Association of American Medical Colleges
Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Physician-In-Chief, St. Louis Children's Hospit
Association of American Medical Colleges, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63146
Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Physician‑In‑Chief, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and Executive Director, Children’s Discovery Institute
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis invites applications and nominations for the position of
Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Physician‑In‑Chief, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and Executive Director, Children’s Discovery Institute
(“Chair”).
About WashU Medicine WashU Medicine traces its origins to 1891, when St. Louis Medical College became the Medical Department of Washington University. In 1899, it merged with the Missouri Medical College (originally founded in 1840), uniting the two oldest medical schools west of the Mississippi River. A pivotal moment came in 1910, when WashU Medicine entered into a landmark agreement with Barnes Hospital and St. Louis Hospital, allowing students to serve as clinical clerks. This collaboration laid the groundwork for clinical research and faculty appointments, and ultimately shaped the enduring partnerships between WashU Medicine, Barnes‑Jewish Hospital, and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the pediatric teaching hospital of WashU Medicine. Today, WashU Medicine continues to be a leader in academic medicine. In 2025, the Department of Pediatrics earned the #11 national ranking for NIH research funding and WashU Medicine itself ranked #2 nationwide in total NIH funding, according to
Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research , underscoring its broad impact and unwavering commitment to advancing medical science.
About the Department of Pediatrics The Department of Pediatrics at WashU Medicine has a rich history of leadership and innovation. Established more than 125 years ago, the department has consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation. It is distinguished by the seamless integration of pediatric training with robust basic, translational and clinical programs that are deeply embedded in the academic fabric of WashU Medicine. Since 2016, Dr. Gary Silverman has led the department, continuing to build on its legacy of excellence. Dr. Silverman is stepping down, and a national search is underway for an outstanding scientific physician leader to serve as the next
Chair, Department of Pediatrics.
Role Overview The next Chair will be an accomplished, collaborative, and visionary physician‑scientist leader with a history of research funding, and the experience and skills to lead the Department into a new era. They will provide a strategic vision and leadership for growth and expansion of the clinical and academic missions of the Department. The new Chair will identify and promote inherent synergies to advance interdisciplinary collaborations to further align and support shared goals and initiatives across WashU Medicine and its affiliate hospitals. They will have leadership experience within large, complex matrixed organizations and a clear ability to foster, support and drive programmatic expansion in a complex academic environment, ensuring that the clinical, educational, and academic activities of WashU Medicine continue to bring value to its many stakeholders. They will have a passion for promoting a collaborative and welcoming service culture that further elevates the Department as a nationally recognized leader for superb patient care, clinical outcomes, and innovative research discoveries. The Chair will have a deep understanding of leveraging clinical, translational, and bench science at WashU Medicine to foster success within the Department. The new Chair will also serve as the Executive Director of the Children’s Discovery Institute, as Pediatrician‑In‑Chief of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and as a member of the WashU Executive Faculty.
Responsibilities
Provide strategic vision and leadership for growth and expansion of clinical and academic missions.
Identify and promote synergies to advance interdisciplinary collaborations across WashU Medicine and affiliate hospitals.
Lead programmatic expansion within a large, complex matrixed organization, ensuring clinical, educational, and academic activities bring value to stakeholders.
Promote a collaborative, inclusive service culture and elevate the Department as a nationally recognized leader for patient care, outcomes, and research.
Serve as Executive Director of the Children’s Discovery Institute, Pediatrician‑In‑Chief of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and member of the WashU Executive Faculty.
Operate with business acumen to manage complex operations and maintain financial health of the Department.
Qualifications
Medical degree (MD, MD/PhD or equivalent) and board certification in Pediatrics.
Eligibility for a faculty appointment at the Professor level in the Washington University School of Medicine.
Accrued record of scholarship and mentorship.
Strategic and tactical leadership experience within large academic institutions.
Strong emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and consensus‑oriented team player.
Commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and academic aspiration across faculty.
Application Process Korn Ferry is honored to assist WashU Medicine with this search. Please submit inquiries, nominations, and applications, in confidence, to:
Caroline Thompson, MBA, PMP Principal, Korn Ferry Email: caroline.thompson@kornferry.com
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Physician‑In‑Chief, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and Executive Director, Children’s Discovery Institute
(“Chair”).
About WashU Medicine WashU Medicine traces its origins to 1891, when St. Louis Medical College became the Medical Department of Washington University. In 1899, it merged with the Missouri Medical College (originally founded in 1840), uniting the two oldest medical schools west of the Mississippi River. A pivotal moment came in 1910, when WashU Medicine entered into a landmark agreement with Barnes Hospital and St. Louis Hospital, allowing students to serve as clinical clerks. This collaboration laid the groundwork for clinical research and faculty appointments, and ultimately shaped the enduring partnerships between WashU Medicine, Barnes‑Jewish Hospital, and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the pediatric teaching hospital of WashU Medicine. Today, WashU Medicine continues to be a leader in academic medicine. In 2025, the Department of Pediatrics earned the #11 national ranking for NIH research funding and WashU Medicine itself ranked #2 nationwide in total NIH funding, according to
Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research , underscoring its broad impact and unwavering commitment to advancing medical science.
About the Department of Pediatrics The Department of Pediatrics at WashU Medicine has a rich history of leadership and innovation. Established more than 125 years ago, the department has consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation. It is distinguished by the seamless integration of pediatric training with robust basic, translational and clinical programs that are deeply embedded in the academic fabric of WashU Medicine. Since 2016, Dr. Gary Silverman has led the department, continuing to build on its legacy of excellence. Dr. Silverman is stepping down, and a national search is underway for an outstanding scientific physician leader to serve as the next
Chair, Department of Pediatrics.
Role Overview The next Chair will be an accomplished, collaborative, and visionary physician‑scientist leader with a history of research funding, and the experience and skills to lead the Department into a new era. They will provide a strategic vision and leadership for growth and expansion of the clinical and academic missions of the Department. The new Chair will identify and promote inherent synergies to advance interdisciplinary collaborations to further align and support shared goals and initiatives across WashU Medicine and its affiliate hospitals. They will have leadership experience within large, complex matrixed organizations and a clear ability to foster, support and drive programmatic expansion in a complex academic environment, ensuring that the clinical, educational, and academic activities of WashU Medicine continue to bring value to its many stakeholders. They will have a passion for promoting a collaborative and welcoming service culture that further elevates the Department as a nationally recognized leader for superb patient care, clinical outcomes, and innovative research discoveries. The Chair will have a deep understanding of leveraging clinical, translational, and bench science at WashU Medicine to foster success within the Department. The new Chair will also serve as the Executive Director of the Children’s Discovery Institute, as Pediatrician‑In‑Chief of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and as a member of the WashU Executive Faculty.
Responsibilities
Provide strategic vision and leadership for growth and expansion of clinical and academic missions.
Identify and promote synergies to advance interdisciplinary collaborations across WashU Medicine and affiliate hospitals.
Lead programmatic expansion within a large, complex matrixed organization, ensuring clinical, educational, and academic activities bring value to stakeholders.
Promote a collaborative, inclusive service culture and elevate the Department as a nationally recognized leader for patient care, outcomes, and research.
Serve as Executive Director of the Children’s Discovery Institute, Pediatrician‑In‑Chief of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and member of the WashU Executive Faculty.
Operate with business acumen to manage complex operations and maintain financial health of the Department.
Qualifications
Medical degree (MD, MD/PhD or equivalent) and board certification in Pediatrics.
Eligibility for a faculty appointment at the Professor level in the Washington University School of Medicine.
Accrued record of scholarship and mentorship.
Strategic and tactical leadership experience within large academic institutions.
Strong emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and consensus‑oriented team player.
Commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and academic aspiration across faculty.
Application Process Korn Ferry is honored to assist WashU Medicine with this search. Please submit inquiries, nominations, and applications, in confidence, to:
Caroline Thompson, MBA, PMP Principal, Korn Ferry Email: caroline.thompson@kornferry.com
#J-18808-Ljbffr