News and Accolades
Three Department of Medicine faculty selected for 2026 Ascending Star Awards
Drs. Mehret Birru Talabi, Lan Coffman, and Daria Van Tyne are among this year’s Health Sciences Ascending Star honorees, recognizing innovative midcareer faculty for excellence in research, mentorship, and impact.
Krithika Rao, PhD, among this year’s Nancy Tannery Grant awardees
Rao was recognized for developing an open-access guide to biomedical research designed to enhance student learning and improve accessibility to course materials.
Three PACCSM Faculty Earn National Recognition with 2026 ATS Awards
Drs. Kambez Benam, Charles Dela Cruz, and Alicia Rizzo honored for leadership, innovation, and research excellence in pulmonary and critical care medicine
Drs. Mehret Birru Talabi and Flordeliza Villanueva named 2026 Margaret Ragni Awardees
This annual award recognizes outstanding achievement, mentorship, and leadership in advancing women in medicine and science
Stephen Chan, MD, PhD, Named 2026 Harrington Scholar-Innovator
The VMI Director was recognized for his research focused on new therapeutic approaches for pulmonary hypertension
Sonya Borrero Appointed to National Academies Committee on Contraception Access
Borrero will help lead national effort evaluating strategies to improve contraceptive affordability and availability in the United States
The Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism is Helping Shape Collaborative Adrenal Care at UPMC
Drs. Sistla and Manivannan play key roles in multidisciplinary program managing complex adrenal disease through coordinated evaluation, treatment, and education
Samir Saba, MD, Discusses the Future of Cardiology Workforce Development
The Chief of the Division of Cardiology shares insights on restructuring cardiovascular care and addressing physician workforce shortages through training innovation.
Stephanie Maximous, MD, MS, Receives 2026 Pitt Sustainability Faculty Award
Maximous was recognized for advancing climate health education and sustainable health care practices.
Mark Geraci, MD, Named President-Elect of the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine
In this role, Geraci will help guide national strategy and governance for academic internal medicine.
Sarah Gaffen, PhD, Named Distinguished Fellow by American Association of Immunologists
The Department of Medicine immunologist is recognized for a career of scientific leadership, discovery, and service to the field.
Sylk Sotto, EdD, MBS, MPS, Named 2026–27 ELAM Fellow
Sotto was one of four Pitt Health Sciences faculty recognized among national cohort preparing senior women faculty for executive leadership roles in academic medicine.
Department of Medicine Leads the Way in HHT Care Through UPMC Center of Excellence
Under the leadership of Dr. Quyen Nguyen, pulmonary specialists anchor a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and managing this complex vascular disease.
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.
Dr. Frederico Toledo Leads Landmark Study on Diabetes Risk after Acute Pancreatitis
New research from the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism identifies hyperglycemia during acute pancreatitis as a key predictor of early-onset diabetes.
Recent Research Highlights from PACCSM
Recent studies from Drs. Benam, Chandra, Strollo, and Rivera-Lebron examine disease mechanisms, risk stratification, and long-term outcomes across pulmonary conditions.
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.
Dr. Bryant Shuey is Exploring the Growing Overlap Between Heavy Drinking and Obesity
The DGIM physician-researcher discusses new study examining how combined risk factors may accelerate liver disease in U.S. adults.
Department of Medicine Advances Care for Wilson Disease Through Multidisciplinary Clinic
With Dr. Fei-Pi Lin as co-director, the program integrates liver and neurologic expertise to streamline diagnosis and treatment.