[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/06\/dr-pickle\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/06\/dr-pickle\/","headline":"Meet a Children’s Hospital Physician – Dr. Pickle","name":"Meet a Children’s Hospital Physician – Dr. Pickle","description":"Dr. Elizabeth Pickle, MD, is a pediatric anesthesiologist practicing at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. As a pain management specialist, she takes a patient-centered approach to care and brings compassion along with expertise in pain management and perioperative care. She is dedicated to delivering comfort and safety during surgical procedures. Dr. Pickle completed her fellowship […]","datePublished":"2024-06-03","dateModified":"2024-05-31","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","name":"Pediatrics","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/pediatrics\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-535116651.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-535116651.jpg","height":867,"width":1996},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/06\/dr-pickle\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Pediatrics"],"wordCount":485,"articleBody":"Dr. Elizabeth Pickle, MD, is a pediatric anesthesiologist practicing at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.As a pain management specialist, she takes a patient-centered approach to care and brings compassion along with expertise in pain management and perioperative care.She is dedicated to delivering comfort and safety during surgical procedures.Dr. Pickle completed her fellowship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and medical education at Georgetown University School of Medicine.Here, she shares more about her career and what she finds most rewarding about pediatric anesthesiology.Q: What initially motivated you to pursue pediatrics?A: Pediatrics came as a bit of a surprise to me \u2014 I was applying for a pain fellowship when I first did my pediatric anesthesia rotation during training and completely fell in love with it. Working with pediatric patients involves a lot of fun and creativity, and I\u2019m constantly amazed by the bravery and resilience that so many of my patients have.Q: Why pain management, specifically?A: Anesthesiology is a really interesting and satisfying specialty because it combines a lot of the basic science that we all learn in medical school with a very hands-on approach to patient care. However, working in the operating room means that I often won\u2019t be able to follow my patients over time since I typically meet them the day of their procedure and may not see them again after that. With pain management, I still get to use the skills and knowledge of anesthesia, but I can longitudinally follow my patients and walk with them on their journey over a longer period.Q: What led you to join UPMC?A: UPMC is my home institution. I have been with the department throughout my residency and fellowship training. I\u2019ve been a Pittsburgher since age 7, so it\u2019s hard for me to imagine my life anywhere else!Q: Can you tell us a bit more about your work?A: My job involves taking care of pediatric patients in the operating room [and] administering anesthesia for a variety of surgical cases, as well as working in the pain management clinic to help kids dealing with a variety of painful conditions. I work with a fantastic team in the pain clinic so we can deliver a multidisciplinary approach that includes not only the medication management and procedures I can offer but also equally important physical therapy and psychological support.Q: What\u2019s the most rewarding part of your career?A: If I can help a child or family feel safer, more comfortable, and more confident with whatever they\u2019re facing \u2014 whether it\u2019s getting ready for surgery or living with chronic pain \u2014 that’s the best part of my job!Q: What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of your role at UPMC?A: I love spending time with my family (including my cats), gardening, cooking, and hiking."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2024","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Meet a Children’s Hospital Physician – Dr. Pickle","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/06\/dr-pickle\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]