News

Dr. Rita M. Patel Receives Parker J. Palmer Courage to Lead Award
Congratulations to Rita M. Patel, MD, who was selected to receive the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Parker J. Palmer Courage to Lead Award.
The award celebrates Designated Institutional Officials/Associate Deans for Graduate Medical…

Dr. William Simmons Receives Humanitarian Award
(L to R): Dr. Simmons with Jerry Allen RN, Executive Director of Allen Place Community Services, Inc., (R) and Ms. Allen’s daughter (L)Congratulations to William Simmons, MD, who received the 2016 Humanitarian Award from Allen Place Community Services, Inc. "for exemplary actions…

Carolyn Garver Wins Shirley Novosel Distinguished Alumni Award
Congratulations to Carolyn Garver, RN, CRNP, MSN, who received the Penn State College of Nursing Shirley Novosel Distinguished Alumni Award. The award is presented annually by the Penn State Nursing Alumni Society to those who exemplify the spirit of nursing and the ideals and…

Faculty, Residents, and Fellows Pass NBE Basic PTE® Exam
Congratulations to Douglas Bentley, MD; Erica Coffin, MD; Adam D'Souza, MD; Sean A. DeChancie, DO; Brian Gierl, MD; John J. Hache, MD; Patrick Hackett, MD; Gregory Halenda, MD; William Scott Jones, MD; Charles Lin, MD; Tran Nguyen, MD; Raj Padalia, MD;…

Gregory Rompala Receives NIAAA Grant to Study Effects of Drinking Alcohol across Generations
The National Research Service Award predoctoral fellowship will provide up to three years of funding for a project entitled “Epigenetic Mechanisms of Intergenerational Alcohol Drinking Behavior.”
Monique Saxon and Dr. Robert Scott Lang and Voted Outstanding CRNA and Outstanding Anesthesiologist by Fall 2016 SRNA Graduating Class
Congratulations to Monique Saxon, MSN, CRNA and Robert Scott Lang, MD, who were voted Outstanding CRNA and Outstanding Anesthesiologist, respectively, by the entire graduating student nurse anesthetist class of fall 2016. They will be presented with formal awards at the Nurse…

Dr. Tetsuro Sakai Elected to Non-Tenured Faculty Promotions and Appointments (NTFPA) Committee
Congratulations to Tetsuro Sakai, MD, PhD, who was elected by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Executive Committee of the Faculty as a member of the Non-Tenured Faculty Promotions and Appointments (NTFPA) Committee for a three year term effective September 1,…

Dr. Kristin Ondecko Ligda Nominated for AMA Women Physicians Section Inspirational Physician Recognition Award
Congratulations to Kristin M. Ondecko Ligda, MD, who was nominated for the American Medical Association's Women Physicians Section's Inspirational Physician Recognition Award. Dr. Ondecko Lidga was recognized for her work representing women in medicine and anesthesiology.…

Dr. Calin Gorun-Gorunescu Wins UPMC Richard L. Simmons, MD Speak Up for Safety Award
Congratulations to Calin Gorun-Gorunescu, MD, who won a 2016 UPMC Richard L. Simmons, MD Speak Up for Safety Award. The award honors the dedication of Dr. Richard Simmons (Distinguished Service Professor, Chairman Emeritus, and Vice Chair for Surgical Research, Department of Surgery and Medical…

Department Mourns Loss of Former UPMC Presbyterian Neuroanesthesiology Team Members
The influence of these clinicians fostered the growth of our neuroanesthesia team and they will be missed by their many trainees and colleagues.
Dr. William Simmons Honored with Jefferson Award for Volunteerism
Congratulations to William Simmons, MD, who was one of three mentors in Gateway Medical Society’s Journey to Medicine Academic Mentorship Program (the other mentors were Anita Edwards, MD of Highmark and Jan Madison, MD of Jefferson Hospital) selected to receive the Jefferson…

Dr. Sanford Littwin Joins Department as Presby/Montefiore OR Clinical Director
Welcome to Sanford M. Littwin, MD, who recently joined the department as Operating Room Clinical Director of UPMC Presbyterian/Montefiore.
Dr. Littwin comes to us from the Department of Anesthesiology/Division of Pediatric Anesthesia at the Hospital for Joint Diseases,…

Dr. Ibtesam Hilmi Promoted to Professor
Congratulations to Ibtesam A. Hilmi, MB CHB, FRCA, who was recently promoted to Professor of Anesthesiology. A key member of our liver transplant anesthesiology team who has had an enormous impact on patient safety, clinical research, and resident education, Dr. Hilmi has…

Department Members Serve on Guatemala Survival Mission Trip
Department members David G. Metro, MD; Anne E. Kamarchik, MD; Melanie Hodge, MD; and Brian Gierl, MD are currently serving on a Surgicorps international survival mission trip in Antigua, Guatemala. They have taken care of almost 100 patients for surgeries…
