We are very excited to introduce a new bimonthly Administrative Staff Spotlight article series where you can get to know some of the dedicated administrative staff members of our department. While we frequently showcase the accomplishments of our clinicians, this series will highlight the invaluable contributions of our administrative staff, who work tirelessly every day to support the administrative and operational functions of our large department.
Our first spotlight focuses on Cedric Gallas, MS, Project Director. Cedric has been with UPMC and our department since December 2015 and has served in his current position since February 2024. In his role, he oversees and coordinates the recruitment and onboarding of new faculty, including credentialing, compensation, contracting, budgeting, physician compliance, incentive calculations, and leaves of absence. He also collaborates with our scheduling team to ensure that all physicians are scheduled according to the effort listed in their contracts.
Cedric is an active member of our department’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and, in 2020, received UPMC’s Award for Commitment and Excellence in Service (ACES). This prestigious honor is awarded to fewer than 1% of UPMC staff annually and recognizes those who exemplify the highest standards of service and uphold UPMC’s values. In 2024, Cedric was selected as the inaugural recipient of our Department’s Chair’s Administrative Excellence Award in recognition of his expertise, reliability, strong work ethic, and significant contributions to the efficiency and effectiveness of our department.
Cedric holds an Associate’s degree in Management, Logistics, and Transportation from the University and Technical Institute of Chartres, a Bachelor’s degree in Organization Management from Paul Sabatier University, and a Master’s degree in Marketing and Communication from ESG Management School of Paris. Notably, he graduated with high honors from all three programs and was chosen as valedictorian for both his associate and master’s degree classes.
Let's get to know Cedric better through the Q&A below!
Where are you from? (Hometown)
I’m from Chartres, France – about one hour west of Paris, France. I moved to the United States in 2013.
What has been your proudest professional accomplishment so far in your career?
I’m proud of successfully recruiting international anesthesiologists from countries like Australia, Italy, Brazil, and India into our system. They have different backgrounds that are true assets for our department.
What has been your proudest personal accomplishment?
I’m most proud of my family. My wife, Stephanie Puig, is a successful member of the research faculty at the University of Massachusetts, and we have two children - Joshua (nine years old) and Camila (six years old). Because of our international backgrounds (Mexico and France), our kids speak three languages - English, French, and Spanish.
Who have been your most significant mentors throughout your career and/or life and why?
Dr. Dave Metro has really helped me to grow in my position. I can always reach out to him for advice. He values my opinion, and we always try to find solutions that have the best outcomes for the department.
Are there any professional or personal skills you’re currently working on that you can tell us about?
I am taking a training course on time management, which helps me to prioritize projects.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy visiting family and friends in France and Mexico and spending time with my family doing things like kayaking, rock climbing, trying new restaurants, etc.
What advice would you give to new administrative staff joining our department?
UPMC is a huge organization. I recommend meeting as many people as possible during orientation and keeping track of “who does what.” It will save you a lot of time if you understand the organization quickly. You can waste a lot of time trying to find the right person to go to for answers.