Breathe PA's Lung Health Heroes Awards

A passionate advocate for driving positive change for individuals with lung disease.

Senator Jim Brewster served in the Pennsylvania Senate representing the 45th District from 2010 to 2024. During his tenure, he held several leadership roles, including Chairman of both the Senate Law & Justice Committee and the Game and Fisheries Committee. He also served as Vice Chair of the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee and was a member of the Senate Banking and Insurance, Local Government, Policy, and Transportation Committees.

Senator Brewster earned a degree in education from California University of Pennsylvania. Prior to entering public office, he built a successful career as Vice President of Operations at Mellon Bank. His public service began when he was elected to McKeesport City Council in 1995. Senator Brewster served as council president for seven years before being elected mayor in 2004. As McKeesport’s mayor, he was instrumental in securing $27 million in funding from state, county, and federal sources.

Under his leadership, he helped develop the Palisades, McKee’s Point Marina, and the Greater Allegheny Passage Trail at the Waterfront. In addition to his elected roles, Senator Brewster has served on numerous boards and as a director for the Allegheny League of Municipalities, Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities, McKeesport Optimist Club, Municipal Risk Management, Allegheny County Air Quality Control, McKeesport Development Corporation, McKeesport Recreation Board, and Penn State Greater Allegheny. He also served on the Board of Directors at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc. and continues in leadership roles as Secretary of the Board for Pittsburgh Regional Transit, Vice President of the Board for the Monroeville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Chairman of the McKeesport Housing Authority—a position he has held for over 30 years.

Senator Brewster’s commitment to community service has been recognized with numerous honors. In 2009, he was inducted into both the McKeesport Area School District Hall of Fame and the McKeesport Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, he was named “Mayor of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Mayor’s Association and received the “Friend of Youth” award from the McKeesport Optimist Club for founding the local “Toys for Tots” program and launching a youth basketball initiative at the McKeesport Salvation Army.

Senator Brewster is married to Linda, and they are proud parents to three daughters and grandparents to seven grandchildren.

A dedicated healthcare professional who exemplifies compassion and leadership in patient care.

Dr. Rohit Mehta is a board-certified pulmonary/critical care specialist originally from Toronto, Ontario. He received his medical degree from the Medical University of the Americas in Nevis, WI.

Dr. Mehta’s post-graduate training began with a research fellowship at the Toronto General Hospital and Hospital for Sick Children at the University of Toronto in Toronto, ON. He then completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA and McKeesport, PA. Finally, he solidified his specialty through a three year pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship at John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, IL.

With training in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Toronto, Dr. Mehta specializes in the treatment of pulmonary, sleep and critical care medicine. He has completed extensive training in advanced bronchoscopy techniques and interventional pulmonary medicine to assist patients with the diagnosis and work up of lung cancer and various chest diseases, palliation procedures for advanced cancer and procedures for difficult to treat asthma. Dr. Mehta chose to move to Indiana, PA as there is a recognizable local need for additional pulmonary/critical care services with which he wishes to assist.

A school nurse committed to continuous educationand securing resources for students with asthma.

Lailonny Morris is a registered nurse, school health advocate, and singer-songwriter whose work bridges care, creativity, and community.

She currently serves as the School Nurse at Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh, where she provides medical care, health education, and wellness policy leadership for over 350 students.

A proud graduate of Carlow University (BSN), CCAC (ASN), and Carnegie Mellon University (BS in Psychology), Lailonny brings over seven years of healthcare experience in outpatient, inpatient, and critical care settings, including UPMC Mercy, UPMC Presbyterian, and West Penn Hospital.

Outside of nursing, Lailonny is a passionate R&B/soul artist whose music centers collective healing and emotional expression. Her original work has been featured at venues across Pittsburgh, and she has been selected for artist programs like the SCALE Fellowship and Intervals Arts Accelerator through The Equity Impact Center. Whether through song or service, Lailonny is deeply committed to helping others feel seen, heard, and whole.

The Allegheny County Health Department is a nationally accredited public health agency dedicated to protecting, promoting, and preserving the health and well-being of over 1.2 million residents—especially the most vulnerable. Through data-driven programs, innovative partnerships, and a deep commitment to equity, ACHD works to create healthier communities where all people can live, learn, work, and thrive.

Award Accepted by
Dr. Iulia Vann, MD, MPH
Public Health Director,
Allegheny County Health Department

Dr. Iulia Vann is a distinguished public health leader dedicated to advancing health equity, innovative policy development, and systemic change. As the Public Health Director for Allegheny County, she leads the strategic implementation of the Health Department’s priorities including Plan for Healthier Allegheny, a comprehensive community health initiative addressing physical health, behavioral health, and environmental health. With an extensive background in public health administration, Dr. Vann oversees multimillion-dollar budgets and large-scale public health operations, ensuring that data-driven, equity-focused policies drive community health improvements. Her expertise spans social justice, health disparities, and federal, state, and local health policy. She has played a pivotal role in addressing emerging health threats, including serving as a Public Health Incident Commander during the COVID-19 response.

Dr. Vann holds a Master of Public Health from East Carolina University and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila. She is a champion of community engagement, workforce development, and collaborative public health interventions, ensuring that all residents - particularly the most vulnerable—have the opportunity to lead healthy lives.