good people

good grief center staff

Anthony Turo, MPA
Executive Director

Anthony J. Turo became the executive director of Ursuline Senior Services in April 2004. Turo has more than 28 years of experience with various human services organizations in the Pittsburgh area, including the Northern Area Multi-Service Center and the local chapter of the American Red Cross where he served as the project director for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Leadership positions he has held with state, regional and national associations and advisory boards are among his proudest professional accomplishments. His most recent appointment is to a statewide seat on the Pennsylvania Council on Aging (PCOA), on which he previously served while Chair of the SW Regional Council. Turo also serves as the Chair of the Board for Vincentian Regency Nursing Home, and as such has a seat on the Vincentian Collaborative System Board of Directors. Turo has recently joined the Board of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging (SWPPA) and he is an active member of the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership (GPNP).

Turo holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from The University of Pittsburgh. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Individual and Family Studies, emphasizing in Adult Development and Aging, from The Pennsylvania State University. A resident of the Pittsburgh area since his graduation from Penn State, Turo now resides in Wexford with his wife and three children.

Diana M. Hardy, MSCP, NCC, LPC
Director
Intern Field Supervisor

Diana obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and graduated summa cum laude from Chatham University with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. Diana began working with bereaved individuals over 10 years ago as a former volunteer and intern of the Good Grief Center. She has many years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. By way of clinical care at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and various research projects through the University of Pittsburgh and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Diana has worked with children and adolescents with chronic illnesses and their families, as well as with mothers who have had children recently diagnosed with cancer. She is an author on several journal publications, published abstracts, and has edited text on issues in career development in schools.

Ms. Hardy is trained in many clinical modalities which includes obtaining her certification in clinical hypnosis in August of 2007 from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis of which she is also a member. Additional memberships include Chi Sigma Iota an international counseling academic and professional honor society, the National Board of Certified Counselors, and the American Counseling Association.

Diana has served as a board member and volunteer for many non-profit organizations. She currently is a board member of Hope Grows, a non-profit organization that promotes caregiver wellness, and is a member of the Health and Wellness Ministry at her church.

Julie Word
Administrative Coordinator

Julie Word joined the staff of Ursuline Senior Services in 2009 as the agency’s Intake and Referral Specialist, as well as the Program Volunteer Coordinator. Currently Ms. Word serves in the role of Administrative Assistant for the Good Grief Center Division of Ursuline Senior Services.

Julie grew up in Delmont, Pennsylvania where she attended Franklin Regional Senior High School. She went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh where she studied English Literature, and completed her education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at Teach and Travel International Schools in Ottawa, Canada. She then moved to Skierniewice, Poland where she taught English as a second language to adults and children. Julie enjoys volunteering with local animal rescue groups.