Stephen Winowich — President
Stephen Winowich was appointed to his current role as President of Procirca in 2010. He started his career as a Senior Bioengineer, specializing in mechanical circulatory support technologies in the Clinical Artificial Heart Program for UPMC in 1988. In 1996 he was promoted to the Artificial Heart Program’s Clinical Director and subsequently transitioned to a senior leadership role as the Vice President and COO of Vital Engineering, a division of UPMC Procirca that arose from the UPMC Artificial Heart Program. In addition to his Procirca duties, he continues to serve as the Senior Advisor to the UPMC Artificial Heart Program.
Mr. Winowich has held numerous technical and leadership roles during his 30 year tenure. He has participated in the care of over 1200 Ventricular Assist Device and Total Artificial Heart patients. He is an active contributor to several clinical trials for adult and pediatric technologies and has collaborated with industry and academic leaders in the development of advanced artificial organ technologies. Mr. Winowich has exceptional understanding of the development and clinical translation of advanced technologies and therapies and oversees clinical service lines in intra-operative neuromonitoring, perfusion, mechanical circulatory support and blood management. He participated in the first ever HeartMate® II VAD implant, served on the data safety and monitoring boards, and participated on clinical advisory committees for an array of circulatory support device manufacturers. Mr. Winowich also serves on the executive committee of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, and the College Advisory Counsel for the College of Learning and Innovation at Carlow University.
Mr. Winowich earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Rick Schaub, PhD — Senior Director, Vital Engineering
Rick Schaub has been in his current role since 2010. Prior to this position, he served as clinical research coordinator for the UPMC Artificial Heart Program and is also an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Schaub has been an integral part of Procirca MCS and the UPMC Artificial Heart Program since 1988. Over this time, he has participated in the care of more than 1,000 VAD patients and 25 years of IABP experience.
Spanning the full product lifecycle, Dr. Schaub supports the development of technical training programs for VAD manufacturers, as well as VAD program design and enhancements for major medical facilities around the world. As a researcher, he focuses on improving outcomes for patients receiving mechanical circulatory support with specific interest in totally implantable VAD systems.
Dr. Schaub has a master’s degree in chemical engineering and a doctorate in bioengineering, both from the University of Pittsburgh.
Brian Errigo, MBA, CNIM — Director, Business Development & NW PA Operations
Mr. Errigo has 37 years of experience in intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) and neurodiagnostics. In 1989, Mr. Errigo began as a neurotechnologist with the Center for Clinical Neurophysiology (CCN) at Presbyterian University Hospital and Childrens Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. There he worked alongside world-renowned surgeons and neurophysiologists in providing IONM for complex procedures including skull-based tumor, acoustic neuroma, micro-vascular decompression, as well as pediatric, ENT, and orthopedic surgeries.
In 1995, Mr. Errigo left the CCN to co-found his own neurodiagnostic services company. Mr. Errigo has also worked as the Director of Marketing for a private IONM equipment and services company. In 2007, UPMC recruited Mr. Errigo back to the CCN to assume the role of Director. As the CCN’s Director, Mr. Errigo oversaw the standardization of operations and the extension of the CCN’s services from its hub at UPMC Presbyterian to all UPMC hospitals. In 2012, Mr. Errigo joined Procirca in the role of Director of Business Development to continue to market and promulgate the CCN’s quality model of IONM services beyond UPMC’s boundaries.
In 2018, Mr. Errigo was called upon to develop a strategy to integrate and standardize all UPMC’s EEG and electroneurodiagnostic services under the Procirca umbrella. Working with Procirca’s leadership team, the vision of standardizing these services continues apace and has resulted in great strides in standardizing the delivery of neurodiagnostic services and in developing quality-driven leadership and partnerships for the system.
Additionally, Mr. Errigo continues to be at the forefront of industry relationship development for the Procirca Neurological Services team. Through exhibitor and grant solicitation, Mr. Errigo curates a robust industry support base for the annual Clinical Neurophysiology Multidisciplinary Course presented by UPMC, Procirca, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Errigo earned his Bachelor of Science from Allegheny College and Master of Business Administration from the Katz School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.
Ryan Quallich, MHA, CNIM — Senior Director, Neurological Services
Ryan Quallich leads operational and strategic leadership across intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), EEG, and EMG service lines. In this role, he oversees a large, multidisciplinary team supporting neurodiagnostic services across more than 30 hospitals and outpatient facilities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland, collectively serving more than 25,000 patients annually.
He began his career in intraoperative neuromonitoring and has been with UPMC and Procirca since 2007. Over the course of his tenure, he has held a variety of clinical and leadership roles, contributing to the growth and expansion of neuromonitoring services across the health system. His experience includes building high-performing teams, developing clinical programs, and strengthening partnerships with physicians and health system leaders.
In his current role, he focuses on advancing clinical quality, operational efficiency, and strategic growth across all neurodiagnostic service lines. He works closely with physician partners, operational leaders, and support teams to ensure consistent, high-quality care delivery and support the evolving needs of patients, providers, and health system partners.
Ryan Quallich holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Westminster College and a Master of Health Administration from Capella University.
David Palmer, EdD, CCP, FPP Senior Director, Perfusion Services
David Palmer was appointed to his current role as Senior Director of Perfusion Services for the UPMC Health System, where he provides system-wide leadership for adult and pediatric perfusion and ECMO programs across multiple UPMC hospitals. In this role, Dr. Palmer oversees pediatric cardiac perfusion services, adult and pediatric ECMO operations, Epic EMR integration for perfusion workflows, supply chain management, and capital planning and acquisition of perfusion and ECMO equipment for UPMC.
Dr. Palmer began his career in perfusion in the early-1980s and has held progressive clinical and leadership roles within UPMC, working extensively in adult cardiac perfusion before returning to pediatric perfusion leadership at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Over the course of his career, he has been actively involved in the development, standardization, and oversight of complex mechanical circulatory support programs, including adult and pediatric ECMO services.
In addition to his operational responsibilities, Dr. Palmer has maintained a strong focus on education, quality, and professional development. His research and scholarly interests include simulation-based education, perfusion training methodologies, and clinical education. He is a frequent invited speaker at national meetings, including the American Society of Extra-Corporeal Technology (AmSECT), as well as regional and invited professional gatherings, where he presents on perfusion practice, ECMO, quality improvement, and education.
Dr. Palmer has served in numerous leadership and board roles at the national and state levels, including service with the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion and the Pennsylvania State Osteopathic Medical Board, reflecting his longstanding involvement in professional standards and governance.
Dr. Palmer earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Education from Carlow University, and a Doctorate in Education from Duquesne University.