Rheumatology Providers and Staff

A child with a rheumatic illness often has multiple medically related issues that require a team approach toward management. Depending on the specific needs, the evaluation and care of a patient may be shared by a full-time multidisciplinary team of medical specialists working with our pediatric rheumatology doctors. Included in this team are a rheumatology nurse practitioner, rheumatology nurse, physical and occupational therapists, and a clinical social worker providing comprehensive care tailored to each individual child. The Rheumatology team communicates frequently with the child's primary care provider to ensure continuity of care.

Amr Hakam Sawalha, MD

Chief, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
Director, Lupus Center of Excellence
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
View full profile

Margalit Elana Rosenkranz, MD

Clinical Director, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
View full profile

Elaine Ann Cassidy, MD

Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Associate Program Director, Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
View full profile

Samuel Jeremiah Gagne, MD

Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
View full profile

Kader Cetin Gedik, MD

Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
View full profile

Daniel Kietz, MD

Fellowship Program Director, Pediatric Rheumatology
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
View full profile

Catherine H Poholek, MD, PhD

Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Instructor of Pediatrics
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
View full profile

Kathryn Seraphin Torok, MD

Director, Pediatric Systemic Scleroderma Clinic
Co-Director, Pediatric Craniofacial Scleroderma Clinic
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Clinical and Translational Science
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
View full profile

Physician Assistant

Researchers

  • Abbe de Vallejo, PhD
    Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
    Fellow, The Royal Society of Medicine
  • Amanda C. Poholek, PhD
    Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Department of Immunology
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Fellows

  • Michael Tomani, MD
    412-692-5081
  • Alexandra D. Chop, MD
    412-692-5081
  • Brittany Ashe, MD
    412-692-5081
  • Daniel Barnett, DO
    412-692-5081

Administrative Office

  • Seth Young – Division Administrator
  • Marilyn Cieri – Practice Manager
  • Beckie Pomycala - Administrative Assistant Senior and Fellowship Program Coordinator
  • Julie Campbell – Administrative Assistant Associate
  • April Brown – Authorization Specialist
  • Cherilyn Heeter – Authorization Specialist
  • Mary Ibraham – Administrative Assistant Associate

Clinic

  • Vickie Vandergrift, RN, BSN, CPN
    412-692-5081
  • Jennifer Rombach, RN, BSN
    412-692-5081
  • Terra Jackson, RN
    412-692-5081
  • Dawn Burke, RN, MSN
    412-692-5081
  • Pamela Banks, Medical Assistant
    412-692-5081

Clinical Research

  • Haley Havrilla - Clinical Research Coordinator

Research Laboratory

  • Joshua Michel – Flow Core Mgr. and Senior Research Technologist
  • Valerie Miller – Senior Research Technologist
  • Archana Marathi – Research Technologist