Kathy Selvaggi, MD

After twelve years as Oncology Medical Director of the Richard G Laube Cancer Center in Kittanning, PA, Dr. Selvaggi pursued her interest in Palliative care. She applied for and was accepted into the palliative care fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts from 2005-2006. After completion of her fellowship, she returned to Pittsburgh to develop the Division of Palliative Care for the West Penn/Allegheny Health System from 2006-2010 and became Chief of the Division in 2008.

Dr. Selvaggi was recruited back to Boston in August, 2010 to direct the Intensive Palliative Care Unit at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital/ Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). This unit cared for cancer patients throughout the trajectory of their illness.  Her responsibilities included the day-to-day operations of the unit including admitting and discharge procedures, clinical care, quality improvement, and patient safety.

In 2011, Dr. Selvaggi became a fellow of the American Association of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

In 2013 Dr. Selvaggi, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, was promoted to clinical Director for the Division of Adult Palliative Care at DFCI, overseeing the daily workings of the unit, three palliative care consult clinics and an ambulatory outpatient palliative care clinic.

Dr. Selvaggi who is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Palliative Care  was the director of the palliative care program for the Butler Health System in Butler PA from 2015-2021. She along with her palliative care team developed a high quality palliative care program for patients in rural/community settings.

She was recently promoted to Chief Community Health Officer for the Butler Health System to develop community health implementation strategies while addressing the social determinants of health.

At the start of 2021, she spearheaded the launch of The Butler Health System Food Institute, the first of its kind in the Butler region. The Food Institute specializes in healthy eating for the whole family, meal planning and preparing healthy recipes on a budget. During each monthly appointment ingredients and cooking instructions for 10 meals are provided. Participants are also linked to additional services to manage chronic disease through lifestyle coaching and community resources to improve overall health. Dr. Selvaggi is also a clinical Assistant Professor in Palliative Medicine at Penn State Health.