John Szymusiak, MD, MS

Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Section of Hospitalist Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine
The Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

HOMETOWN

Detroit, MI

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

College: University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Residency: University of Pittsburgh Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency
Fellowship: ACES, Med-Peds Track, 2015-2017

WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW

Clinically I am an Internal Medicine-Pediatric hospitalist. I spend half of my time caring for hospitalized adults at UPMC Montefiore-Presbyterian and UPMC Shadyside and half of my time caring for children at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. I spend the majority of my clinical time working on teaching services with residents and medical students.  I also am the Co-Director for the Pediatric Inpatient Medicine Clerkship, a required core-clerkship for third year medical students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Finally, I am the Director for Pediatric Resident Education for Quality and Safety, a role in which I coordinate the pediatric residents’ safety and quality education. 

HOW DID FELLOWSHIP BENEFIT YOUR CAREER?

In so many ways! I chose the fellowship because I wanted to be a better teacher, and I certainly gained these skills through our varied course work, conferences, and opportunities to have our teaching observed by master educators. What I did not expect was to enjoy learning about and conducting medical education research and scholarship. Due in large part to the expert mentorship I received as a fellow and the guiding structure of the fellowship, I was successful in presenting my fellowship project at several national meetings, as well as ultimately getting my project published. I have been able to apply the skills I learned in fellowship as a junior faculty member to continue to carry out my own med-ed research and mentor residents and peers. I think it was in large part because of these unique skills that I was selected as Co-Director for the Pediatric Inpatient Medical Clerkship which has provided me with some protected time to teach and work with students. 

WHY PITTSBURGH?

I immediately fell in love with Pittsburgh during my residency interview. The downtown has the feel and cultural offerings of a larger city, while the city also offers very livable neighborhoods that each have their own unique vibe. The city is filled with beautiful parks and has many opportunities for outdoor adventures, both in the city and nearby. It has been a joy seeing the food and craft beer scene take off in the city over my 8 years here, to the point that it is now a “foodie destination.” I look forward to seeing how the city continues to grow and evolve over the next few years.  

Contact Us

Division of General Internal Medicine Academic Offices

UPMC Montefiore Hospital
Suite W933
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-692-4821

Patient/Clinical Inquiries

412-692-4888

Administrative Office

412-692-4889