Our Team at the UPMC Moving Through Cancer Program

Our team can help get you moving before, during, and after cancer treatment at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

Kathryn H. Schmitz, PhD, MPH

Dr. Schmitz, PhD, MPH:

Directs the UPMC Moving Through Cancer Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Is a professor in the division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Studies technology-based supportive care treatments that include physical activity to improve outcomes among people with advanced cancer.
Is a past president of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Was the moving force behind two ACSM development processes for exercise and cancer guidelines for patients.

Dr. Schmitz founded the Moving Through Cancer Program of the ACSM. The program has a bold goal of making exercise standard of cancer care by 2029.

Her book, "Moving Through Cancer," released by Chronicle Books in October 2021:

Aims to raise awareness about the importance of exercise for cancer patients and survivors.
Details all the ways exercise and strength training can help your physical and mental health.
Tells you everything you need to get started with this 21-day fitness program.

Dr. Schmitz has held National Cancer Institute funding consistently since 2001.

Her research focuses on:

People living with and beyond cancer.
The role of exercise in improving physical and psychosocial outcomes, including symptoms, treatment tolerance, and other chronic diseases.
Resistance exercise and breast cancer-related lymphedema. This well-regarded research lead to a physical therapy program called "Strength After Breast Cancer." Over 1,000 locations across the U.S. and beyond offer this program.

Dr. Schmitz has published more than 300 scientific peer-reviewed papers in prestigious journals such as:

Dr. Schmitz has won numerous scientific awards, including the:

Dr. Potiaumpai, PhD, MPH:

Directs the UPMC Moving Through Cancer Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Is an assistant professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Leads the ‘Cancer Crushers’ team and exercise program for cancer patients and survivors.
Studies supportive care treatments, including exercise, to help optimize outcomes before, during, and after cancer treatment.
Is co-chair of the Cancer Special Interest Group of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Is a member of the Moving Through Cancer Program of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Dr. Potiaumpai has been funded by the National Cancer Institute.

Her research focuses on:

People living with and beyond cancer.
The role of using exercise to improve physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes.
Providing resources to cancer patients and survivors to help prepare for and recover from treatment.
Prehabilitation – using exercise before cancer treatment to help patients prepare for treatment, reduce symptoms, improve tolerance of treatment, and help recovery after treatment.

Miss Masten:

Is an exercise physiologist and cancer exercise specialist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Slippery Rock University.
Is involved in Dr. Schmitz’s Telehealth Quality of Life study.

Mr. Scalise:

Is an exercise physiologist and cancer exercise specialist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Earned his master’s in Health and Physical Activity from the University of Pittsburgh.
Is involved in several of Dr. Schmitz’s research projects.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Phone: 412-623-3427