Division Director (Associate Professor/Professor) , Hematology/Oncology - Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School

The Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, is seeking an outstanding and energetic physician-scientist leader to serve as chief of its newly established division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology. The chief is expected to provide a vision and lead the ongoing growth of the Division within a rapidly expanding medical school. This role offers an extraordinary opportunity to shape the future of pediatric hematology-oncology while harnessing the unmatched resources and diverse patient population of the Memorial Hermann Health System, one of the nation’s largest.

Traditionally two separate entities, the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology has been established in response to the evolving needs of the patient population. Combining the well-established Hematology Division with the more recent Oncology team allows providers to collaborate more closely to optimize treatment solutions and trainee learning experiences. 

DIVISION MISSION

The Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at UTHealth Houston and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital (CMHH) is committed to being a nationally recognized leader in clinical care, education, and research. Our mission is to improve the lives of children and their families through the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of cancer and blood disorders. We strive to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care, advance scientific discovery through innovative research, and train the next generation of pediatric hematology-oncology specialists. Guided by collaboration, excellence, and a commitment to health equity, we aim to transform outcomes and bring hope to every child we serve. 

Current Oncology and Hematology faculty provide inpatient services and consultations at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital (CMHH), our primary teaching hospital, which is a 300+ bed facility averaging more than 120,000 patient visits each year. The hospital includes 138 pediatric beds, a 22-bed PICU, 30-bed CVICU, and a 118-bed level IV NICU. It is ranked nationally in the US News and World Report and has been designated multiple times as a Top Workplace by the Houston Chronicle.

The Pediatric Oncology Program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital (CMHH) was established in 2020 with the mission of delivering comprehensive, high-quality care to children with cancer. Since its inception, the program has grown rapidly and now provides ongoing care for more than 65 active oncology patients and over 100 follow-up and survivorship patients. Our team is dedicated to addressing the full spectrum of pediatric cancers—including blood cancers, solid tumors, and brain tumors—through evidence-based, compassionate care that prioritizes both medical outcomes and the quality of life for patients and their families. 

The program benefits from a dedicated hospital-based oncology clinic staffed by expert nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and child life specialists, ensuring a holistic and supportive environment for patients. In addition to clinical care, CMHH serves as a training site for pediatric residents and pediatric hematology-oncology fellows, fostering the next generation of specialists in the field. Looking ahead, the program aims to further expand its impact by becoming a member of the Children’s Oncology Group and offering advanced therapies such as hematopoietic stem cell transplant, CAR-T therapy, and access to investigational agents for relapsed or refractory cancers—positioning CMHH as a comprehensive center of excellence for pediatric oncology care in Houston and beyond. 

The Pediatric Hematology Service at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital builds on a longstanding tradition of excellence in patient care, education, and research. Anchored within the Gulf States Hemophilia and Thrombophilia Center (GSHTC)—a nationally recognized, federally funded leader in the treatment of bleeding and clotting disorders—the division has pioneered innovative approaches that continue to shape the field. In 2024 alone, the team had over 1,500 outpatient encounters and over 800 inpatient consults at CMHH, reflecting both the depth and breadth of its clinical expertise. 

The division provides comprehensive care for children with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, platelet disorders, sickle cell disease, and other complex hematologic conditions. Care is delivered through dedicated specialty clinics supported by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and allied health professionals. With six clinical faculty, including one with a joint appointment at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the division also advances academic medicine through an ACGME-accredited fellowship program, training the next generation of pediatric hematologists. Together, these efforts position CMHH as a leader in pediatric hematology, committed to improving outcomes and quality of life for children and families across the region. 

Full Position Overview: 

The Division Head of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology will provide visionary leadership for a rapidly expanding program at UTHealth Houston and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, guiding excellence in clinical care, research, and education. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of divisional operations, including program development, faculty recruitment, clinical quality, and strategic initiatives such as achieving Children’s Oncology Group designation. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of pediatric hematology and oncology care in Houston through collaborative innovation, outstanding mentorship, and a commitment to advancing outcomes for children with cancer and blood disorders.

Position Key Accountabilities:

Leadership and Administration

·       Serve as the administrative and strategic leader for the rapidly growing Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, overseeing all clinical, research, educational, and administrative activities at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital (CMHH).

·       Provide vision and direction for continued expansion of both hematology and oncology programs, aligning divisional goals with departmental and institutional priorities.

·       Foster collaboration across disciplines and partner institutions—including CMHH and the Gulf States Hemophilia and Thrombophilia Center—to strengthen integration, innovation, and sustainability of the division’s mission.

·       Support the proposal for Children’s Oncology Group (COG) designation for CMHH and lead the development and implementation of appropriate clinical trials infrastructure for eligible patients.

·       Develop and sustain an environment that promotes excellence and innovation in patient care, education, and scholarship through effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and standards that ensure outstanding, risk-adjusted outcomes.

·       Collaborate with UTHealth Houston and hospital leadership to identify opportunities for program growth, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment across the care continuum.

·       Supervise divisional faculty and staff, delegating authority and accountability consistent with institutional policies, regulatory requirements, and professional standards.

·       Maintain an ongoing quality improvement plan in alignment with institutional goals; develop and refine standards, policies, and procedures that guide and support the delivery of high-quality care.

·       Review financial and operational reports to ensure efficient resource utilization, identify cost-saving opportunities, and propose strategies for fiscal sustainability.

Clinical Care

·       Provide exemplary clinical care through regular ambulatory hematology and oncology clinics and shared inpatient service coverage, including equitable participation in night and weekend call.

·       Lead the continued growth and organization of specialized programs in hematology, oncology, and survivorship, ensuring comprehensive, family-centered, and evidence-based care.

·       Identify evolving patient and family needs and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop programs and services that address those needs.

·       Ensure that age-appropriate equipment, supplies, and educational resources are available for all care settings.

·       Partner with nursing, pharmacy, social work, and allied health professionals to maintain a culture of safety, effective communication, and coordinated, patient-focused care.

Education and Mentorship

·       Lead and model excellence in clinical education across pediatric hematology and oncology by supervising and teaching medical students, residents, and fellows in inpatient and outpatient settings.

·       Provide bedside and didactic instruction, integrating advances in cancer biology, hematologic therapies, and interdisciplinary care to enhance learners’ clinical reasoning and judgment.

·       Oversee and coordinate divisional educational activities, including curriculum design, didactic schedules, and mentorship programs.

·       Serve as a professional role model in leadership, communication, and teamwork, fostering a learning environment grounded in respect, critical thinking, and compassion.

Research and Scholarship

·      Provide leadership in advancing the division’s research and scholarly portfolio, supporting investigator-initiated, translational, and clinical research that aligns with institutional priorities and addresses critical gaps in pediatric hematology and oncology.

·      Lead and participate in Children’s Oncology Group (COG) studies to ensure eligible patients have access to high-quality clinical trials and evidence-based treatment options.

·       Mentor faculty, fellows, and trainees in developing research skills, preparing grants and manuscripts, and pursuing extramural funding.

·       Promote collaboration across disciplines to strengthen the division’s research profile and increase academic productivity.

·       Ensure that all research and scholarly initiatives uphold the highest standards of scientific rigor, ethics, and compliance.

Service and Community Engagement

·       Represent the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division on departmental, hospital, and institutional committees and workgroups, contributing to policy development, strategic planning, and quality initiatives.

·       Participate in community outreach and advocacy efforts that enhance awareness of pediatric hematology and oncology services and improve access to care.

·       Maintain active, interdisciplinary performance improvement programs focused on quality, safety, and patient satisfaction.

·       Collaborate with hospital partners to address patient and family concerns and ensure a culture of service excellence across the division.

Qualifications:

·         MD or DO degree (or equivalent) with board certification in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.

·         Eligibility for medical licensure in the State of Texas.

·         Demonstrated record of academic achievement, leadership, and scholarship commensurate with appointment at the Associate Professor or  Professor level.

·         Proven success in leading multidisciplinary teams, developing programs, and fostering clinical, educational, and research excellence.

·         Commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and innovation in pediatric care and education.