These HSLS staff members celebrated significant employment anniversaries in the 2025 academic year. In honor of their milestones, we asked each of them to tell us about themselves and their work with HSLS.
Michele Klein Fedyshin – 25 years
Tell us what you do in your current position at HSLS.
In my position as Research and Clinical Instruction Librarian, I am liaison to the Transitional Year Residency program and a nonphysician faculty member in their program; teach the Infectious Diseases residents; am liaison to the School of Pharmacy; perform systematic reviews and SR protocol reviews; maintain LibGuides including the School of Pharmacy portal, Drug Information Resource Guide, and Evidence-Based Medicine Pyramid; teach three classes as part of HSLS Instruction; cover Reference and Chat; perform research and write articles; and answer clinical questions.
Prior to your current position, what other positions did you hold at Pitt or within HSLS?
I was Manager of Library Services at UPMC Shadyside for 8 years; a Morning Report Librarian and sat on the HSLS Morning Report Teams for both Internal Medicine and Palliative Care; HSLS consultant to the Infectious Diseases Society of America for their guideline development; and faculty for the HealthCas certification course.
What’s your favorite part of working at HSLS?
Bringing information to the point of care and making a difference in the lives of patients, clinicians, faculty, and students.
What’s a professional achievement you’re proud of?
Contributing to the science of medical library science. My research on the “effects of online searching on length of stay and patient care costs” and evaluating and redesigning the PubMed Core Clinical Journals collection contributed new insights into medical librarianship.
Geoffrey Spear – 25 years
Tell us what you do in your current position at HSLS.
I maintain systems that move data between our Library Management System and our website’s A-Z lists, support our Document Delivery software, and provide the library catalog and link resolver systems used by UPMC affiliates through the Health Sciences Digital Library.
Prior to your current position, what other positions did you hold at Pitt or within HSLS?
I was a student library worker at ULS before coming to HSLS, where I started as a Serials Receipt Specialist and staffed the Circulation Desk. I later managed the HSLS offsite storage facility in Point Breeze, and then worked with our first e-resources management system (ERMS) and created our second ERMS.
What’s your favorite part of working at HSLS?
I enjoy keeping the systems that allow researchers to find the information that they need running smoothly.
Which book would you recommend everyone reads once in their lifetime?
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Michael Sweezer – 10 years
Tell us what you do in your current position at HSLS.
In my current position, I troubleshoot hardware and software issues, provide technical assistance, and ensure a positive customer experience. My primary responsibilities include resolving technical issues, assisting with system upgrades, and providing training on new software and technologies.
Prior to your current position, what other positions did you hold at Pitt or within HSLS?
Before my current position, I’ve done the same type of work for 20 + years. I was a cashier and also worked in mail sorting, but that was before I transitioned into technology.
What’s your favorite part of working at HSLS?
My favorite part of working at HSLS is the quietness of the library. I get along with everyone.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Working on cars, gardening, and visiting my two-year-old granddaughter.
Rose Turner – 10 years
Tell us what you do in your current position at HSLS.
I am the Assistant Director of Liaison Services, and the co-liaison to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. As the AD of Liaison Services, I work with the liaisons to provide instruction and support students, faculty, and staff at each of the schools of the health sciences. As one of the liaisons, I also get to directly support SHRS. I’ve collaborated as a co-author on systematic reviews, I assist students with their research projects, and encourage and help people to use and enjoy our resources at HSLS.
Prior to your current position, what other positions did you hold at Pitt or within HSLS?
I’ve also been the liaison to Medical Education and Coordinator of Liaison Services.
What’s your favorite part of working at HSLS?
I appreciate being a health sciences librarian because my days are varied and there are many opportunities to learn – I am never bored! I have great colleagues at HSLS, and I love working with SHRS.
What’s a professional achievement you’re proud of?
I’ve done a lot of fun things at HSLS, but I am most proud of some feedback I got from an instructor after I gave a guest presentation to a group of students. He told me that they had had trouble seeing themselves as part of the research process, and after we had a great discussion they were able to see themselves as potential researchers.