Meet the physicians at Pediatric Alliance!
Karl Holtzer, M.D., F.A.A.P. – Pediatric Alliance — Fox Chapel Division Division (1 year)
Birthplace: Greensburg, PA
Education: Hempfield Area Senior High/ Gannon University (Biology)/ Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University/ Currently getting my Masters in Nutrition at The University of Bridgeport (CT) .
Training: Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh – Pediatric Residency.
Hospital Affiliations/Teaching: Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Magee-Woman’s Hospital, West Penn Hospital.
Professional Interests: Nutrition, Integrative Medicine, Autism.
My Inspiration (and Hero): My own Pediatrician: Dr. Pascal Spino of Greensburg, PA. He was recently honored in Washington, D.C. by President Obama, receiving “The Citizen Service Before Self Award”, given out by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. He was only one of three people in the U.S. to win it. Amazing man! He’s 90 years young!
School Memories or Stories: I was a very active Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) in College. I held every office and enjoyed it tremendously.
Patients Have Taught Me: Not take life so seriously; I love how children can live in the moment. It’s a lesson to all of us
Funniest Thing A Patient Has Said: I have patients “blow out” the light on my otoscope in order for me to get a good listen to their lungs. I usually demonstrate it first. I had a seven year old say to me –“Boy Dr. Holtzer, you could certainly use a breath mint!” His mom wanted to crawl under her chair; it was so funny!
What Parents Can Do To Improve Their Child’s Health: Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition; exercise, exercise, exercise! Avoid “ screen time.” I like a “healthy lifestyle” project out of Maine called “5,2,1,0 Let’s Go!”: 5 servings of fruits and veggies/day; 2 hours of screen time/day; 1 hour of (play time/exercise) /day; and 0 sugar containing drinks/day.
Favorite Patient Age: 4-6 years: very conversational, innocent, independent, but still need a ton of parental direction. They’re usually pretty darn cooperative in the exam room as well!
Hobbies: Music (of all sorts), choral singing (I sing in local choirs in the Pittsburgh area), and theater.
Dogs or Cats: Dogs AND cats! Truly givers of UNCONDITIONAL love!
PC or Mac: PC (now) but I’m slowly becoming addicted to MAC. I have the iPhone and iPad. What’s next?
Playing On My iPod: Everything from Joel Osteen to Pink. Really!
Favorite Vacation Spot: The mountains of western North Carolina – nothing like the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains!
Favorite Food: Bacon and eggs. Really, it’s not so bad for you!
Always In The Fridge: Beets! One of the best super-foods that you can possibly eat!
What People Don’t Know: I was a former judge in the Miss America pageant system. It’s a real passion of mine. It’s an academic-based pageant that stresses building self- esteem and focuses on the power of women.
Who Plays You In Your Hollywood Biography? Johnny Depp. Edgy yet intellectual, and he loves to sing!