Frank W DiPaola, MD

Frank DiPaola, MD, provides care to children with both short-term and long-term liver conditions. He is board-certified in pediatric gastroenterology and pediatric transplant hepatology.

He is especially dedicated to supporting children and their families through their liver transplant journey. “We offer a major therapy that is life-renewing, but requires lifelong follow-up,” he says. “It is a special privilege to share in the many years of new life that our patients and families experience following liver transplantation.”

When working with patients and their families, Dr. DiPaola shows commitment through clear communication and high-quality care that’s personalized to the family. “It is equally important that we listen to our patients and families, are always available and responsive to their questions and concerns, and empower them to participate fully with our team in developing a plan of care.”

The importance of the bond between a doctor and their patient is one that Dr. DiPaola has understood throughout his career. While growing up in North Carolina, he had early mentorship from a local pediatrician. When he saw the bond this doctor had with the patients and families in the community, it stuck with him, and helped shape his career path in medical school.

“I found working in pediatrics during training brought me the most joy,” he says. “Children have a unique enthusiasm for the world that is fun to be around.”

After graduating from medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he completed a residency in pediatrics at the Monroe Carell Junior Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, followed by sequential fellowships in pediatric gastroenterology and pediatric transplant hepatology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Before he arrived at UVA, Dr. DiPaola was a faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan, where he served as ambulatory care clinical chief of pediatric medical specialties and medical director of the pediatric specialties ambulatory care unit at Mott Children’s Hospital.

As a leader at UVA Health Children’s, he has grown and expanded the range of liver treatments available to children in Virginia. By helping to grow UVA Health’s living donor program, Dr. DiPaola has helped more children get life-saving liver transplants. As a national leader in living donor liver transplants, and a member of the 16-center Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Liver Transplant, UVA Health Children’s serves children from all of Virginia, as well as surrounding states.

Gender

Male

Languages

English

Age Groups Seen

Infants (0-2)
Children (2-12)
Adolescents (12-21)

Primary Education

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Residency

Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt

Fellowships

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Certification

American Board of Pediatrics (Pediatric Transplant Hepatology), American Board of Pediatrics (Pediatric Gastroenterology)

Additional Specialties

Pediatric Transplant Hepatology