UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh: pediatric ER, doctors, appointments, parking and family care
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is a major pediatric teaching and referral hospital in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood at 4401 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224. The main hospital number is 412-692-5325.
The current Lawrenceville campus includes 317 licensed beds, a 46-bed Emergency Department and Trauma Center, a 36-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, 33-bed Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, 55-bed Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 12 rehabilitation beds and 181 acute-care beds.
Families can access pediatric emergency and Level I trauma care, heart care, neurology, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, transplant, cancer treatment, orthopedics, surgery, endocrinology, nephrology, pulmonary medicine, rehabilitation, outpatient pharmacy, social work and extensive family housing/support services.
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Main operator and patient information.
Pediatric emergency care 24/7.
Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Start here: which UPMC Children’s service do you need?
The main hospital is large, so knowing the correct floor, entrance and phone number can prevent unnecessary walking and telephone transfers.
UPMC Children’s Emergency Department: pediatric ER care 24/7
The Emergency Department treats acute illnesses, worsening chronic conditions and injuries ranging from relatively straightforward problems to severe trauma.
4401 Penn Ave., Floor 1.
Attending-level pediatric emergency coverage at all times.
Current Lawrenceville campus configuration.
What does the ER treat?
- Serious breathing problems.
- Severe infections.
- Dehydration.
- Seizures.
- Major injuries.
- Head trauma.
- Complex fractures.
- Abdominal emergencies.
- Worsening chronic illnesses.
- Neurological emergencies.
- Other urgent or life-threatening pediatric conditions.
Emergency registration
Patient Access is staffed in the Emergency Department 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Registration includes demographic verification, treatment/consent documentation and insurance eligibility review when appropriate.
If a copayment applies, UPMC Children’s states that it may be collected at discharge. Financial questions should not delay emergency medical screening or stabilizing care.
Emergency transfers from another hospital
Used by referring clinicians and facilities for pediatric transfers, trauma coordination, critical-care transport and consultation.
UPMC Children’s ER wait times
UPMC Children’s publishes estimated Emergency Room and Express Care wait information, but the number can change quickly.
Emergency patients are treated according to medical urgency, not strictly in order of arrival. Ambulance arrivals, critical trauma, testing, imaging and specialist consultations can change actual waiting time.
Benedum Pediatric Trauma Program: Level I trauma care
UPMC Children’s operates western Pennsylvania’s only Level I Regional Resource Pediatric Trauma Center.
Trauma specialists can include
- Pediatric trauma and general surgeons.
- Neurosurgeons.
- Pediatric orthopedic surgeons.
- Pediatric anesthesiologists.
- Pediatric radiologists.
- Critical-care physicians.
- Plastic surgeons.
- ENT specialists.
- Urologists.
- Ophthalmologists.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
- Pediatric dentists.
- Clinical social workers.
Orthopedic trauma coverage
UPMC Children’s states that pediatric orthopedic coverage is available in the Emergency Department 24/7, meaning an orthopedic surgeon is in the hospital at all times.
Emergency orthopedic services may include:
- Sedation.
- Pain control.
- Casting.
- Selected bracing.
- Hospital admission.
- Emergency orthopedic surgery.
Emergency Room vs UPMC Children’s Express Care
Minor illnesses and injuries may be appropriate for Express Care instead of the hospital Emergency Department.
Emergency Department
Use for serious or potentially life-threatening problems.
- Severe breathing difficulty.
- Major trauma.
- Serious head injury.
- Seizure emergency.
- Severe dehydration.
- Major bleeding.
- Complex fracture.
- Other critical illness.
UPMC Children’s Express Care — Lawrenceville
4401 Penn Ave., Floor 3
Phone: 412-692-8750
Monday-Friday:
5–9 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday:
Noon–8 p.m.
Walk-in care for appropriate minor pediatric illnesses and injuries.
How to make an appointment at UPMC Children’s Hospital
Many specialties now offer online scheduling, while others require a referral or direct clinic call.
Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Useful if you are unsure which pediatric specialist your child needs.
UPMC Children’s specialty appointment phone numbers
These direct numbers are useful when you already know which pediatric service your child needs.
| Specialty | Phone | Main-campus location / note |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiology / Heart Institute | 412-692-5540 | 4401 Penn Ave., Floor 3; referral required |
| Child Neurology | 412-692-5520 | Floor 2; in-person and video scheduling available |
| Neurosurgery | 412-692-5090 | Floor 2 |
| Gastroenterology | 412-692-5180 | Floor 3; general GI does not require a physician referral |
| Pediatric Surgery | 412-692-7280 | Press option 1 for appointment/surgery scheduling |
| Orthopaedic Surgery | 412-692-5530 | Online scheduling also available |
| Endocrinology / Diabetes | 412-692-5170 | Referral required |
| Nephrology | 412-692-5182 | Referral and supporting records generally required |
| Allergy & Immunology | 412-692-7885 | Referral required |
| Rheumatology | 412-692-5081 | Referral accepted from primary care or specialist |
| Infectious Diseases | 412-692-7438 | Physician referral generally not required, but insurance may require authorization |
| Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine | 412-692-6677 | Online scheduling available |
| Newborn Medicine | 412-692-5030 | NICU/follow-up/fetal-related programs |
| Blood & Marrow Transplant / Cellular Therapy | 412-692-8040 | Specialty transplant and cellular-therapy program |
| Rehabilitation Therapies | 412-692-5480 | Floor 2; PT, OT and speech-language therapy |
UPMC Children’s Hospital doctors: current specialist snapshot
UPMC Children’s has a large pediatric medical staff. The providers below are current specialists identified on official UPMC Children’s team pages and its 2026 physician recognition list.
Heart Institute / Pediatric Cardiology
| Physician | Current role / focus | Appointment |
|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Kreutzer, MD | Chief, Pediatric Cardiology; Medical Director, Heart Institute | 412-692-5540 |
| Gaurav Arora, MD | Director of Electrophysiology | 412-692-5540 |
| Brian D. Feingold, MD, MS | Heart Failure and Heart Transplant | 412-692-5540 |
| Bryan H. Goldstein, MD | Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory | 412-692-5540 |
| Laura Jean Olivieri, MD | Director, Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging | 412-692-5540 |
| Sara Trucco, MD | Associate Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory | 412-692-5540 |
| Victor Morell, MD | Chair, Cardiothoracic Surgery; Co-Director, Heart Institute | Heart Institute scheduling |
Child Neurology
| Physician | Current role / clinical focus | Appointment |
|---|---|---|
| Ira Bergman, MD, PhD | Chief, Division of Child Neurology | 412-692-5520 |
| Robert Safier, MD | Clinical Director, Child Neurology | 412-692-5520 |
| Hoda Abdel-Hamid, MD | Neuromuscular Program / EMG Laboratory | 412-692-5520 |
| Dana Cummings, MD, PhD | Pediatric Stroke / Neurovascular Care | 412-692-5520 |
| Christina Patterson, MD | Director, Epilepsy Center | 412-692-5520 |
| Deepa Soundara Rajan, MD | Center for NeuroGenomics | 412-692-5520 |
| William Welch, MD | Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Program | 412-692-5520 |
Pediatric Surgery
| Surgeon | Current role / focus | Appointment |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Mollen, MD | Surgeon-in-Chief; Chief, Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery | 412-692-7280 |
| Marcus Malek, MD | Director, Pediatric Surgical Oncology | 412-692-7280 |
| Kelly Austin, MD | Director, Colorectal Center for Children; Surgical Director, PICU | 412-692-7280 |
| George K. Gittes, MD | Pediatric Surgery / Surgical Research | 412-692-7280 |
| Michael Morowitz, MD | Pediatric Surgery / Clinical Research | 412-692-7280 |
| Stefan Scholz, MD | Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery | 412-692-7280 |
| Paul K. Waltz, MD | Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery | 412-692-7280 |
2026 recognized specialists in other high-demand fields
| Physician | Specialty | Department contact |
|---|---|---|
| Feras Al-Issa, MD | Pediatric Gastroenterology | 412-692-5180 |
| Mary H. Ayers, MD | Pediatric Gastroenterology | 412-692-5180 |
| Simon Horslen, MD | Pediatric Gastroenterology / Hepatology | 412-692-5180 |
| Whitney M. Sunseri, MD | Pediatric Gastroenterology / IBD | 412-692-5180 |
| Andrew J. Bukowinski, MD | Pediatric Hematology-Oncology | General scheduling: 412-530-5213 |
| Erika Friehling, MD | Pediatric Hematology-Oncology | General scheduling: 412-530-5213 |
| Jean Tersak, MD | Pediatric Hematology-Oncology | General scheduling: 412-530-5213 |
| Michael P. McClincy, MD | Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery | 412-692-5530 |
| Stephen A. Mendelson, MD | Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery | 412-692-5530 |
| Traci M. Kazmerski, MD | Pediatric Pulmonology | General scheduling |
| Geoffrey Kurland, MD | Pediatric Pulmonology | General scheduling |
| Silva A. Arslanian, MD | Pediatric Endocrinology | 412-692-5170 |
| Ingrid M. Libman, MD, PhD | Pediatric Endocrinology | 412-692-5170 |
Pediatric services available at UPMC Children’s Hospital
The main campus supports both routine pediatric specialty visits and very complex inpatient, surgical, critical-care and transplant treatment.
Emergency Medicine
24/7 pediatric emergency physicians.
Trauma
Level I Regional Resource Pediatric Trauma Center.
PICU
36-bed pediatric intensive-care unit.
CICU
33-bed cardiac intensive-care unit.
NICU
55-bed Level IV neonatal intensive-care unit.
Heart Institute
Cardiology, EP, catheterization, surgery and transplant.
Neurology
Epilepsy, stroke, neuromuscular and neurogenetic care.
Neurosurgery
Pediatric brain and spine surgery.
Gastroenterology
GI, liver, pancreas, nutrition and intestinal care.
Transplant
Liver, intestine and other advanced pediatric transplant services.
Cancer Care
Pediatric hematology, oncology and cellular therapies.
General Surgery
General, thoracic, colorectal and minimally invasive surgery.
Orthopaedics
Trauma, spine, limb and musculoskeletal care.
Endocrinology
Diabetes, growth, thyroid and metabolic disorders.
Nephrology
Pediatric kidney disease and related treatment.
Pulmonary Medicine
Asthma and complex childhood lung disease.
Allergy & Immunology
Food allergy, immune disorders, asthma and eczema.
Rheumatology
Autoimmune, inflammatory and musculoskeletal disorders.
Infectious Diseases
Rare, recurrent and complex infections.
Rehabilitation
12 inpatient rehab beds plus PT, OT and speech therapy.
Plastic Surgery
Craniofacial and reconstructive pediatric surgery.
ENT
Pediatric ear, nose, throat and airway care.
Urology
Pediatric urinary and genital conditions.
Adolescent Medicine
Specialized healthcare for adolescents and young adults.
PICU, Cardiac ICU and current critical-care capacity
PICU for critically ill and injured pediatric patients.
Dedicated cardiac critical-care environment.
Level IV medical-surgical neonatal care.
Together, these units make up the hospital’s 124-bed critical-care capacity.
Emergency referrals and critical-care transfers can be coordinated through the Children’s Communications Center at 412-692-5000.
Overnight parent space
Critical-care units provide one sleep space for a parent, guardian or designated person at the bedside.
UPMC Children’s Level IV NICU
The Lawrenceville NICU is designed for newborns with some of the most complex medical and surgical conditions.
Highest-level neonatal intensive-care capability.
Combined medical-surgical NICU on Floor 8.
The NICU treats premature and critically ill newborns, including infants who need complex pediatric surgery or neonatal ECMO.
Because the NICU is located inside a full children’s hospital, babies can also receive care from pediatric specialists in cardiology, surgery, neurology, genetics, GI, pulmonology and other fields.
UPMC Children’s Heart Institute
The Heart Institute provides care from fetal diagnosis through childhood and into adult congenital heart follow-up.
Main campus: 4401 Penn Ave., Floor 3.
Heart services include
- General pediatric cardiology.
- Fetal and perinatal cardiology.
- Echocardiography.
- ECG and cardiac monitoring.
- Exercise testing.
- Electrophysiology.
- Arrhythmia treatment.
- Cardiac catheterization.
- Interventional cardiology.
- Congenital heart surgery.
- Heart failure care.
- Heart transplant.
- Preventive cardiology.
- Cardiac rehabilitation and recovery.
UPMC Children’s doctor fees, ER costs and price estimates
There is no single fixed fee for every pediatric specialist appointment or Emergency Department visit.
Why a doctor’s visit can have more than one charge
UPMC explains that hospital-based clinics can generate:
- A professional charge from the doctor.
- A hospital/facility charge.
- Laboratory charges.
- Imaging charges.
- Procedure or supply charges.
Your actual responsibility depends on insurance, network status, deductible, coinsurance, copay and the care performed during the visit.
Emergency Room cost
An ER bill can change substantially depending on whether your child needs:
- Emergency evaluation.
- Blood testing.
- X-ray, CT, MRI or ultrasound.
- IV fluids or medication.
- Sedation.
- Procedures.
- Trauma services.
- Specialist consultation.
- Operating-room care.
- Observation or hospital admission.
Price transparency
UPMC provides price-transparency and hospital charge information. A charge-master value should not be treated as a guaranteed patient price because actual out-of-pocket cost depends on the services performed and insurance benefits.
Hospital bills, physician bills and payment plans
One visit can produce more than one statement, so first identify which organization issued the bill.
Patient Business Services.
Professional/provider bill questions.
Toll-free: 844-591-5949.
UPMC billing representatives can help with:
- Understanding a statement.
- Requesting an itemized bill.
- Making a payment.
- Discussing payment options.
- Setting up an eligible payment plan.
- Financial-assistance referrals.
UPMC financial assistance for Children’s Hospital families
UPMC’s Financial Assistance Program may help eligible families with UPMC hospital and physician bills.
Choose option 2 for financial-assistance support.
What the program can help with
UPMC’s current assistance process can apply to qualifying hospital and physician care. Families can submit one UPMC Financial Assistance Application for eligible services.
Before or during the application
- Ask whether the child’s care is covered by the assistance program.
- Apply for government insurance programs when eligible.
- Provide requested household financial information.
- Ask about a payment plan if an eligible balance remains.
- Request translated or large-print application materials if needed.
UPMC Children’s parking, garages, valet and ER entrance
Patient and family parking is available on the Lawrenceville campus.
Parking garages
UPMC Children’s directs patient families to campus parking that includes the Mid-Campus Garage and Penn Garage. Accessible parking is available, and valet service is offered through the main hospital driveway.
Current published parking-rate range
Current UPMC Children’s travel information lists $3 for 0–3 hours.
Rates can change; use posted garage pricing as the final authority.
Emergency Department arrival
If you are approaching on Penn Avenue, continue along the front of the hospital to 44th Street and turn toward the hospital. UPMC states that the Emergency Department patient entrance is immediately on the right.
Main entrance arrival
For the main patient entrance, use 45th Street and follow campus parking signs.
UPMC Children’s visitor rules, parent access and ID badges
UPMC Children’s currently uses a two-person visitation limit in several major care settings.
Current two-person visitation limit
UPMC Children’s currently limits visitation to two people in:
- Inpatient areas.
- Emergency Department.
- Outpatient surgery.
- Outpatient appointments.
Minor visitors
Visitors between ages 2 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult and currently must be able to wear a mask.
Visitor ID badge
Inpatient and surgical-area visitors must obtain a visitor ID badge. Adults entering inpatient areas and Same Day Surgery must present valid photo identification.
Floor 1A
Daily:
7 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Off-hours visitor badging is available through the patient access desk in the Emergency Department.
Confidentiality code
Parents or legal guardians of admitted patients receive a six-digit patient confidentiality code. Visitors may need this code before receiving inpatient access.
Regular visitor hours
Pint Size Prescriptions: UPMC Children’s outpatient pharmacy
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
4401 Penn Ave., Floor 1
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Monday-Friday:
9:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday:
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The inpatient Pharmacy Department is staffed by pediatric-trained pharmacists and can be consulted by hospital clinical teams 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Other hospital pharmacy areas
| Pharmacy | Floor | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Main Pharmacy | 5 | 412-692-6267 |
| Chemotherapy Pharmacy | 9 | 412-692-8605 |
| OR Satellite Pharmacy | 4 | 412-692-3406 |
| Pint Size Prescriptions | 1 | 412-692-9200 |
How to request UPMC Children’s medical records
Health Information Management maintains inpatient, same-day surgery and outpatient hospital records.
Hospital medical-record department.
Email: RecordRelease@chp.edu
Submit a signed authorization
UPMC Children’s accepts its Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information through:
- Fax: 412-692-6068
- Email: RecordRelease@chp.edu
- Mail: UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Health Information Management Department, 4401 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224-1334
Is there a records fee?
UPMC Children’s states that a charge can apply for copies of medical records unless the records are being requested to maintain continuity of care.
Ronald McDonald House and nearby family lodging
Families coming from outside Pittsburgh have both hospital-adjacent and nearby low-cost lodging options.
Ronald McDonald House Pittsburgh
451 44th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Connected to UPMC Children’s by an enclosed pedestrian bridge.
Across eight floors.
Current Children’s lodging information.
Financial assistance is available.
Who may qualify?
Current Children’s lodging guidance states that eligible Ronald McDonald House families generally live more than 40 miles from the hospital and have a child under age 21 actively receiving medical care.
Rooms are not reserved in advance; they are provided on a daily, first-come/first-served basis based on availability.
Family House
5308 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Family House does not have an age or distance requirement and provides private rooms, kitchens, laundry, common areas and transportation options for eligible patients and caregivers.
Staying in your child’s room
Most acute-care rooms have sleeping accommodations for two adults. Critical-care units provide one bedside sleep space. Siblings and other children cannot stay overnight in the hospital.
Family Resource Center, Child Life, interpreters and practical support
Family Resource Center
The hospital campus includes a roughly 20,000-square-foot family resource and activity center with family support areas such as a chapel, libraries, healing garden and business resources.
Child Life
Child Life specialists help children and families cope with procedures, hospitalization, fear and unfamiliar medical experiences.
Clinical Social Work
Social workers can help with lodging, transportation, meal assistance, family stress and community resources.
Interpreter and communication assistance
Available services include:
- Foreign-language interpreters.
- Sign-language interpreters.
- Listening devices.
- TDD/TTY equipment.
- Video-based communication assistance.
Welcome/Information Center services
The Welcome Center can help families with:
- Maps and directions.
- Visitor passes.
- Wheelchairs.
- Transportation arrangements.
- Parking information.
- Overnight accommodation questions.
- Amenity kits.
- Car-seat loan information.
- Gift/flower delivery coordination.
Welcome/Information Center: 7 a.m.–10:30 p.m. daily.
Other useful family numbers
- Chaplain: 412-692-5349
- Care Coordination: 412-692-7293
- Food & Nutrition: 412-692-5703
- Gift Shop: 412-692-5187
- Patient Representative: 412-692-5489
- Public Safety: 412-692-5191
- Lost & Found: 412-864-9990
- Supportive / Palliative Care: 412-692-3234
UPMC Children’s Hospital phone directory
Use the direct number when possible to avoid unnecessary transfers.
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Google Map
The main hospital is in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood.
ER: approach from Penn Avenue and use 44th Street.
Main patient entrance: use 45th Street and follow parking signs.
Before you leave home: parent checklist
Scheduled specialty appointment
- Confirm doctor’s name and specialty.
- Confirm main campus versus regional location.
- Ask whether a referral is required.
- Confirm insurance authorization.
- Bring insurance card.
- Bring required copay if applicable.
- Bring medication and allergy lists.
- Bring outside medical records/images requested by the clinic.
- Allow extra time because of current construction.
- Confirm garage and floor before arriving.
Emergency or inpatient visit
- Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
- ER entrance is accessed from 44th Street.
- ER physician coverage is 24/7.
- Current visitation is generally limited to two people.
- Parents can remain with hospitalized children 24/7.
- Bring photo ID for inpatient visitor badging.
- Save the six-digit patient confidentiality code.
- Ask Social Work if lodging or meal help is needed.
- Pint Size Prescriptions is on Floor 1.
- Ronald McDonald House is connected to campus.
UPMC Children’s Hospital FAQs
Answers to common questions parents search before visiting UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
1. What is UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s address and phone number?
2. Is UPMC Children’s Emergency Department open 24 hours?
3. Is UPMC Children’s Hospital a Level I pediatric trauma center?
4. How do I make an appointment with a UPMC Children’s specialist?
5. What are UPMC Children’s Hospital visitor rules?
6. How much does parking cost at UPMC Children’s Hospital?
7. Does UPMC Children’s Hospital have a Level IV NICU?
8. How do I request medical records from UPMC Children’s Hospital?
9. Does UPMC Children’s offer financial assistance?
10. Is there a Ronald McDonald House near UPMC Children’s Hospital?
Official resources checked for this guide
Information was checked against current UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and UPMC resources for the hospital campus, Emergency Department, trauma program, specialist teams, NICU/PICU, appointments, visitors, parking, pharmacy, medical records, lodging, billing and financial assistance. The key information is summarized directly above; these links are primarily for booking, forms and future updates.
- UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Main hospital location
- Pediatric Emergency Department
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Benedum Pediatric Trauma Program
- Main campus and bed information
- Schedule an appointment
- Pediatric Cardiology physicians
- Child Neurology physicians
- Pediatric Surgery physicians
- UPMC Children’s 2026 recognized physicians
- Level IV NICU
- Current visitor guidelines
- Directions and entrances
- Hospital and parking maps
- Pediatric Pharmacy Department
- Medical-record forms
- Family lodging and Ronald McDonald House
- Welcome and Information Center
- UPMC financial assistance
- UPMC billing and payment information