Pitt Pediatrics congratulates Kelly Harris, MD, MS for recently earning a selection as a Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health in Pittsburgh (BIRCWH@Pitt) Scholar. Harris is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine in our Division of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care. 
The BIRCWH program focuses on research, coursework, and professional development for its scholars. The goal of the program is to equip junior faculty members to be independent investigators in interdisciplinary research in women’s health. The emphasis of the scholarship encompasses basic, translational, behavioral, clinical, and health services research in reproductive sciences and women’s health. In this program, Harris will work directly with a personalized mentorship team and a supportive program advisory committee. The BIRCWH award includes financial support for research and career development.
Harris received a BA with Honors in both Religious Studies and Biology from the University of Chicago, and she received an MD with a Certificate in Biomedical Ethics from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She completed her residency training in Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and her fellowship training in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She subsequently obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Research during a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Harris aims through her research to improve the long-term health and well-being of families impacted by prenatal diagnoses of serious illness. Her current focus is on understanding and optimizing clinician-parent communication at the time of a prenatal diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease.
Harris began her BIRCWH scholarship at the beginning of this summer. The program runs for two years, but can be extended for up to five. Join us in celebrating this fantastic achievement! And follow Pitt Pediatrics on Bluesky and Instagram for future updates about Harris’ research and scholarship, as well as for the rest of our faculty.