Arnold Strauss, MD, Named Chairman of Pediatrics at UC

Cincinnati—Arnold Strauss, MD, has been named chairman of the department of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, chief medical officer of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and director of the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation. He will be the seventh B.K. Rachford Memorial Chair in Pediatrics. Strauss’ appointment as chair is pending approval by the UC Board of Trustees.

Strauss will join the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s by July.  His appointment concludes a year-long national and international search.

“Cincinnati Children’s is one of the leading children’s hospitals and pediatric research institutions in the nation,” says Dr. Strauss, who is a distinguished pediatric cardiologist, scientist, educator and leader. “I am particularly impressed by the extraordinary quality of research. Everyone I’ve met is friendly, interactive and collegial. My wife, Patricia, and I are looking forward to coming.”

A respected scientist, Strauss’ research focuses on understanding the molecular basis of disorders of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and the genetic causes of congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathies. He is the recipient of two of the most prestigious awards in research. In November 2006 he was awarded the American Heart Association’s Basic Science Research Award for groundbreaking work that led to finding genetic defects that can cause heart failure and sudden death in infants and children. In 1991 he received the E. Mead Johnson Award for Excellence in Pediatric Research.

“Dr. Strauss embodies the teaching, research and clinical care missions of an academic medical center,” saysd David Stern, MD, dean of the UC College of Medicine. “In addition, he embraces the collaborative relationship of UC and Cincinnati Children’s, and his acumen for research will be a strong factor in enhancing basic, translational and clinical research at both institutions.”

“Dr. Strauss shares our commitment to transformational quality improvement and to translational research that moves new knowledge from the laboratory to the bedside to change the outcome for children,” added Jim Anderson, president and CEO of Cincinnati Children’s. “He is joining us at a time of great opportunity. I am confident that he possesses the leadership qualities and interpersonal skills to take us to even greater heights and help us realize our vision of being the leader in improving child health.”

The search was a collaboration of Cincinnati Children’s and the UC College of Medicine, led by committee co-chairs Jeffrey Whitsett, MD, chief of the section of neonatology, perinatal and pulmonary biology, and Joseph Broderick, MD, chair of the UC department of neurology.

Strauss will replace Tom Boat, MD, who has led the department of pediatrics and the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation since 1993. Although he is stepping down as chairman, Boat has chosen to remain on the College of Medicine faculty as a professor of pediatrics and on Cincinnati Children’s staff.