Susquehanna Health Foundation Celebrates Lifetime Achievements

May 27, 2025

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Susquehanna Health Foundation recently held its 10th annual Lifetime Achievement Awards event, recognizing the life’s work of Rosalie Kaleda and Mohammad Shafique, M.D., while also celebrating major donors to UPMC services and facilities in north central Pennsylvania.

Rosalie Kaleda was given the Philanthropist Award in honor of her life-long commitment to philanthropy, volunteerism, and community service. Arriving in Williamsport in 1979 as one of the region’s few certified nurse midwives, she spent over two decades pioneering midwifery services and championing legislative recognition for nurse midwives across Pennsylvania.

“Rosalie’s pioneering impact on this region cannot be understated,” said Leonard Collins, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist. “She changed the way we view prenatal and postnatal care of the women in our community. Rosalie played a crucial role in so many families’ birth stories, including my own. Her sharp wit and sense of humor, matched only by her knowledge of women’s health care, immediately put her patients at ease. She has established scholarships to support advancing nursing practice, advocated with local and state governments, and so much more. I can think of no better champion for maternal health care in north central Pennsylvania than Rosalie.”

Mohammad Shafique, M.D., was given the Physician Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his dedication to his patients and commitment to providing care to our community. A kind, compassionate, and skilled cardiologist, Dr. Shafique touched and changed many lives in his nearly four decades of service to the community in Williamsport. He selflessly committed to his craft and spent countless hours with patients, colleagues, staff, and others promoting a culture of excellence and advancing the heart and vascular program.

“Dr. Shafique is a physician’s physician – he was always willing to help others, lend an ear as a consult, and make time for his and others’ patients who needed him,” said David Lopatofsky, M.D. “Dr. Shafique is highly regarded in his field, and he consistently demonstrated the utmost care, compassion, patience, and calmness in every interaction. In my time working with him, I’ve never heard a bad word spoken of him and no matter what came his way, I never saw him get flustered. Dr. Shafique is an exceptional physician and all-around wonderful individual, and he's very deserving of this recognition for all he has contributed to this community, his patients, the organization, and advancing medical excellence in the region.”

The event also celebrated major donors whose financial contributions have supported life-changing medicine at UPMC in North Central Pa.

“We are truly blessed to be part of such a compassionate and generous community,” said Sherry Watts, president, Susquehanna Health Foundation. “Every act of giving — whether it’s time, leadership, or resources — reflects a profound commitment to the well-being of others. We cherish this time to celebrate some exemplary individuals like Rosalie and Dr. Shafique. They are but a few of the many who support the life-changing work here at UPMC in the region. Our donors and volunteers are the heart of our mission, and their unwavering support makes a lasting difference in the lives we touch. We are deeply grateful for their continued dedication and kindness.”

To learn more about Susquehanna Health Foundation, visit SusquehannaHealthFoundation.org.