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Pediatrics names 2 new co-vice chairs

Arbeláez, Fritz named co-vice chairs of clinical investigation

May 28, 2025

WashU Medicine

Ana Maria Arbeláez, MD, (left) and Stephanie A. Fritz, MD, have been named co-vice chairs of clinical investigation in the Department of Pediatrics.

The Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has named two distinguished pediatricians the department’s co-vice chairs of clinical investigation, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

The department’s head, Gary A. Silverman, MD, PhD, the Harriet B. Spoehrer Professor, promoted the faculty members as part of the department’s aim to advance and integrate clinical and translational research programs throughout the department, the medical school and the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.

Promoted were:

• Ana Maria Arbeláez, MD, the David English Smith Professor of Medicine and director of the Division of Endocrinology & Diabetes, studies the effect of diabetes on the brain. Her research has helped unravel the complex interactions between the brain and hormones during fluctuations in blood glucose levels in children with diabetes. As co-director of the Pediatric Clinical Research Unit, she has helped develop best practices, tools and methods designed to enhance training, boost career growth and evaluate programs effectively. As co-director of the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences Predoctoral Clinical Research Program, she established a two-year training program for clinical fellows interested in translational research.
• Stephanie A. Fritz, MD, the Ferring Family Chair Professor of Pediatrics, is a physician-scientist who studies methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Her research focuses on clinical and molecular epidemiology, prevention and treatment of the pathogen and its interaction with the body. Her work has led to changes in policy guidelines for helping families reduce recurrent MRSA infections. Fritz also is the co-director of the Pediatric Clinical Research Unit and serves on the WashU Medicine Human Research and Quality Assurance committee and the department’s Pediatric and Adolescent Ambulatory Research Consortium steering committee.

“Dr. Arbeláez and Dr. Fritz have made valuable contributions to the academic mission of WashU Medicine,” said Silverman. “Their unwavering commitment to mentoring and strong focus on fostering diverse talent position them well for the roles of co-vice chairs of clinical investigation. Their leadership will undoubtedly contribute to advancing our mission and fostering a collaborative research environment.”