Physician Profile

Susan N. Van Cleve, MSN, CRNP, is a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) for the Child Development Unit and the Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania where she provides direct patient care and education to children with developmental and behavioral conditions and Down syndrome. Ms. Van Cleve is also a member of a group of specialists in the Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics / Child Development Unit (CDU) at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, which includes developmental/behavioral pediatricians, nurse practitioners, psychologists, behavioral consultants, and trainees. Ms. Van Cleve, along with other specialists in the CDU, diagnoses conditions and helps families to understand their child's delay in development, behavioral problems, developmental disorders, or long-term consequences of medial conditions, such as premature delivery or genetic disorders. She is also an Adjunct Instructor for the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and a Clinical Instructor for the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Ms. Van Cleve has been a pediatric nurse practitioner for 26 years and has extensive experience working with children and families in primary care settings as well as with children with special needs. Her previous experience also includes her work as the Director of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Graduate Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing from 1993-2003 and at the Yale University School of Nursing from 1983-1992. Ms. Van Cleve's experience in teaching, presenting on a variety of topics on a regional and national level, and participating in research, is extensive. She has also been involved on a variety of local, state and national nursing organizations, including President of the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board from 2000-2002 and President and co-founder of the Three Rivers National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses Chapter in 1995. She currently serves on the Executive Board of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) organization as the Education Chair.

Ms. Van Cleve earned her BSN from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing in 1977 and her MSN from Boston College in 1981. She is certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and the state of Pennsylvania as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP).