20. Nikki Remic, 27
Alternative healer

Nikki Remic owns The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing in the East End. "It's a holistic center that is focused on massage, bodywork, energy work, cellular expansion, meditation, stress relief and natural products," Remic says. Through hands-on healing, classes or workshops, and focused mediation, Remic and her staff help their clients address a number of issues, including stress relief, infertility, anxiety, depression, or chronic pain or illness. And their approach is unique. "I've worked in a bunch of settings like this over the years," she says. "There are a bunch of different alternative practitioners, but no one is working together... What we're working on is a well-rounded approach for a client to reach their individual goals." To meet goals, clients often work with Remic and different members of her four-person staff. She hopes to add an acupuncturist and other alternative-medicine practitioners in the near future.

21. Patrick J. Geho, 37
President, Beaver County Chamber of Commerce

With a long list of public-service and economic-development projects to his credit, Patrick Geho could work in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg or even Washington, D.C. But he returned to his hometown in Beaver County, where he is now president of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce. "Our primary role is to support, enhance and develop existing businesses," Geho says. "We also try to create an environment that attracts new businesses to the area."

Geho's accomplishments since joining the Chamber two years ago are impressive. He has attracted and retained almost 200 new members and facilitates professional development, continuing education, networking, political debates and job fairs. He also has launched a marketing campaign to encourage businesses to buy and hire locally, and he is launching a leadership development program for Beaver County residents. Geho also serves on many local boards, including the Penn State Beaver Advisory Board, the Women's Shelter of Beaver County and Old Economy Village.

22. Michelle Barwell, 36
Community psychiatrist

As medical director of Case Management Services, psychiatrist Michelle Barwell's patients sometimes get angry and scream at her. "This lets me know they're not in a very good place, and it gives me more information about them," Barwell says. She completed her medical training at the University of Pittsburgh and stayed in the area to practice psychiatry. Her team, based at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, treats 100 of the most severely mentally ill people in this region. They're frequently schizophrenic, delusional and coping with substance abuse as well. Barwell sees most patients in their homes, adjusting medications to maintain the highest quality of life possible. "The majority of what I do is connect, empathize and listen," she says. "[This helps] them feel like they have support and people that care about them."

Barwell also contributes time to free clinics and trains volunteers for Contact Pittsburgh's crisis counseling hotlines. "I love it," she says of helping her patients. "I really do believe this is what I was put on Earth to do."

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