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 2025 Board
Karen Emmett
President
With over 30 years of experience, Karen has dedicated her career to working with transplant patients. Presently, she serves as a Transplant Coordinator on the Living Donor Team, specializing in liver donors. However, her expertise extends to caring for both liver and kidney donors, collaborating closely within a team environment. This role involves engagement with diverse medical center including Montefiore adult team, Children’s Hospital, the VA, and potential global donors.
Previously, Karen served as a Primary Nurse Coordinator and Clinician on the inpatient Abdominal Transplant Unit. She has been an active member of ITNS since its inception, holding various board positions and currently serving as President. She is excited an eventful year ahead.
During leisure time, Karen enjoys moments with family, particularly her 2-year-old granddaughter. She is eagerly awaiting the arrival of two grandsons this summer.
Michael Mathewson
President Elect
Michael earned her B.S. in biology from UMass Amherst. She entered the nursing field as a second career after graduating from UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing. While in nursing school she was a part of the administrative support team for the outpatient abdominal transplant department at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. This is where she fell in love with transplant.
After school she transitioned to a staff nurse on the inpatient abdominal transplant unit at Children's and worked there for five years before starting at Cigna as a transplant nurse case manager.
In her free time she enjoys chasing after her niece, watching movies, and making spreadsheets.
Pam Kachmar
President Emeritus
Nancy Pepke
Treasurer
A lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Nancy has dedicated nearly 20 years to the pre-lung transplant team at UPMC. As a former president of ITNS-GTC and a member for 19 years, Nancy brings extensive experience and dedication to their role.
Nancy has been married to her husband, Jim for 38 years. She is the proud parents of two children, aged 33 and 29.
Nancy finds joy in staying active through activities like Zumba, 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.
Aileen Gallatin
Education Chair
Aileen has five years of experience on the Living Donor Liver/Kidney Transplant team. While handling both organs, her primary focus lies on liver donors. Throughout the process, from application to post-operative care extending beyond two years, she builds close relationships with patients. Collaborating with recipients from various medical entities including MUH liver recipients, CHP recipients, and VA recipients, she also engages with the Global/International team for directed donors.
Before joining the Living Donor team, Aileen spent two and a half years as a liver recipient coordinator on the pre-team. Her journey in transplantation began as the Clinical Supervisor in the Transplant Clinic for three years.
With a remarkable 45-year tenure at UPMC, she dedicated 31 years to Rheumatology, drawing upon the overlap between autoimmune processes and liver disease. Aileen is currently serving her first year with ITNS as the Education Chair.
Aileen and her husband find joy in spending time with their two little granddaughters in northeast NJ. She is very excited for the arrival of a 'local' grandchild in July.