Strategies for Building Clinical Research Infrastructure

Pediatric Insight: Passing Leadership Wisdom To The Next Generation

Topic: Strategies for Building Clinical Research Infrastructure

This Pediatric Insight Conversation focused on needs, approaches, and strategies for doing the critically essential work of clinical research that is crucial to continuously improving patient care and outcomes in pediatrics.

Listen to the Podcast:

Duration: 00:31:06 | Recorded on December 5, 2023, posted April 13, 2024
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Read the recap notes.

Our moderator:

Arnold (Arnie) Strauss, MD

Dr. Strauss is a pediatric cardiologist, Emeritus Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Strauss served as the Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati, Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation (CCRF), and Chief Medical Officer of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC).

Our panel:

Bruder Stapleton, MD

Dr. Stapleton is a pediatric nephrologist, Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He served as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, as well as Chief Academic Officer and Associate Dean.

Christine Gleason, MD

Dr. Gleason is a neonatologist and Professor Emerita of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She served as Division Director of Neonatology at Johns Hopkins and as Division Chief of Neonatology at the University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Craig Hillemeier, MD

Dr. Hillemeier is a pediatric gastroenterologist and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Penn State University. He served most recently as the CEO of Penn State Health.

Valerie Opipari, MD

Dr. Opipari is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan School of Medicine and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Dr. Opipari has held a number of administrative roles at the University of Michigan including Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics and Chair of the University of Michigan Biomedical Research Council.

Robert Sawin, MD Robert S. Sawin, MD

Dr. Sawin is a pediatric surgeon, Emeritus Professor and Surgeon in Chief at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington. Dr. Sawin served as the Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Senior Vice President and Chief Surgical Officer of the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Wesley D. Millican, MBA

Wesley D. Millican, MBA, is CEO and Physician Talent Officer of CareerPhysician, LLC, providers of comprehensive talent solutions for academic children’s hospitals, colleges of medicine and academic medical centers across the nation. Mr. Millican is an acknowledged expert in completing complex faculty and executive leadership initiatives across academic medicine.

At the Child Health Advisory Council, we conduct regular roundtable discussions. What topic would you like to see featured in upcoming discussions? Let us know.

Episode 22: Strategies for Building Clinical Research Infrastructure

Pediatric Insight, CareerPhysician, Child Health Advisory Council

Career Physician Pediatric Insight Conversations

Episode 22: Strategies for Building Clinical Research Infrastructure

00:00 / 00:31:06

This Pediatric Insight Conversation focused on needs, approaches, and strategies for doing the critically essential work of clinical research that is crucial to continuously improving patient care and outcomes in pediatrics.

Initial comments focused on the need for a critical assessment of existing infrastructure, personnel, and resources upon which to build. Particular emphasis was on having or developing dedicated staff, especially research coordinators and data management experts, to assure quality control and precision of data. The need to share and coordinate such personnel and expertise across divisions within a department was noted as a way to increase efficiency and quality. The benefits of involving the community to assure adequate inclusion and diversity of subjects and to develop trust within the community to have open and in-depth responses were mentioned.

Strategies for Building Clinical Research

Pediatric Insight: Passing Leadership Wisdom To The Next Generation

Topic: Strategies for Building Clinical Research

Our goal as pediatricians is to improve patient care and outcomes. Our panel discusses how and why clinical research is critical to that goal. We also emphasize how clinical research improves interactions among faculty; extends collaboration to other departments; schools, and the lay community, and provides opportunities for faculty development. It is essential to the academic mission of departments of all sizes and scopes.

“It is critically important to have that back and forth, bi-directional exchange with practice and research, and research and practice.” – Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD

Listen to the Podcast:

Duration: 00:25:02 | Recorded on November 7, 2023, posted March 26, 2024
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Read the recap notes.

Our moderator:

Arnold (Arnie) Strauss, MD

Dr. Strauss is a pediatric cardiologist, Emeritus Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Strauss served as the Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati, Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation (CCRF), and Chief Medical Officer of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC).

Our panel:

Bruder Stapleton, MD

Dr. Stapleton is a pediatric nephrologist, Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He served as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, as well as Chief Academic Officer and Associate Dean.

Christine Gleason, MD

Dr. Gleason is a neonatologist and Professor Emerita of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She served as Division Director of Neonatology at Johns Hopkins and as Division Chief of Neonatology at the University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Craig Hillemeier, MD

Dr. Hillemeier is a pediatric gastroenterologist and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Penn State University. He served most recently as the CEO of Penn State Health.

Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, FAAP

Dr. Laraque-Arena (AKA Danielle Laraque) is President and Professor Emerita of SUNY Upstate Medical University (UMU) and served as the 7th President of UMU, the first woman and first African American to have done so in that institution’s 182 years. In that role she served as Chief Executive Officer of the health system and was tenured Professor of Pediatrics, Public Health & Preventive Medicine and Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Sciences.

Valerie Opipari, MD

Dr. Opipari is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan School of Medicine and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Dr. Opipari has held a number of administrative roles at the University of Michigan including Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics and Chair of the University of Michigan Biomedical Research Council.

Robert Sawin, MD Robert S. Sawin, MD

Dr. Sawin is a pediatric surgeon, Emeritus Professor and Surgeon in Chief at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington. Dr. Sawin served as the Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Senior Vice President and Chief Surgical Officer of the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Wesley D. Millican, MBA

Wesley D. Millican, MBA, is CEO and Physician Talent Officer of CareerPhysician, LLC, providers of comprehensive talent solutions for academic children’s hospitals, colleges of medicine and academic medical centers across the nation. Mr. Millican is an acknowledged expert in completing complex faculty and executive leadership initiatives across academic medicine.

At the Child Health Advisory Council, we conduct regular roundtable discussions. What topic would you like to see featured in upcoming discussions? Let us know.

No Margin, No Mission – Fiscal Focus and Transparency

Pediatric Insight: Passing Leadership Wisdom To The Next Generation

Topic: No Margin, No Mission – Fiscal Focus and Transparency

The fiscal challenges in academic medicine are apparent to us all — particularly in academic pediatric medicine. The many pressures of increasing complexity of clinical care, decreased reimbursement (especially from government payors such as Medicaid), competing priorities for individual faculty members to meet the multiple aims of patient care, teaching the next generation, and scholarship to advance our respective specialty fields to name a few.

New clinical leaders often enter their leadership roles without a solid understanding of the economics of health care. Additionally, they may not inherit established funds flow models that optimize the realization of the goals for patient care, teaching, research, and child health advocacy.

In this conversation, our council discusses what leaders in academic pediatric medicine need to understand about the business of medicine and what principles need to be to considered to maximize fairness and the chances of accomplishing competing priorities and goals.

“We do have to pay attention to the business side of medicine to fulfill our mission.”
– Robert S. Sawin, MD

Listen to the Podcast:

Duration: 00:28:50 | Recorded on September 5, 2023, posted January 29, 2024
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Read the recap notes.

Our moderator:

Robert Sawin, MD Robert S. Sawin, MD

Dr. Sawin is a pediatric surgeon, Emeritus Professor and Surgeon in Chief at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington. Dr. Sawin served as the Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Senior Vice President and Chief Surgical Officer of the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Our panel:

Bruder Stapleton, MD

Dr. Stapleton is a pediatric nephrologist, Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He served as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics from 1996 to 2018, as well as Chief Academic Officer and Associate Dean from 2005 to 2018.

Craig Hillemeier, MD

Dr. Hillemeier is a pediatric gastroenterologist and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Penn State University. He served most recently as the CEO of Penn State Health 2014 to 2019.

Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, FAAP

Dr. Laraque-Arena (AKA Danielle Laraque) is President and Professor Emerita of SUNY Upstate Medical University (UMU) and served as the 7th President of UMU, the first woman and first African American to have done so in that institution’s 182 years. In that role she served as Chief Executive Officer of the health system and was tenured Professor of Pediatrics, Public Health & Preventive Medicine and Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Sciences.

Valerie Opipari, MD

Dr. Opipari is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan School of Medicine and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Dr. Opipari has held a number of administrative roles at the University of Michigan including Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics and Chair of the University of Michigan Biomedical Research Council.

Arnold (Arnie) Strauss, MD

Dr. Strauss is a pediatric cardiologist, Emeritus Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Strauss served as the Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati, Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation (CCRF), and Chief Medical Officer of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) from 2007 to 2014.

Wesley D. Millican, MBA

Wesley D. Millican, MBA, is CEO and Physician Talent Officer of CareerPhysician, LLC, providers of comprehensive talent solutions for academic children’s hospitals, colleges of medicine and academic medical centers across the nation. Mr. Millican is an acknowledged expert in completing complex faculty and executive leadership initiatives across academic medicine.

At the Child Health Advisory Council, we conduct regular roundtable discussions. What topic would you like to see featured in upcoming discussions? Let us know.

Episode 19: No Margin, No Mission

Career Physician Pediatric Insight Conversations

Episode 19: No Margin, No Mission

00:00 / 00:40:02

The fiscal challenges in academic medicine are apparent to us all — particularly in academic pediatric medicine. The many pressures of increasing complexity of clinical care, decreased reimbursement (especially from government payors such as Medicaid), competing priorities for individual faculty members to meet the multiple aims of patient care, teaching the next generation, and scholarship to advance our respective specialty fields to name a few.

New clinical leaders often enter their leadership roles without a solid understanding of the economics of health care. Additionally, they may not inherit established funds flow models that optimize the realization of the goals for patient care, teaching, research, and child health advocacy.

In this conversation, our council discusses what leaders in academic pediatric medicine need to understand about the business of medicine and what principles need to be to considered to maximize fairness and the chances of accomplishing competing priorities and goals.

New Leader Engagement: Part 2

Pediatric Insight: Passing Leadership Wisdom To The Next Generation

Topic: New Leader Engagement: Part 2

Making New Leaders Successful

Career Physician’s New Leader Engagement Program is a comprehensive leadership development approach that has proven to optimize a leader’s success in his/her new role. An experienced leader in the specialty performs an extensive review of the institution and the program prior to the search identifying respective strengths, weaknesses and challenges. Now post-search and in the role of mentor/coach, the same national expert remains engaged and is able to connect their pre-search preparatory work to their current efforts of supporting the new leader in critical strategic planning and process improvement. While this mentor/coach role differs somewhat from a formal executive coaching role, the value of an outside, arms-length advisor with situational knowledge who can serve as a confidant with no conflict of interests, has proven powerful.

“For a new leader, having access to an outside perspective is really important, someone that you can talk to who can help you look into problems and develop potential solutions.”
– Arnold (Arnie) Strauss, MD

Listen to the Podcast:

Duration: 00:28:50 | Recorded on September 5, 2023, posted January 29, 2024
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Our moderator:

Robert Sawin, MD Robert S. Sawin, MD

Dr. Sawin is a pediatric surgeon, Emeritus Professor and Surgeon in Chief at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington. Dr. Sawin served as the Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Senior Vice President and Chief Surgical Officer of the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Our panel:

Bruder Stapleton, MD

Dr. Stapleton is a pediatric nephrologist, Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He served as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics from 1996 to 2018, as well as Chief Academic Officer and Associate Dean from 2005 to 2018.

Craig Hillemeier, MD

Dr. Hillemeier is a pediatric gastroenterologist and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Penn State University. He served most recently as the CEO of Penn State Health 2014 to 2019.

Valerie Opipari, MD

Dr. Opipari is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan School of Medicine and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Dr. Opipari has held a number of administrative roles at the University of Michigan including Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics and Chair of the University of Michigan Biomedical Research Council.

Arnold (Arnie) Strauss, MD

Dr. Strauss is a pediatric cardiologist, Emeritus Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Strauss served as the Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati, Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation (CCRF), and Chief Medical Officer of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) from 2007 to 2014.

Wesley D. Millican, MBA

Wesley D. Millican, MBA, is CEO and Physician Talent Officer of CareerPhysician, LLC, providers of comprehensive talent solutions for academic children’s hospitals, colleges of medicine and academic medical centers across the nation. Mr. Millican is an acknowledged expert in completing complex faculty and executive leadership initiatives across academic medicine.

Jon Hayes

Jon Hayes serves as the Executive Vice President (EVP) of child health for CareerPhysician. He has a comprehensive understanding of both academic department and children’s hospital operations. Prior to joining CareerPhysician, Jon served as President of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. His previous experience also includes his role as Director of Finance and Administrator for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

At the Child Health Advisory Council, we conduct regular roundtable discussions. What topic would you like to see featured in upcoming discussions? Let us know.

New Leader Engagement: Part 1

Pediatric Insight: Passing Leadership Wisdom To The Next Generation

Topic: New Leader Engagement: Part 1

We are in a challenging time for medicine, particularly academic medicine. Consequently, effective leadership is even more important now than ever before in academic medical centers. Yet unfortunately, the pipeline of up-and-coming physician leaders seems to be less robust. Thus, new leaders are often placed in important academic leadership roles with less experience while facing these frequently daunting challenges. This conversation focuses on how institutions can effectively support these new leaders to maximize their effectiveness and success.

Listen to the Podcast:

Duration: 00:18:11 | Recorded on August 1, 2023
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Read the conversation recap.

Our moderator:

Robert Sawin, MD Robert S. Sawin, MD

Dr. Sawin is a pediatric surgeon, Emeritus Professor and Surgeon in Chief at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington. Dr. Sawin served as the Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Senior Vice President and Chief Surgical Officer of the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Our panel:

Bruder Stapleton, MD

Dr. Stapleton is a pediatric nephrologist, Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He served as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics from 1996 to 2018, as well as Chief Academic Officer and Associate Dean from 2005 to 2018.

Craig Hillemeier, MD

Dr. Hillemeier is a pediatric gastroenterologist and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Penn State University. He served most recently as the CEO of Penn State Health 2014 to 2019.

Valerie Opipari, MD

Dr. Opipari is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan School of Medicine and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Dr. Opipari has held a number of administrative roles at the University of Michigan including Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics and Chair of the University of Michigan Biomedical Research Council.

Arnold (Arnie) Strauss, MD

Dr. Strauss is a pediatric cardiologist, Emeritus Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Strauss served as the Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati, Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation (CCRF), and Chief Medical Officer of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) from 2007 to 2014.

Wesley D. Millican, MBA

Wesley D. Millican, MBA, is CEO and Physician Talent Officer of CareerPhysician, LLC, providers of comprehensive talent solutions for academic children’s hospitals, colleges of medicine and academic medical centers across the nation. Mr. Millican is an acknowledged expert in completing complex faculty and executive leadership initiatives across academic medicine.

Jon Hayes

Jon Hayes serves as the Executive Vice President (EVP) of child health for CareerPhysician. He has a comprehensive understanding of both academic department and children’s hospital operations. Prior to joining CareerPhysician, Jon served as President of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. His previous experience also includes his role as Director of Finance and Administrator for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

At the Child Health Advisory Council, we conduct regular roundtable discussions. What topic would you like to see featured in upcoming discussions? Let us know.

Episode 16: New Leader Engagement Part 1

Career Physician Pediatric Insight Conversations

Episode 16: New Leader Engagement Part 1

00:00 / 00:18:11

Success in leadership for academic medicine is much more complex and characterized by an accelerating pace of change. For new leaders, a robust support team is essential. To optimize that support, a thorough assessment of the individual leaders’ skills and experience, as well as the institutional environment is imperative at the beginning of their tenure. For that reason, a structured program or institutional review preceding the placement of a new leader can have great value. Once the institutional and leader assessments are completed, an ideal support team can be created to buttress areas where the leaders may face their greatest challenges. Furthermore, when leading a new team, a leader’s thorough understanding of different team members skills, experience, and styles of work and communication can be leveraged to optimize the success of the program, division, or department.

The Review Process

Pediatric Insight: Passing Leadership Wisdom To The Next Generation

Topic: The Review Process

The Child Health Advisory Council members, former senior leaders in academic pediatrics, can provide division, department or institutional reviews as a component of pediatric search strategy and preparation. These reviews provide an opportunity for organizations to establish self-awareness of both challenges and opportunities for recruited leaders and to obtain cultural insights. This conversation discusses the goals, values and unique features of a pre-search review—for institutions, search committees and candidates.

Listen to the Podcast:

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 00:28:33 | Recorded on July 14, 2023
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Read the conversation recap.

Our moderator:

Christine Gleason, MD

Dr. Gleason is a neonatologist and Professor Emerita of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She served as Division Director of Neonatology at Johns Hopkins from 1990 to 1997 and as Division Chief of Neonatology at the University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital from 1997 to 2015.

Our panel:

Jon Hayes

Jon Hayes serves as the Executive Vice President (EVP) of child health for CareerPhysician. With more than 25 years of healthcare experience, Jon has a comprehensive understanding of both academic department and children’s hospital operations. Prior to joining CareerPhysician, Jon served as President of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital.

Craig Hillemeier, MD

Dr. Hillemeier is a pediatric gastroenterologist and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Penn State University. He served most recently as the CEO of Penn State Health 2014 to 2019.

Renée Jenkins, MD, FAAP

Dr. Jenkins is a Professor and Chair Emerita at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Dr. Jenkins served as the inaugural director of the adolescent medicine program from 1976 to 1994 when she was appointed department chair of Pediatrics and Child Health, serving in this capacity until March 2007. Dr. Jenkins served as national president of the American Academy of Pediatrics from 2007 to 2008.

Wesley D. Millican, MBA

Wesley D. Millican, MBA, is CEO and Physician Talent Officer of CareerPhysician, LLC, providers of comprehensive talent solutions for academic children’s hospitals, colleges of medicine and academic medical centers across the nation. Mr. Millican is an acknowledged expert in completing complex faculty and executive leadership initiatives across academic medicine.

Valerie Opipari, MD

Dr. Opipari is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan School of Medicine and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Dr. Opipari has held a number of administrative roles at the University of Michigan including Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics and Chair of the University of Michigan Biomedical Research Council.

Robert Sawin, MD Robert S. Sawin, MD

Dr. Sawin is a pediatric surgeon, Emeritus Professor and Surgeon in Chief at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington. Dr. Sawin served as the Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Senior Vice President and Chief Surgical Officer of the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Bruder Stapleton, MD

Dr. Stapleton is a pediatric nephrologist, Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He served as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics from 1996 to 2018, as well as Chief Academic Officer and Associate Dean from 2005 to 2018.

Arnold (Arnie) Strauss, MD

Dr. Strauss is a pediatric cardiologist, Emeritus Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Strauss served as the Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati, Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation (CCRF), and Chief Medical Officer of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) from 2007 to 2014.

At the Child Health Advisory Council, we conduct regular roundtable discussions. What topic would you like to see featured in upcoming discussions? Let us know.

Creating a Candidate-Centric Interview Process

Pediatric Insight: Passing Leadership Wisdom To The Next Generation

Topic: Creating a Candidate-Centric Interview Process

Recruitment is one of the most critical responsibilities of leaders to ensure the success of their departments. To avoid unsuccessful recruitment searches, all departments, regardless of their national esteem, must carefully prepare both the candidate and the department. With this preparation, departments can better present the opportunities that would attract the candidate, evaluate the cultural alignment, and to meet the candidate’s personal and professional goals. Personal respect for the candidate, not institutional arrogance, is required for successful recruitment. The Child Health Advisory Council (CHAC) and leadership of CareerPhysician discuss their perspectives on best practices to respect candidates during leadership search.

Listen to the Podcast:

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 00:31:15
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Read the conversation recap.

Our moderator:

Bruder Stapleton, MD

Dr. Stapleton is a pediatric nephrologist, Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He served as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics from 1996 to 2018, as well as Chief Academic Officer and Associate Dean from 2005 to 2018.

Our panel:

Christine Gleason, MD

Dr. Gleason is a neonatologist and Professor Emerita of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She served as Division Director of Neonatology at Johns Hopkins from 1990 to 1997 and as Division Chief of Neonatology at the University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital from 1997 to 2015.

Jon Hayes

Jon Hayes serves as the Executive Vice President (EVP) of child health for CareerPhysician. With more than 25 years of healthcare experience, Jon has a comprehensive understanding of both academic department and children’s hospital operations. Prior to joining CareerPhysician, Jon served as President of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital.

Craig Hillemeier, MD

Dr. Hillemeier is a pediatric gastroenterologist and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Penn State University. He served most recently as the CEO of Penn State Health 2014 to 2019.

Renée Jenkins, MD, FAAP

Dr. Jenkins is a Professor and Chair Emerita at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Dr. Jenkins served as the inaugural director of the adolescent medicine program from 1976 to 1994 when she was appointed department chair of Pediatrics and Child Health, serving in this capacity until March 2007. Dr. Jenkins served as national president of the American Academy of Pediatrics from 2007 to 2008.

Wesley D. Millican, MBA

Wesley D. Millican, MBA, is CEO and Physician Talent Officer of CareerPhysician, LLC, providers of comprehensive talent solutions for academic children’s hospitals, colleges of medicine and academic medical centers across the nation. Mr. Millican is an acknowledged expert in completing complex faculty and executive leadership initiatives across academic medicine.

Valerie Opipari, MD

Dr. Opipari is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan School of Medicine and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Dr. Opipari has held a number of administrative roles at the University of Michigan including Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics and Chair of the University of Michigan Biomedical Research Council.

Robert Sawin, MD Robert S. Sawin, MD

Dr. Sawin is a pediatric surgeon, Emeritus Professor and Surgeon in Chief at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington. Dr. Sawin served as the Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Senior Vice President and Chief Surgical Officer of the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Arnold (Arnie) Strauss, MD

Dr. Strauss is a pediatric cardiologist, Emeritus Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Strauss served as the Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati, Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation (CCRF), and Chief Medical Officer of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) from 2007 to 2014.

At the Child Health Advisory Council, we conduct regular roundtable discussions. What topic would you like to see featured in upcoming discussions? Let us know.