PITTSBURGH – Robert M. Arnold, M.D., a University of Pittsburgh researcher and UPMC physician who is nationally known for his pioneering work in palliative care, was recently recognized by the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine for his efforts to train clinicians to have difficult end-of-life conversations.

 

Arnold accepted the 2018 Eric G. Nielson, M.D., Distinguished Professor Award at the Association of Specialty Professors (ASP) Awards Lunch and Plenary Session during Academic Internal Medicine Week 2018 in San Antonio. He serves as professor at the Pitt School of Medicine, chief of palliative care and medical ethics, director of the Pitt Institute for Doctor-Patient Communication, and medical director of the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute.

 

“I’m honored to accept this award, which recognizes the importance of teaching palliative care communication skills to improve care for seriously ill patients and their families,” said Arnold. "Working at UPMC and Pitt makes it easy to mentor young physicians because of the long history of teaching in these organizations.”

 

Named for the ASP’s founder, the award is presented annually to a physician who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and support of specialty internal medicine.

 

Arnold is credited with helping make palliative care a specialty and improving the way palliative care consultants are trained. Most of the junior faculty and fellows he has mentored have gone on to become successful researchers, clinician educators, division chiefs, program directors and national leaders in various fields of medicine.

 

Arnold has received many other awards, including Pittsburgh Magazine Top Doctors, U.S. News and World Report Top 1% of doctors and The University of Pittsburgh William I Cohen Award.