News and Accolades
Cardiology Division Leads Multidisciplinary Effort to Improve Cardiogenic Shock Outcomes
A team-based, education-centric program led by Dr. Gavin Hickey is reshaping recognition, response, and survival in this high-risk condition.
Cynthia St. Hilaire, PhD, to Lead $15M AHA Center Advancing Early Detection of Aortic Valve Disease
St. Hilaire will direct a multi-institutional research center at Pitt to uncover how lipoprotein(a), inflammation, and biomechanics drive aortic stenosis to develop predictive tools and therapies to shift care beyond late-stage surgery.
Pitt Researchers Highlight the Health Benefits of Rising Early
Neil Kelly, MD, PhD, helps lead research uncovering a simpler way to track circadian rhythm and its link to chronic disease.
Samir Saba, MD, named 2026 Peter J. Safar Pulse of Pittsburgh honoree
The award reflects Dr. Saba’s compassionate care and lasting impact on individuals throughout Western Pennsylvania and beyond.
Jason Becker, MD, and Wei Du, MD, PhD, Elected to American Society for Clinical Investigation
The Department of Medicine researchers join an elite honor society recognizing outstanding physician-scientist achievements, while colleagues across the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine also earn ASCI recognition.
SerpinB2 May Curb Insulin Resistance and Prevent Diabetes
Led by Dr. Partha Dutta in the VMI, the study reveals how boosting protective fat-resident immune cells may prevent and even reverse type 2 diabetes.
Turning Grief into Hope: Family Launches Fund for Pulmonary Hypertension Research
Dr. Stephen Chan’s care for one patient helped inspire a family-funded research effort to change the future of pulmonary hypertension.
Our Mouths Have a Lot to Say About Our Hearts
A series of research papers from a group of researchers at Pitt’s Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine are trying to understand what connects oral and heart health and—if identified—how to develop prevention and predictive strategies.
Iain Scott, PhD, named Associate Director of the Vascular Medicine Institute
In his new role, Dr. Scott will strengthen faculty mentorship, lead career development initiatives, and support strategic growth in research and recruitment.
Dr. Shivdev Rao named as one of the most influential people in health by TIME
The TIME100 Health list features Rao for utilizing AI to transcribe conversations with patients, reducing the burden on physicians.
Stephen Chan, MD, PhD, elected Vice President of the American Society for Clinical Investigation
In this role, Chan will help support programs that highlight the importance of physician-scientists in biomedical research.
New Associate Vice Chairs appointed to assist with the DOM’s clinical mission
Esra French, MD, MBA, was named Associate Vice Chair for Ambulatory Medicine while Eric Dueweke, MD, MBA, named Associate Vice Chair for Inpatient Medicine and Care Standardization
VMI and Aging Institute researchers to collaborate as part of new AHA SFRN research center
Department of Medicine faculty will study how lysosomes affect inflammation in vascular and brain diseases.
Drs. Katie Berlacher and Sarah Gaffen named inaugural recipients of the Margaret Ragni Award for Advancement of Women in Medicine and Science
The award recognizes Drs. Berlacher’s and Gaffen’s commitment to research and mentorship as women leaders in the Department of Medicine.