Speakers Bureau
UPMC Hamot offers a comprehensive Speakers Bureau that can bring customized programs to clubs, churches, and other organizations in Erie and the region. General presentations on the hospital and on a variety of specific health and medical topics can be provided by speakers who are associated with UPMC Hamot. The speaker will work with you to understand your organization and event attendees so that the presentation is audience appropriate. If you would like a representative from UPMC Hamot to provide a program to your organization, please fill out the form below indicating your topic of interest and you will be contacted by a representative from the hospital.
Cheryl Cook, RN, BSN
Director of Professional Services, Great Lakes Home Healthcare and Hospice
Cheryl Cook serves as the director of Professional Services at Great Lakes Home Healthcare and Hospice. In this role, Ms. Cook oversees the clinical operations and manages a staff of approximately 80 clinicians that includes nurses; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; and nurse aides.
Ms. Cook's 20 years of nursing experience includes oncology and geriatrics. She has worked in the acute care and nursing home settings and most recently works with home care.
Ms. Cook holds an associate business degree from Erie Business Center and a diploma in nursing from St. Vincent School of Nursing. She also graduated from the University of Phoenix with honors with a bachelor's degree in nursing. She is a member of the National Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.
Potential speaking topics include:
- Anything related to home care/hospice
- Services provided at Great Lakes Home Healthcare and Hospice, including:
- Wound and Ostomy Care
- Palliative Care
- Maternal and Child Health
- Rehabilitation
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
- Home Health Aids
- Medical Social Work
Renae Hayes, RN
Director of Physician Relations, UPMC Hamot
Renae Hayes serves as the director of Physician Relations for UPMC Hamot. In this role, Ms. Hayes speaks with physicians and their staff about the services available at UPMC Hamot and works to help strengthen physician relations.
Ms. Hayes earned her diploma in nursing from St. Vincent School of Nursing.
She has served as an RN for 24 years, 20 of which have been at UPMC Hamot.
Ms. Hayes' experience is comprised of spinal cord/head injury, medical-surgical nursing with a focus on cardiac patients, surgical intensive care and trauma, recovery room, and home care nursing. Her specialty interests include cardiac disease, wounds, and patient education.
Potential speaking topics include:
- Outpatient services available to help keep seniors home
- Home care and hospice: What we are, how we can help
- Loving your heart: How to take care of your heart
- Home fall safety in conjunction with physical therapy/occupational therapy staff
- Who's who in our physician community at UPMC Hamot
Donna Huckno, RN, BSN
Nurse Director, UPMC Hamot Infusion Center and Wound Clinic
Donna Huckno serves as the nurse director of the UPMC Hamot Infusion Center and Wound Clinic. In this role, Ms. Huckno manages the daily operations and staffing and is responsible for the charges corresponding to the appropriate codes. She also coordinates the work flow processes for both departments to support increasing the volume and maximizing reimbursements.
Ms. Huckno's vast experience has allowed her to serve in a variety of roles at Hamot (now UPMC Hamot), including:
- General manager of Allied Healthcare Services
- Nurse director of the Infusion Team
- Nurse director of Maternity
- Patient safety and quality coordinator
- Pain resource nurse
- Nurse liaison/marketing for Hamot and Great Lakes Home Healthcare
- Great Lakes Home Healthcare hospital coordinator
- Great Lakes Home Healthcare staff nurse
- Cardiovascular and medical services staff nurse
Ms. Huckno holds an associate degree in nursing from Allegheny Community College and a bachelor's degree in nursing from Gannon University.
Potential speaking topics include:
- Coding requirements to support charges in outpatient infusion services
- Documentation requirements to support maximum reimbursement
- Infusion therapy protocols and processes
- Growing the infusion therapy business
- Outpatient scheduling and work flow in a clinic setting
- Outpatient safety and quality initiatives and standard processes
LuAnne MacIsaac, RN, BSN
Executive Director, Hospital-Based Outpatient Services, UPMC Hamot
LuAnne MacIsaac serves as the executive director of Hospital-Based Outpatient Services at UPMC Hamot. This role includes the oversight of Great Lakes Home Healthcare and Hospice, the UPMC Hamot Infusion Center, and the UPMC Hamot Wound Center.
During her 32-year nursing career, Ms. MacIsaac has gained a wealth of experience that includes oncology and med-surg nursing and long-term care. She has also served as the director of Private Duty Nursing.
Ms. MacIsaac received her associate degree in nursing from Penn State Behrend and her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix.
Potential speaking topics include:
- Home health services
- Hospice services
- End-of-life choices
- Advanced directives
- Available community services: Keeping your loved one at home
Heather McLaughlin, BSW
Program Manager, Great Lakes Hospice
Heather McLaughlin has served as the program manager for Great Lakes Hospice for the past 10 years. In this role, Ms. McLaughlin coordinates the referrals and schedules for all current and new hospice patients. She also manages all of the different disciplines that see the hospice patients.
Prior to this position, Ms. McLaughlin served as the social worker for the Great Lakes Home Healthcare and Hospice program. She also has experience in long-term care and community services.
Ms. McLaughlin holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Edinboro University.
Potential speaking topics include:
- Death and dying
- Advance directives
- End-of-life planning
- Long-term planning
- Hospice care (Hospice 101)
- Grief/bereavement
- Becoming a hospice volunteer
Request a Speaker
If you would like to schedule a speaker, please fill out and submit the form below.
