Roof Garden Biz: New sports medicine physician hired; student interns craft new brew
Roof Garden Biz is a monthly roundup of business happenings in Somerset County. To submit an item, email news@dailyamerican.com.
Here are some recent business-related news items from the Somerset County region.
Survey on impact of outdoor industry in the Alleghenies
From hiking to biking, fishing to hunting, boating to snowmobiling, The Alleghenies has many recreational opportunities in our region’s state parks and forests during all seasons.
Outdoor recreation-related businesses make significant direct contributions to our economy. Outdoor recreation also makes Pennsylvania communities attractive places to work, live and operate businesses. Outdoor recreation is, in fact, essential to our economy.
The local development district, Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission (SAP&DC), wants to hear from businesses in the region who identify themselves as part of the outdoor recreation industry. They hope to learn more about the connection and impact between businesses and outdoor recreation in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset counties. By completing this brief survey, participants will help SAP&DC identify strategies for growing the region’s outdoor recreation economy.
To participate in the by taking a brief survey go to this link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7471011/Alleghenies-Outdoors-Business-Owner-Survey.
Conemaugh School of Nursing names new director
Conemaugh School of Nursing announced the appointment of Kimberly Ferry, MSN, RN, CNE, NPD-BC, as the director of the School of Nursing and Allied Health programs. Ferry received her bachelor of science in nursing from Penn State University in 2008 before completing her master of science in nursing administration from Waynesburg University in 2013.
Her professional experience includes roles in both clinical and academic arenas. Prior to joining Conemaugh, Ferry worked as the professional development manager at Excela Health and served as a nursing instructor at UPMC School of Nursing Shadyside.
“Conemaugh School of Nursing has a long, proud history of educating and preparing exceptionally qualified and compassionate healthcare professionals. I am honored to help carry this legacy forward and help nurture the next generation of caregivers,” she said.
Ferry’s appointment comes just as the Conemaugh School of Nursing welcomes 40 new students into the program for fall 2023. The school, located on the Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center Franklin Street campus in Johnstown, offers a two-year program that includes both classroom education and hands-on clinical experience.
“We’re excited for this next class of nursing students as they begin their nursing journey,” Ferry said. “Students in these programs complete their clinical rotations within Conemaugh Health System, working alongside, and learning from, an exceptionally skilled team of physicians and nurses. This is a remarkable opportunity for the students and benefit for our community.”
New sports medicine orthopedic physician hired
Conemaugh Physician Group – Orthopedics welcomes Natalino Ruggeri, DO, as a sports medicine orthopedic physician.
A board-certified and fellowship-trained sports medicine orthopedic physician, Ruggeri received his bachelor of science degree from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, before attending medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia.
Upon graduation, Ruggeri began his residency training at Allegheny Health Network Forbes Family Medicine inMonroeville. He completed his fellowship training in the Conemaugh Health System at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown and at University Orthopedics Sports Medicine in Altoona.
“Growing up in a small community in western Pa., I am excited to be working in a similar environment to that,” said Ruggeri. “I am looking forward to all the relationships that will form from this new role.”
Providing patients with their best options based on the latest evidence-based practice, Ruggeri will emphasize patient autonomy. He specializes in many aspects of sports medicine including corticosteroid and viscosupplementation injections, regenerative medicine, use of ultrasound for precision injections, physician-directed physical therapy prescriptions, bracing and casting, medical management of musculoskeletal injuries, pre-participation physical exams and sports-related concussion management. Competing in three marathons over three years, each under four hours, Ruggeri is passionate about exercise as medicine.
Ruggeri is now accepting new patients at Conemaugh East Hills Outpatient Center, 1450 Scalp Ave., Johnstown. Appointments can be made by calling Conemaugh Physician Group – Orthopedics at 814-255-6781.
Penn Highlands, WVU articulation agreement
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the signing of a new 2+2 articulation agreement with West Virginia University. This agreement allows Penn Highlands graduates to transfer their associate degrees to a selection of 23 bachelor’s degree options and complete the final two years at West Virginia University or any of its affiliate schools.
These options include choices such as anthropology, animal and nutrition sciences, sport and exercise psychology, environmental and energy resources management, agribusiness management and advertising/public relations, along with a multitude of traditional majors.
“We’re very excited about this new agreement because it features options for students that we haven’t had before,” said Michelle Stumpf, Pennsylvania Highlands' dean of enrollment services and registrar. “We are glad that this option is so open for our students, being that every pathway takes almost, if not all, of the credits from our college’s associate degree programs.”
Just south of the Pennsylvania border, West Virginia University provides Somerset Center students with a top-tier transfer option due to its close proximity. West Virginia University is the first four-year school in West Virginia to sign an agreement with Penn Highlands Community College.
Beer crafted by ACM student interns on tap at Whitehorse Brewery
Whitehorse Brewing hosted an Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) Night Sept. 15 to celebrate the release of Sun Sessions beer. The microbrew was developed and brewed by two ACM brewing operations students, Raine Baker and John McMillan, who were Whitehorse Brewing interns this summer.
Live music and food were on tap for the ACM Night. Whitehorse Brewery is at 824 Diamond St., Berlin.
Baker and McMillan each interned for 100 hours at Whitehorse Brewery. The college’s one-year brewing operations certificate program requires a five-credit HRMG-220 Internship II course. They're expected to graduate in December. Baker and McMillan are local to the area. Baker graduated from Southern Garrett High School graduate and McMillan graduated from Mountain Ridge High School.
Grub Shack opens
Grub Shack, 145 Franklin St., Johnstown, in conjunction with JARI, recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the restaurant in Johnstown.
The business owner is Valoree Lamb. Grub Shack’s vision is to prepare fresh, homemade foods and avoid pre-made and processed food items. Grub Shack sources local meats for both breakfast and lunch items as well as farm fresh produce. The signature sauces and dressings are made in-house for sandwiches and their beef and turkey burgers also use homemade seasonings. Grub Shack strives to give the feeling of simple comfort food as if you were cooking at home.
JARI is a nonprofit economic development organization that has been a devoted resource in building the business community within West Central PA since 1974. The agency works to support entrepreneurs, startups, and companies of all sizes through comprehensive services in equity investing, workforce development, government contracting, commercial lending, entrepreneurship, and real estate. JARI is proud to establish sustainable roots and build strong communities by connecting with visionaries where they are.
Visit Johnstown steps down as operator of Thunder in the Valley
Visit Johnstown is stepping down as the operator of Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally.
Lisa Rager, Visit Johnstown’s executive director said the change will allow the organization to apply more of its time and resources to its core mission, which is marketing the area as a destination for visitors. Visit Johnstown is also part of a unified effort to rebrand Johnstown and the area as a hub for outdoor recreation, and to highlight the rich cultural and historical depth of the community, to not only attract visitors, but to attract new residents and businesses.
“When Thunder first began in 1998, we needed to find creative ways to draw people in. Thunder accomplished that, bringing tens of thousands here each year to experience our city, surrounding towns, historic attractions, the hospitality of our people, and the area’s natural beauty,“ Rager said. “Since then, the area has seen substantial growth in outdoor recreation, arts and cultural offerings, concerts, and events, and more, and now it is better positioned to take another leap forward as a destination.”
She said Thunder has weathered many challenges since its inception, but it has been more difficult in recent years to keep pace with increasing expenses.
“We’ve never broken even on the event, but the level of subsidy by our organization has continued to increase,” Rager said.
Joshua Yoder, chairman of Visit Johnstown’s board of directors said the board discussed and approved the decision to discontinue operating Thunder.
“The board fully supports the team at Visit Johnstown, and we thank them for all they’ve done to sustain Thunder for 25 years, which is a tremendous accomplishment,” he said.
Rager said Visit Johnstown will work with any businesses or organizations that may have an interest in continuing the rally or developing motorcycle-related events and activities and that it already has been approached by an interested party.
Ziggy’s Sports open
Ziggy’s Sports has opened its new retail space at 353 Market St., Johnstown. Ziggy’s Sports is a family-owned hockey shop with a mission of supporting local hockey and promoting the game that has been so important to Johnstown. It offers a wide variety of merchandise as well as services such as skate sharpening.
New business opens
A grand opening ceremony was held for Qi Strong at its new location in Suite 198 at the Johnstown Galleria, 500 Galleria Drive, Johnstown. Qi Strong offers acupuncture, NET– neuro-emotional technique (removes blocked emotions that disrupt organ function), cupping/Gua Sha, electrical stimulation with needles, and magnetic therapy, which is needleless.
New Rutter's Convenience Store on Scalp Avenue
Rutter’s Convenience Store Co. has closed on the purchase of 8.35 acres at 1609 Scalp Ave., Johnstown (Richland Township). Bob Varner, Broker of Record for Pennswood Commercial, orchestrated the deal and is pleased to finally have it come to fruition after four years of diligence.
"When dealing with commercial developments of vacant land, a number of critical issues need to be addressed – DEP, PennDOT approvals/traffic studies, elevations, grading, utilities and surrounding property owners just to name a few," " said Varner, BOR, V.P. Real Estate & Brokerage, in a press release. "I give our team (owners, legal, engineers, co-brokers and the buyer Rutter’s) a lot of credit for sheperding this project thru."
The site was home to the former Dewar’s Auto on Scalp. Rutter’s will develop a 12,000-square-foot convenience store with numerous gas and diesel pumps, as well as a number of large truck bays. A new traffic signal will be installed on Scalp where a new access road will also be created into the property, Varner said.
Rutter’s is bidding out the project and once site work starts it normally takes approximately nine months until completion and opening. This project will generate more activity for the remaining 16 acres ready for development. The entire frontage on Scalp from the new Rutter's to Theatre Drive is available for lease/ sale as well as the acreage across from the light at Theatre Drive.
"This is one of the last untapped areas for commercial development on Scalp and we see this as a great opportunity to create additional projects for hospitality, retail and medical users in this corridor," Varner said. "Pennswood Commercial Realty is handling this entire site."
Penn Highlands trustees named
The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees has added two new members, Lladel Lichty and Jennifer Mitchell, with their terms having begun in August.
Lichty, who is the Somerset County Director of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, will serve as the board representative for Somerset County. Mitchell, who is the superintendent of Huntingdon Area School District, will represent Huntingdon County.
Lichty and Mitchell will replace Tyson Cook and James Foster, respectively. Cook served on the board for four years, while Foster was a member for nearly 11 years. Lichty and Mitchell will both serve three-year terms that close in August 2026.
Lichty is a member of six different volunteer boards, including the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Somerset Advisory Committee, a spot she has held for two years. In total, Lichty has served on nine volunteer boards, while also holding more than 25 years of experience as a director of organizations such as the American Cancer Society and United Way of the Laurel Highlands.
“I am very pleased and honored to serve on the Board of Trustees at Penn Highlands,” Lichty said. “While serving on the Somerset Advisory Committee the past few years, I quickly realized the value of this quality institution in Somerset County and well beyond. Having first-class, affordable, and beautifully appointed locations and facilities, while allowing our students to continue their education among family and friends, is all the more reason to support and grow Penn Highlands. I look forward to that opportunity while working alongside the Trustees and staff.”
Mitchell has served as the superintendent of Huntingdon Area School District for nearly two years. She began her career in education as a kindergarten teacher in 1999 and has steadily advanced in rank since. Mitchell holds a bachelor’s degree from Juniata College, master’s degrees from Kaplan University and Edinboro University, and also received her Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from Edinboro University in 2016. She plans to earn her doctorate in educational leadership beginning this fall.
“I am honored to become a member of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees from the Huntingdon County region,” Mitchell said. “I, myself, have been a life-long learner seeking opportunities to grow personally and professionally. I fully support the mission and vision of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, which is to provide opportunities to pursue life-long learning, to act as a catalyst for regional renewal, and position graduates to be exceptional members of the community and workforce.”
Hamber Leadership presents check to Wings for Our Heroes
The Cambria Regional Chamber’s John B. Gunter Community Leadership Initiative is a nine-month program that combines classroom sessions on leadership topics as well as a community project requirement.
This year, one of the teams chose a project to benefit Wings for Our Heroes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing outdoor adventures and adaptive equipment to military, police, firefighters and EMS workers who have been disabled in the line of duty. They offer upland adventures, adaptive hunts and fly fishing adventures. The team presented Wings for Our Heroes with a check for $23,193.60, exceeding their original goal of $20,000.
Wings for Our Heroes was founded by Mike and Lori Steele. Mike is a U.S. Army veteran and former CH-47 Chinook pilot who served through Grenada and the Gulf War and retired in 2003 as a chief warrant officer. He is a helicopter emergency medical service pilot and check airman for STAT MedEvac. Lori is a certified occupational therapy assistant employed by NovaCare Rehabilitation. Mike and Lori also operate an AirBnB on their farm and and operate Mountain View Acres, a commercial upland hunting operation.
Yale University announces recipients of the 2022 Yale Educator Award
Benjamin Phillian of Turkeyfoot Valley Area High School, has been recognized by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a recipient of the 2022 Yale Educator Award.
The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who support and inspire their students to perform at high levels and to achieve excellence. Of this year’s 385 nominees, who represent 43 states and 28 countries, 80 teachers and 32 counselors were selected to receive the award.
Matriculating students are invited to nominate high school educators, and a committee of Yale admissions officers reviews each nomination individually and designates recipients. In September, the winners were sent their awards with congratulatory letters, and administrators of the high schools were notified of their achievement. The Yale Admissions Office attributes the exceptional quality of the Yale student body to educators like these recipients of the 2023 Yale Educator Award, who shape their students long before they attend Yale.
Pulmonologist joins medical staff at CSSMCW
Syed Zain Ayaz, MD has joined the medical staff at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber (CSSMCW). He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine for internal medicine, pulmonology, and critical care medicine. With more than 10 years of experience, Ayaz specializes in critical illness and resuscitation, COPD, asthma, ILD, lung nodules and lymphadenopathy.
Ayaz will provide hospital consults and provide oversight of the respiratory therapy department, assisting with pulmonary function testing. He will focus on navigational bronchoscopy, ultrasonography, endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy (EBUS), and hemodialysis catheter placement.
He received his medical degree from Windsor University School of Medicine in Saint Kitts, Caribbean. He then completed his internal medicine residency at the University of South Dakota in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, followed by a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Danville. During medical school, Ayaz received honors for his performance during his core rotations. He stayed active with case reports and literature review during residency. He worked as a hospitalist then chief hospitalist prior to starting his fellowship at Geisinger. At Geisinger, he was honored with the Walter D. Gemmil award for outstanding teaching.
Ayaz grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, where his parents still reside. He is an avid basketball player and loves to lift weights during his time away from work. He joins the Johnstown and Windber community along with his wife, Natalie, and daughter, Inaya.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Roof Garden Biz: New sports medicine physician; student interns craft new brew
