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Pediatrics names executive vice chair, three vice chairs

Physicians appointed to posts: Cole, Elward, Lowe, White

by Kristina Sauerwein•May 12, 2017

Robert Boston

From the left, Andrew J. White, MD, Alexis M. Elward, MD, were named vice chairs; F. Sessions Cole, MD, was named executive vice chair; and Mark Lowe, MD, PhD, was named a vice chair, all in the Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The positions were created to improve efficiency and enhance delivery of services.

The Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has named a distinguished pediatrician the department’s executive vice chair and three others as vice chairs. The positions are new.

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 improve efficiency and enhance delivery of services.

Promoted were:

• F. Sessions Cole, MD, the Park J. White, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, to executive vice chair of pediatrics. The role entails executing the university’s overall academic, research and clinical missions as well as assuming Silverman’s responsibilities in the department head’s absence. Cole also is the assistant vice chancellor for children’s health, chief medical officer at St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) and director of the Division of Newborn Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics.
• Alexis M. Elward, MD, to vice chair of quality improvement and safety. The position charges Elward with overseeing the department’s quality improvement programs in collaboration with SLCH and BJC HealthCare. Elward also is the medical director of infection control at SLCH.
• Mark E. Lowe, MD, PhD, to vice chair of clinical affairs and strategic planning. In this capacity, Lowe will focus on expanding pediatric outpatient programs, restructuring ambulatory clinics and improving overall communications among pediatricians. Lowe came from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he was a vice chair and held an endowed chair for pediatric research.
• Andrew J. White, MD, the James P. Keating, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, to vice chair of medical education. The role includes coordinating the department’s medical education activities with leading clinical researchers, other divisions and fellowship coordinators to provide a more cohesive program for early trainees to postdoctoral fellows. White also directs the SLCH residency programs.

“The executive vice chair and three vice chairs have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and the highest level of professional expertise,” Silverman said. “They will help to oversee the department’s operations and to advise me as to best practice. The Department of Pediatrics will benefit greatly from their contributions.”