Damara Ortiz, MD, FAAP, FACMG Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Director, Lysosomal Storage Disorders Program Program Director, Medical Genetics Residency Program Director, Combined Pediatrics/Medical Genetics and Genomics Residency Medical Director, Genetic Counselor Training Program Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

13 Mar 2026
Clinical Genetics

dr. Ortiz is currently a Clinical Geneticist at UPMC Children’s Hospital of where we manage a variety of complex and rare metabolic conditions and are involved in cutting-edge research and transplantation to improve the lives of patients and their families.  I am also currently the director of our large lysosomal storage disorder program and have been so for the past 9 years.  I am the principal investigator for several lysosomal storage disorder clinical trials and registries.  I served as the associate program director of the Clinical Genetics and Genomics residency program for 3 years and am now the program director and recently established our Combined Pediatrics/Medical Genetics and Genomics residency program.  I have served in a teaching and supervision role since my medical genetics residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where I was the Chief Resident.  I also lecture regularly for the categorical pediatric residents, as well as the NICU and PICU fellows and created a didactic and board-review curriculum for our trainees (Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Clinical Biochemical, Laboratory Genetics and Genomics).  I am also involved in our Genetic Counselor Training program, where I serve as Medical Director, serve on thesis committees and lecture.