Dr. Holtzman, a highly accomplished physician leader from UPMC, will direct surgical business development and operations for new Heritage Valley footprint
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Allegheny Health Network (AHN) today announced that Matthew P. Holtzman, MD, FACS, an accomplished surgical oncologist and physician leader, will join the organization as Chief Surgical Officer for its western region.
That region includes AHN Beaver Hospital and AHN Sewickley Hospital, which joined AHN this summer as part of the network’s affiliation with Heritage Valley Health System.
Dr. Holtzman comes to AHN following a distinguished career at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, where he served in numerous leadership positions, including president of the UPMC Shadyside medical staff, vice chair of the Department of Surgery at Shadyside, and chief of general surgery at Shadyside, among other roles.
In his new role, Dr. Holtzman will help advance AHN’s strategic vision and business development for surgical services and surgical oncology, supporting quality, growth, integration, and physician alignment initiatives within the Heritage Valley footprint.
In addition to his Chief Surgical Officer role, Dr. Holtzman will also serve as Surgical Oncology Business Development & Community Relations Leader for the region, further establishing the network as a destination for advanced surgical oncology services.
The appointment takes effect in March 2027.
A board-certified surgical oncologist, Dr. Holtzman specializes in the surgical treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies and has devoted more than two decades to caring for patients with complex cancer diagnoses. Throughout his career, he has combined clinical excellence with academic leadership, research, mentorship and program development.
Dr. Holtzman’s recruitment to the Heritage Valley region underscores AHN’s commitment to invest in new programs and capabilities in its newly established Beaver County and western Allegheny County markets, expanding access to advanced surgical treatment and cancer care options for patients throughout western Pennsylvania and beyond.
“Matt is an exceptional surgeon, respected physician leader and dedicated educator who has built an extraordinary reputation for clinical excellence and compassionate patient care,” said David Bartlett, MD, director of the AHN Cancer Center, interim chair of AHN’s Department of Surgery, and president of the AHN Research Institute.
“His extensive experience leading complex surgical programs, mentoring the next generation of physicians and advancing cancer care innovation will immediately strengthen our oncology and surgical services. We are thrilled to welcome him to AHN.”
Dr. Holtzman received his medical degree from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn and completed his general surgery training at Boston University before pursuing fellowship training in surgical oncology at the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Holtzman has maintained a strong commitment to medical education. He has served as an associate professor of surgery for Pitt’s School of Medicine since 2025, and has mentored countless medical students, residents, fellows and advanced practice providers throughout his career.
A prolific researcher, he has co-authored dozens of papers in peer-reviewed journals such as the Annals of Surgical Oncology, Modern Pathology, and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. His professional affiliations include membership in both the American College of Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology.
For Dr. Holtzman, joining AHN represents an opportunity to help shape the future of cancer care in the region while working alongside a growing team of nationally recognized cancer surgeons and researchers.
“Throughout my career, my focus has always been on providing exceptional care to patients facing some of life’s most difficult diagnoses,” said Dr. Holtzman. “AHN’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and remarkable patient experiences makes this an exciting opportunity. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to further strengthen cancer services, surgical care and clinical outcomes for the patients and communities we serve.”
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SOURCE Allegheny Health Network
