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PITTrack

Pittsburgh Innovation and Technology Track (PITTrack)

PITTrack Brochure (PDF)

Introduction of PITTrack (new as of 2022)

The PITTrack is an integrated training program for qualified UPMC Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Resident Physicians interested in pursuing longitudinal innovation projects and/or an academic career as a physician-innovator, all without extending standard anesthesiology residency training. It consists of didactic education by dedicated innovation faculty, resource identification and provision by both University and non-academic entrepreneurial incubators, and protected non-clinical time for innovation research and product/company development. This is a cooperative effort between UPMC Graduate Medical Education, The Center for Medical Innovation within the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute, the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh), and the Center for Innovation in Pain Care. 

PITTrack Description

The PITTrack can be entered several ways within the UPMC Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, including:

The PITTrack consists of the following:

1) Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Medical Innovation Program through the Center for Medical Innovation: 

  • A multidisciplinary, team-based program consisting of 12 credit hours of graduate level coursework, developed to:
    • “Educate students of the health sciences (residents, fellows, and clinicians) in engineering, business, and legal methodologies in identifying and developing innovative solutions to their problems”
    • “Train [MD, JD, Engineering MS/PhD, MBA] disciplines in the art of working in multi-disciplinary teams to accomplish the medical innovation process, from medical technology ideation, through development, to realization and commercialization.”

2) If integrated into the standard four-year residency program, up to six months in the CA-3 year will be dedicated to the utilization of the above training/resources through research, product innovation, commercialization, and company start-up.

  • PITTrack scholars participate in all the clinical and didactic programs that are the mainstay of our residency’s clinical training. We ensure successful completion of all ACGME-required rotations and case minimums.
  • Early graduate-level education begins in the PGY-1 year, introducing scholars to the Pittsburgh Innovation Ecosystem and basic innovation fundamentals. Innovation projects and interests are then supported as focus shifts to traditional anesthesiology clinical training in the PGY-2 year. The PITTrack continues with completion of the Graduate Certificate in Medical Innovation program, resource allocation/project support, and up to six-months of ACGME-allowed non-clinical research elective time in the PGY-3 and PGY-4 years. In addition to the standard travel and expense allowances provided to all residents, PITTrack scholars will have full tuition reimbursement (US $18,000) for this program through UPMC and departmental funds.
  • Priority in building each rotation block schedule will consider didactic responsibilities, ultimately setting PITTrack scholars up for low-volume rotations during didactic time and early exposure to subspecialty anesthesiology well before fellowship application deadlines.
  • Additionally, each scholar’s ability to attend and present research at professional meetings is given priority when creating monthly clinical (call) schedules to prevent conflicts. Annual attendance at the Pennsylvania Anesthesiology Resident Research Conference (PARRC) and the local Safar Symposium allow regular interfacing with trainee researchers outside our department.
  • One or more clinical fellowships can be integrated into the PITTrack timeline for motivated scholars with a passion for subspecialty anesthesiology care.

PITTrack Schedule

The PITTrack consists of 12 credit hours (staggered over the fall and spring semesters for residents and consecutive fall and spring semesters for fellows/faculty) of graduate-level coursework, completed simultaneously with clinical duties through creative scheduling of low-intensity rotations and call. Classes are offered in an “executive” fashion twice a week in the evenings with ad hoc collaboration with interdisciplinary teams as each professional student’s schedule allows. Specific examples of this within the categorical Anesthesiology Residency Program are as follows:

CBY Year: 6 credit hours (core course + 1 elective)

  • Completed during fall semester
    • Rotations during course time:
      • Hemostasis and Hemotherapy; Anesthesiology; Anesthesiology Professional Practice (APP); Acute Pain

CA-1 Year: (Routine clinical schedule; No special requirement for PITTrack)

CA-2 Year: 6 credit hours (core course + 1 elective)

  • Completed during spring semester
    • Rotations during course time:
      • Regional; PACU; Center for Perioperative Care; Chronic Pain
    • Will necessitate early exposure to subspecialties, which is a bonus, as PITTrack residents will have the opportunity to complete cardiac, obstetric, and pediatric anesthesiology training before fellowship application deadlines

CA-2 or CA-3 Year: Up to 6 months of Innovation Immersion/Research Rotation

  • To employ knowledge and resources obtained through the graduate certificate program
  • Additional opportunity to act as an advisor for non-PITTrack residents completing the Innovation Immersion Rotation

Applying for the PITTrack

  • When applying through ERAS, interested incoming applicants must submit a description (up to one paragraph) of their interest in the PITTrack within their personal statement. This may include innovation/entrepreneurial background, project idea/s, career plans, and general interest in innovation education.
  • The PITTrack will be offered to matched residency applicants – there is no separate match spot
  • Interested applicants should feel free to contact the PITTrack faculty directly to discuss any innovation interest or questions regarding participation at any time. There are several ways to achieve innovation education/project support outside of the full PITTrack depending on need.
  • An applicant interested in the PITTrack who successfully matches into our program will be awarded the PITTrack Scholar position. If more than one interested applicant matches with us, project descriptions and ERAS applications will be reviewed by the Innovation Faculty. Every effort will be made to accommodate interested applicants with career interests in innovation. Acceptance will be awarded in April.

PITTrack Faculty Members

S. Zach Frabitore, MD
PITTrack Designer
Co-Director of Innovation Education
Junior Chief of Medical Innovation
UPMC

Evan Lebovitz, MD, MBA
Co-Director of Innovation Education
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
UPMC

Trent Emerick, MD, MBA
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Program Director, Pain Medicine Fellowship
Director of Quality Improvement and Innovation, Division of Pain Medicine
UPMC

Tetsuro Sakai, MD, PhD, MHA, FASA
Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Vice Chair for Professional Development
Chair, Academic Promotions Committee
Professor, Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Faculty Member, McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine
UPMC

Alan Hirschman, PhD
Executive Director, Center for Medical Innovation
Professor of Bioengineering
University of Pittsburgh

Neeraj Gandhi, PhD
Associate Chair for the Graduate Program
Professor of Bioengineering
University of Pittsburgh