79th Annual Meeting

Pittsburgh, PA

October 21 – 23, 2022

Thursday, October 20

Afternoon golf outing at Oakmont Country Club (optional).

Friday, October 21

8:30 am: Depart Oaklander Hotel via bus for Pittsburgh Highlights Tour.

5:00 pm: Return to the Oaklander Hotel via bus from the highlights tour

5:30 - 8:30 pm: Early evening Pediatric Travel Club reception at The Oaklander Hotel

Dinner on your own. Please see our restaurant recommendations below.

Saturday, October 22

Members:

7:30 am: Depart Oaklander Hotel via bus for UPMC CHP.

7:30 am - 12:00 pm: Science Session at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Rangos Research Center.

Partners:

8:30 am: Depart Oaklander Hotel via bus for the Frick Museum.

8:30 am - 12:00 pm: Morning outing and tour at the Frick Museum.

Members & Partners:

11:30 am: Partners depart Frick Museum via bus for lunch at UPMC CHP.

12:30 - 1:30 pm: Lunch and Learn at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

2:00 - 5:00 pm: The afternoon is yours to do with what you want:

  • Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning: We highly recommend signing up for a guided tour of the Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning. We suggest scheduling your tour as soon as possible, as they only allow so many guests in each tour time slot. The time slot that works best for you to schedule your tour for Saturday would be the 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm, based upon the activities that morning/early afternoon. Details for how to request a tour are as follows:

  • Complete the Request an In-Person Guided Tour Form (in the middle of the page)

    • Select your tour date (10/22/2022); this will populate available tour times on that day

    • Choose the time you want

  • Complete the form and indicate the full names of any guests who will accompany you

  • If space exists for the time you have chosen, you will receive a confirmation and a separate email that is your entry-pass email for this building (Cathedral of Learning)

    • If space does not exist for the time you have chosen, the Tour Coordinator or staff will contact to help with alternate arrangements

  • Admission is $10.00 per person. Anyone under age 19 is a $6.00 admission

6:00 pm: Depart Oaklander Hotel via bus for Le Mont Restaurant.

6:30 pm: Dinner at LeMont Restaurant overlooking the city of Pittsburgh!

Sunday, October 23

8:00 am: Depart Oaklander Hotel via bus for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

8:30 - 9:30 am: Docent tours of the gardens.

9:45 - 11:00 am: Brunch and presentations by our special guests!

11:15 am: Depart Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via bus for Oaklander Hotel.

For information regarding the 2022 Pittsburgh meeting, please contact hosts, Rick Saladino (richard1417@comcast.net), Don Fischer (drfischer@comcast.net) and/or Andrew Urbach (andrew.urbach@chp.edu).

Accommodations

A room block for this year’s meeting has been made at The Oaklander Hotel, located in the heart of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon campuses and within walking distance to the Carnegie Museum and the Cathedral of Learning.

To make reservations, please use this link and enter your arrival and departure dates. You will then be eligible to use the PTC group rate. Should you have any trouble making your reservation, please contact The Oaklander Hotel’s Julia Trapani at Julia.Trapani@concordhotels.com.

Meet Your Hosts

Terry and Margot Dermondy

Andy and Cindy Urbach

Don and Nora Fischer

Hal Altman and Carol Wolk

Rick Saladino and Kristin Hannibal

Hey Chong and Jason Johnson

Restaurants

Restaurant Recommendations

Fine Dining

Casbah    

Upscale Mediterranean-inspired food with seasonal, locally sourced menu. Wonderful covered patio space. Valet parking. 

220 South Highland Avenue
412-661-5656

Eleven Contemporary Kitchen

Farm to table restaurant; flagship of the Big Burrito group. Beautiful space with excellent wine list. Walking distance to Heinz History Center at the start of the Strip District near downtown. Often used for business meals. 

1150 Smallman Street
412-201-5656
 

Gi-jin

New trendy spot with fresh sushi with an extensive Gin and Sake list. In the Cultural District. Hard to get a table; reservations are highly recommended. 

208 6th Street
412-307-7374

Morcilla

James Beard nominated chef serves up incredible Spanish food in small plates format. Fun setting in Lawrenceville near Children’s Hospital. Reservations are highly recommended. 

3519 Butler Street
412-652-9294

Poulet Bleu

Adorable French restaurant with a Parisian Bistro feel in Lawrenceville. Romantic setting but fun with a group as well. Next to Morcilla. Reservations are highly recommended.   

3517 Butler Street
412-325-3435
 

Pusadee’s Garden

Thai food with a lovely outdoor courtyard garden. Interior also beautiful, and food is authentic but inventive. Nora and Don’s newest favorite. Reservations are highly recommended.

5319 Butler Street
412-252-2683

Soba

Pan-Asian cuisine in a great setting. One of Big Burrito Group’s early ventures and remains consistent and special. Seared rare tuna with kim chi is outstanding!  

5847 Ellsworth Ave.
412-362-5656

Umi

Upscale sushi with an impressive omakase; small space with tasting menu at the bar/chef’s table. Big Burrito group brought chef from Nobu in NYC. Situated above Soba. Reservations are highly recommended. 

5849 Ellsworth Ave
412-362-6198

Casual Restaurants

Apteka

Creative and delicious vegan Eastern European cuisine.

4606 Penn Avenue 
412-251-0189

Butterjoint

James Beard nominated chef features farm to table, seasonal menu with small plates and excellent cocktails within walking distance of the hotel. And great spot for pierogies!  

208 N. Craig Street
412-621-2700

Chengdu Gourmet

Very unassuming but incredibly authentic Sichuan food from a James Beard award nominated chef (great choice for take-out or delivery). Currently in a construction zone and might be best to take an Uber. 

5840 Forward Avenue 
412-521-2088

Fig and Ash

Opened during the pandemic and is now in high demand. Recent review: “Hard to find sweet spot between neighborhood tavern and destination, night-out dining”. Reservations are highly recommended. 

514 E. Ohio Street  
412-321-2222

Galley Bakery Square 

Multiple pop-up restaurants and bar in a fun casual setting with great outdoor seating. 

145 Bakery Square Blvd.
412-254-3630
 

Gaucho Parrilla Argentina

Argentinian steak and wood fired meats with rooftop bar and seating. In the Cultural District. 

146 Sixth Street
412-709-6622

Muddy Waters Oyster Bar

Laid back Cajun food, with daily fresh oyster selections. Live jazz on some evenings. 

130 South Highland Avenue 
412-361-0555
 

Garbarino’s Restaurant 4th Gen

Great casual Italian; owner-chef is son of a pediatrician! 

5925 Baum Blvd.
412-665-2880
 

Lucca Ristorante

Cozy Italian restaurant within walking distance of the hotel with wonderful outdoor covered porch seating. 

317 South Craig Street
412-682-3310
 

Merchant Oyster Company

Fun spot with outdoor picnic tables plus indoor seating. Fresh oysters, linguini and clam sauce and hot lobster rolls rival any seaside location. Craft beers and specialty cocktails as well.  In Lawrenceville down the hill from Children’s Hospital. Favorite of Don and Nora and their grandkids.

4129 Butler Street
412-932-2553
 

The Porch

Casual American within walking distance of the hotel. Great place to bring kids and eat outdoors while watching them run around Schenley plaza. 

221 Schenley Drive
412-687-6724

Spork

Seasonal fresh menu utilizing garden next door. Some cocktails made tableside. 

5430 Penn Avenue
412-441-1700

Trendy, Delicious (and sometimes loud!) Restaurants

Umami

Japanese pub with the best chirashi bowl in the city in a hip, loud and lively bar with DJ on the weekends. 

202 38th Street 
412-224-2354
 

Con Alma

Latin fusion food and live jazz on weekends, Esquire magazine list for best bars in America. Reservations are highly recommended.

Shadyside Location: 5884 Ellsworth Avenue 
412-363-5316
 

Cultural District Location: 613 Penn Avenue
412-932-2387