We’re excited to welcome our newest hires to UPMC Enterprises. Get to know your new coworkers through their answers to fun questions.
Ben Almassi
Administrative Fellow – Year 1, Operations Opportunities and Investments
Q: How did you get into the industry?
A: Graduate studies and internships helped me discern that my next steps in healthcare would be outside the traditional hospital setting. I wanted to be part of a team that patiently pushed the envelope in translating vision into real, disruptive solutions to problems besetting patients, providers, and payors. With interests across health care finance, strategic ops, and innovation, the UPMC Enterprises fellowship was an apt fit for my next chapter! Looking forward to learning and working with you!
Q: Are you a Pittsburgh local, or did you grow up elsewhere?
A: Nashville > Sewanee > Columbus > Pittsburgh (1 week ago).
Q: Where in the universe would you like to visit someday?
A: I just got back from Oceania and still adjusting! India and Peru are on the docket!
Q: If any musician or band could give you a personal concert, who would it be?
A: A concert at home: Cat Stevens’ Teaser and the Firecat album. An outdoor concert with friends: The Red Hot Chili Peppers greatest hits.
Brad Breneisen
Senior Product Designer, MyUPMC
Q: How did you get into the industry?
A: I got into the industry through my love of visual communication, design, writing, research, and tech. I enjoy complex problem-solving and collaboration.
Q: Do you have any kids? Any pets?
A: I have two rescue cats. A quiet older cat named Stella and a rambunctious younger cat named Zorro.
Q: Do you have an unusual talent or hobby?
A: I enjoy long-distance bike-packing (biking & camping) trips and ride the trail from PGH to DC every year.
D’nae Ferguson
Information Security Risk Analyst, Technology Services
Q: Are you a Pittsburgh local, or did you grow up elsewhere?
A: I’m not a Pittsburgh local. I was born in The Bahamas and grew up in Colorado. Talk about polar opposites!
Q: Where in the universe would you like to visit someday?
A: Antarctica! Aside from seeing penguins in their natural habitat, I want to verify the contents of Admiral Byrd’s highly controversial diary.
Q: Which is better: board games or video games?
A: Board games, hands down, because they tend to be logic-driven… and I’ve always had terrible hand-eye coordination.
Samuel Gross
FMR Analyst, Finance (Management Rotation Program)
Q: How did you get into the industry?
A: I got into the industry after graduating from The Ohio State University, where I joined UPMC in their Finance Management Rotation (FMR) program. I had the opportunity to work in the Health Services Division on the UPMC Mercy and UPMC Magee hospital finance team and the Insurance Services Division on the Medicaid Programs finance team.
Q: Do you have an unusual talent or hobby?
A: One unique hobby of mine includes continuing to play on a few Adult League ice hockey teams with some ex-college and ex-professional players.
Harrison Lands
Director, Translational Sciences
Q: Are you a Pittsburgh local, or did you grow up elsewhere?
A: I’m originally from Toronto but have been in the US for a long time. My wife and I recently moved to Pittsburgh for her obstetrics fellowship at Magee in Maternal-Fetal Medicine (high-risk pregnancy). We are super excited to explore all Pittsburgh has to offer (and attend our first Steelers/NFL game)!
Q: Do you have any kids? Any pets?
A: We have a dog named Moose! He’s a super cuddly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and will definitely be making appearances during Dog Days at Bakery Square.
Q: What’s in your perfect meal?
A: Loco Pez in Fishtown is my favorite restaurant, so my perfect meal would have to include tacos from there. We would make the trek all the way out there from Swarthmore just for the chicken tacos.
