Join the Conversation: Preparing For A New School Year

By Andrea Kunicky

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC will be hosting a live Twitter chat for adolescents and parents on the topic of preparing for the challenges of starting a new school year. The chat, led by Jonathan Pletcher,M.D., from the Division of Adolescent Medicine, will discuss strength-based approaches to recognizing, coping and addressing challenges such as bullying, depression and more.

Jonathan Pletcher, M.D. 

Dr. Pletcher is a pediatrician who specializes in Adolescent Medicine at Children’s Hospital. He is a clinician and clinical educator whose practice focuses on youth with special health, emotional, learning, or social needs. As the clinical director for the Division of Adolescent Medicine, he is able to develop and implement clinical models that respond to the needs of youth as they transition to adult roles and responsibilities. He is actively involved in medical education at all levels, from medical students to residents and fellows.

Dr. Pletcher has participated in research studies that include a multi-site randomized-control trial comparing youth-oriented tobacco cessation strategies, and outcomes studies regarding the experience of youth with chronic care needs as they prepare to transition to adult-oriented health care systems. Dr. Pletcher aims to leverage his clinical and research experience to advocate for improvements in health and social care systems, particularly to improve access and quality of services for youth with combined physical and behavioral health needs.

The Children's Hospital Twitter chat will start at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21. Join the conversation by following ‪#‎WhatsUpCHPDoc! And if you haven’t already, follow Children’s on Twitter: @ChildrensPgh.