News and Events

Establishment of the Thomas A. Medsger Jr., M.D., Endowed Chair for Arthritis Research

The Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology held a reception to honor and recognize the achievements of Dr. Thomas Medsger, Professor Emeritus and former Chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology and to announce the establishment of the Thomas A. Mesdger, Jr., M.D. Endowed Professorship for Arthritis Research.

Unveiled at the event was a portrait of Dr. Medsger, completed by a renowned Pittsburgh photographer, Richard Kelly.  Dr. Robert Lafyatis, who will be the first faculty to hold the Medsger Chair was in attendance.

Welcome New Faculty to Rheumatology!

We would like to welcome our newest faculty to the Division of Rheumatology.

Santosh Bhusal, MD completed his fellowship at  MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH.  His clinical practice will be located at the Arthritis and Internal Medicine practice in Shadyside and the Margolis practice at St. Margaret’s.

Jeremy Tilstra, MD, PhD  has joined Rheumatology as a Clinical Instructor.  Dr. Tilstra will primarily see patients at the UPMC Lupus Center of Excellence, Medical Arts Building in Oakland.   Dr. Tilstra is completing a second year T32 post-doctoral fellowship.

Mehret Birru Talabi, MD, PhD will join Rheumatology as a Clinical Instructor. Dr. Birru Talabi will see patients at the UPMC Arthritis and Autoimmunity at Falk Clinic. Dr. Birru Talabi is also completing a post-doctoral fellowship examining health care utilization, family planning, and reproductive health management of women with rheumatic diseases.

Jeremy Tilstra, MD, PhD was chosen to give an oral presentation at the 14th Annual Department of Medicine’s Research Day, Tuesday, May 26.  His talk was entitled, “Using CRISPR/Cas9 to Target Genetically Complex Mouse Strains”.