Hope Gelfand Alcorn is a native Pennsylvanian, born in Pittsburgh and grew up in Ridgway. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in social welfare; has an associate degree in Nursing from Tompkins-Cortland Community College in Dryden, NY; and has a Masters (MPH) and a Doctorate (Dr. PH) in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. She currently resides in Pittsburgh, and is a medical writer for a global clinical research organization. Hope is also an artist, working in her studio, Joyful Noise Studio. Hope has shown her work in numerous juried exhibitions in local, national, and international settings for the last 25 years.