UPMC Home Healthcare

Paula functions as the President responsible for determining the strategic direction of UPMC Home Health.  She partners with other members of UPMC’s post-acute continuum, as well as the leadership in the health services division and IDFS, on clinical program integration, resource management, and new care model development and implementation.

Thirty-nine years nursing experience in medical-surgical, critical care, home care and hospice with thirty-one years in nursing leadership.  Ms. Thomas is Adjunct Faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, PA

Paula earned her diploma from Altoona Mercy School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, a Master of Science in Nursing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Chatham University. She did her Doctoral Capstone Project on “Effect of Relationship-based Care on Patient Satisfaction.”

Paula authored the Ethics chapter in American Organization of Nurse Executives (2010). (Section VIII, Ethics).  In The 2010 American Organization of Nurse Executives’ (AONE) Introductory Guide to Healthcare Regulation. Prepared by members of the 2008 and 2009 AONE Regulatory Monitoring Committees. As Principal Investigator/Program Director, she was awarded a three-year HRSA Grant in the amount of $600,000 for Bedford County Mental Health Plus Senior Outreach in May 2015.