Dollar Bank becomes first participating employer as AHN brings life-saving cancer screenings directly to the workplace

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Building on the success of its longstanding cancer screening program, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Center is launching a new workplace cancer screening initiative designed to bring convenient, potentially life-saving cancer screenings directly to employees across western Pennsylvania.

The new program, part of the AHN Cancer Center’s S.T.O.P. Cancer initiative, will partner with large employer groups to offer on-site cancer screening events that remove barriers to preventive care and help identify cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages. S.T.O.P. Cancer stands for Screen, Test, Outsmart and Prevent Cancer.

Dollar Bank is the first employer to participate in the initiative. On Oct. 29, AHN Cancer Center clinicians will host an exclusive cancer screening event for eligible Dollar Bank employees, offering convenient access to screenings and educational resources focused on cancer prevention and early detection. AHN Cancer Center leaders are also working with the Pittsburgh Firefighters Union to schedule a workplace screening event in early 2027.

The new effort expands on AHN’s successful comprehensive cancer screening program, which has provided thousands of screenings across western Pennsylvania through dedicated screening clinics, community events and partnerships designed to increase access to preventive care. AHN has hosted large-scale screening events throughout the region, including programs with community organizations and professional sports partners, helping connect residents with screenings they might otherwise delay or forgo.

“Early detection remains one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against cancer,” said David Bartlett, MD, director of the AHN Cancer Center. “By bringing screening services directly to workplaces, we are making it easier for people to prioritize their health, access recommended screenings and identify concerns before symptoms develop. This initiative reflects our commitment to meeting people where they are and helping more individuals take proactive steps to prevent cancer or detect it early.”

Workplace screening events will be customized based on employee demographics, screening eligibility guidelines and organizational needs. In addition to screening opportunities, participants will receive education about cancer prevention, risk factors and follow-up care resources.

“At Dollar Bank, we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of our employees,” said Jim McQuade, president and CEO of Dollar Bank. “Partnering with AHN Cancer Center to bring cancer screenings directly to our workplace makes preventive care more convenient and accessible for our team members. We are proud to be the first employer participating in this innovative program and to help raise awareness about the importance of early detection.”

Dollar Bank and AHN officials hope the event will serve as a model for future employer partnerships aimed at increasing access to cancer screenings throughout the region.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, yet many recommended screenings continue to be underutilized due to challenges related to transportation, scheduling and awareness. AHN’s workplace model aims to eliminate many of those barriers by offering screening opportunities in convenient, familiar settings.

“Our S.T.O.P. Cancer initiative is focused on reducing the burden of cancer through prevention and early detection,” said Dr. Bartlett. “Expanding access through employer partnerships is a natural next step in that mission and an important opportunity to improve health outcomes across our communities.”

AHN expects to add additional employer partners throughout 2027 as the program grows.

About the Allegheny Health Network – and the AHN Cancer Center
Allegheny Health Network is a western Pennsylvania-based integrated healthcare system that serves patients from across a five-state region that includes western Pennsylvania and the adjacent regions of Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The Network’s Cancer Center employs more than 200 physicians and 500 oncology professionals who provide a complete spectrum of oncology care at 24 affiliated oncology clinics, including access to state-of-the-art technologies and new therapies being explored in hundreds of clinical cancer trials. The Cancer Center has the only cancer program in the Pittsburgh region accredited as an Integrated Network Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and its radiation oncology program is the largest in the country accredited by the American Society for Radiation Oncology. AHN Cancer Center is a Quality Oncology Practice Initiative certified practice, and is accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer.

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SOURCE Allegheny Health Network

New appointments expand client leadership and deepen expertise in research, insights and digital strategy

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BRG Communications (BRG), an award-winning healthcare public relations agency based in the Washington, D.C. area, announced four senior appointments: Caitlin Chase and Leanne Stone as vice president, managing directors, Brandon Kenah as director of research, insights and measurement, and Vijaya Singh as director of digital strategy and integrated visibility. The hires add experienced client leadership, deepen the agency’s research, insights and digital expertise, and support its continued growth.

These appointments come as BRG Communications celebrates its 25th anniversary, following six consecutive years of double-digit revenue growth and a 38% increase in team size over the past year. These investments reflect the agency’s commitment to building on its established strengths, creating opportunities for its tenured team members and bringing deeper expertise to the organizations it serves.

“One of the most rewarding parts of our growth is the opportunity it creates — for our people to expand their careers, for our clients to benefit from greater depth of expertise and for BRG to take on increasingly complex challenges,” said Jane Barwis, president and CEO of BRG Communications. “We’re intentionally bringing in experienced leaders who add new perspectives and capabilities while creating room for our long-standing team members to grow into expanded roles. It’s about building on the strengths that got us here while continually raising what we’re able to deliver.”

Expanding Senior Client Leadership

Caitlin Chase, Vice President, Managing Director, brings extensive experience guiding strategic communications, reputation and stakeholder engagement for organizations working at the intersection of healthcare, innovation and social impact. Her background includes leadership roles at XPRIZE Foundation and the American Heart Association, where she helped translate complex issues into compelling narratives and integrate communications programs. Chase brings expertise in strategic positioning, thought leadership and mission-driven communications, strengthening BRG’s counsel to organizations navigating complex challenges and working to advance meaningful change.

Leanne Stone, Vice President, Managing Director, brings deep experience leading integrated marketing and communications programs for global healthcare and consumer brands. Most recently with Burson, Stone has led multidisciplinary teams and large-scale campaigns for clients including Novo Nordisk on drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy. Her expertise in brand strategy, creative development, earned and paid media, and integrated communications strengthens BRG Communications’ ability to develop programs that connect audience insights, compelling storytelling, and measurable business outcomes.

Together, Chase and Stone strengthen BRG’s senior client leadership, providing additional strategic counsel, cross-disciplinary expertise and capacity to support the agency’s expanding portfolio of clients.

Deepening Research, Insights and Digital Expertise

Brandon Kenah, Director of Research, Insights and Measurement, brings more than a decade of experience using research, analytics and measurement to inform communications strategy across healthcare, life sciences and consumer industries. Previously with Lippe Taylor and Burson, Kenah has led research and audience intelligence programs that shape brand positioning, messaging and campaign development. At BRG, he will help deepen the integration of research and insights across client work, strengthening the foundation for strategic recommendations, identifying new opportunities and advancing the agency’s ability to measure communications effectiveness.

Vijaya Singh, Director of Digital Strategy, brings more than 10 years of experience developing data-driven digital communications and integrated campaigns for healthcare, technology and emerging brands. Her background includes roles with Mount Sinai, Zeno Group, and D2 Creative, where she developed digital strategies, audience engagement programs, and performance-driven campaigns. At BRG, Singh will deepen the agency’s digital strategy expertise, helping clients connect audience intelligence, creative content and emerging technologies to build engagement and deliver measurable results.

The additions of Kenah and Singh build on BRG Communications’ established research and digital offerings, bringing added leadership, specialized expertise and new approaches that can be applied across the agency’s client portfolio.

As BRG marks 25 years of Communications for Better Living, these investments underscore the agency’s commitment to growing with intention, bringing together the talent, experience and capabilities to support its people, strengthen client partnerships and deliver work that makes a difference.

About BRG Communications

Founded in 2001, BRG Communications is a top-ranked PR agency, delivering award-winning communications dedicated to Communications for Better Living. Specializing in healthcare, wellness and organizations advancing better living, BRG partners with corporations, associations and nonprofit organizations to build reputations, inspire action and create meaningful impact. Recognized as PRWeek’s 2026 Outstanding Small Agency, BRG combines deep sector knowledge, strategic creativity and a commitment to its clients and people. Learn more at www.brgcommunications.com.

Media Contact:
Maureen Higgins, Vice President
BRG Communications
mhiggins@brgcommunications.com
703-739-8366

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SOURCE BRG COMMUNICATIONS

As Vote Early Day Approaches, When We All Vote’s Party at the Polls Program Brings Community Power to Cities Across the Country

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of and on Vote Early Day on October 24, When We All Vote is bringing Americans together to get out and vote early as part of the largest-ever Party at the Polls program. In addition to nearly 700 events this week, When We All Vote will host flagship early voting celebrations, including a march to the polls with actress and Co-Chair Marsai Martin and Ambassador Trinity Tatum on October 22 at North Carolina A&T University, where the nation’s largest HBCU was denied an on-campus polling location after having one in 2024.

Vote Early Day events and partnerships include:

Flagship Party at the Polls event in Detroit, Michigan, with the Detroit Pistons and When We All Vote Ambassador Loni Love to celebrate the first day of in-person early voting in Michigan with basketball, music and community. Courtesy of Lyft, When We All Vote will be offering Lyft rides codes for free/discounted rides to or from the event;Flagship Party at the Polls event in Phoenix, Arizona, with Poder Latinx Collective Fund, featuring a caravan to the polls and a headline performance from Noel Torres. Courtesy of Lyft, When We All Vote will be offering Lyft rides codes for free/discounted rides to or from the event;Campus events in partnership with the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge;Clare V. in-store events in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, DC, from 3–6 pm local time, with 15% of proceeds during these events donated to When We All Vote;Giveaways from Dieux Skin and Experiment at flagships in Michigan and Arizona;Collaboration with AfroTech to make sure attendees have a plan to vote early this year;And hundreds of parties across the country. 

“At a time where so much feels uncertain, here’s one thing we know: voting early means you can vote on your terms and schedule. That’s why Party at the Polls taps into the power of community to make sure everyone has a plan to vote. Americans across the country are already turning out to the ballot box in record numbers, and Vote Early Day is the perfect time to take our plans out of the group chat and celebrate our power when we show up together,” said Kalisha Dessources Figures, When We All Vote Senior Advisor.

Through Election Day, the Party at the Polls program will engage more than 30 million voters at thousands of voting celebrations and through direct outreach. Now in its tenth year, the program is proven to increase local voter turnout by 2–4 percentage points. When We All Vote will also host flagship events around Election Day in Mississippi in addition to community parties happening across at least 21 states and 180 events at colleges and universities in partnership with the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. Before, during and after Election Day, We The Action lawyers will join Party at the Polls to ensure voters can access the ballot box, support those who run into issues casting their vote and make sure every vote is counted.

Despite attacks on the right to vote across the country, voters have already turned out to the ballot box in record numbers. Georgia and Houston set first-day turnout records, and Virginia, Ohio and Nashville saw nearly double, quadruple and even 15 times more turnout than the start of early voting in 2022, respectively.

Party at the Polls partners include Count US IN, Engage Florida Civic Fund, Inc., Faith In Action Nevada, Colorado People’s Alliance, Black Chamber of Arizona, Alaskans Take A Stand, Texas Voter Project and more.

Voters can find a party near them at WeAll.Vote/Party and make a plan to vote at WeAll.Vote/hub.

Press interested in learning more about Party at the Polls, speaking with Civic Nation CEO Kyle Lierman or When We All Vote Senior Advisor Kalisha Dessources Figures or attending an event on Vote Early Day should reach out to press@civicnation.org. These events are open to the public and voting is not required to participate.

ABOUT When We All Vote:

When We All Vote is a national, nonpartisan initiative where young people — especially Black and Brown voters ages 18–34 — not only participate in our democracy, but shape it. We are on a mission to increase participation in every election, close the race and age voting gap, and change the culture around voting.

Michelle Obama founded When We All Vote in 2018 and is joined by fellow Co-Chairs Stephen Curry, Becky G, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, H.E.R., Liza Koshy, Jennifer Lopez, Marsai Martin, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, Victoria Monét, Chris Paul, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Bretman Rock, Jayson Tatum, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson. When We All Vote is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and works with Civic Nation Action, a 501(c)(4). 

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is an impact hub for ideas, leaders, and initiatives that strengthen civic culture, power, and participation. Rooted in purpose and powered by people, Civic Nation brings together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, brands, and influencers to take on the biggest issues of our time. Civic Nation is home to five national initiatives: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

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SOURCE When We All Vote