Jewish Healthcare Foundation

14/09/2026

From fellow ➡️ intern ➡️ colleague.
Olivia Gifford’s journey at JHF began with the Salk Health Activist Fellowship. Today, she’s a program associate helping advance maternal health across Pennsylvania.
Read how a fellowship helped launch her public health career.

When Olivia Gifford joined the Jewish Healthcare Foundation’s (JHF) 2025 Salk Health Activist Fellowship as a Duquesne University student, she had no idea it would be the beginning of a much longer relationship with JHF.

11/09/2026

They did it! 🎉 19 fellows from 7 organizations across 5 service areas: now with over $618,000 in student loan debt being repaid.

We just celebrated the graduation of our fifth cohort of BH Fellows, and every one of those numbers represents a frontline behavioral health professional who chose to stay and serve in Allegheny County.

Since 2023, the BH Fellows program has supported more than 200 professionals, including therapists, case managers, and peer specialists, through student loan repayment and cohort-based professional development. Together keeping care uninterrupted for more than 3,400 county residents who depend on it.

A huge thank you to our partners at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (special thanks to Vikram Mangalmurti, Director of the Office of Behavioral Health for sharing some reflections with the fellows), Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, Community Family Advocates, and some of our fellows' supervisors for joining us to share this moment with the fellows. Your commitment to these critical folks makes the program possible.

Congratulations to every graduate. The communities you serve are stronger because you are here.

09/09/2026

📣 We’re hiring!

The Jewish Healthcare Foundation is seeking a Director of Education and Evaluation to lead and grow our educational and workforce development initiatives.

This new role will oversee JHF’s Feinstein Fellowships, develop and evaluate engaging educational experiences, oversee a revamped internship program, strengthen our fellowship alumni network, and help shape the future of JHF’s education and training efforts.

We’re looking for an experienced educator, program strategist, and relationship builder with expertise in curriculum development, evaluation, and adult learning who is excited about preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Interested in joining our team, or know someone who might be a great fit? Learn more and apply: https://hubs.li/Q04x1vM_0

04/09/2026

We’re proud to celebrate JHF Board members Rachael Heisler and Debra Caplan, who have been named among the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle's inaugural 18 Difference Makers! 🎉

The recognition honors individuals whose leadership, service, and commitment to others are strengthening our community and creating lasting impact across southwestern Pennsylvania.

Congratulations to Rachael, Deb, and all of this year’s Difference Makers! 👏

https://hubs.li/Q04wJqTc0

03/09/2026

This , join patient safety leaders from across the country for a conversation about building the safer healthcare system patients deserve.

On September 17 from 10 AM - Noon, JHF’s Alvin Rogal President and CEO Emeritus Karen Wolk Feinstein, PhD, will join the Patients For Patient Safety US webinar to lead a discussion on Safe By Design and the Ambition Health System, developed by the Coalition for Advancing Safer Healthcare (CASH), coordinated by JHF and PRHI.

Register: https://hubs.li/Q04wzPh30

02/09/2026

For more than three decades, Karen’s visionary leadership shaped JHF into a force for innovation and advocacy in Pittsburgh and beyond — advancing women’s health, healthy aging, HIV/AIDS activism, patient safety, teen mental health initiatives, and so much more.

Congratulations, Karen, on this well-deserved recognition from the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle and an extraordinary legacy of service and impact!

Under Feinstein’s leadership, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation’s became a world-renown philanthropic and advocacy group. The Chronicle is honored to celebrate her successes.

01/09/2026

For Mary Esther Van Shura, EdD, a simple philosophy—say yes—has shaped a remarkable life of public service.

From the classroom to disability advocacy, government, presidential campaigns, and the White House, the JHF Board member has spent decades finding ways to serve, connect, and make a difference.

Read her story and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Mary Esther Van Shura, EdD, reflects on a lifetime of public service, advocacy, and community leadership guided by a simple philosophy: say yes.

01/09/2026

JHF is building on decades of patient safety work with a bold vision for a safer, more ambitious health system.

Pittsburgh Business Times explores the thinking behind JHF’s Coalition for Advancing Safer Healthcare (CASH) and its push to reimagine healthcare around the prevention of harm.

For years, studies have shown that patients undergoing care may experience harm due to medical missteps. In response, the Pittsburgh-based Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) has led nationwide efforts to improve patient safety.

01/09/2026

“He brings a deep commitment to community, a collaborative approach to leadership, and an ability to build trusted relationships that move our work forward."

JHF is proud to announce the promotion of Richard Smith, MSW to vice president, recognizing 16 years of leadership and service to the Foundation and the communities it serves.

Read more: https://hubs.li/Q04w38sZ0

31/08/2026

A new chapter at JHF is underway.

At our August 24 Board meeting, the first under President and CEO Danny Rosen, PhD, MSW, we looked at how JHF can build on more than three decades of partnerships and activist philanthropy to meet the needs of communities today and into the future.

That includes the newly named Montefiore Legacy Grant, which continues JHF’s $1 million investment in longstanding Jewish agencies serving Pittsburghers across the lifespan, with a focus on creating sustainable impact.

The Board also explored opportunities to expand JHF’s rural health work across Pennsylvania, building on our existing efforts in maternal health, HIV/AIDS, primary care, long-term care, and substance use disorder treatment. As rural communities face growing challenges, including workforce shortages, transportation barriers, hospital closures, and disappearing maternity care, we’re looking at how JHF’s experience, partnerships, and resources can help make a difference.