Department of Medicine

Harm Reduct J. 2026 Jun 17. doi: 10.1186/s12954-026-01486-y. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: As xylazine-adulterated opioids become more prevalent in the U.S., people who use drugs (PWUD) face growing risks from sedation, withdrawal, and wounds. This study explores PWUD perceptions on recognizing xylazine exposure including its physical effects and clinical harms and how these […]

J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2026 Jun 17:103469. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2026.103469. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Patients with opioid use disorder encounter challenges obtaining buprenorphine (BUP) at pharmacies, increasing their risk of treatment non-adherence and illicit drug use. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) initiative was to implement and evaluate a multi-…

Kidney360. 2026 Jun 2. doi: 10.34067/KID.0000001198. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Legalization of cannabis across several US states may increase its use by individuals on hemodialysis, particularly among those with chronic pain. Contemporary data on frequency or factors associated with cannabis use by this population are limited. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of […]

The Pitt Center for Accelerating Phage Therapy, directed by Daria Van Tyne, PhD, aims to bridge critical gaps between laboratory discovery and patient-ready treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.

Led by William Bain, MD, and Jana Jacobs, PhD, researchers from the Divisions of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and Infectious Diseases helped uncover how vascular injury may drive life-threatening complications in viral respiratory infections.

Research led by Anita Saraf, MD, PhD, identified key cellular and molecular changes driving liver disease in patients with Fontan circulation, offering new insights into diagnosis, transplant timing, and potential future therapies.

Hepatol Commun. 2026 May 22;10(6):e0955. doi: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000955. eCollection 2026 Jun 1. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is common and uniquely challenging to manage in people with cirrhosis. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a tailored pain self-management (PSM) intervention for people with cirrhosis and chronic pain. METHODS: This …

New research led by Strollo and Patel found that the investigational oral therapy AD109 significantly reduced breathing interruptions and improved oxygen levels in adults with obstructive sleep apnea who could not tolerate CPAP.

In collaboration with researchers and clinicians at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, Foldi is helping advance a first-of-its-kind vaccine study aimed at preventing breast cancer before it develops.

Drs. Mehret Birru Talabi, Lan Coffman, and Daria Van Tyne are among this year’s Health Sciences Ascending Star honorees, recognizing innovative midcareer faculty for excellence in research, mentorship, and impact.

Research coauthored by Biggins found that liver transplant candidates denied MELD score exceptions for hepatocellular carcinoma had more aggressive tumor characteristics, reinforcing the importance of expert clinical review.

Rao was recognized for developing an open-access guide to biomedical research designed to enhance student learning and improve accessibility to course materials.

Drs. Kambez Benam, Charles Dela Cruz, and Alicia Rizzo honored for leadership, innovation, and research excellence in pulmonary and critical care medicine

This annual award recognizes outstanding achievement, mentorship, and leadership in advancing women in medicine and science

The VMI Director was recognized for his research focused on new therapeutic approaches for pulmonary hypertension

Borrero will help lead national effort evaluating strategies to improve contraceptive affordability and availability in the United States

Drs. Sistla and Manivannan play key roles in multidisciplinary program managing complex adrenal disease through coordinated evaluation, treatment, and education

The Chief of the Division of Cardiology shares insights on restructuring cardiovascular care and addressing physician workforce shortages through training innovation.

Maximous was recognized for advancing climate health education and sustainable health care practices.

JAMA Netw Open. 2026 May 1;9(5):e2611514. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.11514. ABSTRACT IMPORTANCE: Due to the impact of high-potency synthetic opioids on medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) initiation, hospital-based addiction clinicians adapted their practice to improve care, with decisions often guided by limited evidence. OBJECTIVE: To derive expert consensus on best practices for h…