Members of the disability and healthcare community said goodbye last week to two professionals who have made a significant contribution to the region over the past few years. Both leave a strong foundation for successors to build on.

Pam Dodge, director of the Center for Women with Disabilities at UPMC Magee, helped launch the center in 2001 and has played a central role in its success. The center is the only one of its type in the region and one of only a few in the nation.

Ms. Dodge is moving to North Carolina with her husband and is a finalist for an academic post in nursing education there.

Jessica Seabury Larochelle, executive director of Consumer Health Coalition, is moving to Baltimore with her husband, a recent graduate of Pitt's medical school. Ms. Larochelle has accepted a position with Families USA, a national health advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

Empathetic and resourceful, Pam Dodge has been the face of the Center for Women with Disabilities since its inception, as well as a role model for the type of patient care that makes the center unique.

Women with physical disabilities often confront barriers when seeking gynecological and other preventive care. For example, many cannot get onto a standard examination table. Nationally, it is common knowledge that women with disabilities are underserved in preventive care, often foregoing routine examinations for years.

About a decade ago, a group of local women concerned with the issue, including Ms. Dodge, mobilized to remove the barriers. The Center for Women with Disabilities at Magee, and a community advisory committee to guide its work, was born.

The center provides accessible exam tables, weight scales and mammography equipment. Just as important, staff members infuse the clinic with respect for patients' dignity and perspectives. Patients with any type of disability can expect best practices, including appropriate time and support. The center serves about 250 patients per year from 99 ZIP codes.

In addition to directing the center for eight years, Ms. Dodge has been director of Magee's outpatient care for 16 years. At a farewell luncheon on May 18, colleagues noted that Ms. Dodge's long tenure at Magee enabled her to get the center up and running quickly while also casting her in the role of expert on accommodating people with disabilities.

"There wasn't much competition," said Ms. Dodge, laughing.

Deborah Brodine, president and chief operating officer of UPMC Community Provider Services, said that Ms. Dodge has been a valued resource in the system-wide effort to create culture change regarding serving people with disabilities. To reach this goal, UPMC established the Disability Resources Center two years ago.

"Pam's efforts and talents will fuel the fire to continue the journey we started," said Magee CEO Leslie Davis. "[Disability awareness] is imbedded in our culture. Now it's about how we can expand it."

Two Magee administrators -- Peggy Brady, director of outpatient care, and Patty Genday, executive director for women's health -- have assumed responsibility for directing the Center for Women with Disabilities.

The community advisory committee -- all women -- will continue to offer suggestions about best practices and guide the work of the center, said member Dee Delaney, executive director of the FISA Foundation. A priority of the committee is encouraging UPMC to keep the center within the women-centered environment of Magee rather than in a rehabilitation setting. "That way, women with disabilities are able to use the same place for prevention services as other women," said Ms. Delaney.

"Women with disabilities are women first, disabled second," said Ms. Dodge.

Jessica Seabury Larochelle became executive director of the small but determined Consumer Health Coalition in 2005 and is credited with building the organization's ability to bring the voice of the patient "to the table" where healthcare policy is made.

Ms. Larochelle, 32, came to Pittsburgh from Massachusetts, where she coordinated access to health care for the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts. She holds a master's degree in health policy and management from Harvard.

Under Ms. Larochelle's direction, the CHC ramped up advocacy efforts concerning people with disabilities, launched a new effort on healthcare access and quality, and maintained an active helpline linking callers to free and low cost healthcare and coverage (412-456-1877).

She leaves an organization that has grown to four full-time staff, an annual budget of $335,000, and considerable influence in the healthcare community.

The CHC's two community organizers -- Sally Jo Snyder for disability issues and Ted Zimmer for healthcare access and quality -- reflect the vibrancy of the organization. For example, the disability issues committee has led advocacy efforts to channel proceeds of the sale of Mayview State Hospital to a fund supporting community living for people with mental health diagnoses.

As the CHC completes the process of hiring a new executive director, community members say that CHC is poised to continue flourishing in its mission of bringing the consumer to the center of healthcare policy decisions.

"I've been blessed to work with people in Pittsburgh," said Ms. Larochelle. "It's great to see people mobilize around the cause of improving healthcare in the region and helping people feel empowered."

"Both Pam and Jessica are leaving a wonderful legacy in Pittsburgh," said Ms. Delaney of FISA Foundation, which has supported both programs.