Officers

Hi, I'm Tracey Kunkel and I have been a registered nurse for 31 years.  Although I also worked on L&D, Med-surg, and the Neonatal ICU/nursery, I have primarily been a perioperative nurse (for over 25 years).  I served on active duty in the US Navy for 21 years and retired from the Navy.  I have held a variety of jobs including nurse educator, charge nurse, team leader, clinical coordinator, division officer, and department head.  I received her master's degree in nursing education from Waynesburg University. I am currently a Perioperative Clinical Education Specialist at Allegheny General Hospital. AORN has been an important piece of my profession for my entire career as an Operating Room Nurse and we would love to see all perioperative nurses involved.

Welcome to the Pittsburgh Chapter of AORN!  I have been a nurse for over 20 years, all of them in the OR.  That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do!  I was told in nursing school that I would never be able to get a job in the OR without first having experience.  I was determined, and after graduating from CCAC nursing school I began my career at Presbyterian Hospital in the OR.  Saving limbs and lives we used to say!  Two years later I earned my BSN from Carlow College, and three years ago I earned my MSN in Leadership and Education from Carlow University.  I currently work at West Penn Hospital as the Clinical Coordinator for Quality, Compliance, and General Surgery.  I believe that coming together in a professional organization such as AORN fosters a sense of commitment to excellence, strengthens professional bonds, and allows for a safe place to ‘talk shop’.  Not many people, including other nurses, understand what we do on a daily basis. AORN brings us together so that others may have a safe, surgical outcome.

My goal through AORN is to help strengthen the knowledge of the perioperative nurse through education and networking, and expanding the influence of perioperative nurses through the association to increase patient safety for better health outcomes.

My name is Sara Angelilli and I have been an operating room nurse for 15 years with 6 years of specialization in perioperative education. I received my doctorate of nursing practice in nursing administration from Capella University and my masters degree in nursing leadership and education from Carlow University. As a life-long learner, I am currently enrolled in a masters degree program for industrial and organizational psychology. I am dual certified as an operating room nurse and professional development practitioner. I am a member of the national chapter for the association of perioperative nurses (AORN), the association of nursing professional development specialists (ANPD), the association of nurse leaders (AONL), and the society for industrial-organizational psychologists (SIOP). I currently serve as the director of perioperative education for Allegheny Health network providing educational leadership for nine hospitals and four ambulatory surgery centers. I have been recognized in the AONL young professional voices program and as a finalist for the Nightingale of Pennsylvania award for clinical education.

I love the support, education, and networking provided through the local chapter of the AORN. We would love to get you connected within the chapter and we look forward to supporting your professional development through the services provided by the chapter.

My name is Dana Mariano and I am the Director of Periop Services at Forbes Hospital/AHN. I am the current Treasurer of the AORN Pittsburgh Chapter and have served on the Board of Directors, previously, for the past 4 years. I am a certified OR Nurse (CNOR), a certified Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA), and a certified Central Sterile Technician (CRCST). In addition to AORN, I belong to the Association of Nurse Leaders (AONL), the American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses (ASPAN), and the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). This year will be my 32nd year as a nurse. I have been in periop services for 26 of these years. Periop Services is my love, and Central Sterile Processing is my passion.

AORN Pittsburgh is a diverse group of nurses leading the way to bridge gaps in practice and allowing us to network with our peers across our Pittsburgh hospitals and beyond. Please join us to share your best practices and have some fun along the way. We are a growing community that has our patients at the center of all that we do. Hope to see you soon!

With over a decade of experience in surgical care, Rhiannon is a dedicated Operating Room Nurse with a strong background in both nursing and anesthesia technology. After five years of hands-on experience as an anesthesia technologist, Rhiannon has spent the past six years practicing as an OR nurse, bringing a comprehensive understanding of perioperative care to the surgical team.

Rhiannon is deeply committed to patient safety, staff education, and professional mentorship, with a passion for fostering collaborative and informed surgical environments. Having served on the AORN board for three years, Rhiannon strongly believes in the organization’s role in building meaningful professional relationships and providing essential educational resources that can be shared to elevate perioperative practice.

Through leadership, education, and advocacy, Rhiannon continues to support excellence in surgical care and team development.

Dr. Ann Miller-Burke serves as the Vice President of Perioperative Services for Allegheny Health Network where she oversees surgical operations for eight Network hospitals. Before her role at Allegheny Health Network, Dr. Miller-Burke served as the Director of Surgical Services at UPMC Shadyside. Additionally, she has many years of patient safety, quality, and nursing experience.

Dr. Miller-Burke earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA; a Master of Science in Nursing Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State University in University Park, PA; and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duke University in Durham, NC. She is a Certified Professional in Patient Safety and a board member for the Pittsburgh chapter of the Association for Perioperative Services.

Leslie is a Nursing Professional Development Specialist for Allegheny Health Network at Jefferson and Canonsburg hospitals. Leveraging 25 years of healthcare operations experience, she now focuses on nurse education to drive systemic improvements in patient safety and recovery. In her free time, she is an avid opera enthusiast who enjoys the artform’s vocal mastery and complex storytelling.

nominating committee

Nominating and membership committee