Department of Medicine
Faculty Profiles by Division

Department of Medicine

Faculty Profiles
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photo Vida Almario Passero, MD, MBA

Hematology/Oncology

Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine

Hematology Oncology Fellowship Associate Program Director

Chief Medical Officer, VA National TeleOncology

Email: passerova@upmc.edu

Phone: 412-360-3909
Contact
Office: VAPHS University Drive
Dept of Hematology Oncology - 8W124
Pittsburgh, PA 15240
 
Phone: 412-360-3909
Fax: 412-360-6915
E-mail: passerova@upmc.edu
Education and Training
Education
BA, Georgetown University
MD, West Virginia University
MBA, Carlow University
Training
Internal Medicine Residency, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2005
Chief Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2006
Hematology Oncology Fellowship, University of PIttsburgh Medical Center, 2009
Research Interest
Development of collaborative, innovative cancer care models to improve patient access to comprehensive specialty care and to strengthen clinicians', patients', and caregivers' informed decision making about medical care in their local, regional, and national communities.
Clinical Interest
Dr. Passero is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist whose clinical practice is at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System - University Drive.

As Chief Medical Officer of VA National TeleOncology (virtually based in Durham, North Carolina), her focus is on building innovative comprehensive cancer care delivery services to ensure Veterans 1) have across-the-nation access to specialized hematology/oncology care and treatment and 2) have the option to receive their cancer therapies "Close to Me" (primary care clinics, mobile units, home).

Prior to National TeleOncology, her team at VA Pittsburgh launched the Virtual Cancer Care Clinic where using clinical video telehealth, patients receive chemotherapy in rural Pennsylvania while maintaining routine management and continuity with their primary oncologists located in Pittsburgh.
Educational Interest
Dr. Passero is the Associate Program Director for the ACGME-accredited Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program. She is also an active member of the UPMC Medical Education Subcommittee on Accreditation, Review, and Quality (ARQC).
Publications
Selected Publications:
Jiang CY, El-Kouri NT, Elliot D, Shileds J, Caram ME, Frankel TL, Ramnath N, Passero VA. Telehealth for Cancer Care in Veterans: Opportunities and Challenges Revealed by COVID. Journal of Clinical Oncology Oncology Practice. 2021.
Tan-Shalaby, J.L., Carrick, J, Edinger, K, Genovese, D, Liman, A.D., Passero, V.A., Shah, R.B. Modified Atkins diet in advanced malignancies - final results of a safety and feasibility trial within the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2016 Aug 12;13:52. PMID: 27525031. Nutrition and Metabolism. 2018; 12 (13): 52.
Hill J, Shields J, Passero V. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor-associated syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone. Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice. 2015.
Shields JL, Englert B, Passero VA. Dispensing and Monitoring Oral Anticancer Therapy. Federal Practitioner: Best Practices in Hematology and Oncology Supplement. Best Practices in Hematology and Oncology. 2015; 31: 40S-43S.
Aspinall SL, Good CB, Zhao X, Cunningham FE, Heron BB, Geraci M, Passero V, Stone RA, Smith KJ, Rogers R, Sheilds J, Sartore M, Boyle DP, Giberti S, Szymanski J, Smith D, Ha A, Sessions J, Depcinski S, Fishco S, et al. Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer: relative dose intensity and survival among veterans. BMC Cancer. BioMed Central. 2015; 15: 62.
Soni A, Aspinall S, Zhao X, Good CB, Cunningham FE, Chatta G, Passero V, Smith K. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Adjuvant Stage III Colon Cancer Treatment at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Oncology Research. 2014; 22: 311-9.
Mehta RS, Liman AD, Passero VA, Liman AK. Lung cancer with gastrointestinal metastasis - review of theories of metastasis with three rare case descriptions. Cancer Microenvironment. 2013; 6(3): 203-11.
Passero VA, Branstetter BF, Shuai Y, Heron DE, ibson MK, Lai SY, Kim SW, Grandis JR, Ferris RL, Johnson JT, Argiris A. Response assessment by combined PET-CT scan versus CT scan alone using RECIST in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy. Annals of Oncology. 2010; 21(11): 2278-83.
Neilson L, Kohli M, Munshi KD, Peasah SK, Henderson R, Passero V, Good CB. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on new starts to oral oncology medications in the US. Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice. 2022; Jan 11.
Notable Achievements
VA Distinguished Leader Award, 2022
Alan Winkelstein UPMC Fellowship Teaching Award, 2021
VISN 4 Director’s I CARE Award Recipient, 2018
VAPHS Chief of Staff Clinical Excellence Award, 2017
VAPHS Chief of Staff Clinical Excellence Award, 2014
ASCO Foundation Merit Award, 2008

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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Email:  chairoff@pitt.edu
Phone:  412-648-9636
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