Karl B Bezak, MD HMDC

Biography

Karl B. Bezak, MD, HMDC is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Bezak completed his medical school training at Vanderbilt University, internal medicine residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, and hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He received additional training in global health with the National Institutes of Health, gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Pennsylvania and has prior experience as an academic hospitalist.

Academically, he currently serves as the Director of Innovation and Technology for the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute, medical director for the Inpatient TelePalliative Consult Service serving rural communities in Western Pennsylvania, and specialty palliative care medical director for UPMC Health Plan's YourCare, a community-based care model.

Clinically, Dr. Bezak provides inpatient specialty palliative care through advanced pain and symptom management, assisting patients, loved ones, and clinicians with interpersonal communication and complex medical decision-making. He aims to alleviate suffering in all its forms as well as ensure goal-concordant care for patients with serious illness. He is an educator and mentor who actively seeks opportunities to provide guidance and support to colleagues, medical trainees, and allied health professionals who seek to understand and grow their skills in effective medical communication and complex medical decision-making.