UPMC

At UPMC, we’re advancing women’s care with cutting-edge technologies. Our impactful remote patient monitoring (RPM) program for postpartum hypertension is highlighted in the report, "At the Tipping Point: Remote Patient Monitoring’s Potential to Revolutionize Health Care Delivery," showcasing RPM’s ability to cut costs, improve outcomes, and enhance patient experiences. Supported by AI and advanced data analytics, RPM is transforming patient monitoring and support beyond the hospital, enhancing accessibility and outcomes for women and their families. Download the report: https://lnkd.in/eKgTkSMQ

UPMC is proud to support the official launch of a new maternal health pilot program in Clinton County, developed in partnership with Pennsylvania’s Department of Health (DOH) and other local leaders. The goal is to develop a model for providing a variety of physical, mental, emotional, and social health resources for women in regions with limited access to pre- and post-pregnancy care. The partnership was marked by a Community Baby Shower, held on Thursday, Jan. 28, to celebrate the launch of the program and provided car seat safety checks, educational materials, and other giveaways for community members. UPMC leadership attending the community event included Patti Jackson-Gehris, president, UPMC in North Central Pa., Robert Edwards, MD, chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Annmarie Lyons, MHS, vice president of the Women’s Health service line. 

Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, MPH, associate vice chair of diversity, equity and inclusion, Department of Pediatrics, and assistant professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, provided her experience to a writing staff from Max's medical drama set in Pittsburgh, “The Pitt.” “It was important for the writing staff to show what it really looks like to be a health care professional in this city,” Owusu-Ansah said. “They wanted it to be as real as possible—from patient scenarios to the sets.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ezHpKibq

According to a recent report from the American Association of Medical Colleges, the United States is on pace to experience a shortage of 10,000-20,000 surgeons by 2036. In addition to an aging population in need of more surgeries, researchers and doctors are further utilizing robotic technology and AI as critical help in the operating room. There have been significant advancements in surgical robotic technology, with new research showing robots being trained to perform surgical tasks with the precision and skill of human doctors by watching videos of seasoned surgeons. Amer H. Zureikat, MD, chief, Surgical Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, was featured in a Washington Post article exploring the future of AI-performed surgery. While not involved in the study noted in the article, Zureikat shared his questions and insights on what future operating rooms may look like. “I thought it was very exciting. It’s the dawn of a new era,” said Zureikat. “The majority are logistical issues that should be rectified over time as artificial intelligence improves.” https://lnkd.in/erjuwnbT

Charles E. Geyer, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, and medical oncologist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, discussed the latest findings on the efficacy and safety of new combination therapies for triple negative breast cancer. Despite the study not meeting its primary endpoint, the insights gained are invaluable for future research. “Disappointingly, the study did not meet its primary end point of EFS…[However,] there’s always been the question with the checkpoint inhibitors [regarding] which subsets of patients clearly benefit [and for whom] exposure to the potential toxicities is worth it…we’re still going to look carefully at that to see if [our study] could at least inform the field about the [use of] checkpoint inhibitors,” Geyer said. Read the full article from OncLive here: https://lnkd.in/ei3M8R4h

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is at the forefront of health care transformation. Advances in #AI, consumer electronics, and data analytics are making RPM more accessible and impactful than ever. The Center for Connected Medicine (CCM) at UPMC has released a new report, "At the Tipping Point: Remote Patient Monitoring’s Potential to Revolutionize Health Care Delivery," highlighting RPM’s potential to reduce costs, improve outcomes, and enhance patient experiences. Featuring an in-depth UPMC case study on postpartum hypertension monitoring, this resource is a guide for providers, payers, and innovators shaping the future of health care. The report includes expert insights from UPMC’s Andrew Watson, MD, MLitt, FACS, FATA. Discover how RPM can lead the way to better care delivery: https://lnkd.in/eKgTkSMQ

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, led by Juan Carlos Celedon, MD, DrPH, pediatric pulmonologist at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, have developed a nasal swab test to identify different types of asthma in children. The swab allows scientists to sequence a patient's genes to classify their asthma. Noted as “easier than getting a COVID-19 test,” this method will potentially improve treatment options for those affected. There is currently only treatment for one out of three types of asthma. "My hope is that now, using these tests, you can enroll patients in clinical trials for therapies that are specific for those types of asthma," Celedon said. Read more about the team’s breakthrough findings here: https://lnkd.in/eDQ3MS5A

Experts from the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa. recently published results of the OPTION clinical trial in the New England Journal of Medicine. This trial investigated the use of left atrial appendage closure as an alternative to anticoagulation following ablation for atrial fibrillation. UPMC Harrisburg was one of the 10 leading centers for the OPTION trial. "Although findings of OPTION trial can't be generalized to all the patients with atrial fibrillation, it definitely paves the path forward,” said Chinmay Patel, MD, the site Principal Investigator at UPMC Harrisburg. Read more about the findings here: https://lnkd.in/e6GVAYVi

In the latest episode of UPMC Enterprises' podcast, "Ventured," Matthias Kleinz, executive vice president at UPMC Enterprises and Head of Translational Sciences Investing, and Hank Safferstein, senior advisor to UPMC Enterprises and CEO of Generian, discuss the pros and cons of various methods for supporting and funding life sciences innovation. They also highlight how UPMC Enterprises is driving progress and removing obstacles to commercializing scientific breakthroughs. Key topics include: - Examination of funding models for life sciences innovation - Pros and cons of various funding approaches - Importance of a broad approach to scientific innovation - UPMC Enterprises' strategies for reducing barriers to new therapeutics - Identifying and matching scientific innovation to problems - Outlook for success of different funding models in life sciences 🎙️ Tune in to learn how UPMC Enterprises is enabling the commercialization of scientific breakthroughs. https://lnkd.in/euhjUtJR

Street medicine delivers medical care directly to those living on the streets, ranging from providing essentials like food and socks to addressing complex medical issues. Mercy’s Operation Safety Net has been offering this outreach in Pittsburgh since 1992. James Withers, MD, FACP, fellowship director at UPMC Mercy, founded Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net and the Street Medicine Institute. He began providing care to the unhoused in Pittsburgh in 1992 and coined the term “street medicine.” As an international expert, he notes that street medicine benefits both patients and clinicians. In January 2024, over a thousand individuals in Allegheny County were either in emergency shelters or experiencing unsheltered homelessness, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. In Pittsburgh, street medicine collaborates with Second Avenue Commons, which has significantly aided the homeless since its opening in 2022. UPMC operates the clinic at Second Avenue Commons, which is now fully operational again after a fire disrupted services in June. "We reached two-thirds of Pittsburgh's known homeless population in our first year," said Emily Powell, nurse and clinical coordinator at Second Avenue Commons Health Center, and director of Nursing Operations for Street Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. "Working with Street Med at Pitt is significant because we can follow up with patients living in rough sleeping areas and encampments." Max B. Hurwitz, DO, assistant medical director of Street Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, is a leader in street disability medicine. He emphasizes that one of the key benefits of street medicine is building relationships, aligning with UPMC’s values of dignity and respect. “Our role as street medicine providers is not just to offer daily care or treat wounds, but to establish long-lasting, trusting relationships,” he said. Street Med at Pitt is a student-led, interdisciplinary group focused on delivering health care and support to Pittsburgh's rough sleeping and unhoused population. For more information, visit www.streetmedatpitt.org.