John Weidinger
John Weidinger graduated from Duquesne University’s Physician Assistant program in 1999. His first job as a PA was in an outpatient pediatrician’s office where he spent close to 6 years. In 2005, he started his journey at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He initially worked within the Weight Management and Wellness center (now embedded within the Endocrine Division) managing childhood obesity. In 2011, he expanded to providing treatment to pediatric patients with not only obesity, but diabetes and other endocrine disorders in the outpatient setting. His passion for this patient population led to his involvement in the Healthy Eating and Advisory Team and through his work in the teaching kitchen project, he was promoted to Senior APP. In 2019, he transitioned from outpatient pediatric endocrinology to work full time as the division’s inpatient hospitalist. John primarily supports the Endocrine consult team and thus interacts with colleagues in nearly all pediatric subspecialties. John is recognized throughout the hospital by other specialties, and his presence brings continuity of care for patients and providers. He has been instrumental in streamlining the inpatient and consult services, serving as a pillar for the Endocrine Division in this space.
He participates in the training of all staff, including APPs within and outside of our division. He is also a valuable teacher for our physician fellows, residents, medical students, and observers in the Endocrine division. He is instrumental in promoting clinical skill development. Staff look up to his expertise and experience, and he helps new staff in orienting and navigating the service needs and demands. In 2023, he worked closely with the Division’s clinical director to create endocrine referral guidelines to be distributed to community PCPs. He participates in NICU Metabolic bone disease of prematurity work group with bi-monthly meeting to assess efficacy of clinical guidelines. He has established and participates in weekly meetings with NICU staff at a neighboring hospital to manage infants at risk for metabolic bone disease of prematurity. In 2024, he was formally recognized for all of the above efforts in APP career ladder advancement to Expert Physician Assistant.
In 2025, John was awarded Distinctive APP of the year for both Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and for all of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which comprises over 3,600 APPs. To quote on of the fellows who nominated him for these awards “John is the embodiment of what it means to be a leader in advanced practice. His impact resonates through the patients he serves, the colleagues he supports, and the learners he inspires.”