Faculty Promotions, Appointments, and Tenure
March 2025* – June 2025
Appointed as Associate Vice Chair for Ambulatory Medicine
Congratulations to Esra French, MD, MBA, who was appointed as Associate Vice Chair for Ambulatory Medicine, effective April 1. Dr. French has led transformative efforts to expand access, improve care delivery, and integrate digital health solutions for endocrine patients across UPMC. In this new role, Dr. French will focus on Department efforts to meet an expanding specialty and general clinical demand for outpatient care across the UPMC system.
Appointed as Associate Vice Chair for Inpatient Medicine and Care Standardization
Congratulations to Eric Dueweke, MD, MBA, who was appointed as Associate Vice Chair for Inpatient Medicine and Care Standardization, effective April 1. Dr. Dueweke has led innovative efforts across UPMC. With a focus on improving heart failure outcomes, reducing hospitalizations, and enhancing systemwide coordination, he combines clinical expertise with strategic leadership to drive impactful change. In this new role, Dr. Dueweke will focus on guiding the DOM through the continued expansion of inpatient services across multiple UPMC locations while maintaining our quality-of-care delivery.
Appointed as Interim Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrtion
Congratulations to Jaideep Behari, MD, PhD, who was appointed as Interim Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, effective June 1, 2025
Appointed as UPMC Endowed Chair for Patient-Centered Care
Scott Biggins, MD // Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrtion
Effective June 1, 2025
Appointed as Endowed Chair in Immunotherapy
Ronald Buckanovich, MD, PhD // Malignant Hematology and Medical Oncology
Effective June 1, 2025
Promotion to Professor of Medicine
Partha Dutta, DVM, PhD // Cardiology/Vascular Medicine Institute
Effective June 1, 2025
Jenny Lo-Ciganic, MSPharm, MS, PhD // General Internal Medicine
Effective June 1, 2025
Promotion to Associate Professor of Medicine
Jennifer Berliner, MD // Cardiology
Effective June 1, 2025
Payel Roy, MD, MSc // General Internal Medicine
Effective April 1, 2025
Kristen Veraldi, MD, PhD // Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
Effective May 1, 2025
Promotion to Research Assistant Professor of Medicine
Mengqi Huang, DDS, PhD // Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
Effective May 1, 2025