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”.

Sarah Gaffen, PhD, elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Dr. Sarah Gaffen is an international expert on IL-17 and its role in autoimmune diseases. She is one of only four Pitt faculty to be elected to the AAAS this year.

Dr. Dana Ascherman Named Chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
We are confident that Dr. Ascherman’s strengths across the tripartite mission and his proven administrative acumen will enable the Division to continue to grow and flourish under his leadership.

Department of Medicine Faculty Receive Excellence in Patient Experience Awards
Congratulations to the 2019 awardees!
Dr. Partha Biswas awarded R01
Congratulations to Dr. Partha Biswas on this recently-awarded R01!Title: Mechanisms of neutrophil dysfunction in antifungal immunityProject Narrative: Disseminated candidiasis is the 3rd most common hospital-acquired fungal infection that causes high...

Pitt, UPMC Plan $200 Million Immunotherapy Center, World-Class Innovation Hub in Bloomfield
The University of Pittsburgh and UPMC are partnering to create a UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center (ITTC), which will be based in a world-class innovation hub to be developed in Bloomfield. UPMC has made an initial $200 million, three-year funding...
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