WMHS Foundation

05/31/2026

Sharon Garlock was a beautiful soul who never met a stranger. Thoughtful and kind—even during her own difficult struggles—she was a friend to everyone. When she lost her battle with cancer in 2016, her family’s world ground to a halt. Yet out of that immense grief, a beautiful mission was born. “Every day, I’m reminded that it’s our job to take what she taught us and continue on,” shares her daughter, Jami Strickland. And so Sharon's Small Town Angels was born nine years ago. Jami and her family engage with the community to fund, assemble, and donate over 100 chemo comfort bags annually to help patients at the Schwab Family Cancer Center.
Thanks to the overwhelming success of their fundraisers, the group's cumulative donations earned them a permanent memorial block on the center’s Oncology Tribute Wall. Last month, family and friends gathered for the dedication, alongside the cancer center staff who were so precious to Sharon, and her oncologist Dr. Mavromatis. Lisa Hout, senior development officer for the Foundation, coordinated the dedication and described it as an emotional, beautiful experience, filled with love. “Through laughter and tears, Sharon’s spirit was alive and present throughout the halls,” said Lisa. For Jami, the milestone brings profound peace. “To say my heart is full is an understatement,” she said. “I’m so proud of what we have accomplished as a family, and I know she is proud of us too.” Thank you to all of Sharon’s Small Town Angels for sharing your time, talents, and generous spirit! These extraordinary comfort bags share the love and legacy that undoubtedly lives on through you...

05/29/2026

The WMHS Foundation is gearing up for our 30th Annual Golf Classic! Join us on the links Friday, August 21st as we raise funds to support our patients and caregivers at UPMC Western Maryland! https://www.wmhsfoundation.com/golf-classic-26

05/28/2026

05/24/2026

Our nurses shine brightly at UPMC Western Maryland! Amanda Mannick is a dedicated healthcare professional who is advancing her degree to better serve her community, and the WMHS Foundation supports her pursuit of a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) credential through the Sophie E. Powell Nursing Scholarship. The fund was established to invest in quality nursing care here at UPMC Western Maryland, and we are so proud of the candidates who have been selected. This week marks the last for 2026 general applications for Foundation scholarships, but the Powell scholarship window remains open until June 29. Read all about it here! https://www.wmhsfoundation.com/post/committed-to-our-community

05/22/2026

In philanthropy, one truth stands out: nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. Last year, Danny Benson joined the Western Maryland Kidney Warriors’ Kidney Walk to support those battling kidney disease, particularly his friends Judy, Jamie, and Junior. He had no idea that within six months, he would be facing dialysis himself. This year, he returns to the walk as a patient - walking in memory of Judy and Jamie - while continuing to raise funds because he knows firsthand how much community support matters. Read his story, and plan to join him at this year's Kidney Walk: https://www.wmhsfoundation.com/post/the-spark-and-the-flame

05/14/2026

The Foundation is accepting applications for 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 through 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟵𝘁𝗵! Follow the link below to apply today!

04/21/2026

🎉🥗 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲! 🥗🎉

We were delighted to 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗣𝗠𝗖 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 recently in celebration of Registered Dietitian Day. Providing meals like this is one way the 𝗪𝗠𝗛𝗦 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 can say 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 to the dedicated professionals who care for our patients and community every day.

💙During the lunch, it was especially meaningful to help celebrate 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀, 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗜, who was presented with the prestigious 𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 (𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲)—a well‑deserved recognition of exceptional dedication and impact.

👏“Your support helps our dietitians feel truly appreciated and supported,” said 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝘁𝘇, 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻.

We’re 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒅 to support teams like these and 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 for the chance to nourish both their work and their wellness. 🌟

04/15/2026

𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 💙

Last Friday, the WMHS Foundation partnered with UPMC Western Maryland to offer the community a nostalgic giveaway of our former WMHS-branded items. With everything now under the UPMC name, we were thrilled to pass along t-shirts, bags, mugs, golf tees, masks, and more to our community. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and helped make this giveaway such a positive experience for all! (no merch was left behind!)

Moments like these are truly 💙𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕💚

Photographed right to left: Joyce Mell, Greeter; David Tichnell, Food Service Cashier; Kim Lewis, Sr. Account Representative; Daniel Roberts, Vendor; Rodney Lipscomb, Supply Chain Team Lead

02/06/2026

Chase away the winter blues at the WMHS Foundation Book & Gift Sale! Open to the public in Auditorium Rooms 5&6 for two days only. Proceeds benefit your WMHS Foundation in support of the patients and caregivers at UPMC Western Maryland. Don't miss it - Wednesday, February 11, and Thursday, February 12, 7 am - 4 pm.

01/28/2026

What a great evening we shared with friends across the community at Snow Ball Aurora 2026! Thanks to the kindness of so many, we raised nearly $90,000 at this year's event, all in support of our Rising Nurses Scholarship at UPMC Western Maryland. Our thanks go out to our generous sponsors, auction donors, patrons and guests, and those who bid on the auction - we couldn't do it without you! Thanks as well to the team of volunteers who designed a magical theme under the glow of the Northern Lights - decorations were spearheaded by DeeDee Friedenberg, Krista Durst, and Julie Davis! As the evening drew to a close, snow began to fall... Take a peek at our galleries - formal portraits, selfie booth, and candid photos - all on our website: https://www.wmhsfoundation.com/snow-ball26