Who Are We?
The Golden Triangle Chapter is a professional society of transplant nurses and other healthcare providers who share a passion for transplantation. We are a branch of the International Transplant Nursing Society.
Meet the 2026 Board
ShaeLyn Beachem
I am the Transplant Programmatic Nurse Specialist at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Prior to this role, I worked as a Clinical Leader on the Abdominal Transplant and Intestinal Care Unit. I also worked as a PCT on this unit prior to becoming a nurse.
I’ve loved transplant from a young age as I grew up in the hospital with my two younger siblings throughout their transplant journey. I coordinate our hospital’s Donate Life Month and volunteer at Transplant Camp for our patients each summer.
In my free time I’m usually hanging out with all my nieces and nephews, friends, or flying to London to visit my boyfriend!
President
Michael Mathewson
I started my transplant career working as a data entry clerk in the outpatient abdominal transplant office at CHP while I was in nursing school. Once finishing nursing school I transitioned to a staff nurse on 7B, the abdominal transplant unit. Life changed in August 2021, requiring a more consistent schedule, so I became a transplant nurse case manager with Cigna in September of that year. I still volunteer annually at Camp Chihopi, a weekend summer camp for past and future pediatric transplant recipients.
I love transplant because it is, first-and-foremost, an incredible scientific process. It is so rewarding being able to take care of children both during and after transplant. It is especially satisfying seeing them succeed and thrive while volunteering at Camp Chihopi each year.
In my free time I like to snuggle and goof around with my husband and niece, who we have been fostering for three years.
President Emeritus
Arley Henry
I am currently the Programmatic Nurse Specialist for Diabetes and Abdominal Transplant at UPMC Presbyterian/Montefiore. I previously worked on 11 North, the abdominal transplant unit, at UPMC Presbyterian/Montefiore as a staff nurse for five years before moving to my current role. My transplant specialty is adult abdominal transplant (kidney, liver, small intestine, pancreas, multi-visc).
I love being involved in transplant care because it is a specialty that allows you to see the generosity in others to selflessly give a second chance at life.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, making crafts, reading, watching tv and movies, and traveling
President Elect
Amy Dwyer
I have been a member of ITNS since 2019. My journey to transplant began in nursing school when I was led to care for a pediatric transplant patient requiring a multi-visceral transplant, which led me to become a Pediatric Small Bowel and Liver Transplant Coordinator at Georgetown University Hospital. A move to southeastern NC, without local transplant centers, pivoted my career into clinical research for several years prior to moving back to the Pittsburgh area. I felt called back to clinical care and was welcomed into the esteemed UPMC community as a Post-Liver Transplant Coordinator in 2019. In 2019, I moved to part-time work as a Senior Professional Care Manager with UPMC Mercy while pursuing my MSN at Duquesne University before graduating in 2021. In 2021, I was fortunate to move back into the UPMC Transplant community as the role of Living Donor Ambassador where I currently help patients and their Champions share their stories.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family outdoors and volunteering in my community.
Secretary
Nancy Pepke
A lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Nancy has dedicated nearly 21 years to the pre-lung transplant team at UPMC. As a former president of ITNS-GTC and a member for 20 years, Nancy brings extensive experience and dedication to her role.
Nancy has been married to her husband, Jim for (almost!) 40 years. They are proud parents of two children, aged 34 and 30. One grand dog, an Aussie named Rayla.
Nancy finds joy in staying active through activities like weightlifting and yoga. Her favorite music is the Foo Fighters, and she enjoys binge-watching sessions of the show Supernatural.
Nancy expresses deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the GTC board alongside exceptional colleagues.
Treasurer
Katie LoCoco
I have been a member of ITNS ever since I became a transplant nurse in 1997. Upon graduation from nursing school I got a job on the step down unit for heart and lung transplant patients at UPMC and that is where my love for transplant started. I worked there for seven years but during that time I also went to UPMC Palermo Sicily and worked on the post-op liver and kidney transplant floor on and off for a year and a half. After that I took a job as a post-op lung transplant coordinator with UPMC for four years until I decided to get a job closer to home since I had two-year old twins that were spending more time in daycare than they were at home. I got a job as a transplant case manager at United Healthcare and I have been with United for 16 years. I recently transferred to the clinical UM Implementation department.
During the twenty-eight years I have been an ITNS member I have held various positions on the board of directors. I started out as secretary for a few years, became president-elect, president, president emeritus and then membership chair. I am currently serving as the membership chair.
I have been married to my husband Vincenzo, whom I met while working in Palermo, for twenty-two years and we have 18 year old twin boys. Our sons will be starting college this year and both will be playing soccer in college. This will be the first year they won’t be playing soccer on the same team so we are hoping to see as many of both their games as we can. In my spare time I enjoy working out, taking boxing classes, taking spinning classes and crafting.
Membership Chair
Nicole Guarinoni
I'm Nicole! I've worked in the Transplant ICU in Montefiore since 2017, taking a brief hiatus working as an agency nurse throughout the country during COVID-19. This unit specializes in adult abdominal organ transplants, mostly in the post-operative setting but also patient's with advanced illness preop.
I enjoy this field of work because it combines high-acuity care with the rare opportunity to give patient's a second chance at life.
When I'm not at work, I'm hanging out with my dog Remy, traveling or finding different ways to stay active.
Education Chair
Justine Szurley
My name is Justine Szurley, I am currently, and have always been, a nurse in the Transplant ICU at UPMC Presbyterian. We work largely with adults who are post-transplant patients receiving livers, small bowels, and multi-visceral organs. I love that transplant always brings something new and interesting, there are endless learning opportunities.
In my free time I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and my dog Hennessy!
Social Chair
Caitlynn Verzino
I'm Caitlynn! I am a transplant coordinator on the post-heart transplant team at UPMC Presbyterian. I have been a nurse for 7 years, all of which has been spent working in transplant. I am new to the cardiothoracic transplant world, but absolutely loving it - I actually started my career in abdominal transplant! I have enjoyed working in various areas of transplant including both inpatient and outpatient, pediatrics and adults, and even travel nursing.
I have been a member of ITNS since 2021. This is my second year on the ITNS GTC Board as the Website and Social Media Chair. I am so grateful for the connections I have made through ITNS, because that is how I found my current role! I also love being involved with the American Board for Transplant Certification as a CCTN Exam Committee Member.
In my free time, I enjoy going to baseball games and visiting National Parks with my fiancé.