Department of Medicine
Faculty Profiles by Division

Division of General Internal Medicine

Faculty Profiles
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photo Karl Bezak, MD, HMDC

General Internal Medicine

(he/him)

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics

Follow on Twitter @karlbezakmd

Email: bezakkb@upmc.edu
Contact
 
E-mail: bezakkb@upmc.edu
Education and Training
Education
MD, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2010
Board Certified in Internal Medicine, NYP-Weill Cornell, 2013
Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Mount Sinai, 2019
Hospice Medical Director Certification, HMDCB, 2023
Training
Internal Medicine Residency, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center
Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC
Research Interest
Dr. Bezak's research focuses on developing the emerging landscape of hospice and palliative medicine and technological healthcare innovations.
Clinical Interest
Dr. Bezak's clinical interests focus on identifying and alleviating physical, emotional, social, and existential human suffering of patients with serious illness and their loved ones through practicing compassionate, evidence-based, high-quality hospice and palliative medicine.
Educational Interest
Dr. Bezak fosters awareness and engagement in palliative care as an essential paradigm for providing whole-person, high-value, equitable, patient and family-centered care that enhances long-term quality of life and supports sustainability of health systems.
Publications
Selected Publications:
Bezak, K. B. 5 Ways to Improve Hospitalist-Palliative Care Collaboration. Center for the Advancement of Palliative Care. 2019.
Bezak, K. B. The Use of Psychostimulants in Patients with Serious Illness. Case Studies in Palliative and Supportive Care Series. University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine. 2020.
Bezak, K. B. Saying Goodbye to Your Patient: Honoring Patient-Clinician Relationships in the Hospital. Case Studies in Palliative and Supportive Care Series. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. 2022; 22.
Andersen, S. K., Vincent, G., Butler, R. A., Brown, E., Maloney, D., Khalid, S., Oanesa, R., Yun, J., Pidro, C., Davis, V. N., Resick, J., Richardson, A.R., Rak, K., Barnes, J., Bezak, K. B., et al. ProPACC: Protocol for a Trial of Integrated Specialty Palliative Care for Critically Ill Older Adults. JPSM. 2022; 63(6): e601-610.
Notable Achievements
Resident Award for Quality Improvement, NYP - Weill Cornell Medical Center, 2012
Mount Sinai Health Hackathon Winner, Icahn School of Medicine, 2018
Honorable Mention, Department of Medicine Research Day, University of Pittsburgh, 2021
New Physician Excellence in Clinical Care Award, UPMC, 2021

Division Websites

Cardiology

Endocrinology and Metabolism

Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

General Internal Medicine

Geriatric Medicine
Hematology/Oncology

Infectious Diseases

Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine

Renal-Electrolyte

Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

Contact

Department of Medicine
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3550 Terrace Street
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Email:  chairoff@pitt.edu
Phone:  412-648-9636
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