The History of LIFE Pittsburgh

LIFE Pittsburgh’s story is rooted in the pioneering vision of the PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) model, which began in Chinatown, San Francisco, in the early 1970s. Inspired by the Chinese cultural belief in revering and caring for elderly loved ones at home rather than institutionalizing them, the first PACE program was established with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. By 1990, PACE became a national demonstration project, laying the groundwork for comprehensive, community-based elder care across the country. Today there are over 150 entities providing PACE services.

In 1997, Joann F. Gago was hired to bring this innovative model to Western Pennsylvania. Her extensive experience in acute care and vision of helping older adults age with dignity and independence led to the founding of LIFE Pittsburgh, which welcomed its first Participant in February 1999.

Under Joann’s leadership, LIFE Pittsburgh steadily grew serving Allegheny County:

  • February 1999: LIFE Pittsburgh opened its doors and enrolled its first Participant.
  • February 2003: The Northshore Center near Heinz Field opened.
  • February 2005: The larger Greentree Center opened near Parkway Center Mall.
  • June 2008: Two centers opened in the Allegheny Center complex, near the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.
  • June 2016: Our fifth and sixth centers opened in McKees Rocks.

Joann retired in April 2024, leaving behind a legacy of compassionate care and organizational excellence.

Message from Aaron Krchmar, Interim CEO

For the past 19 years, I have had the privilege of contributing to LIFE Pittsburgh’s growth and success, supporting its mission to serve older adults in our community and helping to establish key systems to support our Participants and employees. Together with our talented team, we’ve grown and have served more than 2,700 older adults across six centers and employ over 350 employees throughout our community.

As Interim CEO, I am honored to carry forward the PACE model’s legacy and LIFE Pittsburgh’s commitment to providing exceptional care. Guided by our mission, we continue to innovate and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our Participants, empowering them to live independently and with dignity in their own homes and communities.