UPMC Hamot Aid Society

This service-minded group was founded in 1906 and boasts a rich history of service, beginning with a young Hamot Hospital and moving through the years to what is now UPMC Hamot. Today, HAS remains an active and thriving organization, and its members take great pride in their mission to serve.

Each year, the organization contributes more than 12,000 volunteer hours to UPMC Hamot. These volunteers can be found anywhere in the hospital from acting as a liaison in the family waiting room to soothing babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to sitting at the bedside of end-of-life patients who have no family or support otherwise.

Depending on the specific area of service, HAS volunteers may provide hospitality, companionship, or social engagement. They may also assist by stocking supplies, changing linens, or performing administrative-type office duties. HAS volunteers step up in a variety of meaningful ways in support of their mission to serve.

Recently, HAS raised $150,000 in matching funds toward the Magee Obstetric Maternal & Infant (MOMI) project to create a research database and biobank for collecting and storing biological samples from Magee-Womens, UPMC Hamot. In past years, HAS has been a major contributor to the original construction of Magee-Womens, UPMC Hamot as well as the transformed lobby space and newly developed Healing Garden at UPMC Hamot.

Additionally, HAS is a champion of continuing education, providing annual scholarships to UPMC Hamot employees, with special emphasis going to nursing students.

The skilled HAS leadership team consists of Sally Gearity (chair), Shirley Wilson (vice-chair), and Rose McLaren (secretary/treasurer).

UPMC Hamot Aid Society continually demonstrates a remarkable ethic of selfless service as its members give of their time, energy, and resources. This fine organization has earned the deep respect and endless gratitude of all of us at Hamot Health Foundation and UPMC Hamot.

For more information on becoming a volunteer with UPMC Hamot Aid Society, please contact Elaine Gibson at 814-877-3959.