Teresa Quattrin, MD, highly regarded pediatrician and researcher, named UB pediatrics chair

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Teresa Quattrin, MD, professor of pediatrics at the University at Buffalo, an internationally known physician-scientist and an expert in childhood diabetes and obesity, has been appointed chair of the UB Department of Pediatrics after a comprehensive national search.

Her appointment is effective Feb. 1. She had been serving as interim chair of the department, which is based in Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (WCHOB).

In announcing the appointment, Michael E. Cain, MD, dean of the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said: "Dr. Quattrin emerged clearly as our top candidate. She possesses the administrative, scientific, clinical, leadership and visionary skills needed to move the department forward.

"With her knowledge and experience," he continued, "she will expand the department's basic and clinical research programs to fulfill UB 2020's strategic goals, and develop and align clinical programs with Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo through our affiliation with Kaleida Health."

Cheryl Klass, president of WCHOB, said of the appointment: "I'm thrilled that Dr. Quattrin's leadership and clinical expertise will allow Women and Children's Hospital to continue advancing the care we provide to children from Western New York and beyond.

"As the major pediatric teaching hospital for UB's school of medicine, our patients and families will benefit from Dr. Quattrin's leadership. She will strengthen innovation and quality of care delivered by our comprehensive team of pediatric specialists."

In addition to her chairmanship, Quattrin will serve as Kaleida Health's pediatrician-in-chief, chief of the department's Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and director of the WCHOB Diabetes Center.

Quattrin and colleagues currently are testing a novel family-based, weight control intervention in preschool children in urban and suburban pediatric practices in Western New York. The intervention, called Buffalo Healthy Tots, is the first of its kind in the U.S. The project is funded by a $2.58 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

She also is principal investigator on Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet, a study conducted nationally and internationally to prevent diabetes and halt its progression. Blood samples are collected in relatives of persons with type 1 diabetes to establish the risk for the disease and to enroll them in protocols to prevent it. In conjunction, therapies are being tested to explore the possibility of halting the progression of type 1 diabetes in children who were newly diagnosed.

Closer to home, Quattrin has received one of five Type 2 Diabetes Center of Excellence grants from the New York State Department of Health to screen youth at increased risk of developing the disease. The $500,000 award is in its fourth year.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, a Kaleida Health facility and teaching hospital for the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is the regional center for specialized pediatric, perinatal and obstetrical services in Western New York and beyond. The Women and Children's Hospital Diabetes Center is and American Diabetes Association recognized center via the National Committee for Quality Assurance.