Pitt Pediatrics congratulates Katharina Hayes, MD and Eleanor Sharp, MD, MS for each recently earning a Pitt Med Professional Accolade for their fantastic quality of care for their patients, as well as their educational leadership for residents and co-faculty members. This recognition is part of the School of Medicine’s PAIR system and celebrates our exception faculty and staff for their wonderful dedication to our institution. Hayes is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in our Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM). Sharp is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics also in PHM, as well as the Associate Program Director for the PHM fellowship at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Hayes was nominated for this recognition by a co-faculty member, who wrote, “I wanted to send along this praise [from a parent]...submitted in comments on a Press Ganey report...’My daughter's entire care team was nice, [especially Dr. Hayes]…Everyone made me feel as comfortable as possible, along with my daughter.’
...Kudos to Dr. Hayes for her mention and great care!”
For her nomination, Sharp received the following comments from a resident, “Dr. Sharp was the physician caring for a patient that had an unexpected clinical update requiring urgent intervention.
She immediately consulted various subspecialists, including myself, to initiate the necessary care for the patient but prioritized being the one to inform the patient's family about the result herself. I entered the patient's room as she was having this difficult conversation and was able to witness Dr. Sharp's communication skills -- she acknowledged that she had an update to share that was unexpected and then proceeded to deliver difficult news in the most patient-centered manner I have seen.
She artfully responded to emotion and supported the family while also "talking up" the consulting services joining the patient's care. Because of this, my team was able to capitalize on the trust she had already built with the family to establish a therapeutic alliance despite a challenging clinical situation. I have responded to many, many consults during my training thus far but have never seen a physician that cared or communicated like Dr. Sharp.”
Congrats to these two fantastic faculty members for this recognition, and please accept our gratitude for the wonderful care you bring everyday to our patients and their families. The full PAIR recognition list for 2025 can be found here.
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