Staff

Tina M. Grossett
Tina M. Grossett joined the Department of Health Policy & Management in 1986. She began her career as a secretary for the Public Health Social Work Training Program. In 1990, Ms. Grossett joined the Health Administration Program staff, working as Judith R. Lave's Administrative Assistant and Grants Manager. In 2002, Ms. Grossett assumed the responsibilities of Department Administrator for the newly created Department of Health Policy & Management. She is responsible for all human resources, financial management and general administrative aspects of the Department of Health Policy & Management.

Elly Bresz
Elly joined the Department of Health Policy & Management in April 2003 as the department grants manager. She has been with the University for over twenty years, including, most recently, as the administrator of the Center for Public Health Practice. Elly has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with emphasis on management of information systems from the University of Pittsburgh's College of Business Administration.

Natalie Bulger, BSW
Natalie Bulger joined the Department of Health Policy and Management in May of 2008 as a student assistant for Dr. Howard Degenholtz. Natalie now works as a Research Assistant to Dr. Degenholtz. She received a Bachelors in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in April of 2008. During her education, Natalie interned with Delegate Shane Pendergrass of the Maryland General Assembly as well as Congressman Mike Doyle of the US Congress. She brings experience with research in the social service and legislative fields with her.

Monica Costlow, JD
In July of 2006, Monica Costlow joined the Department of Health Policy & Management as a Policy Analyst in the Medicaid Policy Center.  She collaborates with Dr. Judith Lave in creating Medicaid reports, policy analysis and synthesis, grant proposals, legislative briefings and forums.  Monica earned her JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law with an Advanced Certificate in Health Law.

Jamie Ferguson, MHA
Jamie joined the Department of Health Policy and Management as a Project Director and Research Analyst in October 2008. She works with Dr. Nicholas Castle examining long term care and nursing home quality. Jamie earned her Master degree in Health Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and earned her BS in Science and minors in Health Policy and Administration and Biology from the Pennsylvania State University.

Linda S. Kalcevic, MLIS
Linda S. Kalcevic joined the HPI as an administrator in July 1996. She came to the University of Pittsburgh in 1986, and has worked in various administrative capacities in health sciences research. Ms. Kalcevic earned a bachelor's degree in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Library and Information Science degree in its School of Information Sciences. She is responsible for the administrative aspects of the Health Policy Institute's work, including its funding.

Peggy Kernan
Peggy joined the Department of Health Policy & Management in June of 2004.  She holds the duel positions of Administrative and Technical Assistant.  She is Dr. Lave's Administrative Assistant, provides technical support to the entire Department and manages the department webpage.  Prior to working at the University Peggy was employed at a nonprofit organization teaching computer, library and art classes to grade school children. 

Kristin Lazzara, MBA, MHA
Program Coordinator, Doctoral Program, Health Services Research and Policy.  Kristin joined the department in May 2008 after working in the healthcare industry for over 10 years. As an alumna of the Graduate School of Public Health and Katz Graduate School of Business, Kristin brings her knowledge of the graduate programs, university, and local health care industry to her position with the doctoral program.

Aiju Men
Aiju Men joined the Department of Health Policy & Management in May 2005 as a Research Analyst, supporting five faculty members’ research projects.  She does research for Dr. P. Peele, Dr. H. Degenholtz, Dr. C. Stockman, Dr. N. Castle and Dr. J. Donohue.  Her main focus is data management and statistical analysis.  Ms. Men earned her Master degree in Statistics in Texas A&M University.  She previously worked in the student loan industry for five years in Austin, Texas, where she gained expertise in complicated data manipulation and predictive modeling.

Abby Resnick, M.A.
Abby joined the Department of Health Policy and Management in May 2008 as project coordinator for Dr. Howard Degenholtz. She has extensive experience in data analysis and project management in many settings primarily related to three areas, health policy, health services, and cancer research. Among previous groups she has worked with CHERP, Gateway Health Plan, Community Care, ECOG and NSABP.

Donna Schultz
Donna Schultz joined the Department of Health Policy & Management in 1982. She came to the University of Pittsburgh after having worked in fund-raising for various non-profit health care community service agencies. In addition, she has worked in multi-specialty group practices. She is responsible for student service activities and administrative support to the MHA, MPH and JD/MPH Programs.

Cecile Tirpak
Cecile Tirpak was hired as a secretary in the Department of Health Policy & Management in 1984. She is currently Departmental Secretary. Previously Ms. Tirpak was employed as an executive secretary in the corporate environment for a number of years.