Center For Integrative Health

About The Center

The Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health (DUCIH) is committed to improving the health and wellness of our campus and neighboring communities through interdisciplinary practice, teaching and research. We provide chronic disease prevention and management programs from pediatrics through adulthood; and our students are trained in an interdisciplinary teaching, research and service model.

The DUCIH encompasses the activities of both the employee and student wellness clinic on campus (formerly the Center for Pharmacy Care) and the Community Health Initiatives. The employee and student clinic is a provider of disease prevention and management services for the Duquesne University campus community. Community Health Initiatives include several community-based health programs, in collaboration with a diverse group of community partners, to meet residents where they are, decrease disease disparity, and promote health equity in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. DUCIH programs focus on problems that have a high cost, high burden and significant racial disparity.

The DUCIH supports meaningful engagement with patients, communities and stakeholders to facilitate research that not only will improve health outcomes but the overall health care system.

Mission of the Center

The mission of the Center for Integrative Healthcare is to train the next generation of practitioners who will address rural and urban health care disparities and thereby improve health equity in the Pittsburgh region and beyond.

Goals of the Center

  • Establish and sustain Duquesne University as a nationally recognized model for integrative health and community-based care
  • Provide opportunities for interdisciplinary practice, teaching and research engagements
  • Engage students in population health and community-based teaching and research experiences to promote health equity in our region

Overview of Current Programs

Our Team

Jennifer Elliott, Pharm.D.

Director, Center for Integrative Health
Muldoon Building
1000 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.4990
elliott3@duq.edu

Marla Breitbarth

Health and Wellness Program Coordinator, Center for Integrative Health
Muldoon Building
1000 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.2166
breitbarthm@duq.edu

Megan Donnarumma

Practice/Business Manager, Center for Integrative Health
Muldoon Building
1000 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.1904
donnarummam@duq.edu

Amanda Kokensparger, Pharm.D.

Administrative Clinical Pharmacist, Center for Integrative Health
Muldoon Building
1000 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.5007
shavera2@duq.edu

Brittani Namey, MSN, CRNP

Asthma Program Coordinator, Center for Integrative Health
Muldoon Building
1000 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.2416
nameyb@duq.edu

Julianne Oplinger, Pharm.D.

Administrative Clinical Pharmacist, Center for Integrative Health
Muldoon Building
1000 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.2162
oplingerj1@duq.edu

Tiara Parker

Community Health Worker (CHW) Coordinator, Center for Integrative Health
Muldoon Building
1000 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.2159
parkert3@duq.edu

Lisa Ripper, MPH, CPH

Research Manager, Center for Integrative Health
Muldoon Building
1000 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.1906
ripperl@duq.edu

Paige Williams, MPH

Community Health Initiatives Manager, Center for Integrative Health
Muldoon Building
1000 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.9924
williamsp2@duq.edu

DeJour Young, M.S.

Tobacco Coordinator, Center for Integrative Health
Muldoon Building
1000 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412.396.2053
youngd5@duq.edu

Community Partners
  • Squirrel Hill Health Center (Clairton)
  • Primary Care Health Services (Hazelwood)
  • Northside Christian Health Center
  • East Liberty Family Health Center
  • Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
  • Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD)
  • Clairton School District
  • South Allegheny School District
  • Woodland Hills School District
  • Northgate School District
  • Propel Schools
  • Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Programs
  • Center of Life
  • Greater Hazelwood Community Corps
  • Greater Hazelwood Community Collaborative (GHCC)
  • Hazelwood Initiative (HI)
  • JADA House
  • P.O.O.R.L.A.W.
  • Clairton CARES
  • Pine Run Methodist Church (Clairton)
  • Sisters Place, Inc. (Clairton)
  • Clairton Family Center
  • American Lung Association
  • Pennsylvania Asthma Partnership
  • Allegheny County Asthma Task Force

Funding
  • The Heinz Endowments
  • Jefferson Regional Foundation
  • Henry L. Hillman Foundation
  • Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Clean Air Fund
  • CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH)
  • CDC National Asthma Control Program (NACP)
  • CDC Overdose Data to Action (OD2A)
  • State of Pennsylvania Tobacco Control Funds