Carl Bates, MD, dedicated his career to improving outcomes for children with kidney disease. Now, in retirement, he continues to contribute to the field of pediatric nephrology through his philanthropy.
Building a Stronger Division
Dr. Bates joined UPMC Children’s in 2008 as Chief of Pediatric Nephrology and later served as Vice Chair of Basic Research in the Department of Pediatrics. During his tenure, he fostered the growth and development of faculty and fellows and led a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded lab focused on kidney development and birth defects, as well as treatments for acute bladder injury.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Bates points to several career highlights. “We engaged in many innovative clinical therapies for patients, had one of the highest rates of pediatric kidney transplantation across the country, and consistently had high numbers of NIH-funded clinicians and scientists.”
Giving Where the Need Is Greatest
After retiring in 2022, Dr. Bates maintained a philanthropic commitment to the Division of Pediatric Nephrology and recently documented a planned gift in support of the division.
“Despite a strong pediatric nephrology division, we had very limited contributions to divisional accounts,” he explains. “Similarly, children with chronic kidney disease tend to go under the radar as it relates to donor funding.”
Dr. Bates’s planned gift will support the division’s greatest needs, allowing future leaders to direct resources where they can make the greatest impact. Whether funding new equipment, accelerating research, or supporting education, the gift will allow physicians and staff to remain flexible and forward-thinking.
“My hope is that these donations will help fill funding gaps and support whatever priorities are most important at the time,” he shares.
Life in Retirement
Although he has stepped away from academic medicine, Dr. Bates remains deeply engaged in his community and professional interests. As a lead cantor at Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church in McKees Rocks, he not only leads the congregation in singing the responses to the priest, but also creates musical notation for traditional hymns. He also studies German, participates in alumni leadership activities, works out regularly, and enjoys traveling with his wife.
A Gift That Endures
While retirement has opened the door to new pursuits, Dr. Bates remains deeply invested in the work that centered his career. His planned gift reflects a lasting commitment to the patients, research, and education efforts that have long defined the Division of Pediatric Nephrology at UPMC Children’s.
To learn more about making a legacy gift to UPMC Children’s, please visit: https://www.givetochildrens.org/planned-giving