Giving Stories
Our Path to a Healthier Future
Together, with generous donors like you, we’re building a healthier future for our communities. Learn more about our impact and discover how you can become a change-maker.
The Frank Varischetti Foundation: The Frank Varischetti Trauma Center
“The Frank Varischetti Trauma Center truly provides remarkable care that was previously accessible only in larger cities but is invaluable to have available so close to home. To have this level of medical expertise in our immediate area is certainly groundbreaking for rural healthcare. Already, the Center has made a significant impact in our region. The Frank Varischetti Foundation found the opportunity to provide funding for this project to be very rewarding, especially when the results of this venture are already so evident in our community.”
- Barbara Varischetti, President, The Frank Varischetti Foundation
David J. Stern: The Stern Center for Behavioral Health
“The success I have had is a tribute to all those that taught and nurtured me along the way. Nothing has given me more joy than to work and raise my family in the area we all came to love. My family has been blessed, and I take great pride in knowing I have affected the lives of many.”
Yola Sekula: A Legacy of Service
Yola Sekula played a significant role in healthcare leadership. She was the first woman appointed to the DuBois Hospital Board of Directors, where she played a crucial role in the consolidation of DuBois and Maple Avenue Hospitals in 1982, forming DuBois Regional Medical Center. She also served as the secretary/treasurer of the new board.
Mrs. Sekula dedicated herself to serving the community through her volunteer work. She was an active member of the DuBois Hospital Grill & Gift Shop and the DuBois Hospital Auxiliary, where she served three terms as president.
Following her passing in 2021, her family honored her memory with a gift to the Women's Center at Penn Highlands DuBois. This generous donation recognizes her significant contributions to healthcare in the region.
A plaque depicting Mrs. Sekula's photo is displayed in theCenter of Excellence Building on the Penn Highlands DuBois campus, outside the Women's Center doors.
- Pictured are Mr. Paul Sekula with his daughters, Stacey Frank, Kadie Smith, and Kelly Sekula.
The Lezzer Family: Penn Highlands Clearfield 3D Mammography Unit
From generation to generation, the Lezzer Family has been committed to philanthropy and is well known for their community generosity. Supporting the communities in which they live and work is the driving force behind the Lezzer family gift.
"Our dad and uncle always felt, that giving back to the community was very important to them, as it is to the entire Lezzer family now,” said Dave Lezzer, President of Lezzer Lumber Co.
To honor Kenneth and Maurice Lezzer, a plaque recognizing their generous contribution is placed in the waiting room of the Women’s Imaging Department at Penn Highlands Clearfield.
- Pictured above with the Lezzer Family plaque are Mike, Dave and K.C. Lezzer.
Leonard S. Fiore, Inc.: Penn Highlands DuBois Center of Excellence
Leonard S. Fiore is a third-generation family owned, Central Pennsylvania based builder with thousands of projects completed in Pennsylvania and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Healthcare construction is a core component of LSF’s building services portfolio.
LSF is proud to create spaces for enhanced healthcare services in our region and close to home.
- Pictured is the Penn Highlands DuBois Center of Excellence
Fairman Family Foundation
The Fairman Family Foundation have been generous supporters of Penn Highlands Healthcare for over 15 years supporting Hahne Cancer Center and the Pediatric Outpatient Waiting Room at the Stern Center for Behavioral Health
-Pictured is the Pediatric Outpatient Waiting Room
Alexander Building Construction
Alexander Building Construction Co., a part of the Butz Family of Companies, is committed to improving the quality of life in Centre County through our philanthropy and construction services.
Our firm specializes in the construction of healthcare, higher education, athletic facilities and office buildings.
We were proud to be the construction manager for this micro-hospital and ambulatory care facility from Febrtuary 2022 – April 2024.
-Pictured is Penn Highlands State College
CNX
“Substance use disorder, and in particular the opioid epidemic, crosses all socioeconomic barriers – it has harmed rural and urban communities alike across Appalachia. We are investing this money because we believe assisting people in their recovery and helping them return to their families, workplaces and neighborhoods will have a positive impact on communities across the region.
We believe this support will make a tangible, impactful and local difference in Southwestern Pennsylvania. As an organization, we are dedicated to tackling challenging problems in the communities we call home.”
- Nick Deluliis, president and CEO, CNX Resources Corp.