Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Physician-In-Chief, St. Louis Children’s Hospit
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63146
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Physician-In-Chief, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
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”).
The Washington University School of 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.
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.
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 internal and external stakeholders. They will have a passion for promoting a collaborative and welcoming environment of 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 how to leverage excellent 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 Pediatrican-In-Chief of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and as a member of the WashU Executive Faculty.
The ideal candidate will be a compassionate and nurturing leader, deeply committed to supporting faculty across all areas of academic achievement. They will bring a distinguished record of scholarship and mentorship, along with a deep understanding of how organizational culture drives success that starts with them. They will have a willingness to be both strategic and tactical in achieving institutional objectives. The new Chair must be passionate about seeking consensus, but not afraid to make difficult decisions or lead change. They will be a visible, transparent, and principled leader, committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, supporting the academic aspirations of all departmental faculty, and ensuring the department continues to thrive in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Critical to their success, the new Chair must be an expert at building positive collegial connections with all internal and external stakeholders. A highly collaborative style is essential in developing and maintaining physician relations that build on their key roles as both partners and customers across the WashU Medicine enterprise. They will have high emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and be a consensus-oriented team player, who displays “respectful courage” and is highly influential in their ability to encourage people to move forward. They must have a passion for the clinical mission, be operationally savvy with business acumen to manage complex operations and maintain the financial health of the Department.
Qualified candidates will hold a medical degree (MD, MD/PhD or equivalent) and be board certified in Pediatrics. Candidates must be eligible for a faculty appointment at the Professor level in the Washington University School of Medicine.
Korn Ferry is honored to assist WashU Medicine with this important search. To ensure full consideration, please submit inquiries, nominations, and applications, in confidence, to:
Caroline Thompson, MBA, PMP Principal, Korn Ferry Email: caroline.thompson@kornferry.com
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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”).
The Washington University School of 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.
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.
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 internal and external stakeholders. They will have a passion for promoting a collaborative and welcoming environment of 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 how to leverage excellent 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 Pediatrican-In-Chief of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and as a member of the WashU Executive Faculty.
The ideal candidate will be a compassionate and nurturing leader, deeply committed to supporting faculty across all areas of academic achievement. They will bring a distinguished record of scholarship and mentorship, along with a deep understanding of how organizational culture drives success that starts with them. They will have a willingness to be both strategic and tactical in achieving institutional objectives. The new Chair must be passionate about seeking consensus, but not afraid to make difficult decisions or lead change. They will be a visible, transparent, and principled leader, committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, supporting the academic aspirations of all departmental faculty, and ensuring the department continues to thrive in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Critical to their success, the new Chair must be an expert at building positive collegial connections with all internal and external stakeholders. A highly collaborative style is essential in developing and maintaining physician relations that build on their key roles as both partners and customers across the WashU Medicine enterprise. They will have high emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and be a consensus-oriented team player, who displays “respectful courage” and is highly influential in their ability to encourage people to move forward. They must have a passion for the clinical mission, be operationally savvy with business acumen to manage complex operations and maintain the financial health of the Department.
Qualified candidates will hold a medical degree (MD, MD/PhD or equivalent) and be board certified in Pediatrics. Candidates must be eligible for a faculty appointment at the Professor level in the Washington University School of Medicine.
Korn Ferry is honored to assist WashU Medicine with this important search. To ensure full consideration, please submit inquiries, nominations, and applications, in confidence, to:
Caroline Thompson, MBA, PMP Principal, Korn Ferry Email: caroline.thompson@kornferry.com
#J-18808-Ljbffr