Get to Know Your Nurses

Celebrating National Nurses Week at Connected Health

At Connected Health, our nurses are at the heart of everything we do. Their compassion, expertise, and dedication help create the personalized care experience our patients know and trust every day. In honor of National Nurses Week, we’re highlighting three incredible members of our nursing team and celebrating the unique paths that brought them to Connected Health.

Carla Claus, LPN

Clinical Care Coordinator, Licensed Practical Nurse

Patients and coworkers alike appreciate Carla’s wealth of knowledge and the steady support she brings every day.

As Connected Health’s Clinical Care Coordinator, Carla brings years of nursing experience, leadership, and compassion to the team. Originally from northern Minnesota, she’s lived in the Pittsburgh area for more than 25 years. Her passion for nursing started early, inspired by her grandmother, a midwife who delivered babies in rural Minnesota homes.

Over the years, Carla has worked in primary care, occupational medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology. While she keeps countless moving pieces running smoothly behind the scenes, patients often know her as one of the first friendly faces greeting them when they walk through the door.

When asked what she enjoys most about working at Connected Health, Carla shared:

“As a nurse at Connected Health, I’ve never had a boring day. My job can be demanding, but I enjoy the challenges that every day presents. The opportunity to learn and provide compassionate care is always worth the effort. My reward is watching my patients get the right care they deserve.”

Outside of work, Carla loves gardening and is famous around the office for her “heavenly hot salsa.” And when she’s taking a well-earned break, you can usually find her happiest at the beach.

Kaya Merzlak, CRNP

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner

If you’ve ever talked skincare, wellness, or healthy aging at Connected Health, chances are you’ve met Kaya. As an AANP-board certified Nurse Practitioner, Kaya combines her medical expertise with a genuine passion for helping patients feel confident, healthy, and comfortable in their own skin.

Kaya earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Duquesne University and has an impressive background that includes teaching as Adjunct Faculty at both Carlow and Duquesne Universities, along with inpatient experience at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. But what patients love most is how approachable and personal she makes care feel.

At Connected Health, Kaya is our go-to expert for skincare consultations, Botox and filler administration, skincare products and routines, healthy weight management, travel preparation, and overall wellness support. Her passion for skin health is deeply personal. After struggling with acne herself in high school, Kaya understands firsthand how much skin concerns can impact confidence and self-esteem. That experience inspired her to help others not only look their best, but truly feel their best too.

When reflecting on her experience at Connected Health, Kaya shared:

“What a joy it is to truly know and care for our patients. The vision is beautiful. We've adopted the Connected Health lifestyle at home to set the best example for our daughter. Life is good. It's a pleasure spending my days here.”

Outside of work, Kaya enjoys trying new restaurants, spending time outdoors with her family, and embracing the same healthy lifestyle she encourages in her patients every day.

Ashley Hooman, RN

Registered Nurse

From the moment patients meet Ashley, they’re greeted with kindness and a calming presence that helps put them at ease. Ashley brings both compassion and clinical expertise to the Connected Health team, creating meaningful connections with patients while providing thoughtful, attentive care.

Ashley graduated with honors from the Community College of Allegheny County’s Registered Nursing program in May 2024, where she also served as class president — an early reflection of her leadership, dedication, and passion for nursing. Since then, she’s gained experience caring for patients in the Progressive Care Unit at West Penn Hospital and working in the operating room at Mercy Pavilion, specializing in ophthalmology and ENT outpatient procedures.

Her diverse clinical background has helped shape her well-rounded approach to patient care, but what stands out most is her ability to make patients feel comfortable, supported, and genuinely cared for throughout their experience at Connected Health.

Outside of work, Ashley enjoys staying active through workouts, traveling to new places, and discovering hidden gem restaurants around Pittsburgh.

Thank You to Our Nurses

This National Nurses Week, we are proud to celebrate Carla, Kaya, Ashley, and all nurses who make a difference through their compassion, dedication, and commitment to patient care. Thank you for the countless ways you support our patients and community every single day.

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