Allegheny Health Network Appoints Dr. Brett Hartman as Director of the AHN West Penn Burn Center

PITTSBURGH - Allegheny Health Network (AHN) today announced the appointment of Brett C. Hartman, DO, as Director of the AHN West Penn Burn Center, bringing his nationally recognized expertise in burn surgery, burn center leadership, and complex reconstructive care to patients across the region.

A fellowship-trained burn and reconstructive plastic surgeon, Dr. Hartman brings extensive experience managing both adult and pediatric patients through the full continuum of burn care - from initial resuscitation and critical care to definitive reconstruction and long-term recovery.

"Dr. Hartman's appointment represents a significant advancement in our ability to deliver leading-edge burn care," said Bethany Casagranda, DO, MBA, President of Allegheny Clinic and Chief Medical Officer of AHN. "His clinical expertise, leadership, and commitment to patient-centered outcomes will further elevate the exceptional care provided at the West Penn Burn Center."

Dr. Hartman completed fellowships in Burn Surgery and Plastic Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine, as well as a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Loyola University Hospital, following his general surgery residency at Penn State University College of Medicine.

Prior to joining AHN, Dr. Hartman served as an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine and as Medical Director for the Eskenazi Health Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center, an adult burn center, and the Speedway Pediatric Burn Center at Riley Hospital for Children. Both burn centers are verified by the American Burn Association (ABA), as is West Penn's.

In those roles, he guided large multidisciplinary teams while remaining actively engaged in clinical care, including operative surgery, ICU management, and outpatient reconstruction.

Throughout his career, Dr. Hartman has driven advancements in burn care through:

• Leadership of ABA-verified burn centers, achieving commendations and high recognition from the American Burn Association
• Development of specialized quality improvement, safety, and morbidity and mortality programs
• Implementation of standardized protocols for burn resuscitation, infection prevention, frostbite management, palliative care integration, and complex wound management

In addition to his clinical and administrative leadership, Dr. Hartman is a dedicated educator and mentor. As a Burn Fellowship Director, he has trained numerous fellows, residents, advanced practice providers, and medical students, many of whom now hold leadership roles in burn centers nationally and internationally.

Clinically, Dr. Hartman is recognized for high-volume, complex surgical care, including treatment of severe thermal and electrical injuries, inhalation injury, necrotizing soft tissue infections, and advanced reconstructive procedures such as microsurgery, laser therapy, scar reconstruction, and breast reconstruction. His work emphasizes restoring function, improving quality of life outcomes, and delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.

Dr. Hartman is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is an active member of the American Burn Association, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and North American Burn Society. He has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and has led major clinical trials in burn care.

"I am honored to join AHN and lead the West Penn Burn Center," said Dr. Hartman. "I look forward to bringing the latest, most innovative techniques in burn care to our patients - advancing treatment through evidence-based practices, cutting-edge reconstruction, and a multidisciplinary approach that supports healing throughout recovery."

Established in 1969, the West Penn Burn Center continues to be a national leader in innovative care, treating both adult and pediatric patients. For more information about the West Penn Burn Center or its community-based programs, visit ahn.org/services/burn-center or call 412-578-5295.