Pediatric Residency Program Director

Akron Children’s Pediatric Residency Program Director

Akron Children’s is dedicated to building a diverse workforce – one that reflects our patient population and represents the communities we serve. Whether you’re a resident, a physician early in your career, or a seasoned physician with years of experience, Akron Children’s Hospital has something different that’s hard to explain. You feel it in the atmosphere as soon as you enter through the doors. You experience it every day with your colleagues, staff, patients, and their families. Once you’re here, you know you’re home.

Akron Children’s Hospital seeks an innovative, strategic, and dynamic educator to serve as the Pediatric Residency Program Director. The Program Director will have responsibility, strategic oversight, authority, and accountability for every aspect of pediatric residency education and training (75% effort as Program Director and 25% clinical effort). The Program Director will lead forward-thinking initiatives that align with the evolving landscape of pediatric medicine and graduate medical education, while maintaining full compliance with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements and Pediatric Residency Review Committee (RRC) standards.

This is a unique opportunity for a transformational leader to shape the future of pediatric training, integrating cutting-edge educational methodologies, competency-based assessment, health equity initiatives, and interprofessional collaboration into a program that prepares pediatricians to meet the healthcare challenges of the next decade and beyond. This physician-leader will benefit from serving in one of America’s largest and fastest growing integrated regional academic medical centers dedicated to advancing the health and wellness of children, adolescents, and young adults across all eastern Ohio.

Building on an over 75-year legacy of academic and clinical excellence, the Program Director will develop and implement a forward-thinking vision for the residency program that aligns with the institution’s mission, ACGME requirements, and best practices in medical education. Substantial operational and administrative support, as well as professional development and guidance, is provided by the Director of Medical Education in concert with the Pediatrician-in-Chief & Chair of Pediatrics and the Chief Academic Officer. In addition, the Program Director oversees and closely collaborates with 4 Associate Program Directors, 3 Chief Residents, and 15 core faculty members.

Essential Responsibilities include:

        Educational Excellence and Innovation

• Implement evidence-based and technology-enhanced education and curricula in anticipation of and in response to the changing landscape of pediatric medicine, competency-based medical            education (CBME), artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, and evolving    workforce needs.
• Develop impact and effectiveness metrics for all components of the curriculum.
• Facilitate resident scholarly activity and mentorship in research, quality improvement (QI), advocacy, global health, and underserved care.
• Foster a culture of innovation, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), well-being, and lifelong learning among faculty, residents, and staff.

        Program Management and Clinical Learning Environment

• Ensure full compliance with ACGME and Pediatric RRC requirements, maintaining accreditation through continuous quality improvement, annual program evaluations, and self-study processes.
• Lead the Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) and Program Evaluation Committee (PEC) to evaluate resident progress and drive programmatic improvements.
• Provide a learning and working environment in which residents are empowered to raise concerns and provide feedback in a confidential manner, without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

        Resident Recruitment, Development, and Support

• Oversee and continuously improve an innovative, agile, and global recruitment strategy to attract diverse, highly qualified residency applicants.
• Lead efforts in milestone-based competency assessments, entrustable professional activities (EPAs), and individualized learning plans (ILPs) for residents.

        Faculty as Educators

• Strategically recruit, mentor, and develop faculty in medical education, QI, research, and leadership, leveraging all available enterprise and regional academic resources.
• Lead faculty in incorporating health disparities, social determinants of health (SDOH), and advocacy training into the curriculum.

Required Qualifications:

• MD or DO degree from an accredited institution
• Board certification in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)
• Medical School faculty appointment (or appointment-eligible)
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), resident wellness, and mentorship

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of a fellowship or ongoing education in academic medical education
• Advanced training (e.g., Master’s in Medical Education, MPH, MBA, or PhD) in education, leadership, or public health
• Experience with quality improvement (QI), patient safety, and population health initiatives
• Knowledge of emerging educational technologies, simulation-based learning, and AI- informed/augmented medical education

Hospital Overview 

Akron Children's has been caring for children since 1890. With two hospital campuses, 6 regional health centers and 50+ primary and specialty care locations throughout Ohio, we’re making it easier for today's busy families to find the high-quality care they need. We also partner with other health systems to bring our neonatal and pediatric expertise to patients in their community hospitals.

Ranked among America’s Best Children’s Hospitals by Newsweek for the past three years, Akron Children's is the largest pediatric healthcare system in Northeast Ohio. With more than a million patient visits a year, we’ve been leading the way to healthier futures for children through quality patient care, education, advocacy, community service and medical discovery for more than 130 years! Children aren’t just a segment of our focus; they are our focus. The services at Akron Children’s span the entire scope of medical services available today – from routine and preventative care to emerging technologies in surgery and patient care.

Akron Children’s is the only freestanding pediatric hospital in Northeast Ohio and the 8th largest children’s hospital in the country. We are a major teaching affiliate of Northeast Ohio Medical University. Academic appointment at Northeast Ohio Medical University is available and commensurate with experience. Akron Children’s is dedicated to family-centered care and improving the treatment of childhood illness and injury through research at the Rebecca D. Considine Clinical Research Institute.

The resources available to our physicians, the innovative technology, the collaboration from all departments and the cohesive nature in which we work allow us to live our mission and truly treat every child as we would our own.

Community Overview:

It’s something you know as soon as you experience it. Our communities — the Northeast Ohio community — are deeply ingrained into our work, our volunteerism, and our daily lives. We are truly a part of the communities we serve, and the communities are a part of us. You’ll be proud to tell people you meet that you work at Akron Children’s as their faces light up and they tell you their own connection to the Hospital. Working at Akron Children’s gives you so many opportunities to live in, work in and love Northeast Ohio.

Runners, hikers, bikers, and families who like to explore have plenty of options including the recreation of the Towpath Trail. The 110-mile towpath trail from Cleveland to below Canton offers places of tranquility, and hidden views of wildlife. Sports are a way of life in our region with many private and public golf courses as well as numerous lakes for fishing, boating, and sailing. Not far from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we also offer many sports opportunities for youth as well as adults including basketball, baseball, soccer, football, swimming, tennis and more.

From major league attractions to small-town appeal, Northeast Ohio area has something for everyone. The area is rich in history and cultural diversity, and provides a stimulating blend of outstanding educational, cultural, and recreational resources. This four-season community offers outdoor enthusiasts more than 40,000 acres of parks for year-round enjoyment. Northeast Ohio has become a premier destination to work, live, play, shop, and dine!

Applicants may submit your CV and a letter of intent to Shawna Roach at sroach@akronchildrens.org or visit www.akronchildrens.org to apply online.