printable versionCox named interim chair of pediatrics as effort to hire new chief delayed
BY KRISTA CONGER
Kenneth Cox, MD, professor of pediatrics, was appointed interim chair for the pediatrics department beginning this week, Dean Philip Pizzo, MD, announced Nov. 13.
The appointment was needed because of an unanticipated serious illness in the family of the candidate expected to replace outgoing chair Harvey Cohen, MD, PhD. Cohen, who has served 13 years as both the department chair and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital's chief of staff, is stepping down to resume his research and clinical work.
"I am leaving the department in very qualified hands," said Cohen. "Ken was one of the first people I recruited after my arrival here. He has helped the clinical programs thrive, grow and be as excellent as they now are. He also has the respect of the other faculty members and proven leadership ability."
Although the chair and the chief-of-staff positions are usually held by the same person, Cox's other administrative obligations—he is chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, the associate chair of pediatrics, the senior associate dean for pediatrics and obstetrics, and Packard Children's chief medical officer—necessitate dividing the duties. Christy Sandborg, MD, professor of pediatrics (rheumatology) and chief of the Division of Rheumatology, has agreed to serve as the hospital's chief of staff until the now-resumed search yields another candidate.
"Christy Sandborg has demonstrated real leadership qualities," said Cohen. "As chief of staff, she will ably maintain and enhance the quality of care."
Pizzo added: "I have had the privilege and pleasure to have worked closely with Dr. Cox since my arrival, and I have the utmost confidence in his knowledge, commitment and dedication to pediatrics, LPCH and Stanford. I am grateful that he and Dr. Sandborg have agreed to serve as interim leaders, and am sure that they will do a wonderful job supporting the faculty and staff in pediatrics as I work to identify the next chair."