John Lovelace isn't someone who seeks out the limelight, but he is always willing to lend a helping hand in any way he can.
“I try my best to do good deeds and to help as many people along the way,” he said.
James Giammarco, chief financial officer of Medicaid programs within the UPMC Insurance Services Division and board member of Allies for Health + Wellbeing, has known Lovelace since 1997 and says Lovelace is “a helper.”
“What comes to mind first is John’s generosity,” Giammarco said. “He is always helping others in need. He’s also incredibly approachable – you can go to him about any issue, and he will help you. There are countless numbers of people who John has helped by connecting them to resources they need. Many times, when you meet someone who knows John, they will then tell you a story about how John helped them.”
The Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force – now Allies for Health + Wellbeing – has long benefited from Lovelace’s generosity and helping hand. In recognition of years of quiet support, Lovelace is the 2026 recipient of the Kerry Stoner Award.
Stoner was one of the founders of the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force and died of complications of AIDS in 1993. The Kerry Stoner Award is presented annually by Allies for Health + Wellbeing to someone who has shown commitment to Stoner’s legacy and vision. The award will be presented at a brunch in Lovelace’s honor on Saturday, March 21.
'For 25 years now, our organization has honored people like John Lovelace who exemplify compassion and commitment to community,” said Mary Bockovich, CEO of Allies for Health + Wellbeing. “The Kerry Stoner Award represents a legacy of support not just of the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force and Allies, but also of all those living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS in southwestern Pennsylvania.”
The HIV/AIDS epidemic became personal to Lovelace in the mid-1980s, while he was running an agency for rehabilitation in downtown Pittsburgh. A few of his staff members contracted HIV, which in those days was a death sentence. Around the same time, he became aware of a new organization forming in Pittsburgh.
“I met Kerry Stoner before PATF,” Lovelace said. “Kerry was a pretty remarkable guy, to take that on and to build this organization.”
Over the years, Lovelace supported PATF and Allies, as a donor and through fundraising events. He co-chaired the 2019 Allies Ball alongside actor Billy Porter.
“I've been around so long, I've known every single director of Allies,” he said.
He’s continued to offer his helping hand to the organization because of its mission and its inclusivity.
“It has a niche in the community,” Lovelace said. “People who feel cast aside or uninvolved have a place to go where they can feel welcomed. It's a very valuable thing for people who use it. Even though [HIV is] not a death sentence anymore, the work is still critical for people's health, and I'm happy to help move it along.”
In addition to his personal contributions to PATF and Allies, Lovelace was instrumental in securing increased support for the organization through UPMC and UPMC Health Plan.
“John has been very supportive of Allies in that he has expanded the financial support they receive from UPMC as well as introducing other people at UPMC, like myself, to Allies and its mission,” Giammarco said. “He understands that those of us who can help others should – and he connects people who also share that mindset.”
“It was a pretty easy sell, honestly,” Lovelace said modestly. “It's good business to us [UPMC] as well as to Allies.”
Lovelace retired from UPMC in 2025 after more than 22 years working for Community Care Behavioral Health and UPMC Health Plan, including UPMC for You and UPMC for Kids.
“John has been a supportive community leader demonstrating longer-term dedication to public health and human rights, especially in the public sector of providing care to those less fortunate,” Giammarco said. “His work has made a profound and lasting difference in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania.”
The Kerry Stoner Award Brunch is generously sponsored by presenting partners PA Health and Wellness, UPMC, UMPC Health Plan and Community Care Behavioral Health. Additional sponsorship is graciously provided by Duolingo and the Chait family.
