Colonel has big plans for Pitt

Pitt named Charles Mackett III, M.D., as its new executive vice chair of the department of… Pitt named Charles Mackett III, M.D., as its new executive vice chair of the department of family medicine in Pitt’s School of Medicine this summer. Mackett is also an associate professor.

Mackett began his position on July 1.

Kevin O’Shea, an administrator for the department of family medicine, said that he was “absolutely pleased” with Mackett’s hiring.

“He has taken the lead of developing a strategic plan for the department of family medicine,” O’Shea said. He added that the department is in the process of “taking the program to a national level.”

Mackett agreed with O’Shea.

“Our goal is to achieve national status for our department and to attract the best and brightest faculty, residents and students to UPMC,” Mackett said. “We want to make a lasting and positive impact on the health and well-being of Western Pennsylvanians and our medical specialty.”

O’Shea said that Mackett was previously affiliated with the department’s chair, Dr. Jeannette E. South-Paul.

“They have worked together subsequently throughout their careers,” O’Shea said.

Mackett, who recently retired as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, commanded a hospital in Baghdad in 2004, according to a release from the University.

“I was at a transition point in my military career and felt I had accomplished most of the things I wanted to achieve as a hospital commander, both in the U.S. and in combat in Iraq,” Mackett said. “I was ready to move onto other leadership opportunities and jumped when I had the chance to join the world-renowned University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.”

Recently, Mackett served as commander of the 6th Medical Group in Tampa, Fla.

He said that his family misses the warm weather, but is enjoying other aspects of life in Pittsburgh.

“The people of Pittsburgh have more than made up for the change in climate,” Mackett said. “My family and I were welcomed with open arms and already feel right at home. We’reexcited to be part of this great, friendly community.”