Last year, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh announced the opening of a Behavioral Health walk-in clinic at UPMC Children’s South in South Fayette Township.
Now, thanks in part to visionary philanthropic leadership from several donors, UPMC Children’s is unveiling plans to further expand pediatric behavioral health services at this location, transforming how families access health care.
This is an important step toward improving access to timely, compassionate mental health care for children, teens, and families in the South Hills.
“As demand continues to grow, so too must our investment in the people, programs, and spaces that make care possible,” UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation President Rachel Petrucelli said. “Philanthropy will continue to play a vital role in advancing that vision, helping us expand access, strengthen the behavioral health workforce, and ensure that children and families can receive expert care where and when they need it most.”
Philanthropy Helping Bring the Vision to Life
These plans are being made possible through the generosity of lead donors: the Mascaro Family Foundation, the McKamish family, and Bob and Chris Pietrandrea, whose long-time support of pediatric behavioral health is helping bring this new model of care to life.
The Mascaro Family Foundation’s support continues a meaningful history of helping rally generosity for UPMC Children’s patients, including matching gifts that inspire others to give where the need is greatest.
“Today’s announcement is filling a critical gap in our area, helping kids thrive into adulthood while creating a model of care that will benefit generations to come,” said Michael Mascaro at the unveiling. “On behalf of the Mascaro Family Foundation and all other donors, we are honored to be a part of expanding behavioral health care to more children and families.”
For the McKamish family, this support builds on a long-standing commitment to UPMC Children’s and to giving back to the Pittsburgh community, including decades of partnership, employee engagement, and philanthropic support for the children and families who turn to the hospital in their greatest times of need.
Bob and Chris Pietrandrea’s dedication reflects the same commitment behind this expansion: ensuring children and teens have access to behavioral health care that is timely, compassionate, and close to home.
Expanding Access for Families
The clinic will be UPMC Children’s first-ever standalone behavioral health clinic, designed to help meet the growing behavioral health needs of young people across the region. Once open, the clinic will offer group and individual therapy, parent support groups, and an onsite psychiatrist for four high-demand specialty areas: child development, gastroenterology, neurology, and ophthalmology.
In southwestern PA, UPMC Children’s is uniquely positioned to meet the behavioral health needs of this region’s youth. Families in our region often wait weeks or months for care; many travel long distances; others go without care altogether. Plus, behavioral health services are reimbursed at far lower rates than medical care. With philanthropic support, UPMC Children’s is accelerating progress, optimizing care, and growing a workforce of providers to support children and families.
Philanthropic commitment reflects a shared belief that children and families deserve timely access to behavioral health services before challenges become crises.
The plans also show the power of philanthropy to respond to urgent community needs. Thanks to these donors, UPMC Children’s is strengthening access to mental health resources and creating more pathways for children and teens to receive help when they need it most.