Business Magazine - February 2023

Brevillier Village is an award winning, non-profit housing and health care community for seniors. Not only are we conveniently located in Harborcreek Township, just 15 minutes from downtown Erie, PA but our campus stands on over 20 acres of picturesque lakefront property.

At Brevillier, we are committed to serving the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our seniors. We pride ourselves on offering a complete continuum of housing, health care, and support services so our residents may experience the most independent, fulfilling lives possible. The health services at Brevillier include, but not limited to:

Personal Care

Our organization is comprised of compassionate, experienced, highly trained professionals who strive to ensure everyone thrives on our campus. We also have inhouse, licensed physical and occupational therapists for a wide variety of rehabilitation services. From assisted home living and personal care, to rehabilitation and memory support, Brevillier is dedicated to fostering a true sense of community and personal fulfillment for our residents.

The history of Brevillier Village has been shaped by four major influences: The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, the Episcopal Brothers of St. Barnabas Home in Gibsonia, the Brevillier Family, and the Ball Family. Because of this generosity, our multi-level campus is positioned on the beautiful banks of Lake Erie.

A Place For Everyone

We have senior living options that that can meet your unique needs. We have a fully independent living opportunities that provide a variety the comforts of your home without the worry of maintenance and security. If you are interested in independent living but need some assistance with meal preparation and housekeeping, our residency option could be the perfect fit for you.

For those who need more personal care assistance, we offer 24-hour nursing services that seamlessly align with the activities of daily living. We also provide respite care for seniors whose caregivers need a break, whether because of an emergency or other personal matter.

Higher Standard of Senior Living

If you or a loved one is interested in visiting Brevillier Village or would like more information, contact us today by calling (814) 899-8600 or use our convenient online contact form at: www.brevillier.org.

As a non-profit, your donation will enable us to continually provide quality care to our residents. Listed on the left are some of the ways your tax-deductible contribution will help! We thank you for your generosity and support of our mission.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

However, most organizations don’t have the budgets that large companies do to offer targeted support programs to employees with caregiving responsibilities. Yet, experts say smaller employers can still support employees who are experiencing challenges related to being caregivers, such as:

Verbalize the value of caregiving. Sometimes, the most important thing an HR professional can do is validate the employee’s caregiving challenges and provide a listening ear. “Create a culture that is supportive and welcoming to caregivers,” says Christina Irving, client services director at the Family Caregiver Alliance. “Talk about the value of caregiving. Even if caregiving benefits exist, many caregivers don’t feel comfortable sharing that they’re caregiving. They worry sharing will have a negative impact on their career or employment.”

Be flexible with work hours and locations. Flexibility is among the most important benefits to workers with caregiving responsibilities. If an employee can’t work from home, consider part-time arrangements, job sharing or project-based work.

Explore relevant employee assistance program (EAP) benefits. Employees may know that the company’s EAP can provide resources in the event of a caregiving crisis, but they are often unaware how the program might help with general caregiving needs.

Research and share lists of free local and national community caregiving resources. Providing some “legwork” research about community resources for an employee who is experiencing a caregiving crisis can be a blessing.

Initiate employee caregiver support groups. A support group for employees with caregiving responsibilities is a simple way for employees to share their challenges of balancing work and caregiving — and it costs the employer little to nothing.

In this edition of the MBA Business Magazine, we’ll discuss the topic of caregiving and its impact on health and wellness, as well as the many new

health-care resources and support services that are available in our region to assist with care and treatment.

In fact, we’ll highlight the expansion of UPMC’s cancer care and research efforts in northwestern Pennsylvania through UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Hamot and the Magee-Womens Research Institute.

We’ll also hear from Home Instead President Dianne Cunningham about the growing demand for elder care services and how her organization is providing support.

Plus, don’t miss our article on how Pittsburgh-born billionaire Mark Cuban is getting it right on lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

To learn more about health-care coverage plans and other employee benefit options, visit mbausa.org.

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!

Since the pandemic and Great Resignation, workers with caregiving responsibilities have become one of the fastestgrowing employee identity groups, as companies focus more on supporting — and retaining — workers today and beyond.

WHY CAREGIVING IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES

Investment, Research to Help Enhance Care, Save Lives

UPMC is committed to life-changing medicine. That’s why the integrated health-care provider has invested heavily in expanding its cancer care services and research efforts in northwest Pennsylvania.

Since affiliating with UPMC Hamot in 2011, UPMC continues to enhance and grow radiation oncology and medical oncology services in Erie through UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, one of the largest integrated community cancer centers in the United States. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is western Pennsylvania’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Through its partnership with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Hamot is recognized as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

At UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (formerly the Regional Cancer Center or RCC) located at 2500 West 12th Street in Millcreek Township, UPMC has invested more than $14 million in the facility improvements — including a new larger infusion area with 24 treatment areas (up from 14 previously at UPMC Hamot), added staffing (up to four medical oncologists and two radiation oncologists), and research and innovative treatments which will not only enhance the care and treatment of patients, but ultimately help save lives.

“For cancer care to advance, we must make sure that we’re

providing our local patients the most cutting-edge care that’s available,” explains Carrie Ennis, senior director of Strategy and Partnership, who oversees cancer services for UPMC Hamot. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center builds on care provided locally by offering access to high-quality, comprehensive cancer care and research right here in northwest Pennsylvania. The Erie location opened its doors in November 2019.

“For patients facing a cancer diagnosis, the ability to remain at home and close to their loved ones and support systems is so valuable,” says David Gibbons, president of UPMC Hamot and senior vice president of the Health Services Division and the market president for northwest Pennsylvania and North Central Pennsylvania regions. “Since Hamot’s affiliation with UPMC in 2011, we have continued our commitment to bring advanced care to Erie and strengthen access to world-class health-care services in our community.”

Robert Ferris, M.D., Ph.D., director of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and an expert in immunotherapy and a specialist in head and neck cancer, says that UPMC Hillman has been and is completely committed to investing in the Erie region. “We see it as a partnership with the Erie community, the business community, the health-care community, the philanthropic community, where the patient and the population’s wellness and health are really the key priority.”

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Erie unveiled updated facilities in November 2019. Since then, more than $14 million has been invested in facility improvements and equipment to enhance cancer care in northwest Pennsylvania.

Network of Care

At UPMC, every provider — from primary care physicians to specialists — plays a vital role in the oncology service line. This starts with screenings and referrals for specialized imaging and examinations, such as mammography, endoscopies and colonoscopies. A team of oncologists at UPMC Hillman in Erie are also backed by breast cancer specialists at UPMC Hamot Breast Imaging and Bayview Breast Care, as well as the UPMC Comprehensive Lung Center. Located onsite at the UPMC Hillman campus in Erie, the team at the UPMC Comprehensive Lung Center — led by Stephen Kovacs, D.O. — was the first in the country to implement robotic navigational bronchoscopy for early detection of lung cancer.

“Our providers are part of our community,” states Ennis. “They are part of UPMC, and our relationships and our ability to refer patients to the specialists is really phenomenal.”

By having such services closer to home, UPMC officials estimate that 17 percent fewer patients have left Erie for inpatient care (inclusive of oncology and other specialties) since Hamot affiliated with UPMC in 2011. In the area of cancer care, that can certainly impact patient outcomes.

“One of the greatest features of a poor outcome is not getting the treatment at the right dose, or in the right schedule, or completing it, and often cancer treatments have side effects,” explains Ferris. “If you’re not close to an experienced treatment team, those side effects are not likely to be managed effectively to keep you on treatment. These are experienced teams that Hillman brings to Erie.”

Clinical Trials

A critical aspect of UPMC’s commitment to cancer care is through research. Cancer researchers work closely with clinicians to rapidly move the most promising results from their labs into clinical trials. Investigators use clinical trials to test new drugs and therapies that treat a wide range of cancers and provide patients with early access to new and innovative treatments throughout the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center network.

“Our investment in UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Erie is at baseline to provide the highest quality care of today, and that’s to bring all the specialists together for the highest-level consensus opinion that is driven by data, driven by the best national and international results,” states Ferris.

Today, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center has more than 400 clinical trials under way in an effort to develop the best new treatments. “Every year there are three or four or five practice-changing trials that go into the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, that are initiated and led by a UPMC Hillman Cancer Center physician oncologist,” Ferris states.

UPMC Hillman’s mantra is straightforward: “Clinical research is tomorrow’s cancer treatment.”

“We don’t just open the trials, we design and lead them,” adds Ferris, “At other centers, you’d have to wait for that trial to report out and for the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) to then approve the new therapy. You get access to them during the developmental phase because those trials are open, because Hillman oncologists are at the forefront leading them, and that makes things available earlier to patients in Erie.”

Presently, there are 83 clinical research trials open at UPMC Hillman in Erie, with 59 new patients in 2022 — which is 2.5 times more than 2020 and a 13-percent increase over 2021 including screening and treatment studies.

Added Benefits

Experts say treating a patient through a clinical trial has been proven to lead to the best survival outcomes. Patients can expect “white glove” treatment, gaining access to far more support and coordination of care during a clinical trial.

James Ohr, D.O., a medical oncologist and hematologist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Erie, says having the availability to offer clinical trials to patients, is incredibly important not only for the patients, as far as opportunities for cutting-edge treatment, but also to advance medicine. “If you go back a decade, immunotherapy clinical trials were just starting to come to the forefront, and now immunotherapy is becoming a standard treatment for a large percentage of the cancers that we’re treating on a daily basis and we’re prescribing these medications,” states Ohr.

Seven years ago, one of Ohr’s patients participated in immunotherapy trial for an advanced cancer and remains cancer-free today. “It was the landmark clinical trial that Dr. Ferris had published in the New England Journal of Medicine using Nivolumab (also known as Opdivo) as first line therapy for advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck,” explains Ohr. “If this patient didn’t participate in that clinical trial, they wouldn’t be here today.” 

Robert Ferris, M.D., Ph.D., (right), director of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, talks with UPMC Hillman Chairman Stanley M. Marks, M.D.

Shown here is the Edge®, which uses non-invasive tumor-destroying radiation to treat cancer anywhere in the body where radiation is indicated. Edge® is a trademark of Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

In addition to treating patients, clinical trials also support correlative studies. By collecting specimens, such as blood, researchers can look at laboratory studies to help get a better understanding of how treatments work, how they work in patients, and which patients tend to respond better.

“Collectively, our goal is to grow this into a regional academic center,” states Ohr. “There are certain limitations, but if we can offer patients 80 percent of what they can offer in Pittsburgh, I think what we’ve done is really expanded access to clinical research for all of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Northeastern Ohio and Southwestern New York.”

More Research, More Impact

UPMC Hillman is just one institution in Erie conducting clinical research. Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) in Erie brings expertise and clinical trials in areas of research including reproductive development, pregnancy and newborn medicine, infectious disease, gynecology, reproductive endocrinology, women’s cancers and women’s wellness.

Linda Paterniti, director of satellite operations at MWRI Erie, is excited about UPMC’s research initiatives and the support of the local community.

Back in 2019, The Erie Community Foundation announced a $6 million grant to expand MWRI to Erie — the largest in its 84year history. The grant, which was made to the Hamot Health Foundation in partnership with UPMC, Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation, and Penn State Behrend brought the research institute to downtown Erie — and the first expansion of MWRI outside of Pittsburgh. The Erie site was chosen in part because of the high number of families who remain in the rural region across generations and how genetics play a role in various diseases, including breast and ovarian cancers.

MWRI Erie, located at Magee-Womens, UPMC Hamot, includes a clinical research center and an onsite lab that enables researchers to collect, process, store and analyze blood, urine and placental specimens for clinical research.

Findings from MWRI’s first clinical trial, Heart Health for New Moms (HH4NM), have already made an impact. HH4NM offered an internet-based intervention arm to provide women with tools aimed to improve weight and blood pressure management in the year following delivery among women with prior preeclampsia or gestational hypertension. As a result, women who were identified as at risk for cardiac events during pregnancy are now referred to Bridges Clinic, a postpartum hypertension clinic, which combines cardiology and maternal-fetal medicine experts to care for new mothers with high blood pressure.

“It’s just one example of what can happen by completing research, and that you can have clinical programs that can improve the health of your community,” explains Paterniti.

Collaborative seed grants awarded in 2020 also are helping investigators explore potential research areas. For instance, one is using environmentally realistic PCB exposure levels (by studying fish in Lake Erie) to estimate the risk of breast cancer development in Erie County residents. Another is a new mesh development trial for treating stress urinary incontinence.

Most recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, awarded MWRI a $600,000 grant for the expansion of pregnancy support services at Magee-Womens, UPMC Hamot to close the gap between addiction evidence and treatment. If the program is productive, the state will renew the funding for up to five years.

Paterniti says the engagement of the community and support of MWRI Erie’s research into women’s health has been overwhelming. Currently, the office has 12 open clinical trials, which involves more than 550 patients.

“We look forward to developing a larger, more diverse portfolio of studies,” says Paterniti. “We are focused on improving the overall health of the community and to building a vibrant, diverse research community, supported by national grants and industry partnerships.”

Located at 2500 West 12th Street in Millcreek Township, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center provides world-class cancer care to patients in the Erie region and is part of a network of more than 70 UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and western Maryland. UPMC Hillman is western Pennsylvania’s only comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute, backed by best practices and leading-edge protocols.

For more information, visit hillman.upmc.com.

James Ohr, D.O., a medical oncologist and hematologist, meets with a patient at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Erie. Ohr is one of four medical oncologists on the UPMC Hillman staff in Erie.

Clinical trials give patients access to the best treatment options and a chance to help researchers advance medicine.

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AHN Saint Vincent Emergency Department, Erie, PA

UPMC Chautauqua, Jamestown, NY

Home Instead President  Discusses Demand for Elder Care Services

As the Baby Boomer population ages, society is facing an unprecedented number of senior citizens who need elder care. Consequently, the U.S. home care market is expected to grow to $225 billion by 2024. Here, Dianne Cunningham, owner and president of Home Instead in Erie, Pennsylvania, shares her insights on this growing population segment and how the company is responding to their care needs.

Tell us how Home Instead got started.

Home Instead was started in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska. Founders, Paul and Lori Hogan, created this business of helping seniors age in place until the end of their days in honor of Paul’s Grandma whom they cared for in their own home until she passed away. Her wish was that they help others stay at home, rather than be cared for in a nursing home. Thus, the name “Home Instead” Senior Care was born.

Why did you decide to bring the company to Erie and northwest Pennsylvania?

Over 20 years ago, Carolyn Matters and her family brought the Home Instead Senior Care business to Erie. Carolyn’s daughter had been working for the company which had already been established in the Pittsburgh area. Daughter Holli’s work with seniors inspired her to compel her mother to bring these types of non-medical services for seniors living in Erie County. Home Instead Senior Care opened its doors in June of 2002, at which time I joined the company. My husband Bob and I bought the company in 2009.

What services do you provide today?

As a state-licensed agency, Home Instead has always provided non-medical services including companionship, meal planning

and preparation, housekeeping, med reminders, and errands/transportation.

Over the years, we have added personal care services including toileting, bathing, and grooming, etc., and we retrain our staff in those services on a yearly basis. This retraining includes firsthand experience in providing bed baths; safety concerning client ambulation; as well as the use of Hoyer lifts and other medical equipment.

Finally, we offer specialized services in Alzheimer’s and Dementia care as well as Hospice services. The goal again, is to keep our seniors living comfortably at home, wherever home is, until they end of their life’s journey. Respite for the family is our staff goal; and we take pride in the dedicated support and effective communication to our client’s family members.

How can Home Instead’s services benefit employers and their employees?

As stated before, respite for family members is a vital part of what we do. Home Instead is committed to excellent Client/Care Pro matchmaking and assuring that all shifts are filled. Employers appreciate that their employee can be at work enjoying peace of mind that their loved one is well-cared for.

We also help employers and their staff with support programs including family Alzheimer’s/Dementia training.

What’s next for Home Instead?

Our staff looks forward to continuing to develop a strong roster of Care Pros. We strive for high standards of care while ensuring that our staff remains second to none. For example, we stay committed to our monthly background checks; and company paid “shadow shifts” for training of Care Pros in new assignments.

We are expanding our staff as we prepare for the upcoming Expanded Services program, which is a nursedirected initiative in providing more medical services such as wound care and medication management.

What’s the best way to learn more about the company?

Call us! We can be reached at 814/4649200. You will be directed to a Client Care Liaison who will listen to your concerns and initial needs and will provide direction to you and your family about “next steps.” You also will want to visit homeinstead.com/ eriepa for detailed information about our services.

Cut

Caring for Our Caregivers Changes in the Law Provide Increased Caregiver Support

• A caregiver, age 55 or older, who has legal guardianship of, or is raising, a dependent child under the age of 18, to whom they are related by blood, marriage, or adoption, but who is not the caregiver’s biological child; or

• A caregiver, age 55 or older, providing care to an individual with a disability, age 18–59, to whom they are related by blood, marriage, or adoption, and who may or may not be the caregiver’s biological child.

Caregiver Supportive Services

Supportive services available to an eligible caregiver include benefits counseling, to review existing benefits and identify potential new ones, education and training for caregivers, and reimbursements of costs associated with caregiving.

Eligible costs include those incurred for:

Effective June 11, 2021, the Caregiver Support Act was amended to provide reimbursement not only to caregivers who provide care for older adults, but to certain older caregivers who provide care for nonbiological children, related to the caregiver by blood, marriage or adoption and who reside with the caregiver, or for adults with a disability who reside with the caregiver. The reimbursement amount was increased from a maximum of $200 per month to a maximum of $600 per month.

• Respite care: a service that provides the caregiver with relief from normal caregiving duties and responsibilities. It is typically short-term support in home or overnight to provide the caregiver with a break from caregiving.

The past few years have been challenging for many people, perhaps particularly so for those who have been serving in the role as a caregiver. Recent changes to the Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Act and the Older Americans Act of 1965 may provide some much-needed relief by expanding resources and assistance for caregivers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Pro-Caregiver Amendments

The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Act (“Caregiver Support Act”), following its initial enactment in 1990, provided financial assistance to unpaid primary caregivers who assumed responsibility for at-home care of functionally dependent older adults or other adults with dementia.

The Caregiver Support Act provided for a reimbursement in an amount of up to $200 per month for the caregiver’s out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing care.

At the federal level, the Older Americans Act of 1965 (“Older Americans Act”) had been amended the prior year, effective March 25, 2020, to remove limits on state spending from federal fund allocations for grandparent or older relative caregivers. Coupled with the Caregiver Support Act amendments, the Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, is now able to offer increased support to a broader range of caregivers.

Eligible Caregivers

Presently, there are three eligible categories of caregivers:

• A caregiver, age 18 or older, providing care to: 1) an individual age 60 and older with functional deficits or 2) an individual of any age with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder; or

• Home modifications: expenses for reasonable modifications to a home for the purpose of reducing the caregiving burden on the primary caregiver, but do not include repairs. Home modifications may include things like ramps or stair lifts.

• Assistive devices: help the care receiver carry out tasks of daily living, such as grab bars or safety devices.

• Consumable supplies: such as incontinence pads.

The maximum monthly reimbursement is currently $600 and is based on a sliding scale according to the care receiver’s household income. The reimbursement is phased out entirely if the care receiver’s household income exceeds 380 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Additionally, there is a $5,000 lifetime cap on reimbursements for home modifications or assistive devices.

For questions or more information, contact Attorney Jenna Bickford at 814/870-7762 or jbickford@mijb.com.

Jenna Bickford is a partner at MacDonald Illig and is a member of the firm’s Healthcare, Real Estate & Finance, and Business Transactions Practice Groups.

CHANNELLOCK FEATURED ON MIKE ROWE’S ‘HOW AMERICA WORKS’

An episode of the Fox Business show “How America Works” is giving viewers a behind-thescenes look at how Channellock, Inc. makes its iconic pliers and the company’s role in building our country.

Featuring host Mike Rowe, “How America Works” examines the country’s most essential industries, including one of America’s oldest: tool manufacturing. To show viewers how its pliers are made, Channellock, Inc. welcomed Rowe’s film crew to spend 10 days at its two Meadville facilities.

“It’s an honor for us to be featured on ‘How America Works’,” says Jon DeArment, chief operating officer of Channellock, Inc. “Mike did a terrific job highlighting the numerous challenges our company and our hard-working associates overcome on a daily basis, which customers don’t see when they reach for our products. As the foremost champion for blue-collar Americans, I can’t think of a better person to spotlight our company.”

In a press release, DeArment added that he hoped the episode will inspire interest in the skilled trades, as thousands of new jobs will be needed to support America’s growing infrastructure. Training the next generation of America’s tradespeople is a top priority for Channellock, Inc., which it supports through initiatives like its annual Trade School TradeUp competition and Trades 101 program.

The film crew captured a day in the work life of five Channellock, Inc. associates: Todd Fleet, robotic forger operator; Ken Pardee, assembler; Josh Malliard, martemper operator; Kevin Nellis, cell operator; and David Thiess, maintenance supervisor. Combined, these employees have more than 115 years of experience in the tool manufacturing industry.

“We’re incredibly proud of our hard-working associates for keeping our company — and our country — running,” said Ryan DeArment, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Channellock, Inc.

The episode aired December 19 on Fox Business and can be viewed at https://video. foxbusiness.com/v/6317522882112?playlist_ id=1709063031951944232#sp=show-clips.

For more information about Channellock, visit channellock.com.

FORBES NAMES ERIE INSURANCE

$385K GRANT EXPANDS MATERIALS SCIENCE RESEARCH AT PENN STATE BEHREND

A $385,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will fund the purchase of an Instron drop tower impact-testing system at Penn State Behrend, where faculty members are developing new approaches to polymer recycling and the formulation of new composites.

At least 10 faculty members will use the system to advance their research, which includes automotive and aerospace partnerships. Another will use it to test new polymers for ski boots and bindings.

The Instron system will expand the materials research capabilities at Behrend, where grant funding and industry partnerships fueled $8.3 million in research expenditures in 2021.

“This takes us into a whole new kind of materials science,” said Greg Dillon, chair of the Polymer Engineering and Science program at Behrend and the principal investigator for the NSF grant. “It allows us to delve very deeply into fracture mechanics: how materials and structures fail under high energy.”

Drop towers are used to determine how materials break. The drop mechanism, or tup, is fired like an arrow into a plastic, metal, ceramic or gel. The Instron tup drops at a rate of 78 feet per second.

“It’s a lot like a crossbow,” said Alicyn Rhoades, the interim associate dean for research and graduate studies at Behrend. She and Dillon wrote the original application for the NSF grant.

For more information, visit behrend.psu.edu.

FORBES NAMES ERIE INSURANCE   TO ‘AMERICA’S BEST INSURANCE COMPANIES’

LIST FOR 2023

Erie Insurance (ERIE) has been named to the Forbes list of America’s Best Insurance Companies for 2023. This is the second consecutive year ERIE has been recognized as one of the nation’s top insurance companies.

ERIE was recognized as an industry leader in five product categories for 2023: auto, homeowners, renters, term life and permanent life. The recognition was presented by Forbes and Statista, a leading statistics portal and industry rankings provider.

“At ERIE, we’ve always believed that people come first. Maintaining the human touch and putting service above all else have been our guiding principles since 1925,” said Doug Smith, executive vice president of sales and products for Erie Insurance. “And these principles are what make us one of ‘America’s Best Insurance Companies,’ year after year.”

For the 2023 list, insurance companies were identified during an independent survey of more than 15,000 U.S. consumers with at least one insurance policy. The survey considered customers’ overall recommendations, their general satisfaction and six sub-dimensions: financial advice, customer service, price/ performance ratio, transparency, digital services and damage/benefit ratio. A loyalty score was also calculated based on a series of questions about the customers’ likeliness to keep their insurance policy under different circumstances and the total length of time consumers have held policies with the same insurer.

In addition to this recognition, Erie Insurance also appears on Forbes ’ list of America’s Best-In-State Employers and Best Employers for Diversity.

For more information, visit erieinsurance.com.

Channellock, headquartered in Meadville, Pennsylvania, was recently featured on “How America Works.” Host Mike Rowe and a film crew spent 10 days at two of the company’s facilities.

NORTHWEST BANK ADDS CONTROLLER, NEW

OFFICERS TO TRUST SERVICES TEAM

With 13 years of experience in financial services, TJ Hesch has been named regional senior vice president, controller, for the Trust Services division of Northwest Bank, a fullservice financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking solutions.

In his role, Hesch is responsible for the oversight and performance of all accounting processes and procedures for Trust Services.

Prior to joining Northwest, Hesch served as vice president of finance at NewFi Lending headquartered in Emeryville, California.

“We are pleased to have TJ join our team,” said Michele Cavalier, senior vice president and senior trust executive. “His successful background of career experience, demonstrated commitment to clients, along with his positive impact in the community, make TJ a welcome addition to our Northwest team.”

Hesch is a graduate of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in accounting. Hesch is also a graduate of the American Bankers Association and Wharton School of Business, Graduate School of Banking. He holds the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis (CSCA) designations.

Active in his community, Hesch has served on numerous boards and committees. Currently, he serves as treasurer for Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania. Hesch also volunteers for a variety of organizations throughout the area, including the Junior Achievement Center’s JA in a Day program, ServErie summer projects and coaching children’s T-ball and basketball teams.

As senior portfolio manager, Piel is responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing management of investment portfolios for individuals and not-forprofits. He works with clients to make sure their investments match their goals, objectives and time horizon. Also in his role, Piel is a member of Northwest’s Trust Investment Committee and its Investment Strategy Committee, which are responsible for the development of investment strategy, policy and procedures.

Piel comes to Northwest with 15 years of experience in the financial industry, most recently serving as a relationship manager at PNC Private Bank. Piel is a graduate of Westminster College, where he earned his degree in history.

Testa brings over 10 years of experience to Northwest, most recently serving as partner of Nesper, Ferber, DiGiacomo and Grimm, LLP, where she concentrated her legal practice in trusts and estates.

As trust officer, Testa will work with individuals, families and charitable organizations to provide trust administrative services. She will be based in Northwest’s office located in Amherst, New York.

Testa earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and policy studies from Syracuse University. Kristen earned her Juris Doctor from SUNY at Buffalo Law School and was admitted to the New York State Bar.

She is a member of the Bar Association of Erie County (NY) and the Western New York chapter of the Woman’s Bar Association of the State of New York. She has served as coach to local basketball, floor hockey, and soccer Special Olympics teams.

Lugo brings 15 years of trust experience to Northwest, most recently serving as trust officer for TrustBank in Phoenix, Arizona. Through this experience, she is adept in administering multiple personal trusts and has expertise in special needs trusts, conservatorships and estates. She is also steeped in a knowledge of acting in a fiduciary capacity and working in accordance with state and federal laws.

Lugo will serve Trust clients from Northwest’s office located at Bellevue in Pittsburgh.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Rasmussen College. She is also a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) and has attended Cannon Financial Trust School.

Northwest Bancshares, Inc (Nasdaq: NWBI) is a $14 billion asset financial services company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and the parent company of Northwest Bank, a Pennsylvania chartered savings bank headquartered in Warren, Pennsylvania.

KOHMUENCH APPOINTED ERIEZ® CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

The Eriez® Board of Directors appointed Jaisen Kohmuench to the newly created position of chief operating officer (COO), according to an announcement from Eriez President and Chief Executive Officer Lukas Guenthardt.

As COO, Kohmuench now manages all of Eriez’ major operations, including Eriez-USA, Eriez Global Flotation and Eriez international businesses. He will continue to work closely with corporate executives and functional leaders to ensure Eriez’ sustained strategic growth.

Over the past two decades, Kohmuench has made significant contributions to Eriez, steadily ascending in the organization across multiple

business areas and geographies. Kohmuench is a seasoned member of the Eriez corporate leadership team, serving most recently as vice president-International, a position he held for three years before accepting this latest promotion to COO.

Kohmuench earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in mining and minerals engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he received numerous academic honors and awards.

Kohmuench has spent the entirety of his career with Eriez, joining the company in 2000 as a process engineer.

Guenthardt says, “From his earliest days in research and development, through his role managing the U.S. Flotation group and later in an overseas assignment as managing director for Eriez-Australia, Jaisen has distinguished

himself as a talented leader with tremendous financial and operational acumen. He has developed and directed immediate and longterm business plans and profitable growth initiatives across Eriez’ global magnetic, flotation and service operations sectors.”

Among his many notable career achievements, Kohmuench is credited as an inventor on more than a dozen patents and has authored numerous technical papers for prominent scientific and technical journals.

Eriez is a global leader in separation technologies. Headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, Eriez designs, manufactures, and markets on six continents through 12 wholly owned international subsidiaries and an extensive sales representative network.

Also joining the Northwest Trust Services team are Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager Corey Piel and Trust Officers Kristen Testa and Jena Lugo

Pittsburgh-Born

Billionaire Mark Cuban Gets It Right on Lower Cost Prescriptions

Eileen Anderson is the director of Government Relations at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 412/805-5707 or eileenanderson@mbausa.org.

This is a personal story, and once again illustrates advocacy does work and shows how a Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA)-supported prescription drug bill has come full circle. Kudos are due to Mark Cuban.

If a patient went to the pharmacy to drop off a prescription before July 2020, a long-standing “gag clause” imposed on pharmacists prohibited them from informing customers of lower-cost alternatives at the pharmacy counter. Please thank Pennsylvania Representative Valerie Gaydos for her legislation, signed into law as Act 67 of 2020. It increases transparency and consumer choice in the prescription drug marketplace. Gaydos is also the prime sponsor for MBA’s Association Health Plan legislation, House Bill 555.

My Story

I take a maintenance prescription drug that has been a Tier 2 drug in the UPMC formulary for several years.  Every year, I request a tier exception to drop the drug to Tier 1 where drugs are low or no-cost. The exception has always been granted. This year was different. I called in October as

usual requesting a tier exception from 2 to 1. I hadn’t combed the formulary and was unaware that the drug was moved to Tier 3. They granted my tier change request, but they only dropped the prescription to Tier 2 instead of Tier 1.

I filed a grievance as suggested. There were several calls and helpful people along the way. The reasoning I heard was that my prescription was now a Tier 3 (according to Federal rules — CMS or other — a drug can only drop one tier). What I needed was a drop from Tier 3 to Tier 1 to receive the lowest price.

My final conversation was with a UPMC pharmacist. She was very helpful, explained everything and, ultimately, my prescription was dropped from Tier 3 to Tier 1. The pharmacist, no longer subject to the gag rule, thanks to Act 67, also told me about Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug Company and said shopping could always be done there to look for better drug prices. Employers, this is a site you may want to share with your employees.

I visited costplusdrug.com and found if I hadn’t been granted the drop to Tier 1, I could have purchased the same drug for a cost mid-way between the Tier 1 and the Tier 2 price. That works wonderfully when knowing a maintenance prescription never goes away and adds significant costs over a period of time.

Big Thanks

Kudos to Gaydos’ legislation supported by the MBA, which allowed the pharmacist to educate patients about cheaper drugs. Kudos to the pharmacist for taking time to

do so. Kudos to UPMC’s concierge service. Kudos are due to Pittsburgh-born billionaire Mark Cuban.

According to Cuban’s website: “The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company is dedicated to producing low-cost versions of high-cost generic drugs. We pledge to provide radical transparency in how we price our drugs.

We will let everyone know what it costs to manufacture, distribute and market our drugs to pharmacies. We add a flat 15% margin to get our wholesale prices. This makes sure we remain viable and profitable. There are no hidden costs, no middlemen, no rebates only available to insurance companies. Everybody gets the same low price for every drug we make.

Our goal is that everyone should be able to afford their medicine. Everyone should know what it cost to make their medicine. Everyone should feel the price they paid for their medicine was fair.”

According to Forbes, Cuban is an American billionaire entrepreneur, television personality and media proprietor whose net worth is an estimated $4.8 billion.

Yes, sports fans, he is a majority owner of the NBA’S Dallas Mavericks.

Thank you, Mark Cuban, for using your entrepreneurial skills in the private market to accomplish what Big Pharma and GridLocked government cannot do.

If you are interested in learning more, contact me at eileenanderson@mbausa.org.

Change is Good! Isn’t It?

“The only constant in life is change.” Greek philosopher Heraclitus made that observation more than 3,000 years ago, but it couldn’t be truer than in today’s work environment.

Amid a shortage of skilled workers and with most of the workforce comprised of employees who are looking for a more rewarding work experience, the demand for flexible schedules and more relaxed work environments is on the rise. As always, employers continue to restructure and reorganize to retain and recruit top talent, but change isn’t always easy.

A study from the American Psychological Association (APA) found that organizational changes such as restructuring or new leadership can lead to employees who are overly stressed, have less trust in their employers, and have a greater desire to find new jobs. While coping with change in the workplace can be challenging, there are a few ways to make it easier:

1. Approach Workplace Change with Empathy

To help your employees through the process of change and encourage them to support the change, you must first understand the emotions they may be experiencing at each phase.

2. Have a Compelling “Why” for Change

This is where most leaders fall short in communicating change. Momentum can fall flat when employees feel their leaders are not clear enough about what they hoped to achieve through change or their role in implementing the change.

3. Short-Term Wins

Remember, change takes time — sometimes months, even years. This time frame can be discouraging to employees, and you may find it challenging to keep the optimism and enthusiasm for change alive. Break the change into small steps so that your team can establish feelings of accomplishment along the way.

To set your team members up for success, contact the Association’s Training Department at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660 or visit mbausa.org for our upcoming training classes.

Tracy Daggett, PHR , is the manager of Professional Development Training Services at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact him at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or tdaggett@mbausa.org.

SURVEY: EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE  IS MOST DESIRED FORM OF COVERAGE FOR AMERICANS   Nearly 90 percent of Americans prefer to receive their health coverage through an employer versus other means, a recent survey found.

The poll was commissioned by the Protecting American’s Coverage Together campaign, which is a coalition including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, Vermeer Corporation, the National Association of Manufacturers and Council for Affordable Health Coverage. It was conducted from November 14 - 19 and surveyed 2,334 people with employer-sponsored health insurance.

Americans prefer employer-sponsored insurance for three reasons: quality, affordability and convenience, the survey found.

Health insurance is significantly more valued than other workplace benefits, with 80 percent of respondents saying it is one of the most crucial benefits to them when looking for a new job. After that, 44 percent listed 401(k) or other retirement savings plans, and 39 percent said paid vacation or sick leave.

SURVEY: HEALTH BENEFIT COST ROSE IN 2022,  BUT EMPLOYERS SEE BIGGER INCREASES AHEAD

The average per-employee cost of employersponsored health insurance rose by 3.2 percent in 2022, according to Mercer’s 2022 National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans

2021 saw a spike in cost growth (to 6.3 percent) as individuals caught up on health-care needs delayed as a result of the pandemic. While 2022’s increase may seem like a return to normal trend, it is far below general inflation, which is averaging about 8 percent.

Typically, health benefit cost growth runs higher than general inflation. According to Sunit Patel, chief health actuary at Mercer, 2022 was an anomaly because employer health plan sponsors hadn’t felt the full impact of inflation yet.

“The affordability issue cuts both ways. Employers will be challenged to absorb the higher costs coming down the pike, but they also know some people will forego important care when they feel they can’t afford it.”

“In the health-care sector, higher wages, labor shortages, and consolidation will almost certainly result in higher prices,” Patel said. “One reason cost growth lagged inflation this year is because healthcare providers typically have multi-year contracts with health plans. So although employers did not feel the full brunt of inflation immediately, it’s very likely that inflation-driven cost increases will phase in over the next few years as contracts are renewed.”

Employers did project a higher average increase for 2023 — 5.4 percent — and Patel cautions they should be prepared for continued accelerated cost growth in 2024 and beyond.

Absolutely! Even a small activity can plant the seeds of success for your program to grow.

Engage in some low-cost activities, such as providing a health and wellness bulletin board or newsletter. You also can coordinate walking groups or encourage managers to hold walking meetings when it is nice outside. These small steps can promote a healthier workplace.

THERE IS SO MUCH WE COULD DO IN OUR PROGRAM. WHERE DO WE START?

HR Q&A

After you have secured management support, researching the health needs of your employees is the best way to identify which activities will resonate most with your employees. Make sure the first programs you develop are fun and interactive, because they will be the first impression that employees get of your wellness program.

Start with programs that have broad appeal instead of those that might only be of interest to a smaller, more targeted group. In addition, because there are many regulations governing workplace wellness programs, make sure to review legal considerations or consult with legal counsel before implementing a wellness program.

Live Well, Work Well

Wellness Plans Can Save Employers Money

A successful wellness program can have employers reaping benefits. Improved employee morale, increased productivity and reduced overall health-care costs are all benefits of wellness programs. Though your organization may not be able to fund a comprehensive wellness program, you can still implement some low-cost activities to improve the health and wellness of your employees. The following are some suggestions for low-cost wellness initiatives:

• Ask a local hospital, nonprofit or other health-care organization to provide presentations to your employees on the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

• Create a wellness committee consisting of employees at various levels and in different departments to lead your wellness efforts. Start with simple activities, such as healthy eating days and lunchtime walks.

• Offer onsite flu shots for free or at a reduced cost.

• Provide healthier vending machine choices.

• Encourage employees to go outside during lunch or during their breaks for a quick run or walk. Encourage them to take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible.

• Provide educational materials on the benefits of eating well, exercising, not smoking and other healthy lifestyle changes.

Employers also should verify federal tax rules based on the type of wellness and possible incentives under their program. As a general rule, wellness incentives are subject to the same federal tax rules as any other employee rewards or prizes. That is, unless a specific tax exemption applies to the incentive, the amount of the incentive (or its fair market value) is included in an employee’s gross income, and it is subject to payroll taxes.

There is no specific tax exemption for wellness program incentives. The two main federal tax exemptions that apply to wellness incentives are the exclusions for medical care and employee fringe benefits. Cash and cash equivalents (for example, gift cards) are a common type of wellness incentive that are always taxable. Other wellness rewards, such as small gifts or reduced cost sharing under a group health plan, may be nontaxable.

Rachel Tserkovniak, SPHR, is an HR consultant and trainer at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200 or rtserkovniak@mbausa.org.

WE CAN’T DO A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM RIGHT NOW, BUT IS IT STILL WORTH DOING SOMETHING?

The role of women in top management and leadership positions has evolved. Today, women leaders have become rock stars, especially in areas of business, education and entrepreneurship — a vital part of the economy.

Join us for the MBA’s Women in Leadership IMPACT Luncheon on March 23 when guest speaker Kathleen Getz, Ph.D., the 13th president of Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, shares her journey and experiences as a woman leader and the goals for her new role.

Prior to taking the helm at Mercyhurst, Getz was the dean at the Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola University Maryland, dean at the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago, and senior associate dean for Academic Affairs at the Kogod School of Business at American University. She earned her doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, master of business administration from Gannon University and bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University.

Getz has been a speaker for the Department of State International Visitors Program, the Washington Board of Trade, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Baltimore Better Business Bureau, Baltimore County Catholic Business Network, the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), the Chicago Tribune’s Trib U, the Hank Center for Catholic Intellectual Heritage, American University Beirut, Fundació Dom Cabral (Belo Horizonte, Brazil), Kiwanis Club of Erie, and many other organizations. She is former associate editor for the journal Business & Society and past president of the International Association for Business and Society. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including recognition as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Fellow of the International Association for Business and Society, and Aspen Institute Fellow.

PRESENTED BY:

Chris

Thank you to all the member companies that supported the MBA’s first annual Holiday Giving Tree Program to benefit deserving children and seniors in our community. Shown here are school counselor Laurie Mussett (left) and Chief Executive Officer Carla Johnson at the Robert Benjamin Wiley Community Charter School. Gifts also were donated to Home Instead’s Be a Santa to a Senior ® program. 

The Manufacturer & Business Association is thrilled to showcase our members’ accomplishments and regularly hosts a variety of informational and networking opportunities for them in the region. To learn more about upcoming events, visit mbausa.org.

The MBA recently presented a plaque to recognize Erie-based Erie Mill & Press Co. for its 40th year in business in 2022. From left are: Greg Maus, Brad Nowak and President John Nowak. 

A flag-raising ceremony was held to celebrate the MBA’s Pittsburgh office move to new a location based in the Regional Learning Alliance (RLA) Learning and Conference Center, 850 Cranberry Woods Drive. The 34,000-square-foot RLA facility, which features 28 meeting rooms, is centrally located at the hub of Interstates 79 and 76. 

Clearfield Wholesale Paper Co. in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, celebrated 100 years in business in 2022. Pictured left to right: Chief Executive Officer Joel Peterson, President Keith Dusch, Vice President of Finance Leanne Shaffer, Vice President of Marketing and HR Eric Fox, and Vice President of Operations Rusty Hartzfeld.

The MBA presented an anniversary plaque to Chad, Jan and Chase Lehigh from Alpine Packaging Inc. for its 50th year in business in 2022. The company is located in North Versaille, Pennsylvania. 

Congratulations!

Monaghan of Widget Financial was the winner of the MBA’s December HR CoffeeTalk raffle basket.

Work with the best.

You demand the best from your team. In return you want to give your employees the best that you have to offer. And with multiple affordable plan options for businesses of all sizes, an award-winning Health Care Concierge Team, and access to high-quality care locally and while traveling, UPMC Health Plan has you covered to meet your company’s diverse needs.

More reasons why businesses choose UPMC Health Plan

Trust

As a longtime leader in health insurance, we build strong, long-lasting relationships with our clients.

Access

Give employees access to the best doctors and hospitals of UPMC, as well as many community doctors and hospitals, and an extensive national network of outstanding providers across the country.

Value

As part of an integrated health care system, providers and payers work together to deliver high-quality care at affordable costs.

Plan options

No matter the size of your business, we have the right plans to meet your team’s needs.

To find out why 95% of businesses that choose UPMC Health Plan stay with UPMC Health Plan visit UPMCHealthPlan.com/employers.