Lynn S. Nicholas Chair in Pediatric Suicide Prevention Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin

The Medical College of Wisconsin and the Children’s Wisconsin Craig Yabuki Mental Health Center are seeking an innovative and scholarly leader to serve as The Lynn S. Nicholas Chair in Pediatric Suicide Prevention. The Medical College and Children’s collaboratively offer both national and internationally recognized patient care programs?and have well established roots in primary and specialty pediatric mental and behavioral health care, advocacy, research, and education excellence.  The holder of the Lynn S. Nicholas Chair in Pediatric Suicide Prevention will play a lead role in supporting and further accelerating cutting-edge research on pediatric suicide prevention across the Children’s Wisconsin Health System.  

The Chair in Pediatric Suicide Prevention will have research and leadership responsibilities within the Children’s Wisconsin Craig Yabuki Mental Health Center and work collaboratively with Dr. Michael S. Gaffrey, Children’s Wisconsin Craig Yabuki Research Chair and Director of Mental and Behavioral Health Research / Associate Professor Department of Pediatrics, to accomplish them. They will also hold an academic faculty appointment at the Medical College of Wisconsin, with rank and home department(s) varying by candidate. 

The ideal candidate is someone who: 

• Has an established and productive program of research investigating pediatric suicide risk, prevention, and/or intervention. Research area is open but must have a primary focus on human participants, patients, and/or relevant datasets (e.g., electronic health records). A history of using hybrid approaches integrating quality improvement projects and research will also be reviewed favorably. 

• Will significantly contribute to the continued development of a system-wide infrastructure for integrating research activities into ongoing clinical efforts focused on pediatric suicide screening, prevention, and treatment. 

• Will demonstrate competency in incorporating principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in research, patient care, and other associated professional activities. 

Primary Functions and Responsibilities as Lynn S. Nicholas Chair in Pediatric Suicide Prevention: 

• Maintains own program of pediatric suicide prevention research and provides ongoing mentorship of emerging scientists and other trainees as appropriate.  

• Work collaboratively with the Craig Yabuki Research Chair and senior clinical and administrative leaders to guide and oversee Children’s Wisconsin’s pediatric suicide prevention research strategy. 

• Act as key mental and behavioral health research liaison with other relevant departments including Marketing and Foundation Donor Development as necessary.  

Professional Time Allocation 

The Research, Clinical, Teaching and/or Administrative time allocation for this role will vary by applicant and will depend on the scale and scope of the role agreed to by both the candidate and MCW/CW. However, 60% or greater effort in support of research activities is expected.  

 

Qualification Requirements 

• PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent degree 

• Eligible for an unrestricted license in the State of Wisconsin if clinical care is part of role 

 

Experience and Skills Desired  

• A track record of impactful scientific contributions in the area(s) of suicide risk and/or protective factors, prevention, and/or intervention.  

 

Craig Yabuki Mental Health Center 

The Craig Yabuki Mental Health Center is not a physical place and is not tied to a specific location. The center is the umbrella name for all mental and behavioral health services and research at Children’s Wisconsin. This includes experts in child and adolescent psychiatry, counseling, pediatric psychology, neuropsychology and psychotherapy, as well as the staff who support them. These experts are providing mental health services to kids and families at mental health walk-in clinics in Milwaukee and Kenosha, all Children’s Wisconsin primary care offices, the Children’s Wisconsin Milwaukee Hospital, regional clinics, family resource centers, schools and beyond. Since July 2021, more than 180,000 kids have been screened or seen for mental health concerns at Children’s Wisconsin. 

The namesake of the center, Craig Yabuki, is the late brother of former Fiserv CEO Jeff Yabuki. Craig died by suicide in 2017, leaving behind a wife and three young children. From that tragedy came hope in the form of a transformative act of philanthropy. Jeff and his wife Gail made a $20 million gift to bring mental and behavioral health into every Children’s Wisconsin primary care office and urgent care location, as well as the Emergency Department at the Milwaukee Hospital and at the two Children’s Wisconsin Mental Health Walk-in Clinics. As part of the largest-scale implementation in any pediatric setting in the nation, therapists and pediatricians are now working side-by-side, fully integrating mental and behavioral health touchpoints into every visit a child has with Children’s Wisconsin. This gift also further accelerated the prioritization of suicide prevention as a system-wide endeavor at Children’s Wisconsin. Suicide screening in children 10 and older is now in place throughout all of Children’s care spaces. And, with support from a recent “Zero Suicide” grant and other resources, implementation of suicide prevention interventions is now an area of active growth throughout the Children’s Wisconsin System. 

Being designated as a center at Children’s Wisconsin involves meeting requirements related to clinical outcomes, quality, education and outreach, research and innovation, and philanthropy. In line with this, the Yabuki family’s philanthropy also established and solidified research as a core element of the Center to ensure the best possible short- and long-term outcomes for the program and to expand MBH research across the Children’s Wisconsin System. As a result, The Craig Yabuki Mental Health Center joins the MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and the Herma Heart Institute as key, transformational programs for care and research at Children’s Wisconsin. 

The Division of Pediatric Psychology and Developmental Medicine 

The Pediatric Psychology and Developmental Medicine (PPDM) division at the Medical College of Wisconsin is dedicated to caring for children with developmental disabilities from infancy through adolescence. We offer comprehensive, family-centered care, either directly or in collaboration with pediatric specialists, to ensure the highest quality of patient care, education, prevention, research, and advocacy. 

Our multidisciplinary team includes developmental pediatricians, psychologists, speech and language pathologists, and advanced practice nurses. Together, we provide thorough evaluations and tailored treatment plans for children with developmental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. Outpatient care is available at our Center for Child Development, and our health psychologists integrate mental and behavioral health services for children affected by physical illness within our subspecialty clinics and inpatient units at Children’s Wisconsin. 

We’re also leaders in interprofessional education, training the next generation of healthcare professionals, including medical students, residents, fellows, and psychology and nursing students. Our expanding research program focuses on key areas like mental health screening in medical settings, addressing psychosocial issues related to physical health, using virtual reality for pain management, and improving mental health access through telehealth innovations. 

The Department of Pediatrics 

The Department of Pediatrics at Children's Wisconsin is a leader in providing exceptional care for children, driving advancements in pediatric medicine, and fostering a collaborative and compassionate environment. With 19 clinical divisions and 4 non-clinical divisions, our growing department includes over 383 faculty members, more than 400 residents and fellows, and 149 advanced practice providers. Our leadership is comprised of 23 nationally recognized Division Chiefs, 5 Vice Chairs, and a robust administrative team, all committed to excellence in clinical care, education, and research. 

We offer a wide range of pediatric specialties, including Adolescent Medicine, Asthma/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Child Advocacy and Protection, Pediatric Critical Care, Developmental Biology, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Complex Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Gastroenterology, General Pediatrics, Pediatric Genetics, Global Child Health, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplant, Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Medical Education, Pediatric Psychology and Developmental Medicine, Neonatology, Pediatric Nephrology, Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Quantitative Health Sciences, and Pediatric Rheumatology. 

Key Achievements: 

• Clinical Care: Seven pediatric specialties were ranked by U.S. News & World Report in the Best Children’s Hospitals. Children’s Wisconsin also received the Forbes Best-in-State Employers Award and the INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award in 2021. 

• Research: With $11.9M in NIH funding and 536 top-quartile publications, our research division is continuously pushing the boundaries of pediatric medicine. We currently manage 1,000 active clinical trials and are ranked 30th in NIH Blue Ridge rankings. 

• Education: The DOP supports over 400 medical students, residents, and fellows annually and offers 16 ACGME-accredited subspecialty fellowship programs. We are also a member of the Kern National Network, advancing medical education nationwide. 

• Community Engagement: The DOP is dedicated to inclusivity and advocacy, training nearly 500 employees in unconscious bias, launching initiatives on microaggressions, and leading the charge in community outreach programs like Project ADAM, which trained over 49,000 individuals to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in schools. 

 

Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry  

The Child and Adolescent Division of the Medical College of Wisconsin Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Department is dedicated to providing the highest standards of evidence-based care for children and adolescents with complex mental health challenges. We offer a wide diversity of comprehensive diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and collaborative care through outpatient services for children with complex mental health disorders. Our team also serves as the psychiatric consult-liaison partner for children being treated inpatient and for those within Emergency care, consultants for pediatricians across the entire state of Wisconsin, experts for care of children with trauma, children through young adults with neurodevelopmental disorders, and those families seeking second opinions about their complex mental health care. 

We are a multi-disciplinary team of experts in psychiatry, psychology, neuropsychology, advanced practice, nursing, and care coordination. We provide premiere specialty psychiatry and behavioral outpatient care for these patients and their families, in collaboration with others within the MCW and Children’s system as well as community resources, utilizing empirically supported interventions to provide the best care for kids.  We also serve as leaders within the nation in the development of clinical treatment approaches for pediatric mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders, concussion, trauma, emergency care, and consultation. Additionally, we engage in all academic mission areas, including research, community engagement, and broadly diverse educational experiences. These activities include expanding academic involvement, clinical application, and training of psychology and medical students, nursing and advanced practice providers, and the pediatric psychiatrists that will soon be practicing in our community. 

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine  

The department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine includes an exceptional team of leaders, faculty, trainees, and staff who are dedicated to advancing the field of psychiatry and behavioral medicine. Over the past decade, the department has doubled in size, reflecting our growth and commitment to providing top-tier care, education, research, and community engagement. Our mission-driven focus includes addressing healthcare disparities and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

Our diverse faculty comprises compassionate clinicians, educators, and researchers who are committed to delivering effective, accessible behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults, and families. We are at the forefront of integrating behavioral health into primary and specialty care across our affiliate partners and are pioneering statewide initiatives to expand mental health access. With a focus on continuous quality improvement, we foster a stimulating and supportive environment for trainees while leading groundbreaking research that advances the field and enhances patient care. 

 

Department of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice 

The Department of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice at Children's Wisconsin promotes and sustains the development of innovative programs of pediatric nursing research and evidence-based practice. The vision for the department is to build and sustain the research capacity for the discipline of nursing at Children’s Wisconsin and contribute to interdisciplinary research. This includes developing doctorly prepared nurses while also engaging advanced practice nurses and clinical nurses in the process of research and the promotion of clinical inquiry, resulting in the implementation of evidence-based clinical practice. The Department currently has 15 nurse scientists, who are conducting research in a variety of different areas including the use of mHealth to promote communication and health for pediatric patients with complex, chronic illness; the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity with a specific focus on children with developmental disabilities; the testing of interventions for premature infants that improve growth and development;  and the impact of toxic stress in premature infants and their families. Total National Institutes of Health funding of the different nurse scientists to date is approximately $7 million. 

 

Children's Medical Group - A Leader in Pediatric Primary Care! 

Established in 1994, Children's Medical Group (CMG) delivers comprehensive preventative, chronic, and acute care services to over 145,000 children across Southeast Wisconsin. With a network of 21 locations and a dedicated team of 95 pediatricians and 26 advanced practice providers, CMG provides high-quality care supported by integrated behavioral health consultants, co-located dental and urgent care clinics, and a specialized Teen Clinic. 

Our clinics collectively feature over 210,000 square feet of care space and conducted 356,000 visits in 2023. CMG is committed to meeting the diverse needs of children and families in our community through a robust suite of core and wrap-around services.  

 

Medical College of Wisconsin 

At the core of everything we do at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is the pursuit of new knowledge and the power of academic medicine. Bringing together the world’s top scientists and clinicians, inspired students, and invested communities, we are driven to solve the most complex challenges in health and society. MCW is home to a diverse group of thought leaders collaborating to build a healthier world and a continuous cycle of life-changing knowledge.  MCW has?approximately 1,600?full-time and part-time faculty and?approximately 3,445?full-time employees. More than 1,500 physicians from the community serve as volunteer faculty. MCW is the ninth largest private employer in metro Milwaukee and has?approximately 15,000?alumni.? MCW makes a substantial contribution to the Milwaukee region and state through its community investments and community engaged research. 

 

Children’s Wisconsin and Children’s Specialty Group 

Children’s Wisconsin is the state’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. With more than 1.3 million annual connections with kids and families statewide, Children’s provides a wide range of care and support — everything from routine care to lifesaving advances and treatment options, foster care and adoption services, child advocacy, and provides an insurance plan. In 2021, Children’s had net patient revenues of $1.1 billion ($1.7 billion including other operating revenues). 

Children’s and its joint venture with the Medical College of Wisconsin – the Children’s Specialty Group, or CSG - are the largest providers of pediatric healthcare in the state, serving the children and families of Wisconsin with the highest level of care through their American College of Surgeons Level I Children’s Surgery Verification Center, Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence, 72-bed Level IV NICU, Level IV Epilepsy Center, and a 72-bed PICU. In 2021-2022, CW and CSG had six specialties ranked by US News & World Report: cancer; cardiology and heart surgery; gastroenterology and GI surgery; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; and pulmonology. 

With over 70 specialties and 675 providers, CSG has an annual net patient revenue of ~$200 million. Last year, CSG providers had 220,000 outpatient visits at 13 regional care sites, 67,000 emergency department/trauma center visits, and over 9,000 admissions. CSG surgical providers performed 17,500 cases.  

In addition to its reputation for providing the highest quality patient care, Children’s has also been recognized as an employer and community partner, including as a top workplace by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

 

Milwaukee 

Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, is located on Lake Michigan’s western shore. A metropolitan area with more than 1.5 million people, Milwaukee is an affordable, comfortable place to live, work, and play, big enough to be exciting and uncongested enough to get around easily. Milwaukee’s many neighborhoods have incredible charm, accommodating a variety of lifestyles, from high-rise apartments to small farms. The New York Times listed Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood as one if its 52 destinations to visit in 2022. 

Nestled along a magnificent bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, Milwaukee’s downtown is home to botanical gardens, a superlative symphony orchestra, museums, a ballet company, a theater district, the world champion Milwaukee Bucks, the Milwaukee Brewers, and many fine restaurants. The lake and its harbors are skirted by scenic parklands and provide first-class opportunities for recreation, including hiking, cycling, canoeing, boating, and more. A recent study ranked Milwaukee as the 15th most walkable of the 50 largest US cities. Milwaukee County is also known for its “Grand Necklace of Parks” totaling more than 140, which offer hiking, picnic facilities, cross country skiing, and ice skating. 

Wauwatosa, home to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus which includes Children’s Wisconsin, is a nearby suburb of Milwaukee with a population of 47,687. Located 10 minutes west of downtown and Lake Michigan, with proximity to everything the region has to offer, Wauwatosa is an urban enclave with a charming small-town feel. Known by locals as "Tosa," the city is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Wisconsin.  

 

At Children's Wisconsin, we care for every aspect of a child's health. This includes their physical, social and mental well-being. But our expertise goes beyond medical knowledge. We talk to children in ways they can understand. We create child-friendly environments that put kids at ease. And we provide resources that impact their health at home and at school.

Because when we focus 100% on kids and everything they need to be healthy, we unlock innovation in more ways than you might imagine. That's why innovation means more at Children's Wisconsin.