Resident Mentorship and Scholarly Activities

Our program is “just the right size” for broad academic exposure but close interaction with faculty. We recognize that both research and mentorship are vital in the development of the next generation of physicians. Therefore, we provide the opportunity for residents to select their own mentors (often more than one!) based on each resident’s preference for career counseling, personal guidance, research collaboration, etc. The program is also pleased to connect residents with researchers who are based entirely at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

We’re very proud of our residents’ many publications and presentations at regional and national meetings. Below is a list of their work from the 2020-2021 academic year.

Note: UPMC Mercy Internal Medicine resident authors are listed in bold.

Academic Year 2020 – 2021 Publications

Abdel Abo-Zed, Mohamed Yassin, Phan Tung. Acinetobacter Junii As a Rare Pathogen of Urinary Tract Infection. Publication status: Published in the “Elsevier Urology Case Reports” Journal. Volume 32, September 2020. 101209. PubMed PMID: 32322533

Abdel Abo-Zed, Phan Tung. Tympanic Membrane Perforation Secondary to Aspergillus Niger Otomycosis. Publication Status: Published in the “Elsevier ID Cases” Journal. Volume 22, 2020, e00944. PubMed PMID: 32963962

Abdel Abo-Zed, Phan Tung. A Rare Case of Polymicrobial Brain Abscess Involving Actinomyces. Publication Status: Published in the “Elsevier Radiology Case Reports” Journal. February 2020. PubMed PMID: 33732405

Abdel Abo-Zed, Phan Tung. The Case of Tuberculosis in a Rare Azygous Lobe. Publication Status: Published in Elsevier Respiratory Medicine Case Reports, 2021.

Abdel Abo-Zed, David Nascari, Lindsey Saldin, Stephen S. Badylak. Oral Delivery of Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Mitigates Disease Progression in a Rat Model of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Translational Research. Submitted to GUT (Gastroenterology and Hepatology) Journal, 2021.

Abdel Abo-Zed, Keith Burns, Wai Kan Chiu, Amir Hossein Gougol, Ramon Bataller. The Prevalence of Clostridium Difficile In Alcoholic Hepatitis: Impact on Survival: A retrospective study determining impact on survival in alcoholic hepatitis patients who develop c. diff. Publication status: Submitted to AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Disease,) 2021.

Keith Burns; Abdel Abo-Zed, Wai Kan Chiu, Amir Hossein Gougol, Ramon Bataller. The Prevalence of Withdrawal Syndrome in Alcoholic Hepatitis: Impact on the Development of Multiorgan failure and Aspirative pneumonias: A retrospective study determining prevalence of multiorgan failure in alcoholic hepatitis patients developing withdrawal syndrome. Publication status: Submitted to AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Disease,) 2021.

Abdel Abo-Zed, Melissa Chrites, Waliul Chowdhury, Ali Uddin, Michael Heslin, Rahul Bollum, Syed Zaidi. Rapid Response Events in Critical Care: A case-based approach to inpatient Medical emergencies Gastroenterology, Cardiology and Pulmonary chapters. Submitted for publication Elsevier Journal, 2021.

Yang H, Haidar G, Nameer Al-Yousif, Zia H, Kotok D, Ahmed AA, Blair L, Dalai S, Bercovici S, Ho C, McVerry BJ, Morris A, Kitsios GD. Circulating microbial cell-free DNA is associated with inflammatory host-responses in severe pneumonia. Thorax. 2021 Apr 22:thoraxjnl-2020-216013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-216013. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33888575.

Jeyaraman MM, Robson RC, Copstein L, Nameer Al-Yousif, Pollock M, Xia J, Balijepalli C, Hofer K, Mansour S, Fazeli MS, Ansari MT, Tricco AC, Rabbani R, Abou-Setta AM. Customized guidance/ training improved the psychometric properties of methodologically rigorous risk of bias instruments for non-randomized studies. J Clin Epidemiol. 2021 May 9:S0895-4356(21)00140-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.04.017. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33979663.

Jeyaraman MM, Copstein L, Nameer Al-Yousif, Alder RN, Kirkland SW, Al-Yousif Y, Suss R, Zarychanski R, Doupe M, Berthelot S, Mireault J, Tardif P, Askin N, Buchel T, Rabbani R, Beaudry T, Hartwell M, Shimmin C, Edwards J, Halas G, Sevcik W, Tricco AC, Chochinov A, Rowe BH, Abou-Setta, AM. Interventions and strategies involving primary healthcare professionals to manage emergency department overcrowding: a scoping review. BMJ Open. 2021 May 10;11(5):e048613. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048613. PMID: 33972344.

Bain W, Yang H, Shah FA, Suber T, Drohan C, Nameer Al-Yousif, DeSensi RS, Bensen N, Schaefer C, Rosborough BR, Somasundaram A, Workman CJ, Lampenfeld C, Cillo AR, Cardello C, Shan F, Bruno TC, Vignali DA, Ray P, Ray A, Zhang Y, Lee JS, Methé B, McVerry BJ, Morris A, Kitsios GD. COVID-19 versus Non-COVID ARDS: Comparison of Demographics, Physiologic Parameters, Inflammatory Biomarkers and Clinical Outcomes. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2021 Feb 5. https://doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.202008-1026OC. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33544045.

Kitsios G, Bain W, Nameer Al-Yousif, Duttagupta R, Ahmed AA, McVerry BJ, Morris A. Plasma microbial cell-free DNA load is associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19. Respiratory Research. 22, 24 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-021-01623-0. PMID: 33472605; PMCID: PMC7816055.

Nameer Al-Yousif, Rawal S, Jurczak M, Mahmud H, Shah FA. Endogenous Glucose Production in Critical Illness. Nutr Clin Pract. 2021 Apr;36(2):344-359. https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.10646. Epub 2021 Mar 8. PMID: 33682953.

Jeyaraman M, Rabbani R, Copstein L, Robson RC, Nameer Al-Yousif, Pollock M, Xia J, Balijepalli C, Hofer K, Mansour S, Fazeli MS, Ansari M, Tricco AC, Abou-Setta AM. Methodologically rigorous risk of bias tools for non-randomized studies have low reliability and high evaluator burden. J Clin Epidemiol. 2020 Dec;128:140-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.09.033. Epub 2020 Sep 25. PMID: 32987166.

Muhammad Uzair Lodhi MD, Ahmed Mahmood MD, Waliul Chowdhury, Hasnan Ijaz MD, Mustafa Rahim MD. “Trends in Cannabis Use Disorder among Geriatric Admissions with Prior History of Myocardial Infarction or Revascularization (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting)” published April 2021 American Geriatrics society

Academic Year 2020 – 2021 Presentations

Abdel Abo-Zed. “The Syncope Workup: Is an Echocardiogram Worth Acquiring?” Poster presented at UPMC GME LEAPS Quality and Safety Symposium, April 2021.

Abdel Abo-Zed, David Nascari, Lindsey Saldin, Stephen S. Badylak. “Oral Delivery of Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Mitigates Disease Progression in a Rat Model of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Translational Research.” Presented at UPMC Department of Medicine Annual Research Day April 2021 and submitted to ACG 2021 Annual Conference.

Abdel Abo-Zed, Rahul Bollum, Mownika Yadlapalli, Fnu Abhishek, Syed Zaidi. “Assessing The Need for Neuro-Imaging After Fall Events in Hospitalized Patients. A retrospective data analysis.” Poster presented at SHM Converge Meeting, May 2021.

Nameer Al-Yousif, Rose Traficante, Amitha Avasarala, Bibhu Koirala, Nazim Khan, Kreit JW. “Comparing Diagnostic Workup and Management in COPD Patients Cared by Primary Care Physician vs Pulmonologist.” American Thoracic Society International Conference 2021. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Volume 203, May 3, 2021. TP041, A2275. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2275.

Lisius G, Yang H, Duttagupta R, Ahmed AA, Nameer Al-Yousif, Schaefer C, Bensen N, Lu M, Methe B, Bain W, McVerry BJ, Morris A, Kitsios GD. “Plasma Microbial Cell-Free DNA Is Associated with Intensified Host Inflammation and Can Reveal Secondary Infections in Patients with COVID-19.” American Thoracic Society International Conference 2021. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Volume 203, May 3, 2021. TP051, A2619. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2619. Also presented as a poster presentation at the University of Pittsburgh 19th Annual Department of Medicine Research Day. April 27, Pittsburgh, PA.

Nameer Al-Yousif, Kitsios G, Bain W, Dunlap DG, Rosborough BR, Nouraie S, Zhang Y, Lee J, Mcverry BJ, Evankovich J, Shah FA. “Association of the Hematopoietic Cytokine Interleukin-3 with the Systemic Host Immune Response in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure.” American Thoracic Society International Conference 2021. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Volume 203, May 3, 2021. TP052, A2662. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2662. Also presented as an oral presentation at the University of Pittsburgh 19th Annual Department of Medicine Research Day. April 27, Pittsburgh, PA.

Shah F, Kitsios G, Dunlap D, Scholl D, Chuan B, Wang X, Nameer Al-Yousif, Nouriae SM, Zhang Y, Morris A, Yende S, Huang D, O’Donnell CP, McVerry BJ. “The Study of Early Enteral Dextrose in Sepsis (SEEDS): A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.” American Thoracic Society International Conference 2021. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Volume 203, May 3, 2021. TP053, A2708. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2708. Also presented as an oral presentation at the University of Pittsburgh 19th Annual Department of Medicine Research Day. April 27, Pittsburgh, PA.

Nameer Al-Yousif, Rose Traficante, Amitha Avasarala, Bibhu Koirala, Nazim Khan, Kreit JW. “Underutilization of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD Patients: An Observational Study.” American Thoracic Society International Conference 2021. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Volume 203, May 3, 2021. TP103, A4146. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_MeetingAbstracts.A4146.

Nameer Al-Yousif, Said MA, Waqas Bhatti, Arjun Kalaria, Nazim Khan, Abdulmajeed F. “A perfect storm: severe case of 5-oxoprolinuria with refractory non-hepatic hyperammonemia.” Chest, 158(4), A860-A861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.08.800 . Chest Annual Meeting 2020. October 14-18, Chicago, IL.

Jeyaraman MM, Robson RC, Pollock M, Copstein L, Balijepalli C, Hofer K, Xia J, Nameer Al-Yousif, Mansour S, Fazeli M, Ansari MT, Tricco AC, Rabbani R, Abou-Setta AM. “Impact of training and guidance on the inter-rater and inter-consensus reliability of risk of bas instruments for non-randomized studies.” Advances in Evidence Synthesis: special issue. September 11-14, Toronto, ON, Canada. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;(9 Suppl 1): Page 337. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD202001.

Jeyaraman MM, Rabbani R, Robson R, Copstein L, Nameer Al-Yousif, Xia J, Pollock M, Hofer K, Balijepalli C, Mansour S, Bond K, Fazeli M, Ansari M, Tricco A, Abou-Setta AM. “Inter-rater Reliability, Inter-consensus Reliability and Evaluator burden of ROBINS-E, & ROBINS-I: A Cross-sectional Study.” Abstracts of the 26th Cochrane Colloquium. ‪October 22-25, Santiago, Chile. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;(1 Suppl 1): Page 97-98. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD201901. ID: OS15.4. ‬

Abou-Setta A, Nameer Al-Yousif, Lam O, Racovitan F, Copstein L, Jeyaraman M, Okoli G, Rabbani R, Tricco A. “How ‘similar’ are studies included in Cochrane Reviews?” Abstracts of the 26th Cochrane Colloquium. ‪October 22-25, Santiago, Chile. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;(1 Suppl 1): Page 198-199. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD201901. ID: OS41.4. ‬

Abasin Amanzai. “Is It Angioedema? A Rare Case of Isolated Facial Edema in Dialysis Patient.” Poster presented at Annual Conference on Nephrology and Urology, March 2021.

Abasin Amanzai. Nameer Al-Yousif, Rose Traficante. “Is It Really? Amitriptyline, Dilaudid, Ondansetron: A Rare Case of Serotonin Syndrome.” Abstract published at SHM Converge 2021. Abstract 757 Journal of Hospital Medicine. https://shmabstracts.org/abstract/is-it-really-amitriptyline-dilaudid-ondansetron-a-rare-case-of-serotonin-syndrome/. May 19th 2021.

Abasin Amanzai. Nameer Al-Yousif, Rose Traficante, Abhishek F. “A Rare Case Of Lyme Myocarditis Presenting Simultaneously With Erythema Migrans.” Abstract published at SHM Converge 2021. Abstract 341 Journal of Hospital Medicine. https://shmabstracts.org/abstract/a-rare-case-of-lyme-myocarditis-presenting-simultaneously-with-erythema-migrans/. May 19th 2021.

Amitha Avasarala, Nameer Al-Yousif, Rose Traficante, Bibhu Koirala, Nazim Khan, Kreit JW. “Rates of Pulmonary Function Testing in COPD Patients Cared for by Resident vs Attending Physicians.” American Thoracic Society International Conference 2021. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Volume 203, May 3, 2021. TP041, A2317. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2317. Also presented as a poster presentation at the University of Pittsburgh 19th Annual Department of Medicine Research Day. April 27, Pittsburgh, PA.

Amitha Avasarala, Rose Traficante. “Horses have Hooves Too- A Case of MRSA Pneumonia” Poster discussed at CHEST 2020 Annual Meeting; October 2020; Virtual

Waqas Bhatti, Mamoor N, Kushnerick S, Tanisha Kaur, Bon J, Chen X, Gibson K, Kass D, Lindell K, Sciurba F, Nouraie SM. “Baseline Exertional Oxygen Needs in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients at a Specialty Referral Center.” Poster presentation CHEST annual meeting October 18-21, 2020.

Waqas Bhatti, Jamil Masood, Tanisha Kaur, Abdulmajeed F, Yassin MH. “The Epidemiology of Legionella Pneumonia: A 5-year review.” Poster presentation CHEST annual meeting October 28-21, 2020.

Rahul Bollam. “Occupational Hazards of a Gamer.” Poster presented at CHEST Conference, October 2020.

Melissa Chrites. “When a Physician Takes and Unforgettable Vacation.” Poster presented at PA-ACP Statewide Conference, October 2020.

Waliul Chowdhury. “The Art of the Screen: Finding Gaps in the Colon Cancer Screening Cascade.” Poster presented at UPMC GME LEAPS Quality and Safety Symposium, April 2021.

Waliul Chowdhury. “Misleading Diagnosis of PE in a Patient with Fontan Palliation.” Poster presented at SHM Converge Meeting, May 2021.

Jerome Couture. “Comparing the Show Rate Between Telemedicine and In-Person Appointments in a Teaching Clinic.” Poster presented at PA-ACP Statewide Conference, October 2020.

Marli Gabriel. “A Case of Medical Hand Pain Leading to Cervical Rib Resection and Subclavian Artery Bypass.” Poster presented at PA-ACP Statewide Conference, October 2020.

Marli Gabriel. “Statin-Induced Muscle Disease – A Rare Variant that Persists Despite Medication Discontinuation.” Poster presented at PA-ACP Statewide Conference, October 2020.

Naveed Hasan. “Impact of COVID-19-related Restrictions on Overall Health.” Poster presented at PA-ACP Statewide Conference, October 2020.

Hyder Husain. “A concomitant diagnosis of lupus and scurvy.” Poster session presented at: SGIM Annual Meeting; 2021 April 20-23; Virtual

Tanisha Kaur, Waqas Bhatti. “Complications of High-dose Steroids in COVID-19.” Submitted for the CHEST 2021 Annual Meeting.

Nazim Khan, Nameer Al-Yousif, Khan H, Laura Hoppe . “Isolated Cardiac Sarcoidosis: Rare Presentation.” Abstract published at SHM Converge 2021. Abstract 507 Journal of Hospital Medicine. https://shmabstracts.org/abstract/isolated-cardiac-sarcoidosis-rare-presentation/. May 19th 2021.

Soman Nijjar, Elizabeth Oguntuwase, Tanisha Kaur, Chioma Ohammah, Kewal Khatiwada, Nirzari Pandya, Jacob Lloyd, M. Kiazand, Not Cracking the Bone; Screening for Osteoporosis. 19thAnnual Department of Medicine Research Day, Poster Presentation April 27th, 2021

Nirzari Pandya. “Resident’s impression of Virtual Learning in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic.” Poster presented at PA-ACP Statewide Conference, October 2020.

Nirzari Pandya. Kewal Khatiwada, Chioma Ohammah, Elizabeth Oguntuwase, Soman Nijjar, Tanisha Kaur, Jacob Lloyd, M. Kiazand, “Not Cracking the Bone; Screening for Osteoporosis”; Annual Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) meeting April 20-23, 2021.

Sahar Soomro. “Prostate Cancer Screening Rates at a Resident Run Teaching Clinic.” Poster presented at UPMC GME LEAPS Quality and Safety Symposium, April 2021.

Morgan Stalder, Dominic Pezzone, Manasi Sejpal, Megha Sood, Ali Uddin, Aaron Walker, Mownika Yadlapalli, Ibrahim Ghobrial, MD; Mehrshid Kiazand, MD; Adrianna Wegrecki, MD. “Improving the Rate of Urine Drug Screening (UDS) for Chronic Patients in the Primary Care Setting.” Oral presentation at UPMC GME LEAPS Quality and Safety Symposium, April 2021.

Rose Traficante. “Interdisciplinary Medicine: Providing Safety Nets for Patients and Drastically Changing Outcomes.” Poster presented at PA-ACP Statewide Conference, October 2020.

Rose Traficante. Nameer Al-Yousif, Amitha Avasarala, Bibhu Koirala, Nazim Khan, Kreit JW. “The Misdiagnosis of Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease, An Observational Study.” American Thoracic Society International Conference 2021. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Volume 203, May 3, 2021. TP041, A2279. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2279. Also presented as an oral presentation at the University of Pittsburgh 19th Annual Department of Medicine Research Day. April 27, Pittsburgh, PA.

Mownika Yadlapalli. “A Case of Uncommon Bacteremia.” Poster presented at national ACP Conference, March 2021.

Anne Yang, Hahn Z, Brough B, Martin J, Lowman, Girard T, Donadee C. “Comparison of Delirium Scores Same ICU, Two Locations.” Paper presented at: 10th Annual University of Pittsburgh Department of Critical Care Fink Scholarship Day; April 21, 2021; Pittsburgh, PA.

Hahn Z, Anne Yang, Brough B, Martin J, Lowman, Girard T, Donadee C. “Inappropriate Delirium Charting Based on RIKER Score.” Paper presented at: 10th Annual University of Pittsburgh Department of Critical Care Fink Scholarship Day; April 21, 2021; Pittsburgh, PA.

Hahn Z, Anne Yang, Brough B, Martin J, Lowman, Girard T, Donadee C. “Variation of Delirium Scores by RN Experience.” Paper presented at: 10th Annual University of Pittsburgh Department of Critical Care Fink Scholarship Day; April 21, 2021; Pittsburgh, PA.