YSU Bitonte College of Health and Human Services to Honor Alumni
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University’s Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte College of Health and Human Services will honor alumni during its 15th annual Alumni Recognition Dinner on Oct. 4.
The hors d’oeuvres and cash bar will start at 5:30 p.m., and the dinner buffet and program will begin at 6 p.m.
There will be 10 honorees, including alumni receiving the College Appreciation Award and the Dean’s Appreciation Award.
Charles E. Baldwin graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in applied science in 1981 before earning his master’s degrees in social work and criminal justice from YSU. He also earned his doctorate of education. Baldwin’s professional career covers over 40 years working in social service systems, criminal justice, substance abuse, mental health and child welfare. He retired from The Village Network Inc. as the northeast regional director covering Cuyahoga, Montgomery, Richland, Wayne, Summit, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. He serves on the board of directors for the Community Corrections Association, Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Board, the Trumbull County Drug and Mental Health Board and ATLC Board. Baldwin is also part-time faculty at YSU in the Social Work Department. He is an honoree for Social Work.
Frank Ballone graduated from YSU with his associate’s degree in 1979 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. After graduation, Ballone’s career included jobs at Southside and Northside hospitals, and at St. Elizabeth as a unit manager, staff nurse in the ICU and as an educator in its school of nursing. Ballone left retirement to assist during the Covid-19 pandemic, working for the Youngstown Health Department and Mahoning County and Portage counties. He also spent time at YSU as limited service faculty, educating undergraduate students in community health and clinics at YSU and throughout the area. He is an honoree for the Centofanti School of Nursing.
After graduating with her associate’s degree in 1977, Kim Ballone would go on to receive her BSN and begin her career as a staff nurse at the former Youngstown Hospital Association Southside Hospital. She then moved on to the former Tod Babies and Children’s Hospital, where she spent many years as staff and educator. Ballone eventually became a pediatric nursing instructor at YSU. After receiving her doctorate in nursing practice, she began working as a family nurse practitioner. She taught in the YSU Family Nurse Practitioner program. Ballone is a posthumous honoree for the Centofanti School of Nursing.
John Capple graduated from YSU in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. Capple also earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Throughout his career, he held various leadership roles within the health care industry, including executive and COO at the Center for Neuro and Spine and Cross Market Director of Rehabilitation and Neurosciences at Mercy Health. At Mercy Health, Capple has been part of leading several projects, including the Mercy Health Rehabilitation Hospital where he serves as one of the managers of the board of directors and leads the growth of the Neurosciences service line. Capple is an honoree for Graduate Studies in Health and Rehabilitations Sciences.
John “Jack” DePizzo Jr. is a 1971 graduate of YSU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. DePizzo’s career began as a Medicare auditor at Blue Cross of Eastern Ohio, where he advanced to department director. He then founded JAD Enterprises, which operates 40 senior care facilities with over 2,800 beds and 2,500 employees. Known for his expertise in turning around troubled nursing facilities, DePizzo has led over $100 million in acquisition and development projects. His philanthropy includes endowment funds at YSU and two family foundations supporting education, mental health and environmental preservation. In 2009, he was honored with the Outstanding Business Alumnus Award from YSU. DePizzo is receiving the College Appreciation Award.
Rod Foley graduated from YSU in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in applied science. Foley is also a 1995 YSU graduate, this time earning his Master of Science degree in criminal justice with a concentration in police administration. A graduate of the FBI National Academy and DEA Unit Commander Course, he serves as the commander of the Services Division for the Youngstown Police Department, overseeing the 911 center and training programs for officers. Foley has held numerous leadership roles, including the Youngstown Police Department’s chief from 2011-2014, where he launched the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence program. Throughout his career, he has received multiple awards, including four departmental Meritorious Service Awards and the U.S. Department of Justice Coordination Award. Foley is an honoree for Criminal Justice and Consumer Sciences.
Leonard Perry graduated from YSU in 1971 with his bachelor’s degree in biology with an emphasis in microbiology and cell biology. He went on to receive his master’s in environmental health from A.T. Still University School of Health Management. During his career, Perry worked as a member of the District Board of Health of Mahoning County for 35 years. Perry was also the director of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety at YSU, where upon his retirement, he was conferred the title administrator emeritus. Perry is now a doctoral candidate in health sciences at YSU. He is an honoree for Health Professions.
Patrick Ranalli earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from YSU in 1970 and a certificate in physical therapy from Ohio State University in 1972. He founded Youngstown Physical Therapists Inc. in 1975, opening an outpatient clinic in Boardman that specializes in orthopedic and neurologic rehabilitation. Appointed by former Ohio Gov. George Voinovich, Ranalli served two terms on the state licensure board for physical therapy. He also co-chaired legislative committees for the American Physical Therapy Association. In 1993, the dean of BCHHS appointed Ranalli to the advisory committee to develop a Physical Therapy program at YSU. He is receiving the Dean’s Appreciation award.
Teresa Volsko earned her associate degree in applied sciences in allied health in 1981, a BSAS in 1987, a Master of Health and Human Services degree in 2004 and a Master of Business Administration in 2016. A registered respiratory therapist, a lean six sigma black belt and a fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care, Volsko is the vice president for Quality and Data Integration for The Centers in Cleveland. She has served in leadership roles for the National Board for Respiratory Care, the American Respiratory Care Foundation and the Lambda Beta Honor Society. An accomplished author, she has published over 120 peer-reviewed abstracts and manuscripts, two textbooks and a monograph. Volsko has received numerous honors, including the Jimmy A. Young Medal and the Forrest Bird Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award. Volsko is an honoree for Health Professions.
A 2023 YSU graduate, April Yurkovich is a licensed massage therapist who transitioned to funeral services after several years in her previous profession. At 35, she pursued dual degrees, earning an associate’s degree in specialized technology from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in applied science in allied health from YSU. Her academic achievements led to an articulation agreement between YSU and PIMS, creating a streamlined path for funeral director and embalmer licensure in Ohio. Yurkovich joined Stark Memorial in 2022 and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in January 2024. Yurkovich is an honoree for Health Professions.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
