Chair for the Department of Pediatrics & Pediatrician-In-Chief - Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Florida International University (FIU) is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of over 340,000. Located in Miami, FIU offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields, including National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars, and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health, technology, and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation, focusing on student success, economic mobility, and community engagement.

Nicklaus Children's Health System (Nicklaus Children's Hospital) and Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (FIU Medicine) seek an inaugural Chair for the Department of Pediatrics and Pediatrician-in-Chief. Through a newly established strategic affiliation, the two institutions are building the region's largest academic pediatric program, expanding pediatric education, advancing research, and enhancing care for children across South Florida and beyond.

About the Role

The Chair of Pediatrics and Pediatrician-in-Chief will serve in a dual academic and clinical leadership role, reflecting the joint nature of the FIU/Nicklaus affiliation. For university academic matters, the Chair reports to the Dean of the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. For health system matters, the Pediatrician-in-Chief reports to the President and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System. The Chair will partner closely with the Chief Physician Executive for day-to-day clinical and operational matters within Nicklaus Children's. The role involves working with the President and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System, the NCPS Board, the FIU/Nicklaus Joint Steering Committee, and other leaders to advance shared strategic priorities across teaching, research, and clinical care. The Associate DIO will collaborate with the Chair on pediatric GME strategy, program development, accreditation, and growth initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for a multispecialty pediatric group with over 300 providers, guiding clinical integration strategies, value-based care initiatives, and service growth.
• Oversee clinical quality, financial performance, physician engagement, and recruitment as Senior Vice President and President of Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists (NCPS).
• Represent NCPS in community, payer, and academic forums.
• Lead academic strategy for the Department of Pediatrics at FIU HWCOM, including education, research, and service missions.
• Recruit, retain, and develop dynamic academic faculty.
• Collaborate with other department chairs and senior leadership to advance HWCOM’s research enterprise and UME/GME programs.
• Foster mentorship, innovation, and scholarly productivity.
• Serve as the senior physician leader of the FIU-Nicklaus Children’s partnership, driving alignment of clinical and academic missions.
• Develop signature programs in pediatric health aligned with institutional goals.
• Represent the partnership regionally and nationally to promote strategic vision and elevate visibility.
• Develop a departmental strategy to achieve goals in research, educational programs, clinical care quality, philanthropy, and community service.
• Demonstrate leadership through professional practice evaluation and high standards of care.
• Establish communication protocols, clinical practice principles, and collaboration expectations within the Department.
• Create a patient-centric care model and foster a culture of excellence for patients and communities serviced by Nicklaus Children’s.
• Encourage a collaborative approach to pediatric care with other medical leaders, aligning with the mission of clinical excellence and standardized care.
• Establish, support, and grow relationships within Nicklaus Children’s and FIU to strengthen collaboration among multidisciplinary teams.
• Guide, mentor, and develop staff to build internal capabilities and ensure succession planning.
• Expand scholarly activities through breakthrough research, publishing, and excellent training programs.
• Collaborate with clinical leadership to expand clinical trials and research activities within Nicklaus Children’s.
• Grow the research enterprise and improve HERD ranking through talent acquisition and increased grant funding.
• Lead the growth of GME education programs, including new fellowships and elevating the profile, reputation, and quality of training programs.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from an accredited medical school.
• Eligibility for Florida state medical license and good standing with the medical board.
• Board certification in a pediatric specialty.
• Eligibility and academic credentials consistent with appointment as Professor at FIU HWCOM.
• 7-10 years of experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• More than 10 years of clinical experience beyond board certification.
• 4-7 years of administrative experience.
• 4-7 years of experience in performance improvement, research, and publishing.
• 4-7 years of experience in research and teaching within academic pediatrics.
• 4-7 years of prior engagement in clinical research, protocol development, and scholarly activities.

Skills

• Proven track record as an outstanding leader with the ability to lead a contemporary Department of Pediatrics.
• A strong record of accomplishment as a practicing physician with superb technical skills and a reputation for producing the highest quality clinical results.
• A visionary with a strong grasp of what a nationally known pediatric program should be and the ability to build consensus around this goal.
• A systems thinker with the proven ability to navigate and execute in a large, complex healthcare organization.
• Open and direct communication style with a collegial presence that encourages consensus building, collaboration, and cooperation.
• Expertise in developing sustained clinical excellence through advancing patient outcomes, processes, and a better patient and provider experience.
• Experience in cultivating strong alignment and working relationships with other specialties, external affiliates, and community providers to promote pediatric care across the region.
• Proven commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment at all levels of the Department, including faculty, students, trainees, and staff.
• Ability to articulate a clear vision for growth, expansion, and evolution of the Department.
• Uncompromising standards of professionalism and an ability to take a larger institutional view, working collaboratively with other Departments, Divisions, and Institutes.

Nicklaus Children's Health System and Florida International University have retained WittKieffer to conduct the search for the Chair of Pediatrics and Pediatrician-in-Chief. For confidential nominations or expressions of interest, contact the WittKieffer search team at fhoecker@wittkieffer.com.