Dr. Heather Mikes grew up in South Florida. She attended the University of Florida, receiving her undergraduate degree in Behavioral Neuroscience. Before attending NSU College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school, she lived and worked in New Zealand for a year absorbing its nature and culture. After medical school, she completed her residency in Internal Medicine in beautiful the pacific northwest at Legacy Health located in Portland, OR. She went on to obtain a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Care medicine from Oregon Health and Science University. After completing her training, she practiced Palliative Care in Oregon and Washington for 6 years before deciding to move her and her family to Pittsburgh!
Dr. Mikes works for UPMC since 2019 and is excited to be full-time faculty for the residency program as of July 2022. With over 10 years of experience practicing Palliative Care, Dr. Mikes is dedicated to teaching new physicians the art of medical communication skills, managing multi-complexity and geriatrics, and pain and other complex symptom management. Overall, she is invested in helping each resident cultivate their own authentic form of therapeutic presence and self-care practice in order to best connect with patients and their personal meaning.
Dr. Mikes replenishes her cup by gardening, making art, walking her dog around the neighborhood, hiking, biking, and camping with her family.
- Fellowship: Hospice and Palliative Care medicine from Oregon Health and Science University
- Residency: Internal Medicine at Legacy Health
- Medical School: NSU College of Osteopathic Medicine