamot since 2010, serving most recently in the department of quality and patient safety. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University in 2010 and a master's degree from Mercyhurst University in 2013. She is a dedicated mother and a zealous Wordle player.

Michelle holds an MBA from Gannon University and a bachelors degree in Math and Management from Rice University in Houston Texas. She is also a volunteer Certified Marketplace Navigator assisting individuals in the community who need to obtain health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Shawn Bednard joined Hamot Health Foundation in 2025 as Development Coordinator. Bednard had been with the Erie Otters Hockey Club as the Director of Communications & Community Outreach since April 2021, overseeing the team’s broadcast, communications, and charitable initiatives locally and regionally. As Development Coordinator, Bednard assists in donor relations, event management and execution, social and digital marketing, and media relations.

Shawn graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast & cinematic arts. He and his wife, Tara, have been married since 2023, and welcomed their son Maverick in 2024 at UPMC Hamot.

Daria brings her deep community ties, expertise in creative financing solutions, and long-term strategic vision to the team. This expertise and a dedication to a more equitable, healthier Erie, lends itself well in her role as Executive Director of BUILD Community Development Corportation and Director of Social Impact for the Hamot Health Foundation.

Hannah brings her years of community engagement and project management experience to the team. She can be found designing marketing and communications, scouting real estate, dabbling in events, and working alongside the pay-what-you-can coalition to bring fresh produce to our Erie neighbors.

Sarah brings 28 years of nursing experience to BUILD. This clinical expertise, combined with a passion for community engagement and education, lends itself well in her role as Clinical Program Manager working on trusted access to healthcare.

Susmita is originally from Nepal and grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania. Susmita graduated from Gannon University with a bachelor’s and master's degree in Sport and Exercise science, Minor in Nutrition. During the 2020 pandemic, while pursuing a master's degree, she worked as a Lead Community Health Worker to help underprivileged and vulnerable populations by providing education, mitigation, testing, vaccinations, and addressing health disparities. Working with communities over the past three years has made her realize how fortunate she is to work in a field that is all about connecting and helping people. Currently her role at the Hamot Health Foundation as an Enrollment Navigator to assist those who are uninsured and to address social determinants of Health. Outside work, Susmita enjoys traveling, photography, and exploring new culinary experiences. She lives with Parents- Willie & Sunita Williams and her siblings Amrita & Joshua whom she adored and loved.

Marissa Dewey-Ramos was born in San Antonio, TX, was adopted by her parents and raised in Fairview, PA. Marissa is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and loves to be active in the Deaf community. She is a graduate of Fairview High School and attended Edinboro University.

Marissa has previous experience as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Technician and also as the Program Manager for a local Transitional Housing Lodge. Over the next few years, Marissa oversaw three Transitional Houses for individuals who were diagnosed with a mental health and/or drug and alcohol dependency who were experiencing homelessness in the Erie County area. After five years of working for a non-profit organization, Marissa is now a Community Health Worker. Her role at the Hamot Health Foundation is Enrollment Navigator. She assists those who are uninsured and addresses social detriments of health.

Outside of work, Marissa enjoys volunteering at the Erie City Mission, crafting her small business, “Rissa’s Craft Cottage”, and spending time with her husband and family.