Pitt Psychiatry Faculty Members Receive UPMC Physician Excellence Awards
Please join us in congratulating Abigail Schlesinger, MD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics), Charles Kahn, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), and Elizabeth Kistler, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), who have received 2024 UPMC Physician Excellence Awards. Honorees will be celebrated during the Dr. Loren Roth Quality and Patient Safety Awards later this month.
Dr. Schlesinger received a UPMC Physician Excellence in Leadership Award, a prestigious award that recognizes a physician who has demonstrated exceptional clinical leadership and innovative contributions to enhancing clinical infrastructure and professional fulfillment of providers in the delivery of clinical care. The award nomination noted, “Dr. Schlesinger has extraordinary intellect and the innate ability to know when an issue requires her to get her hands dirty and approach issues in a practical and direct manner. However, she also has the innate ability to look at a problem from a ‘big picture’ perspective and engage her leadership skills to take on tremendously large tasks with confidence and perseverance.” Dr. Schlesinger’s multiple nominators additionally noted that numerous colleagues have benefitted immensely from Dr. Schlesinger’s mentorship and allyship.
Dr. Kahn received a UPMC Senior Physician Excellence in Clinical Care Award. This award honors a physician with more than ten years of clinical practice who demonstrates clinical excellence, makes outstanding contributions to the clinical mission, and meets high standards in the medical profession. Dr. Kahn’s nomination included the following: “Dr. Kahn distinguishes himself in his dedication to his patients, and perseverance to do everything he can to treat them with the best patient-centered treatment plan of care when they come into the hospital. Nursing and milieu staff, nursing students, graduate students, medical residents who round with him—and anyone who may have questions concerning a psychiatric patient, diagnosis, medication, or concern—all value and respect Dr. Kahn.”
Dr. Kistler received a UPMC Early- to Mid-Career Physician Excellence in Clinical Care Award, which honors a physician in clinical practice for four to ten years who exemplifies the UPMC values of quality, dignity, respect, caring, and excellence in clinical work and patient care. Dr. Kistler’s nomination included the following comments:
“Dr. Kistler treats the most psychiatrically ill patients, most of whom have schizophrenia spectrum disorder, and who don’t meet criteria, despite need, for more resourced, higher levels of care. Acknowledging these challenges, Dr. Kistler works exhaustively to piece together multidisciplinary teams of behavioral health professionals across many agencies, including and beyond UPMC, to help. Dr. Kistler tirelessly partners with primary care physician and specialist teams to identify and address patients’ medical needs, identify barriers to care, and link medical and behavioral health resources, work that is hugely impactful.”
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Schlesinger, Dr. Kahn, and Dr. Kistler!