Becoming a Match, Becoming a Friend

UPMC Life Changers are employees who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of patients and staff, friends and family, and the community. 

This month's story features physical therapist Ryan King.

In 2015, Ryan found himself called upon to help his neighbor, Joe Chiprea​n, who needed a kidney transplant. With the help of UPMC Transplant Services, they had a living donor kidney transplant. 

Visit​ HealthBeat to watch a video of the remarkable story of Life Changer Ryan King.​ 

UPMC Changes the Way We Think About Medicine

The UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center is a bold and ambitious effort that will revolutionize the way the world treats a variety of diseases and conditions. 

Partnered with the University of Pittsburgh, our clinical and research organizations are exploring the potential of immune transplant and therapy to develop new treatments. 

These immunotherapy clinical programs focus on transplant, cancer, and aging. We offer a series of clinical trials designed around these programs. 

Judy Takes Charge to Lose Weight

​Weight wasn’t much of an issue for Judy until she reached her 40s. After having children, a failed marriage, and a demanding job, the stress began to take a toll. The physical weight kept piling on, and so did other health issues. Judy tried to diet and exercise, but unfortunately nothing worked.

Determined to turn things around, Judy began researching weight loss and bariatric surgery. She found Anita P. Courcoulas, MD, director of the Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery Program at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. 

After discussing several surgical options, Dr. Courcoulas and Judy agreed gastric sleeve surgery was the best choice. 

After her surgery, Judy lost 95 pounds, and many of her other health issues subsided. With her joint pain gone, she could exercise and work out with a personal trainer four times a week. 

Judy now enjoys traveling the world with her new husband and taking part in activities with weight restrictions such as parasailing and flying in hot air balloons. 

Learn more about Judy’s gastric sleeve surgery from the UPMC Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.