Saint Francis University Hosts UPMC Workpartners, LifeSolutions Professionals to Celebrate Public Health Week
Loretto, PA (04/01/2021) — The Department of Public Health & Graduate Health Sciences at Saint Francis University is celebrating National Public Health Week (April 5-11), with three renowned health and wellness presenters.
Saint Francis University's partnership with UPMC LifeSolutions EAP, is offering a three-part webinar series to enhance and support wellness on self-care, improving health in rural communities, and mindfulness.
Cindy Grindel, LSW is a licensed social worker with a wide range of experience in organizational training, critical incident response, and individual and group counseling. As a Program Manager with LifeSolutions EAP, she provides workshops and training for businesses throughout the region and support to workplaces experiencing trauma or loss. Her previous experience includes work as a Hospice Bereavement Coordinator and as a counselor for a community mental health agency.
Michael D. Parkinson, MD, MPH, FACPM is the Senior Medical Director overseeing employer health and productivity strategies for UPMC Health Plan and Workpartners. Following his retirement from the US Air Force as Chief of Preventive Medicine and Associate Director, Medical Programs and Resources in the Office of the Surgeon General, Mike was a principal founder of Lumenos, a pioneer in consumer-directed health plans acquired by Wellpoint. A graduate of Cornell University and George Washington University Medical School, Dr. Parkinson trained in family medicine and preventive medicine at UCLA and Johns Hopkins. He is a Past President of the American College of Preventive Medicine and serves on the Advisory Board NIOSH Midwest Center of Workforce Excellence, the Department of Defense Health Board, and the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Erin Commendatore, M.A.Ed./CN is a certified mindfulness and meditation instructor who has been leading workshops, courses and retreats for several years at Workpartners. In her previous position, she led and oversaw a national wellness program at a large Pittsburgh-based engineering firm. She has also facilitated an after-school mindfulness program at a school for students with learning disabilities and attention disorders in Charlotte, NC. Erin has a Master's degree in Educational Counseling and works as a Program Manager at LifeSolutions, Employee Assistance Program, which is a division of Workpartners. She is also a trained and certified yoga instructor and has been teaching since 2001.
Saint Francis University
Marie Young (814) 472-3127 myoung@francis.edu, Erin McCloskey (814) 472-3938 emcccloskey@francis.eduShare this Story
Recent News
- Saint Francis University named 2026-27 Military Friendly School
- Saint Francis University to host Annual Red Mass/Law Day on April 24, 2026
- Saint Francis University Invites Prospective Students to Nursing Reception at Curry Innovation Center
- The M Factor: Let's Talk Perimenopause and Menopause Public Film and Discussion
- Saint Francis University Invites Future Red Flash Student-Athletes to Campus for March Visit Days
- Saint Francis University Students Apply High-Impact Practices in Global Conservation Field Experience in Namibia
- Saint Francis University Highlights Three Historic $1 Million Commitments Affirming Institutional Vision and Momentum
- Guided Walking Live Nativity to be held in Loretto on Dec. 5
- Saint Francis University Curry Innovation Center Working to Bring More Caregivers to Altoona/Johnstown Area
- Saint Francis University Invites Future Aviation Professionals to Discover Career-Ready Training