Thank Yinz

Thank Yinz is a program to promote faculty well being through expressions of gratitude. Department of Pediatrics Faculty may nominate other DOP Faculty for a Thank Yinz. Awardees will receive recognition and a Starbucks gift card. This program is supported by a UPMC Physician THRIVE grant for change.

Submit a Thank Yinz

Submit a Thank Yinz for any faculty member to express your gratitute of their work and efforts. 

June 2023

Syliva Owusu-Ansah, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Amanda Lovallo, MD: Dr. Lovallo stayed additional hours after a busy shift to help her colleagues with ED care when she could have gone home. Extremely grateful!

Kathleen Noorbakshs, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Pegeen Elsami, MD: Thank you for always being generous with your time. I’m always grateful to have you around when I have questions about how to best manage a patient. 

Jacqueline Ho, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Michael Moritz, MD: Thank you for all your efforts in supporting our colleagues and division!

Jacqueline Ho, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Juhi Humar, MD: We are so lucky to have you - thank you for all that you do for our transplant patients!

Jacqueline Ho, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Melissa Anslow, MD: Thank you for all your support of our fellows!

Jacqueline Ho, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Sunder Sims-Lucas, PhD: Thank you for all your leadership contributions to our division and department!

Jacqueline Ho, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Danado Fuhrman, MS: Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to our fellows and the CRRT program!

Jacqueline Ho, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Cassandra Formeck, MD: Thank you for all your efforts in supporting our APP and your patients!

Jacqueline Ho, MD would like to say Thank Yinz to Aidan Porter, MD: Thank you for your hard work and dedication to your research program and patients!

Jacqueline Ho, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Rannar Airik, PhD: Thank you for all your dedication to your discovery work - so exciting what your lab is doing!

Jacqueline Ho, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Catherine Forster, MD: Thank you for all your efforts in Research Day - such a terrific event!

Kristin Gaietto, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Hiren Muzumdar, MD: Thank you for being such a supportive, valuable mentor, and for always being willing to share your experience and wisdom. 

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Abeer Azzuqa, MD: Thank you for everything you do to keep our CHP NICU running so smoothly!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Arcangela Balest, MD: Thank you for staying on with us so that we can continue to benefit from your expertise in neonatal feeding issues!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Greg Barretto, MD: Thank you for everything you do to keep our regional sites running so smoothly!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Briana C. Bertoni, MD: Thank you for everything you do to promote patient safety and quality care in all of our NICUs!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Christine Bishop, MD, MA: Thank you for everything you've done to expand our supportive care program in our NICUs!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Danielle Browning, DO: Thank you for taking over as our lead for resident and medical student education in the NICUs! We are so lucky to have you as a part of our group!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Julie Dillard, MD: Thank you for everything you've done to ensure that our transport team functions as smoothly as possible!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Nicole Dobson, MD: Thank you for the amazing job you're doing with our fellowship program! They are so lucky to have you leading them!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Paris Ekeke, MD: Thank you for everything you've done this year to improve our FDTC Consult Service and to keep it running so smoothly!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Carol Gilmour, MD: Thank you for staying on with us so that we can continue to benefit from your expertise in all things related to coding and billing!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Thomas Hooven, MD: Thank you for all of the work you've put into organizing our Research Seminars! They've been really great!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Edward Hurley, MD: Thank you for everything you do for our fellows, especially for your mentoring work with them!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to John Ibrahim, MD: Thank you for always looking for ways that you can help out in our division!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to James Kiger, MD: Thank you for everything you do to advance our respiratory care practices in our NICUs!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Brian King, MD: Thank you for all of the mentoring and teaching you do for our fellows! We are so lucky to have you in our division!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Waleed Kurtom, MD: Thank you for always being willing to help out in Pittsburgh when we have open shifts!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Karena Lawrence, MD: Thank you for all of the teaching and mentoring you've provided to our fellows over the past several years! 

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Burhan Mahmood, MD: Thank you for everything you've done to keep our ECMO program one of the best in the country!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Onome Oghifobibi, MD: Thank you for the amazing work you're doing with all of our community partners!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Alice Randall, MD: Thank you for being so willing to take on two very important leadership roles this year. We are so lucky to have you in our division!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Mohammad Riaz, MD: Thank you for all of the wonderful care that you provide to our babies at Hamot!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Kathleen Schwabenbauer, MD: Thank you for everything you do to keep our MWH NICU running so smoothly!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Richard Telesco, MD: Thank you for everything you do to keep our Hamot NICU running so smoothly!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Kalyani Vats, MD: Thank you for everything you do for our division, especially for your work with Triage and the FDTC.

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Carey Anne Welsh, MD: Thank you for everything you're doing to incorporate our Central PA NICUs into UPMC as smoothly as possible!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Andrea Willeitner, MD: Thank you for everything you're doing with our community NICUs!

Jennifer Kloesz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Toby Yanowitz, MD: Thank you for everything you're doing to promote clinical research throughout our division!

Katherine Watson, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Jacqueline Saladnio, MD: Thank you for being the most amazing missions driven medical educator - your innovative curriculum will train generations of Pittsburgh Pediatricians to be superb primary care pediatricians!!  Thank you for also managing our division clinically.  You are a superhero!!

John Ibrahim, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Abeer Azzuqa, MD: Thank you for all your altruism, dedication, hard work to support junior faculty and their careers. Your dedication is an example for all of us. Your leadership is calm, elegant and always advocating for the patients, and their best interests. Your approach to barriers is an opportunity for us to learn from. 

Kelsey Schweiberger, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Diego Chaves-Gnecco, MD: Thank you for always celebrating my accomplishments! You help me to feel valued and appreciated and I just want you to know that I appreciate you!  

Kristen Ehrenberder, MD, PhD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Melissa Tavarez, MD: Thank Yinz for putting together a small but impactful 2nd annual Dena Hofkosh Symposium, where budding and seasoned pediatric educators shared good ideas and more laughs!

Tahniat Syed, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Amy Collins, MD: Dear Amy, coffee after yoga? Thank you so much all you do. Pittsburgh is a better place because of you. 

Tahniat Syed, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Kumaravel Rajakumar, MD: Hi Raj- thank you so much for all of your hard work. it's always fun running into you and hearing what new things you are up to. 

Christin Deal, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Paulina Horvei, MD: Thank you for taking such great care of our immunology patients, we are so lucky to have you here at Children's!

Aidan Porter, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Cassandra Formeck, MD: Thank you for being such being such a supportive colleague. You are always available to provide a second opinion about challenging clinical scenarios. Moreover, you have been an essential mentor and emotional support in dealing with the challenges I have faced as a junior research faculty member 

Nacy Rixe, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Raymond Pitetti, MD: Thanks for leading our department though a challenging few years - we appreciate your hard work and continued efforts on our behalf (even when we don't seem like we do!). 

Elizabeth Miller, MD,  would like to say Thank Yinz to Raymond Pitetti, MD: Thank you for all you do to lift up adolescent health! 

Elizabeth Miller, MD,  would like to say Thank Yinz to Allyson Larkin, MD: Huge thanks for all that you are doing to reduce asthma related disparities in our communities!! 

Elizabeth Miller, MD,  would like to say Thank Yinz to Franziska Rosser, MD, MPH: Huge thanks for all that you are doing to reduce asthma related disparities in our communities!! 

Elizabeth Miller, MD,  would like to say Thank Yinz to Kristin Ray, MD: Huge thanks for all that you are doing to promote child health equity! 

Elizabeth Miller, MD,  would like to say Thank Yinz to Terence Dermody, MD: Huge thanks for all that you are doing to promote health equity!  Your support and commitment are truly exceptional. 

Elizabeth Miller, MD,  would like to say Thank Yinz to Slyva Owusu-Ansah, MD: Huge thanks for all that you are doing to promote health equity! 

Elizabeth Miller, MD,  would like to say Thank Yinz to Jacqueline Rankine, MD: Thank you for all your hard work, we are so grateful that you are one of our faculty!!!  Congrats also on completing your PhD.  

Elizabeth Miller, MD,  would like to say Thank Yinz to Michelle Clayton, MD: Huge thanks for all that you are doing to promote health equity! 

Franziska Rosser, MD, MPH would like to say Thank Yinz to Kara Coffey, MD: A simple "Thank Yinz" seems small in comparison to your enormous contributions!  However... thank you for the outstanding care your provide to our shared patients, thank you for always having the patience and space to brain-storm complex cases with me, thank you for serving as role-model in practicing humanism in medicine. It's a joy to work with you and I'm so glad you are a colleague. 

Franziska Rosser, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Geoffrey Kurland, MD: Thank you for being Geoff Kurland. We should change your name to a verb, "kurlanding". We would use this verb to describe actions which go above and beyond in patient care and mentoring. For example, I appreciated you kurlanding it recently, when you made yourself available to discuss complex cases. Not only did you provide guidance on the case, you also provided your time for a procedure (on the weekend no less). It is my true honor and privilege to work with and learn from you. Thank you thank you thank you for simply being Geoff Kurland... an outstanding clinician, colleague, and role-model. 

Jessica Levenson, PhD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Heather Joseph, DO: Thank you for presenting with me at the SLEEP meeting!

Judith Martin, MD would like to say Thank Yinz to John Alcorn, MD: Thanks for years of collaboration and your support.

Judith Martin, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Allison Williams, MD: Thank you for your service on the IRB.  I really appreciated your thoughtful reviews.  I wish you continued success in your career.

Judith Martin, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Syliva Choi, MD: For all that you do to support the women in the Department of Pediatrics.  It is truly appreciated and it is wonderful to be heard.

Adam Christopher, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Laura Olivieri, MD: Thank yinz for bring new imaging technology to the 'burgh and for being a committed patient advocate, mentor, and friend! CHP is a better place with you here.

John Williams, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Andrew Nowalk, MD: Thanks for being the best clinical director and vision leadership partner! Truly one of the Valar. 

John Williams, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Mairan Michaels, MD: Thanks for being such an awesome NVSN Co-PI! 

John Williams, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Philana Lin, MD: Thanks for graduating another terrific crop of fellows! Yinz are tha best n’@!

Katharina Hayes, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Allison Fleischer, MD: Thank you for always knowing when I need Buffalo Chicken dip, even if I don’t know it myself. 

Michael Moritz, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Sarah Rubin, MD, MS: Thanks so much for going the extra mile to help to educate us and our patients' family.  We learned so much and it had the desired positive patient outcome that we were hoping for. 

Katherine Watson, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Maya Ragavan, MD: Thank you for being the advocate for positive change that will impact patient care, education and research.  We are all better physicians and colleagues because you push is to expand our knowledge/perspective and acknowledge the bias that we bring to the conversation.  So grateful for you!!

Rachel Torok, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Adam Christopher, MD: Thank you, Adam for always going the extra mile to review complex axial imaging and give advice on the best imaging modality for difficult cases. You are an amazing colleague and physician - your patients and peers are grateful for all you do!

Rachel Torok, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Kristen Rose-Felker, MD: Kirsten consistently goes the extra mile for all her patients and does it with a smile. She puts her all into everything she does, and those around her are better for it. Thanks for being a great colleague in clinic and on the wards - you are super human!

Rachel Torok MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Tarek Alsaied, MD: Tarek always brightens everyone’s day. He is the first to offer help to anyone and goes above the call of duty to support his colleagues and ensure his patients are getting the best care possible. Thanks for being such a generous and hard working physician!

Cheryl Hillery, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Julia Meade, MD: Julia: Thank you so much for jumping in to do extra procedures and help cover the clinic when we were in desperate need on April 7th (many faculty off for Spring Break), June 9th (many faculty off for clinic that afternoon) and July 6 (need to cover procedures on a typical nonprocedural day due to anesthesiology staffing limitations).  WOW You are GREATLY appreciated!!
Cheryl 

Dana Cummings, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Katherine Cobb-Pitstick, MD: Katie is anchoring our quality improvement project efforts in neurology.  she also plays a leadership role in the neurology clerkship for medical students.  she is highly effective in scholarship and bringing projects to completion.  She also serves as important role model for faculty as a busy mom with children.

Dana Cummings, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Monica Naik, MD: Monica has had a long-term leadership role anchoring our neonatal neurology program.  She does urgent neonatal consults at multiple hospitals. She provides vital training in neonatal  neurology to our child neurology fellows. It is a pleasure to have her as vital member our team.

Amber Hoffman, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Erika Friehling, MD: Thank Yinz for holding such a magnificent MentorSHIP program

Amber Hoffman, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Richard Saladino, MD: Thank Yinz for helping faculty with their promotion appointments. 

Amber Hoffman, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Janet Digber-Williams, MD: Thank Yinz for helping to create a wonderful rotation with me. Your participation will be invaluable

Amber Hoffman, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Matthew Valente, MD: Thank Yinz for helping create a rotation with me and Janet. It will be great!

Amber Hoffman, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Diego Chaves-Gnecco, MD: Thank Yinz for being such an outstanding physician and champion for our Spanish patients and families!

Elizabeth Hewett, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Johanna Rosen, MD: For staying late after a shift to do a sedation!

Vildan Tas, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Kelsey Schweiberger, MD: You are the most resourceful person I have ever met, Kelsey! Thank you for answering all my EPIC questions and always providing a handout or a great resource for all clinical questions. I am so lucky to work with you!

Vlidan Tas, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Jacqueline Saladino, MD: Jackie, thank you for all your support, hard work and positive energy. You are amazing! 

Melissa Tavarez, MD would like to say Thank Yinz to Camille Halfman, MD: Staying past 9am after your overnight float shift to complete a sedation, so very appreciated...you're amazing!!!

Leigh Anne Dicicco, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Adelaide Eichman, MD: Addie is an absolute gem. We shared a patient a few weeks back whose disposition was fraught with a multitude of challenges. Addie was kind enough to co-round with me on this patient. It was beyond helpful to listen to her discussion with the family as her bedside manner is unmatched in clarity, compassion, and humor. Talk about a bright light in a dark place. Thank you a billon times over for what you do!

Leigh Anne Dicicco, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Allison Fleischer, MD: Cannot thank Allie enough for reaching out with an offer to swap shifts which saved my sanity in the middle of a tough stretch. Truly appreciate her thoughtfulness and flexibility! 

Craig Byersforfer, MD, PhD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Deirdre Nolfi-Donegan, MD: Staying late to make sure the patient was safe and nursing was reassured. Thank Yinz! Enjoy the coffee… You both need and deserve it!

Vildan Tas, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Katherine Watson, MD: Katie, I am so lucky to be in the same team with you! You are an amazing educator with great ideas. Thank you for all your support and help with the clerkship. Thank you!

Noel Spears, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Melissa Tavarez, MD: For being an amazing PD for our fellows and incredible educator for our Division and Department. Love the PEM meeting snippets and fantastic job facilitating Hofkosh Pediatric Educator symposium scholarly talks and posters. 

Noel Spears, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Katherine Watson, MD: Kudos to you for your outstanding leadership of our pediatric residency! You rock!

Noel Spears, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Andrew Nowalk, MD, PhD: Thank you for your amazing leadership of our pediatric residency! Miss all of your insightful and entertaining covid emails ;)

Gaurav Arora, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Adam Christopher, MD: Thank you for always going above and beyond in all that you do, but especially with advanced cardiac imaging. You're always willing to look at a scan, whether it was yours or not, and you always advocate what is best for the patient. I'm SO grateful to have you as a colleague!! 

Catherine Poholek, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Elissa Ortolani, MD: For going the extra mile for her patients and being a great colleague! Always great to work with you!

Hey Jin Chong, MD, PhD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Noel Spears, MD: Thank you for being so available to help even while on vacation. You are the best!!!!!

Hey Jin Chong, MD, PhD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Syliva Choi, MD: You have a hard job and don't get enough credit for all the support you give to so many people. Thank you for taking time out for me today!

Hey Jin Chong, MD, PhD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Kara Coffey, MD: You have a heart of gold and you are not afraid to advocate and speak up. I'm so lucky to have you!

Laura West, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Deborah Albright, MD: Dr. Albright, thanks for presenting a FABULOUS lecture on food allergy to the Pitt Med students during their immunology elective!  They students loved the talk and rated it highly on their evals!!

Craig Dobson, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Gaurav Arora, MD: Thanks to Gaurav Arora for covering ward attending duties when a colleague had a medical issue! It is hard work, but we appreciate you helping out.

Mosopefoluwa Lanlokun, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Loreta Matheo, MD: Thank you for being such a great mentor and role model!

Craig Dobson, MD, would like to say Thank Yinz to Jacqueline Weinberg, MD: Jacqui read echocardiograms from Children's to help me out at Magee when the volume/acuity went crazy today. Thank you, Jacqui!