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Hannah joined Penn Medicine as a press officer in 2019. As the team’s Assistant Director for Strategic Communications, Hannah works with faculty, researchers, students, residents, and fellows to share their breakthroughs, clinical research, and inspiring patient stories. She also edits Penn Medicine’s award-winning Facts & Figures publication—a comprehensive, pocket-sized, annual report which summarizes the organization’s fiscal information and accomplishments. Hannah previously worked at Edelman New York’s Corporate Affairs practice, leading strategic communications programs for higher education, technology, and food and beverage clients. There, she generated national media coverage, managed social media campaigns, and drove thought leadership programs. Hannah is a graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and College of Arts and Sciences, where she earned degrees in public relations and psychology.

Alex joined Penn Medicine in 2019 after more than five years as a journalist, many of which were spent on staff at Men’s Health magazine. He has reported on a wide variety of health and science topics including cardiovascular disease, urological health, and Infectious Diseases, often working with clinicians and researchers all over the world to accurately report the latest research news. His writing and editorial contributions have appeared in print, online, and on the airwaves. Alex has a passion for communication and a bachelor’s degree in English from Muhlenberg College.

Steve Graff rejoins Penn Medicine as a communications consultant after four years working as a freelance science writer and communications specialist overseas. During his previous time at Penn, he served as the assistant director of strategic communications and a senior medical communications officer, covering the Abramson Cancer Center, infectious diseases, and surgery, among other departments. He also served as editor of the Penn Medicine News Blog. Prior to that, he held positions at Thomas Jefferson University and theJournal of the National Cancer Institute. Steve holds a B.S. in biology from York College of Pennsylvania and a M.A. in journalism from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Lauren joined Penn Medicine as a press officer in 2019. She worked previously as a News Manager at Drexel University, where she generated national media attention about advancements in health care, engineering and biomedical research. Before returning to her hometown of Philadelphia, she was a science writer for publications at the George Washington University, where she covered a variety of topics, including infectious diseases, neuroscience and public health. She has also completed internships at The Philadelphia Inquirer, Inside Higher Ed and USA Today. Lauren is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where she earned degrees in journalism and English.

Sophie joined Penn Medicine as a press officer in 2021 after two years as a communications manager with the American Red Cross. There, she generated media coverage for the organization’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Region on everything from blood donation to local and national disaster responses. Prior to that, Sophie worked in TV news for six years reporting on a wide range of topics at WMBD31 News in Peoria, Illinois, NBC-2 in Ft. Myers, Florida, and NewsChannel5 in Nashville, Tennessee. Sophie is a graduate of Elon University in North Carolina where she earned a degree in journalism.

As Senior Science Communications Officer, Melissa works with foundational science faculty and researchers to share the groundbreaking work happening at the University of Pennsylvania Health System and the Perelman School of Medicine. She came to Penn from her post as Head of Strategic Communications and Marketing for the University of Virginia School of Data Science, where she led PR and media relations, marketing, social media, and editorial and multimedia production. Her work breaking down complex topics into lay-friendly articles, social media postings, graphics, and multimedia productions advances new ways to tell Penn Medicine’s stories. In her previous positions, Melissa worked with higher ed and non-profit organizations on communications and editorial strategy. She began her career as an award-winning journalist, with a background in writing, video production, design, and photography. She is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where she earned a BS in Communication, with specialized study and field work in Biological Anthropology.

Frank joined Penn Medicine in 2018 with almost four years’ experience in health care and university communications, with specific experience generating media attention in areas including public health, therapy, biology and physics. Frank began his career as a print journalist with the Pottstown Mercury and Delaware County Daily Times, where he covered everything from spot news to public meetings and high school sports. Frank is a graduate of the School of Journalism & Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ylonda has been providing administrative support for the Department of Communications since October 2000. She coordinates the day-to-day operations of the department, handles budget development, invoice processing, front office reception and outgoing/incoming mail. She also assists in web research; maintenance of appropriate inventory; composes, reviews and edits documents; organizes and maintains files and databases; and general clerical support.

Ylonda has been with the Health System for more than 10 years and was previously with the Department of Dermatology.

Sally Sapega serves as editor of both HUPdate, the monthly employee publication of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and System News, the internal publication for UPHS. In this role, she is responsible for seeking out story ideas, writing articles, taking photographs for stories, and coordinating both the design and the distribution for both publications. As director of Internal Publications, she also oversees the production of employee publications for both Pennsylvania Hospital and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Prior to joining Communications, Sally worked in Penn Medicine’s Department of Marketing and Strategic Support, where she was responsible for producing a variety of marketing tools to promote hospital services to consumer audiences. In addition, she planned special events, such as seminars and health fairs.

Sally holds a BA in Communications from Simmons College and graduated from Rowan University with a master’s in Public Relations.

MaryKate Wust joined Penn Medicine in 2017. Her experience in print and digital communications has largely been characterized by her wearing many hats — often all at once. She currently serves as the editor of the Presby Bulletin and What’s New — the monthly internal publications for Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and Pennsylvania Hospital, respectively — and as the assistant editor of Penn Medicine magazine. She also contributes to the health system-wide publication System News and oversees the daily news clip round-up, Penn Medicine in the News. As the department’s “all-purpose infielder,” she also has a hand in social media, graphic design, and web management. MaryKate received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Susquehanna University in 2015.