About Our Program

Welcome to the Pediatric Residency Program at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh!

At UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, our Pediatric Residency Program offers a rigorous, hands-on training experience for residents pursuing careers across the full spectrum of pediatrics. 

We’re proud to be consistently ranked among the top pediatric residency programs in the country. More importantly, we are deeply committed to cultivating the next generation of pediatric leaders—physicians who are compassionate, capable, and ready to advocate for children and communities everywhere. 

Our Program Directors

Andrew Nowalk, MD, PhD - Co-Program Director
Katherine Watson, DO, FAAP - Co-Program Director
Jennifer Wolford, DO, MPH - Associate Program Director
Rhett Lieberman, MD, MPH - Associate Program Director
Catherine Polak, MD, FAAP - Associate Program Director
Vildan Tas MD, FAAP - Associate Program Director
Matthew Valente, MD - Associate Program Director

Chief Residents

Sydney Loria, MD
Talia Magoon, MD
Krithika Sundaram, MD
Nat Voos, MD

Administration

Benny Delostrino, Academic Manager
Leanna Strawoet,  Medical Education Program Department Manager
Vandra Robinson, Operations Manager
Tabitha Swanson, Medical Education Program Sr. Department Manager
Moriah Ellis, Medical Education Program Sr. Department Manager

What Makes Our Program Special?

A Supportive Learning Environment
We foster a culture that celebrates engagement for all residents. 

A ​volume and variety of patient experiences
As the only freestanding children’s hospital in Western Pennsylvania, we have a large referral network and care from children both in Pittsburgh and around the world.  

Team-Based, Family-Centered Care 
Our residents are part of a multidisciplinary care team that puts children and families at the center of every decision. 

Personalized Training 
Our curriculum allows residents to shape their experience around their unique goals and learning needs. 

Bedside Teaching that Builds Confidence 
We prioritize resident-led care decisions with strong faculty mentorship—because we believe growth comes from experience. 

Leadership Development 
Residents participate in a longitudinal leadership curriculum, developed in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business and UPMC’s Learning and Development. 

Research Opportunities 
Residents contribute to groundbreaking discoveries across clinical, translational, and medical education research—with many presenting at national conferences and publishing their work. 

Team-Based, Family-Centered Care 
Our residents are part of a multidisciplinary care team that puts children and families at the center of every decision. 

We invite you to explore our program and discover how UPMC Children’s can help you become the pediatrician you aspire to be.