After a national search, Kari Simonsen, M.D., has been appointed chair of the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Simonsen also will continue to serve as pediatrician-in-chief and senior vice president of pediatric services for Children's Hospital & Medical Center, a position she assumed last fall.
Brad Britigan, M.D., dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, announced the appointment Thursday.
“In challenging times such as these, strong leaders are especially needed,” Dr. Britigan said. “Since Dr. Simonsen took over the role on an interim basis in September 2019 she has proven her ability to enhance our missions of medical education, research and improving the health and lives of the children and families we serve at UNMC and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. I’m looking forward to seeing our pediatrics services continue to grow and positively impact the Omaha and Nebraska communities under Dr. Simonsen’s leadership.”
“Dr. Simonsen has been a valued member of Children's executive team as we carry out our mission to improve the lives of children and serve our community,” said Chris Maloney, M.D., Ph.D., Children’s executive vice president, chief clinical officer & physician-in-chief. “When independent, freestanding children’s hospitals like ours and academic medical centers like UNMC team up, it makes pediatric care stronger and it makes communities stronger.
“She is a talented, trusted physician-leader demonstrating a strong track record of excellence in clinical care, research and academics. As pediatrician-in-chief and senior vice president of pediatric services, her expertise in pediatric infectious disease is valued now more than ever, Dr. Maloney said.”
“Dr. Simonsen has been an exceptional clinician and educator during her time at UNMC,” said Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. “We will be excited to watch the department of pediatrics flourish under her leadership.”
“In her past role as division chief of infectious diseases, Dr. Simonsen has provided exceptional leadership,” said James Linder, M.D., CEO of Nebraska Medicine. “While interim chair, she has earned the respect of the peer chairs at UNMC. I am confident that her leadership as chair of pediatrics will build trust across the entire organization.”
Dr. Simonsen said she was humbled and thrilled to be serving in her new roles.
“We are a department of dedicated clinicians, researchers, educators and advocates who are working together to improve the lives of children. I’m excited to continue the trajectory of growth in pediatrics and to renew our commitment to developing and sustaining partnerships that will have a lasting impact on the lives of children in our community and around the world.”
A pediatric infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Simonsen joined the UNMC faculty in 2007 as assistant professor of pediatrics. She was elevated to associate professor in 2013 and to professor in 2018. In 2018, she was appointed assistant vice chancellor for faculty affairs at UNMC. Since 2011, she has been serving as chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases in the UNMC Department of Pediatrics. She also has served as the president of the Children's Specialty Physicians Board of Directors.
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center is the only full-service, pediatric health care center in Nebraska, providing expertise in more than 50 pediatric specialty services to children across a five-state region and beyond. Children’s is recognized as a 2019-20 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report in five pediatric specialties: Cardiology and Heart Surgery, Pulmonology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Orthopedics and Diabetes & Endocrine Disorders
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