News Release

Scholarship Will Pay Tribute to Hospital Staff Member

March 17, 2006 -- UPMC Northwest’s Surgical Services staff is developing a scholarship fund as a memorial tribute to surgical technologist Jo Lang, who died unexpectedly February 19 at the hospital.

Mrs. Lang spent most of her 31 years at UPMC Northwest as an operating room staff member, but she also was a member of the birthing center staff for several years earlier in her career. She was a graduate of the Venango Technology Center Practical Nursing Program and had planned to pursue an associate’s degree in nursing through UPMC Northwest’s RN Back-to-School program beginning later this year.

In recognition of her desire to earn a nursing degree, her co-workers are establishing the Jo Lynne Lang Nursing Scholarship Fund to provide financial assistance specifically for nursing students.

“Jo was an important member of our surgical team, and we will always miss her,” says UPMC Northwest Surgical Services program director Vivian Todd, RN. “We believe she would be honored to know that in her memory, we are helping someone achieve the goal of becoming a nurse.”

Individuals can contribute to the fund by making a check payable to UPMC Northwest Auxiliary and noting “Jo Lynne Lang Nursing Scholarship Fund” in the memo space. Donors are asked to send their gifts to Jill Williams in the auxiliary office at UPMC Northwest, 100 Fairfield Drive, Seneca, PA, 16346, or deliver them to the auxiliary office near the hospital’s main lobby.