After a national search, Kari Simonsen, M.D., has been appointed chair of the UNMC 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.
Bradley 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 and 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. We are pleased to celebrate Dr. Simonsen’s permanent appointment. 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. Simonsen has been an exceptional clinician and educator during her time at UNMC,” said Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., chancellor of UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. “I 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 role.
“We are a department of dedicated clinicians, researchers, educators, and advocates who are working together to improve the lives of children,” she said. “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, 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. From 2011-2019, she served 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.
Congratulations Dr. Simonsen! Undaunted by the challenges of today, I am certain your leadership will continue to advance UNMC for a brighter tomorrow.
This is great news for the Department of Pediatrics!
Congratulations, Dr. Simonsen! You are a great asset to UNMC and to Children's Hospital, its patients, and its staff, not to mention the community.
Congratulations, Kari!!!
This is great news! Dr. Simonsen's leadership skills benefit all of us.
Congratulations, Dr. Simonsen! No doubt that you'll continue to raise the bar and lead in amazing ways.
Awesome! Congratulations, Dr. Simonsen.
Kari- Congratulations- Charles D. Fritch, M.D. FACS
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Great news. Congratulations, Dr. Simonsen!
Congratulations Kari! Good luck with your new responsibilities.
Kari,
Congratulations to you, to the Department, and to CHMC. An excellent choice! Carl Gumbiner
Congratulations
I know your beautiful parents. Congratulations on your wonderful accomplishments! A very proud moment. (I knew you when you were a small child).
The great comments say it all. I’d say they made the right choice. Congrats, Kari.
Congratulations and thank you for all you do.
Great progression from UNMC medical student (when I first met you) to chair of UNMC Pediatrics!
Congratulations Kari! Know your parents are very proud.
Congratulations Dr. Simonsen. Much deserved.
Congratulations Kari!
Gloria Plumer Ross
Congratulations Kari! UNMC will continue to lead with you in this role.
This is so exciting! Congratulations and best wishes for your continued success! Leslie Speck
Congratulations! Best wishes!
Congratulations to you Kari! You were one of those “special” Glenwood students that deserved to go far! I can’t even imagine how proud your family must be and how fortunate that UNMC is to have you on board!!