Robert Lafyatis, MD, is a rheumatologist and is certified in rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is  the Thomas Medsger Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from University of Cincinnati and completed his residency at Wake Forest School of Medicine, followed by his fellowship at National Institutes of Health. Dr. Lafyatis’s clinical interests include systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and its complications in the skin and lungs. His research interests include understanding the underlying cause of scleroderma and finding new treatments. Dr. Lafyatis directs the University of Pittsburgh/University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Scleroderma Center and the National Institutes of Health, Center for Scleroderma Research Translation.  He has over 200 peer-reviewed publications and co-authors the Textbook of Rheumatology chapter on Scleroderma Pathogenesis. Dr. Lafyatis is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Scleroderma, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Scleroma, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Kathryn Torok, MD, is a board-certified pediatric rheumatologist and director of the Pediatric Scleroderma Clinic at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Torok earned her medical degree from the Penn State College of Medicine. She began her career in pediatric rheumatology as a fellow at UPMC Children’s Hospital in 2006. Upon completion of her fellowship, she started as an instructor in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in July 2009 and was promoted to assistant professor in July 2010. Dr. Torok is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Her top areas of expertise are Localized Scleroderma, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Pulmonary Hypertension, and Hypertension.

Robyn Domsic, MD, specializes in rheumatology and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She practices at University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and is affiliated with UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, UPMC Presbyterian, and UPMC Mercy. She completed her medical degree at University of Iowa College of Medicine. Dr. Domsic is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Her top areas of expertise are Scleroderma, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Raynaud Phenomenon, and Scleroma.

Dana Ascherman is a Rheumatologist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ascherman is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Myositis, Rheumatoid Lung Disease, Dermatomyositis, and Polymyositis.

Rohit Aggarwal is a Rheumatologist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Aggarwal is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Myositis, and Antisynthetase Syndrome. Dr. Aggarwal is currently accepting new patients.

Eleanor Valenzi, MD, specializes in pulmonology and is certified in internal medicine and pulmonary disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She practices at UPMC East, UPMC St. Margaret, UPMC McKeesport, and UPMC Presbyterian. Dr. Valenzi is affiliated with University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine. She completed her medical degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine at Birmingham and residency at the University of Chicago. Dr. Valenzi specializes in treating patients with interstitial lung disease and systemic sclerosis. Dr. Valenzi is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Her top areas of expertise are Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Lung Transplant.

Leigh Freno, CRNP, specializes in rheumatology and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She practices at University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and is affiliated with UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. She completed her masters of science in nursing at Carlow University. Dr. Freno is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Her top area of expertise is Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).

Franziska J. Rosser, MD, MPH, is a pediatric pulmonologist at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and an assistant professor of pediatrics within the Division of Pulmonology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her preferred pronouns are she/her. She is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric pulmonology. Dr. Rosser received her medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Greenville Hospital System/University of South Carolina Greenville followed by her pediatric pulmonology fellowship at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh/University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She received her Master of Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. As a pediatric pulmonologist she specializes in caring for children with respiratory disorders. She is a member of the multidisciplinary Juvenile Systemic Scleroderma (jSSc) Center, the only such center in the nation, providing care for children with jSSc respiratory disease. Her research focuses on the epidemiological effects of outdoor air pollution on children with asthma. Dr. Rosser’s long-term goals are to develop innovative methods to identify children with asthma most at risk to the deleterious effects of air pollution. Additionally, while awaiting policy changes to improve air quality for all, she seeks to determine if individual interventions can improve asthma control and symptoms. Dr. Rosser is a former Clinical and Translational Science KL2 Scholar within the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE), has received funding from the American Thoracic Society to conduct a pilot clinical trial to evaluate adding the Air Quality Index to routine childhood asthma care, and is currently a principal investigator of a K08. She is a member of the American Thoracic Society where she is a member of the Environmental Health Policy Committee. View Dr. Rosser’s full list of publications from PubMed. Dr. Rosser is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Her top areas of expertise are Asthma, Asthma in Children, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), and Malnutrition.

Amr Sawalha, MD, specializes in rheumatology and is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He practices at UPMC Lupus Center of Excellence and is affiliated with UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC Presbyterian, and UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. Dr. Sawalha received his medical degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology and completed his residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, followed by a fellowship at the University of Michigan Hospital. Dr. Sawalha is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Behcet Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Vasculitis, and Takayasu Arteritis.

Dr. David J. Levinthal is a gastroenterologist and is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. He is director of the Neurogastroenterology & Motility Center and assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Dr. Levinthal received his doctorate in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, followed by his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; he completed his residency at the University of Michigan Health System and his gastroenterology fellowship at UPMC. Dr. Levinthal is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), Gastroparesis, Protein Deficiency, and Colonoscopy.

John Kreit is a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kreit is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Eosinophilic Asthma, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Gastrostomy, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

Christine Peoples, MD, specializes in rheumatology and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She practices at the University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and is affiliated with UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Bedford. Dr. Peoples also provides rheumatology care via telemedicine at certain outpatient telemedicine centers and through video visits. She completed her medical degree at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. LGBTQIA+ Affirming: This provider has completed training on how to create a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ patients. This provider may or may not offer LGBTQIA+ specific medical or surgical care. Please ask when scheduling. Get Expert Care Closer to Home: UPMC Outpatient Telemedicine Centers  If you are located outside of the Pittsburgh region, you can receive care virtually from Dr. Peoples at a UPMC Outpatient Telemedicine Center near you. UPMC Outpatient Telemedicine Centers connect patients to expert care from UPMC specialists virtually without having to travel to Pittsburgh. New and returning telemedicine patients can be seen at the following locations: - UPMC Outpatient Telemedicine Center at UPMC Bedford. - UPMC Outpatient Telemedicine Center at UPMC Cole. - UPMC Outpatient Telemedicine Center at UPMC Northwest. To schedule an appointment, contact a UPMC Outpatient Telemedicine Center near you. Please note that services vary by location. Dr. Peoples is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Her top areas of expertise are Sjogren Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Interstitial Keratitis, and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).

Joseph Pilewski, MD, specializes in pulmonology and the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis. He also cares for patients pre- and post-lung transplant. Dr. Pilewski is certified in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He practices at UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC McKeesport, UPMC Northwest, UPMC Mercy, UPMC Horizon, UPMC Shadyside, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and UPMC East. Dr. Pilewski is affiliated with University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Medicine. He completed his residency and fellowship at  University of Pennsylvania Health System, and his medical degree at University of Rochester. Dr. Pilewski specializes in lung transplantation and treating patients with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. Dr. Pilewski is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Cystic Fibrosis, Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Secondary Immunodeficiency (SID), Lung Transplant, and Endoscopy.

Norihisa Shigemura, MD, PhD, specializes in cardiothoracic surgery. He practices at University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and is affiliated with UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside, and UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. Dr. Shigemura received his medical degree from Osaka University Medical School and completed residencies at Otemae General Hospital, Osaka General Medical Center, and Osaka Prefectural Medical Center. He then went on to complete fellowships at Takarazuka City Hospital, Osaka University Medical School, Prince of Wales Hospital, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Shigemura is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Fibrosis, Emphysema, Subcutaneous Emphysema, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).

Chester V. Oddis, MD is a noted researcher in the clinical, epidemiological and serologic description of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. He has completed epidemiological studies on the incidence of polymyositis and dermatomyositis as well as longitudinal studies on functional disability in myositis patients. His focus has been in the autoantibody patterns in patients with inflammatory myopathy and their peculiar immunogenetic associations. Dr. Oddis has written extensively on the diagnosis and management of patients with myositis. He has published and lectured on the use of novel immunosuppressive agents such as tacrolimus (formerly FK506) in the treatment of patients with refractory myositis. This represents the only reported experience of this particular drug in the pharmacologic treatment of inflammatory myopathy. In collaboration with the Department of Neurology, he has assessed the efficacy and utility of outpatient needle muscle biopsy in the diagnosis of inflammatory myopathy. This is important given the cost-containment focus of the current health-care market. Dr. Oddis is the co-investigator on an important national NIH funded study on the efficacy of doxycycline in preventing the progression of knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged women. This study is the first of its kind in assessing the effect of a disease-modifying agent in osteoarthritis. Board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology, Dr. Oddis received his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Penn State and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Oddis is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Dermatomyositis, Myositis, Polymyositis, and Antisynthetase Syndrome.

Siamak Moghadam-Kia, MD, specializes in rheumatology and is certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He practices at University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and is affiliated with UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, UPMC Mercy, and UPMC Presbyterian. He received his medical degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and completed his residency at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital / Medstar Washington Hospital Center, followed by his rheumatology fellowship at UPMC. Dr. Moghadam is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Myositis, Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, and Antisynthetase Syndrome.

Kevin Gibson, MD, specializes in interstitial lung disease and is board-certified in pulmonary disease and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He practices at UPMC Comprehensive Lung Center - Simmons Center and is affiliated with University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Medicine and UPMC Presbyterian. Dr. Gibson completed his medical degree at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, residency at Emory University School of Medicine, and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Gibson specializes in treating patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, autoimmune lung disease, and occupational lung disease. Dr. Gibson is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Fibrosis, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, and Lung Transplant.

Kristen Veraldi, MD, PhD, specializes in pulmonology and is certified in critical care medicine and pulmonary disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She practices at UPMC East, UPMC McKeesport, and UPMC Presbyterian. Dr. Veraldi is affiliated with University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Medicine. She completed her medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, followed by a residency at the University of Michigan Medical School and fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.  Dr. Veraldi’s clinical interests are primarily in the evaluation and management of individuals with interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), pulmonary complications of connective tissue diseases, and sarcoidosis. Dr. Veraldi is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Her top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Neurosarcoidosis, and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Niveditha Mohan, MD, specializes in rheumatology and is certified in rheumatology and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She practices at University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and is affiliated with UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Mercy, and UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. She completed her residency at St Peter's Medical Center and her medical degree at Madras Medical College. Dr. Mohan is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Her top areas of expertise are Necrotizing Vasculitis, Juvenile Temporal Arteritis, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), and Temporal Arteritis.

Chadi Hage is a Transplant Surgeon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Hage is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). His top areas of expertise are Blastomycosis, Acute Pulmonary Histoplasmosis, Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Hage is currently accepting new patients.