Pittsburgh is an awesome place to live. I've been here 28 years and am still exploring new places. The weather sucks in the colder months, and it rains a lot, but is often beautiful in summer and fall. If you like flannels and bonfires, hiking and parks, water activities, or snow sports, it's the place to be.
- Alex McQuaid, MD
About Me
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
College/University: Allegheny College
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh
College/University: Allegheny College
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh
What are your career goals?
Likely community medicine, potentially locums or nocturnist.
What did you do the summer before internship?
Not much, was just at the start of COVID :/ Did have some much needed rest and time with my family and friends.
What do you like to do outside of medicine?
Hang out with my 2 year old, share drinks with family and friends, take glorious day off midday naps.
Reflections on the Pitt EM Program
What were you looking for in a residency program?
I started residency with a 1 year-old, so Neal (my husband, also a PGY2- we're the 3rd EM-EM couple in a row!) and I were looking for somewhere that would be supportive and facilitate as much of a work-life balance as possible while also getting high level training. We also both did EMS and were hoping to continue our involvement in residency.
What are the strengths of the Pitt EM program?
Diverse population of patients from low SES downtown at county hospital feel Mercy to cancer at Shadyside, specialized Peds at CHP, and extremely complex at Presby. I feel prepared to see anything that walks through the door.
Tell us about your residency classmates! How long did it take to connect?
5 of us are from Pitt! So we had a nice camaraderie already to help the transition. We as a class I felt really became close during September orientation month, particularly during intern weekend and trip to Deep Creek.
What has surprised you most about Pitt?
Not much since I had already been here for med school!
About Pitt EM and Pittsburgh
What do you like best about living in Pittsburgh/Western PA?
Diversity of cuisine, melting pot of culture and people, my family (I grew up here) especially to help with my kid.
Where did you choose to live, and why?
We moved twice actually. We sold our house in Trafford, east of the city, and moved to South Side. We were too close to the main drag of partying though which we didn't fully appreciate when bars were shut down at the start of COVID. Not a great family feel environment. We moved to the North of the city this year and love the parks, easy access to all parts of the city, and suburb feel after living in the heart of the city.
What advice would you give to incoming residents about moving to the 'Burgh?
Pittsburgh is an awesome place to live. I've been here 28 years and am still exploring new places. The weather sucks in the colder months, and it rains a lot, but is often beautiful in summer and fall. If you like flannels and bonfires, hiking and parks, water activities, or snow sports, it's the place to be.