Philanthropy supports behavioral health for children with chronic conditions. Alexandra Bobb, PhD, NCSP, recently joined the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology (GI), Hepatology and Nutrition and the Colorectal Center for Children as pediatric psychologist.
The role, funded in part by philanthropy, allows Dr. Bobb to support children and adolescents served by the GI Division’s Pediatric IBD Center and the Colorectal Center for Children at UPMC Children’s. Her position is driven by the hospital’s
commitment to growth and expansion of the UPMC Children’s IBD Center, as well as the expansion of embedded behavioral health care for children and families managing complex gastrointestinal and colorectal conditions.
“There is a tremendous need for behavioral health care for children with complex medical needs and those living with chronic illness.” Dr. Bobb says, “I want our kids back in school doing the things they care about and should be doing as children. They need normalcy, peer support, structure, and the ability to build a life outside of their diagnosis.”
Finding Purpose in Pittsburgh
Dr. Bobb earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees, including her Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, from Texas Woman’s University. She came to Pittsburgh to complete her doctoral internship at UPMC Children’s Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, working with the heart/lung, liver, kidney, and small intestine transplant programs. Dr. Bobb stayed to complete a postdoctoral fellowship with the Pediatric Transplant Center and was subsequently offered her current faculty position upon completion of her training.
Originally from Texas, Dr. Bobb relocated with her two children and found the Pittsburgh region and UPMC Children’s to be a personal and professional fit.
“This work, these teams, and this city have changed everything for us,” says Dr. Bobb. “The values here match mine, and the families I work with are incredible. I’m here for the long haul.”
Changing the Future of Children’s Behavioral Health
Behavioral health is a key part of the Foundation’s fundraising campaign, This Moment: Put a Child’s Future First. As a component of the Community Health campaign pillar, support for This Moment powers initiatives that promote the social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of young people in the region. Learn more about our work toward this effort.
Dr. Bobb is also focused on how her work at UPMC Children’s contributes to the field of behavioral health and the future of children’s care. “I love the clinical work. I love talking with families, but I also want to step back and study what is working and how to make it better,” Dr. Bobb says.
As her work progresses at UPMC Children’s, Dr. Bobb has plans to explore how self-regulation and coping strategies can be taught more explicitly in pediatric subspecialty care, and how early interventions might shape developmental trajectories in children facing long-term illness.
To read more about Dr. Bobb’s vital work, check out UPMC Physician Resources.