UPMC names Diane Hupp new president of Children's Hospital

Diane Hupp has been named president of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the health system announced Tuesday.

Hupp, 57, of Fox Chapel, began working at Children’s Hospital as a volunteer 36 years ago. She has since served in several administrative leadership roles, including chief nursing officer, vice president of patient care services and vice president of operations.

“I am immensely proud that we found the leader with the expertise, business acumen, compassion and commitment to build upon the excellent reputation of this nationally ranked pediatric hospital right here within our own walls,” said Mark Sevco, president of UPMC Hospitals.

Hupp will assume her new role on Feb. 1. UPMC declined to disclose her salary.

After spending more than three decades at Children’s Hospital in a number of roles, Hupp said she has a “strong passion” for the pediatric hospital.

“Children’s Hospital does have a unique culture, and it really centers around the patient and the family and putting our children first, above all,” she said.

Hupp helped lead the hospital’s response to the covid-19 pandemic and coordinated community vaccination efforts, the health system said. She also spearheaded an initiative to create a pediatric transplant network on the East Coast, according to UPMC.

“Delivering the highest level of care to our children and families has been a passion for the majority of my life and I am simply humbled and grateful for the opportunity,” Hupp said.

As the hospital’s president, Hupp said she hopes to help Children’s Hospital grow and partner with other hospitals and emergency departments. She said she also wants to maintain “an exceptional level of service here at UPMC Children’s so that every patient and family leaves with an extraordinary experience.”

Hupp is taking the helm amid a national shortage of health care workers as the pandemic is poised to enter its third year. She said it will be important to ensure that Children’s can recruit and retain talented health care workers, touting UPMC’s initiative to celebrate “the year of the employee” this year to recognize their staff.

Despite potential challenges, Hupp said working for Children’s Hospital is always rewarding, because she can see “the differences that individuals like myself and my staff can make every day here.”

Hupp earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s in nursing administration from Duquesne University and a doctorate in nursing practice from the University of Pittsburgh.