Vice President, Patient Care Services, and Chief Nursing Officer, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Paula Eicker, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, is vice president, Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. With over 30 years of healthcare experience, she has served in many roles throughout her career. In her current position, Paula provides executive leadership for the Patient Care Division and Nursing Services. She has served in a nursing leadership role for 20 years, working to improve patient outcomes and staff satisfaction. Paula plays an active role in both hospital and nursing strategic planning.
Prior to her current role, Paula served as senior director, Pediatric Transplantation, Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, neurodiagnostics, and the Supportive Care Program. Much of her career has focused on pediatric transplantation, and she has been integral in establishing the East Coast Network for Pediatric Liver Transplants. This network strives to increase the availability of transplant organs in nearby regions.
Paula has helped design and develop the metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) room on the Oncology Unit for use in treating neuroblastoma patients. She established the Neurodiagnostic Tech School to meet the staffing needs of the department and the increased demand for neurodiagnostic studies. She has been an advocate for expanding supportive care services, which now includes home check-ins after discharge. Her nursing leadership includes oversight of the Administrators on Duty, advisor to the Professional Practice Council, Capacity Management Committee, Patient Care Finance Committee, and leading teams through successful implementation of new processes and products.
Paula received her master’s degree in nursing administration from Chatham University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Duquesne University. She holds a national Nurse Executive Advanced board certification and is currently the President of the International Transplant Nurses Society. She has presented on various healthcare topics both nationally and internationally.
