New hires and promotions

Dr. Brent R. Driskill has joined Mount Nittany Health in its Ear, Nose and Throat practice.

As a comprehensive ENT physician, Driskill treats a wide range of disorders.

The majority of his surgeries in the last eight years have been nasal and sinus complaints. His favorite surgery is septorhinoplasty and he has extensive experience extending to the thyroid and other endocrine surgeries, post-cancer surgery monitoring and neck mass removals.

Dr. Anna Berning has joined Altoona Dermatology Associates.

Formerly Anna Bistline from Altoona, Berning graduated from Juniata College in Huntingdon with a B.S. in biology and a B.A. in Russian and received her Doctorate of Medicine from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

She completed her intern year at UPMC Altoona, and went on to complete residency in Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. She is board-certified and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is currently accepting new patients and treats patients of all ages, specializing in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology.

Awards and honors

Natalie Beaver of Altoona, South Hills School of Business & Technology Director of Education & Regulatory Affairs has been named winner of the 2024 Outstanding Volunteer Award by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges.

The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to career education through their commitment and support of the accreditation process.

Beaver, a 2012 graduate of Leadership Blair County, has been a dedicated volunteer with ACCSC since 2014, serving in multiple key roles, including Team Leader.

Tricia Turner of State College recently received the “Distinguished Educator Award” at Annual Society of Medical Sonographers (SDMS) National Convention in New Orleans.

Turner is the assistant director of education for South Hills School of Business & Technology, as well as DMS Program Director.

The award was established to honor exceptional educators in the field of diagnostic medical sonography. This award is given annually to an educator who is nominated by their peers for their dedication to teaching, innovation in education, and ongoing support of students through mentorship, research and volunteerism.

State Rep. Dallas Kephart (R-Cambria/Clearfield) has received the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business.

Of the 253 legislators in Harrisburg, Kephart was one of 10 to be recognized by NFIB as a champion of small business.

Conferences and seminars

Dr. Alan Kivitz, MACR president and founder of the Altoona Center for Clinical Research and the Altoona Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center, recently presented at The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Metro Toronto Convention Center.

Kivitz along with Dr. Aliya Khan from Canada, presented Biosimilars in Osteoporosis: RealWorld Evidence supported by an educational grant from Sandoz. Biosimilars and new agents can help close the treatment gap for managing individuals with osteoporosis and at increased risk of fractures. Using patient cases of other disorders, they explained how biosimilars have resulted in positive patient outcomes. Clinical trial data for biosimilar agents is being investigated for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Submissions for Workplace can be sent to Walt Frank at wfrank@altoonamirror.com. Please include the name of the individual, his/her present address, original hometown and high school and college from where he/she graduated, and information about the person’s accomplishment.