Craig Seaman, M.D. (Clinical Director of Adult Services)
Dr. Seaman is an adult hematologist and the Clinical Director of the Hemophilia Center of Western PA. He specializes in disorders of hemostasis (bleeding) and thrombosis (clotting) and is active in research, studying aging and aging-related disorders in patients with hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. Dr. Seaman received his medical degree from Marshall University School of Medicine and completed his internal medicine residency and hematology/oncology fellowship at UPMC. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
Frederico Xavier, M.D, M.S. (Clinical Director of Pediatric Services)
Dr. Xavier joined the Hemophilia Center of Western PA in July 2017, as Associate Clinical Director, and with a joint appointment as an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and faculty in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Xavier completed medical school, a pediatric residency, and fellowship training in Brazil. He then completed a second pediatric residency in New York, a pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN, and a pediatric hemostasis fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2011. Following this, he completed a master’s degree in clinical research at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in 2014.
Dr. Xavier has published peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the field of pediatric hemostasis; and is currently awarded with a research grant to study inflammation in Hemophilia.
Nicoletta Machin, D.O. (Physician)
Dr. Machin is an adult hematologist. While new to the center in August 2021, she is a Pittsburgh native and thrilled to be working in her hometown. Her area of specialization involves issues with bleeding and clotting. She is active in research and is particularly interested in von Willebrand disease and its impact on women’s health issues, including pregnancy. Dr. Machin received her medical degree from the University of New England and completed her internal medicine residency and hematology/oncology fellowship at UPMC. She is a Clinical Instructor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
A. Kim Ritchey, M.D.
Dr. Ritchey is currently the Vice Chair for International Clinical Affairs in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and previously Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and an active physician member at the HCWP. His interest in caring for children with hemophilia started over 25 years ago when he started the Comprehensive Hemophilia Clinic at Yale/New Haven Hospital. Dr. Ritchey and his staff at Children’s Hospital provide an important connection between the hospital and the HCWP when a child or adolescent with hemophilia needs to be hospitalized.
Deborah Solvay (Clinical Nurse Manager)
Carley Kalhammer (Clinical Nurse)
Richard Yost (Clinical Nurse)
Tatum Donahue (Clinical Nurse)
Bridget Walbrown (Medical Assistant)
Bruce Haas, MS, LCGC (Genetic Counselor)
Native to Wisconsin, Bruce completed his undergraduate degree at Marquette University. Following years of working as a technologist in genetic laboratories he completed his genetic counseling training at Sarah Lawrence College. Upon graduation he was employed by the Division of Pediatric Hematology at The New York Hospital which is where he began his service to Hemophilia Treatment Center families. After four years at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, he became the Associate Director of the Genetic Counseling Graduate Program at his alma mater. In 2014, given his years of work in hematology, he was recruited to co-coordinate the Thalassemia Screening Program for NCAL Kaiser Permanente. Bruce is married and has an adult step-daughter and step-son. He met his spouse when each joined the same New York City chorus.
Clayton Kubrick PT, DPT
Clayton joined the HCWP in 2023 as the Center’s physical therapist. Clayton received his Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 2012, and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Wheeling Jesuit University in 2015. He has been practicing in the greater Pittsburgh area since graduating in both outpatient and home health. During this time, his primary focus was orthopedic pre/post operative, sports injury, and vestibular rehabilitation. He also has multiple years of experience in management as a director of an outpatient clinic.
Clayton uses current evidence-based practice during his assessment in order to determine a precise diagnosis and plan of care. He has a strong understanding in orthopedics, however, has always had a passion in treating and learning about patients with bleeding disorders from his family history of hemophilia and von Willebrand’s disease.
A soccer player through college, he still enjoys playing competitively 1-2 times per week. Some of Clayton’s other interests involve fly fishing, cooking, and spending time with his family. Clayton is a Pittsburgh native, and currently resides in Allison Park with his wife, two kids, and German Shepherd dog.
Kathaleen M. Schnur, LCSW (Mental Health Professional)
Kathaleen joined the Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania in 2013. Kathaleen has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. She serves on several national professional groups and educational planning committees for both professionals and consumers. Kathaleen works closely with the local chapter of NHF to develop and plan targeted education to the community. She has co-organized new parent groups, teen groups, carrier groups, and education weekends, and is also the co-director of Camp Hot-to-Clot. Kathaleen was the recipient of the National Hemophilia Foundation’s Social Work Excellence Fellowship in collaboration with three of her national cohorts. When with her family, Kathaleen loves being outside with her husband and two children, looking after her backyard chickens, and going on family road trips.
Katherine Bush, LCSW (Mental Health Professional)
Katherine earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland. She has prior work experience as a case manager, outpatient therapist, residential treatment therapist, and behavior specialist. Katherine joined the HCWP in 2017 and has been enjoying getting to know the patients ever since. Katherine is one of the co-directors of Camp Hot-to-Clot, helps facilitate the Consumer Advocacy Committee, and also coordinates the teen group together with the Western Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundation. When not working, she enjoys spending her spare time knitting, cooking, spending time with her husband, and playing with her two sons.
Robert Alexander (Pharmacy Manager)
Michelle Martin (Pharmacist)
Chris Osman (Lead Pharmacy Technician)
Dana Ivanco, CCRC (Sr. Regulatory Coordinator
Dana joined the HCWP research team in early 2019. Her medical background started with Emergency Medicine in 1996, and after her move to Pittsburgh in 2000 she began her career in research at the University of Pittsburgh. She has been a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator for the past nineteen years; and has done patient care, budgeting, regulatory work with Phase I-IV studies. She has been on the local ACRP board for Clinical Researchers since 2007 and remains active today. She also serves as a committee member with our local IRB.
Deborah Vehec (Research Nurse)
Debbie has been with Vitalant (formerly ITxM) for 5 years, joining the HCWP research staff in 2019. She earned her MSN at Waynesburg University. For over 39 years, Debbie worked at UPMC McKeesport as a staff nurse in the CCU, eventually becoming Unit Director of Stepdown, CCU and ICU before accepting a position at ITxM as the Manager of Special Programs. In this position, she worked closely with the National Marrow Donor Program in recruiting and guiding the donors as they donated marrow or stem cells anonymously to patients in need of a transplant for various blood cancers.
Christiana Ekekwe (Research Nurse)
Brandon Lawryk (Research Associate)
Brandon joined the Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania in 2022. He graduated from Chatham University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. He has prior experience in the field of biological anthropology, studying bone morphology, and translational research. In this position, he will be assisting in the coordination of study sites, consenting of patients, and blood processing. When not at work, you can find Brandon exploring stores and restaurants in the many communities of Pittsburgh.
Diann Keebler (Administrative Assistant)
Diann joined HCWP in 2016. She is a Navy Veteran who attended the Naval School of Dental Assisting and Technology in San Diego, CA. She cross trained as a Navy Corpsman doing blood draws and immunizations. She has worked in every aspect of a Dental Office from front desk to assisting the dentist to ordering supplies to billing insurance and patient collections.
Devera Hoblak (Administrative Assistant)
Devera joined HCWP in 2020. She is a Navy Veteran who served on the USS Cape Cod as a Hospital Corpsman. She has an Associate Degree in Business. Devera has extensive administrative experience and has worked at UPMC as the Administrative Coordinator to the CIO and at Management Science Associates as the assistant to the VP of IT and other managers and support staff in the IT Department.
Patricia Linn (Administrative Assistant)
Cheryl McShea (Administrative Assistant)
Jessica Zozom (Business Systems Analyst)
Jeff Wahal (Director Operations)
Jeff joined The Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania in 2012 and serves as the Director, Operations. In this role, he pursues the Center’s strategic direction and manages the day-to-day business operations. He has over twenty years of experience with various roles in the accounting, finance and business administration fields, including twenty-seven years in the medical community. Prior to joining the Center, Jeff worked for ZOLL Medical’s LifeVest unit and was responsible for the Company’s financial reporting and planning. Previously, Jeff held the roles of Finance Manager and Controller at Precision Therapeutics and invivodata, respectively. Jeff has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from The Pennsylvanian State University and a master’s degree in business administration from The University of Pittsburgh.