“If you had told me to construct a 5-year plan in undergrad, it would look so different from where I ended up. It’s been a big journey,” Amanda Pientka, MD, Vice Chair, Internal Medicine, said.
Growing up in New York, Dr. Pientka never imagined a career in healthcare. Initially majoring in sociology, her interest in medicine began to grow after she accidentally enrolled in an infectious disease course. This newfound passion inspired her to take more science classes and work in an infectious disease immunology lab.
“It is a huge honor to be recognized as the JPS Health Network Physician of the Year, especially because I work with such amazing physicians here. To be recognized with this honor among such dedicated individuals is truly humbling. I feel fortunate to walk amongst giants.”
As Dr. Pientka’s passion for patient care grew, she transitioned into emergency medicine at the University of Texas at San Antonio and later specialized in critical care at the University of Pittsburgh. She found herself especially drawn to the dynamic challenges presented by critical care cases. Dr. Pientka reflects on a moment with a patient who experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage. After extensive treatment and rehabilitation, the patient returned a year later with no lasting deficits. This experience taught her that treating patients is a collective effort and confirmed her belief that the work she is doing has a significant impact.
“Sometimes we get so used to fighting against the odds that moments like these remind us, ‘Sometimes it works,’” said Dr. Pientka.
Moments like this keep Dr. Pientka motivated to make a difference in healthcare. She credits her mentors and colleagues for shaping her career into what it is today. JPS Health Network named Dr. Pientka the 2024 Physician of the Year for her contributions to exceptional healthcare at JPS. Each day, she prioritizes caring for the most critical patients, and her dedication does not go unnoticed.
“It is a huge honor to be recognized as the JPS Health Network Physician of the Year, especially because I work with such amazing physicians here,” Dr. Pientka said. “I am struck by the fact that the people who serve at JPS are deeply committed to making a difference in their field of medicine and in the lives of our patients. To be recognized with this honor among such dedicated individuals is truly humbling. I feel fortunate to walk amongst giants.”