PA
Physician Assistant
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Glenshaw, PA
Heather is a highly accomplished Physician Assistant specializing in Pediatric Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Philadelphia University in 2013 and is currently advancing her expertise by pursuing a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree at the University of Pittsburgh, with an expected completion date of December 2026.
After beginning her career in adult critical care medicine, where she developed a profound commitment to palliative care, Heather transitioned to her current specialty in 2018. She is recognized for her dedication to communication excellence, helping facilitate advanced communication courses and serving as a frequent lecturer at PA schools. She educates future clinicians on pediatric palliative care, effective communication strategies, and the sensitive process of delivering serious news.
Drawing on her clinical experience as a former paramedic, Heather's professional interests focus on the critical intersection of hospice and palliative care with emergency medical services (EMS). Outside of her clinical and academic commitments, she is a community leader, serving as President of the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Steel City Myelinators, which supports and empowers individuals and families affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). She also serves as an MS Ambassador for the National MS Society.
Children with medical complexities (CMC) and co-occurring conditions, such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, or other neurodevelopmental disorders, are increasingly encountered in the EMS setting. These children often have unique physiologic baselines, communication limitations, and technology dependence, requiring providers to adapt beyond standard pediatric algorithms.
This didactic session will prepare EMS clinicians to recognize and respond to emergencies in children with HIE and related neurologic conditions.Faculty will emphasize practical strategies, common pitfalls, and collaborative approaches that increase provider confidence. This session will equip EMS providers to deliver safer, more effective care to one of the most vulnerable pediatric populations.
