We are happy to share the news of new leadership appointments at UPMC Altoona.
Thomas Pham, MD, has been appointed Clinical Director, Operating Room (OR) for UPMC Altoona. Dr. Pham earned his MD at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and completed his anesthesiology residency at UPMC. Since joining our faculty in 2023, Dr. Pham has served as a charge anesthesiologist at Altoona and progressively taken on administrative responsibility, including by becoming a member of the UPMC Altoona Credentialing Committee.
In his role as Clinical Director, OR at UPMC Altoona, Dr. Pham will oversee and manage perioperative operations, ensuring efficiency, safety, and quality in both OR and non-OR anesthetizing locations. He will coordinate daily staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation, working closely with hospital leadership, surgical teams, and anesthesia personnel to optimize workflow and patient care. Additionally, he will play a key role in quality improvement, OR management metrics, and policy development while fostering a collaborative work culture. He will also serve as the primary liaison for anesthesiology services, addressing operational challenges, enhancing communication, and leading strategic initiatives to improve patient outcomes and efficiency in the perioperative environment.
Quratulain Samoon, MD, has been appointed Director of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology at UPMC Altoona. Dr. Samoon completed her medical degree at Sindh Medical College, anesthesiology residency at Case Western Reserve University, and cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. She has served at Associate Director of Cardiac Anesthesiology at UPMC Altoona since 2022.
In her role as Director of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology at UPMC Altoona, Dr. Samoon will lead the cardiac anesthesiology service, overseeing clinical operations, staffing, and patient care pathways. She will ensure compliance with institutional and regulatory standards while focusing on delivering high-quality, safe, and efficient anesthesia care for cardiovascular patients. Dr. Samoon will also develop long-term, sustainable strategies for service growth, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across the hospital, and drive quality improvement initiatives. Her role includes advancing education, mentoring staff, promoting a culture of excellence, and enhancing awareness of the service across the UPMC system.
Congratulations to Dr. Pham and Dr. Samoon on their new leadership roles!