About the Foundation

Welcome to the ACMS Foundation

The mission of the ACMS Foundation is: “Advancing wellness by confronting social determinants and health disparities”.

ACMS Foundation History

Founded in 1960, the Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation has extended the reach of physicians into the community.  Many of the remarkable medical achievements are undergirded by a network of organizations supported over the years by the ACMS Foundation’s charitable grants, with the common goal of improving the health and well-being of Allegheny County residents.

A diverse range of organizations throughout the county trace their growth in part to the generosity of the Foundation’s community grant making. 

1978
Thyroid Irradiation Project
1979
International Year of the Child programming
1980
Health Education Center’s Tele-Med and Tele-Aid. The University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute.
1982
Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation Coalition for Addictive Diseased
1986
Rx Council of Western Pennsylvania
1987
Miryam’s House for Women
1990-92
Children’s Museum’s interactive exhibits Stuffie, Heartworks, and Corporate Corpuscle
1991
Carnegie Science Center’s Body Tech program
1992
Three Rivers Adoption Council
1993
Adolescent Resource Network’s Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Chemical People project . Community Health Challenge.
1996
East Liberty Health Care Center Pediatric Care/Home Outreach. Operating Safety Net and the Women’s Center and Shelter.
1999
YMCA’s Healthy Start for Young Fathers.
2003
Allegheny County Respited Care Coalition program for families with children with special needs and the Woodlands Foundation’s year-round enrichment program for children with special needs
2006
Pittsburgh Pediatric Society’s obesity prevention education program.
2008
Holy Family Manor-Nazareth Housing Services low-income housing assistance.
2009
Prevention Point Pittsburgh needle exchange.
2014
United Way’s Community-based Chronic Care Self-Management Program.
2015
Shepherd’s Heart Drop-in Center for the homeless.
2016
Jeremiah’s Place crisis nursery.
2020
COVID Front Line Relief Fund.
2021
So a Child Can Breathe.
2022
Distributed formula during the formula shortage.

Beyond the dollars, the impact of the ACMS Foundation continues to make Pittsburgh the vibrant, healthy region it is today.

2024 Foundation Board of Trustees

Chair

Raymond E. Pontzer, MDUPMC
JohnLawrenceMD

Secretary

Lawrence John, MDUPMC
Ellis

Treasurer

Peter G. Ellis, MDRetired
Coppula

Member - Board of Trustees

William F. Coppula, MDAHN

Member - Board of Trustees

Keith T. Kanel, MDAHN

Member - Board of Trustees

Kirsten D. Lin, MDOwner of Direct Primary Care

Member - Board of Trustees

Matthew B. Straka, MDAHN
Community Members

Maria Baker

(Term Ends Dec. 31, 2025)

Laura Caravello

(Term Ends Dec. 31, 2025)
Alma Lucas

Alma Lucas

(Term Ends Dec. 31, 2024)
Kevin Miko

Kevin Miko

(Term Ends Dec. 31, 2024)
Foundation Staff

Sara Hussey, MBA, CAE

ACMS Foundation Executive Director

Melanie Mayer

Operations Coordinator - ACMS & ACMS Foundation