Primary Care at UPMC

About Us

When you choose a UPMC primary care physician (PCP), you can establish a lasting relationship that can benefit you through a lifetime. Our doctors provide wellness services and treatment for medical conditions that range from common to complex.

New Location

UPMC Shadyside Family Health Center is now open inside the Community Wellness Center in Propel Northside School.

Announcing UPMC Primary Care in Pleasant Hills

New patients are welcome at our new Primary Care facility located at Southland Shopping Center, 617 Clairton Blvd., in Pleasant Hills. We are sharing this 9,810-square-foot facility with UPMC Urgent Care.

Physicians and staff at the new primary care office will provide comprehensive, high-quality health care. They take time to get to know you and your health history so they can provide the care for conditions that range from common to complex.

To schedule a primary care appointment, call 412-653-8570.

Physicians at the Pleasant Hills location:

• G. Richard Zimmerman, MD
• Sidra Chavla, MD
• Richard Toth, MD
• Megan Gramm, PA-C

Lawrence R. John, MD, Named as President of Pennsylvania Medical Society

Lawrence R. John, MD, of Drs. John, Chantz, Biedrzycki & Associates-UPMC, was recently sworn in as the 170th president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) — a physician-led organization representing all physicians and medical students throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

Dr. John specializes in family medicine and is a clinical instructor for the department of family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

“I am excited to have been selected as president for the Pennsylvania Medical Society and look forward to advocating for both physicians and medical students throughout the state,” said Dr. John.

John earned his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. In both 2017 and 2018 he was named one of “Pittsburgh’s Best Doctors” by Pittsburgh Magazine.

Read more.

UPMC Primary Care includes:

• Family Medicine — physicians who treat patients from a young age to seniors. Family medicine doctors may have training in a number of medical disciplines.
• Internal Medicine — physicians who usually treat adult patients and diagnose and treat diseases in adults without surgery. Internal medicine doctors have subspecialties in specific areas or age groups.

Having a UPMC primary care physician can provide you with access to:

• Family medicine or internal medicine doctors
• A long-term relationship with your personal doctor
• Hundreds of convenient office locations
• UPMC's network of clinical experts and specialists, quality resources, and state-of-the-art facilities
• A doctor who gets to know you, your lifestyle, and family history
• Secure online health care records
• Screenings, vaccinations, and physical examinations
• Blood pressure and/or blood sugar checks, and/or cholesterol monitoring

Introducing the Diabetic Retinal Exam

A specially designed, state-of-the-art camera has been installed in select primary care offices* that allows primary care physicians (PCP) to perform a diabetic retinal exam (DRE) that can help identify potential eye and vision problems in patients who are living with diabetes.

If you have diabetes, your blood sugar level may cause changes in the blood vessels of your retina. These changes may lead to bleeding, fluid leakage, or distorted vision. These changes also may lead to diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness in diabetic patients. However, early detection and appropriate follow-up with an ophthalmologist can help protect against vision loss.

Your PCP can refer you for a DRE and then perform the exam—right in the office. Having this specialized camera and trained staff in your PCP office will save time and the inconvenience of scheduling a separate appointment.

This painless exam takes only a few minutes and includes taking pictures of the back of your eyes. Your PCP and staff will review the images and send them to a UPMC specialist for further analysis. Your PCP may follow up with you and if needed, refer you to an ophthalmologist.

It’s a good idea to discuss your insurance coverage with office staff prior to your DRE.

For information about a diabetic retinal exam, contact a UPMC primary care doctor's office.