UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

We stand united in support of loved ones, community members & our hockey family who have been impacted by cancer. Join us in the fight by participating in our Hockey Fights Cancer Auction with proceeds supporting Cancer Programs at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh!    Bid to win jerseys worn by the players during this month’s visit to UPMC Children’s, autographed pucks, and additional memorabilia now through November 25.   Today & every day, Hockey Fights Cancer.    Join the Fight: pens.givesmart.com

Earlier this fall, Children’s Community Health welcomed members of its School Nurse Advisory Group to the hospital to celebrate the launch of School Care Connect, a new program that encourages greater collaboration between pediatric health care providers and school nurses, and receive a tour of UPMC Children's from Dr. Andrew Buchert. Children's School Nurse Advisory Group helped develop School Care Connect to enhance the hospital's goals of providing quality care to all children through partnerships with school nurses. Learn more about School Care Connect here: https://lnkd.in/d79edr2v

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and an opportunity to recognize physicians, nurses, dietitians, educators, and support staff in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. UPMC Children’s was ranked #8 in the specialty of Pediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology by U.S. News and World Report for 2024-25.

Today we recognize Genetic Counselor Awareness Day! Meet our team at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh which includes nearly 30 genetic counselors experienced in general, metabolic, neuromuscular, cardiac, and ocular genetics. Learn more about our genetic counselors and what they do on our website at https://lnkd.in/eTJTBgZ8.

A recent study led by Vibha Sood, MD, from the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh examined the intersection of gastrointestinal disorders in pediatric and young adult patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome/joint hypermobility syndrome (hEDS/JHS). https://lnkd.in/e_KUw6gN

To celebrate Sleep Technologists Appreciation Week we are featuring Frank Boyd, CRT-SDS, a senior sleep technologist at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Frank started working at UPMC Children’s in 1998 in the Respiratory Department. He had completed a clinical rotation at UPMC Children’s while in school and enjoyed the experience. Frank remained in the Respiratory department until an opportunity opened in the Sleep Lab in 2004. The Sleep Lab has grown since then, and Frank’s career grew along with it. He trains incoming sleep technologists, schedules patients, and works with families and patients in performing sleep studies. “I enjoy being able to help patients with their sleep concerns and seeing how the therapy we deliver improves their sleep,” says Frank. “We see a wide range of patients with different concerns and diagnoses. We test for narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and central sleep apnea. We see patients who are on ventilatory support and may be a candidate for tracheostomy decannulation. We also have a CPAP program to track CPAP usage and compliance and help with any concerns patients may have with their mask or machine.” Frank added that they have a small group consisting of respiratory and sleep technologists who all work together so that a patient's experience is as easy and seamless as possible. In his free time, Frank enjoys listening to music, taking trips, and enjoying a good show on Netflix. He recently became a grandfather and loves spending time with his new granddaughter. Thank you, Frank, for everything you do to care for our patients and families!

To celebrate Sleep Technologists Appreciation Week we are featuring Melvenna Allen, a sleep technologist at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Teaching young children has always been Melvenna’s passion. From the age of 12, she worked with children and considered a career in early childhood education. That passion took a clinical turn as she became a respiratory therapist at UPMC Children’s. Her struggles with sleep led her to learn the importance of sleep to overall health, so she sought and secured a position as a sleep technologist. Melvenna has worked at UPMC Children’s for 23 years, 15 years as a respiratory therapist, and 8 years as a sleep technologist. “People laugh when I say children are easier to work with. Though they may be afraid they are willing to listen and learn,” Melvenna says. “I love it when they ask questions about the procedure, and I encourage questions. Most of all I love that I can joke with them and make something that may be scary an enjoyable experience.” Melvenna loves working as a team with her coworkers and families to help the children get better. The team may be small, but they work side by side with many services in the hospital. When Melvenna is not working she likes to sleep (obviously 😊). She also enjoys traveling, especially to Toronto, crafting wreaths and baskets, crocheting, gardening, and planting. Melvenna also volunteers with the Lung Force Walk, which she has held dear to her heart for over 8 years. Thank you, Melvenna, for everything you do to care for our patients and families!

Mary Ellen Vajravelu, MD, MSHP, assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, has been awarded her first National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded R01 grant. Dr. Vajravelu’s research project, called "REFLECT2D," is constructed to address the growing challenge of treating type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adolescents and young adults (AYA) through a novel clinical trial combining continuous glucose monitoring with a mobile/smartphone app and an activity tracking device. https://lnkd.in/eKaRRJWW

Today, the new UPMC Children’s Heart Institute is one step closer to completion, as one of the final structural steel beams settled into place on the top floor of the 3-story addition. The beam carried a United States flag, an evergreen tree, and even a teddy bear to showcase our children’s hospital style.

U.S. News & World Report ranked UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in all 11 pediatric specialties for 2024-25! We're a leader in treating and caring for childhood conditions and diseases, pioneering new therapies, and educating the next generation of pediatric specialists. At UPMC Children’s, we're here to give you peace of mind that nationally ranked care is close to home!