Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation

06/02/2026

Agreement paves way to final closing in late September or early October 2026 and supports planned $800 million investment to strengthen hospitals and expand care in Western Pa.

05/19/2026

Family Fun Day is almost here! Join us on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 1-4 PM at Statler's Fun Center for a fun-filled afternoon of go-karts, mini golf, and more!

Proceeds will benefit the Independence Health System Sports Medicine Program in the Westmoreland Area. At the Sports Medicine Center, our specialists diagnose and treat patients helping to restore function whether injured from sports, weekend activities or everyday life. Movement is medicine!

Come join us and get moving!

To purchase tickets or sponsor the event visit: www.Independence.Health/FamilyFunDay

05/06/2026

Where do we go from here? Let's work together to strengthen and support mental health wellness in our community.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month - let's make a difference!

If you were unable to attend the lecture on "The Impact of Anxiety and The Power of Agency", the full lecture video and PowerPoint slides are available upon request. Please contact [email protected].

https://vimeo.com/1189409727/5c72733cf6

This is "Behavioral Health Symposium 2026, Promo" by Video Horizons on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

04/16/2026

The Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation proudly hosted 100 mental health clinicians, counselors and educators at the Ann Clark Fund sponsored lecture on “The Impact of Anxiety and The Power of Agency".

The Fred Rogers Institute was the perfect venue for this important lecture because Fred Rogers dedicated his career to validating children’s emotional worlds, offering direct tools to navigate fear, loneliness, and uncertainty – all foundational components of childhood anxiety treatment.

The lecture was delivered by the dynamic Dr. Anthony Rao, a nationally recognized child psychologist and author. He shared insights from his book "The Power of Agency" and evidence-based strategies to support adolescent resilience and emotional well-being. He encouraged all in attendance to “Be the Beginning” in healing therapy for their patients and students. This message clearly resonated with all in the audience. He encouraged the dedicated clinicians and educators to help their patients and students cultivate their personal agency – defined as the ability to act, evaluate, and make decisions in one’s own life.

After the keynote address, attendees had the opportunity to network and engage in breakout table discussions focused on specific topics related to mental health and well-being.

Topics included:
•Social Media and AI led by Theresa Matson from Adelphoi
•Caregiver Support led by Laryn Rajkarnikar from Mind Dojo
•Drug and Alcohol Addition led by Christina Weimer from Prevention Projects at Saint Vincent College
•Managing Mental Health Through the Lifespan led by Dr. Aileen Oandasan from Nulton Diagnostic & Treatment Center
•What Constitutes a Mental Health Crisis and Accessing the Right Local Resources led by Carrie Schmitt and Caitilin Allen from Westmoreland Community Action
•The Five Frontiers of You: Unleashing your Intellectual, Social, Emotional, Ethical, and Physical Intelligence led by Dr. Jonathan P. Strecker from Valley School of Ligonier

We extend our deepest gratitude to the dedicated planning committee for their invaluable time and expertise in organizing this adolescent-focused mental health wellness symposium. Their unwavering commitment to patients, students, and families is truly commendable.

•Dr. Michael Blastos, Chief of Psychiatry at Independence Health System
•Richard King, Manager of Outpatient Behavioral Health at Independence Health System
•Maryann Singley, Chief Nursing Officer at Latrobe Hospital and Behavioral Health Services
•Dr. Jonathan Strecker, Head of School at Valley School of Ligonier
•Dr. Aileen Oandasan, Chief Medical Officer at Nulton Diagnostic & Treatment Center
•Laryn Rajkarnikar, Senior Nurse Practitioner and Director of Wellness at Mind Dojo
•Many Welty Zalich, CEO of Westmoreland Community Action
•Karyn Pratt, VP of Marketing and Strategy Development at Adelphoi USA

Mr. Rogers famously encouraged children to “Look for the helpers” when seeking safety in times of fear. It was incredibly rewarding to see a room full of “helpers” at the lecture, all committed to supporting youth and ensuring that young people find both safety and the tools for their own agency and mental wellness.

03/13/2026

We are honored to support our local seniors!

This week, the Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation met with Amy McLendon, and the dedicated team at the Laurel Area Faith in Action (LAIVC) - Hearts and Hands Helping Seniors Program to celebrate a $24,000 grant awarded by our Board of Trustees.

This funding will help LAIVC advance their mission of empowering our local seniors to live confidently, age well, and stay connected to the heart of their community - a mission that aligns closely with our commitment to supporting Latrobe Hospital and our outpatient facilities, as we deliver high-quality, specialized medical services locally to all in our care.

We have had a long-standing collaboration with the LAIVC and are proud to support their great work in community outreach to our senior population. In fact, there is an ever growing demand for their support with 30% (and growing) of the current population in Latrobe, Derry, Unity Township, and Ligonier age 60 and older.

Volunteers at LAIVC provide the following suppport:
Appointment escorts, Handy person for minor repairs, Telephone Reassurance, Caregiver releif, Errands/Shopping, Referral assistance, and yard work and gardening.

For more information visit:
https://laurelfia.org/

Thank you LAIVC for your advocacy and dedication to local senior care!

Pictured: Anthony Cancro, Chief Development Officer at Independence Health System, Amy McLendon, Executive Director at LAIVC, and the dedicated LAIVC team, Susan Hails, Jacquline Kollar, Margaret Carey, Taylor Ramazon, and Denise Kane.

03/09/2026

WHAT DOES "AGENCY" MEAN IN RELATION TO MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS AND HOW CAN "AGENCY" MITIGATE ANXIETY?

Find the answers to these questions and more at our FREE upcoming lecture and luncheon featuring Dr. Anthony Rao, who quite literally, wrote the book on the subject. CEU credits available!

According to Dr. Anthony Rao, agency is the capacity to act as an effective agent for yourself - reflecting, making creative choices, and constructing a meaningful life.

THE KEY🔑 TO AGENCY = RESPONSIBILITY + FREEDOM

Join clinicians, educators, and organizations specializing in mental health for a focused lecture delivered by Dr. Anthony Rao, "The Impact of Anxiety and The Power of Agency" on April 14, 2026 at the Fred Rogers Center in Latrobe.

Continental Breakfast 8:30-9AM

Keynote 9AM-10AM with a 1/2 an hour Q&A to follow

Breakout Tables 10:30AM-11:30AM In-depth discussions on specific topics like Social Media, AI, Diversity/Injustice/Bullying, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and Alcohol and Drug Dependency - all tied to Mental Health Wellness.

Lunch at your leisure 11:30AM-12:30 while you continue to network and visit the table top displays from local organizations specializing in mental health wellness.

Click here to register:
https://icalendar.independence.health/Home/Details?eid=2341

02/18/2026

The Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation - Ann K. Clark Fund is sponsoring the lecture "The Impact of Anxiety and The Power of Agency" on April 14, 2026 at the Fred Rogers Center in Latrobe.

JOIN clinicians, educators, and organizations specializing in mental health -this lecture will be delivered by Dr. Anthony Rao, a nationally recognized child psychologist and author.

Dr. Rao will share insights from his book, The Power of Agency, and evidence-based strategies to support adolescent resilience and emotional well-being.

Continental Breakfast 8:30-9AM

Keynote 9AM-10AM with a 1/2 an hour Q&A to follow

Breakout Tables from 10:30AM-11:30AM (In-depth discussion on subjects related to Social Media and AI, Drug and Alchohol Abuse, Managing Mental Health Through the Lifespan, Care Giver Support, and Accessing the Right Local Resources for Mental Health Wellness.

LUNCH AT YOUR LEISURE from 11:30AM - 12:30 while you continue to network and visit the table top displays from local organizations specializing in mental health wellness.

Click here to register: https://icalendar.independence.health/Home/Details?eid=2341

02/13/2026

LATROBE HOSPITAL COLLEAGUES PAWSITIVELY LOVE THEIR PETS!

We had over 100 pets submitted to our FUR-EVER VALENTINE contest! Thank you for your overwhelming response! See photos of all of the contestants on display tomorrow at Latrobe Hospital! ❤️🐾

We're donating $150.00 to Action for Animals Humane Society in Latrobe PA in honor of all of your adorable FUR-EVER VALENTINES.

A special thank you to Haley Smolleck for lending your creative talents to this project!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHEWEY AND PETSMART GIFT CARD WINNERS:
MAGGIE, TIGER, ALBIE AND BOBBLES AND CHEESE!

12/23/2025

12/10/2025

We had the honor of attending the 38th annual Lights of Love sponsored by the Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society yesterday at the Robindale Auditorium in Latrobe.

Lights of Love provides the Latrobe community the opportunity to remember and honor the special people who have impacted their lives.

The evening included holiday music, the Ceremony of Remembrance and Honor, and the live streaming of the illumination of the Lights of Love tree on the plaza at Latrobe.