Division Director – Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology Children'S Mercy Kansas City, Mo

The Department of Pediatrics at Childrens Mercy seeks a creative and scholarly leader

to serve as Division Director of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic

Innovation. The Division Director will be responsible for leading the research, educational,

and quality missions of Clinical Pharmacology, an academic division focused on providing

clinical consultation and research programs aimed at making the use of medications in

children safer and more effective. Within the division, the Section of Medical Toxicology

provides consultative services for potential poison exposures, including overdoses,

environmental exposures, and envenomations. The Division Director will foster

collaborative ties throughout Childrens Mercy, bridging the divisions research missions

in genomic, clinical research, and translational interests across the Department of

Pediatrics and CMRI.

This is a faculty position offering academic appointments at the University of Missouri -

Kansas City School of Medicine and the Kansas University School of Medicine, rank to

be commensurate with experience. Kansas City's strong culture of philanthropy has led

to the creation of many endowed roles available to distinguished and accomplished

leaders. An endowed position may be extended to the selected candidate, contingent

upon their qualifications and record of achievement.

Established in 1996, Clinical Pharmacology has a national and international reputation

for impactful translational science and excellence in training. The Division has a strong

record for successful extramural funding and an outstanding publication record. Clinical

Pharmacology faculty and staff are national leaders in pharmacogenetics, institutional

leaders in health equity research, and outstanding clinicians, using pharmacology and

toxicology to improve the care of patients. Among the groups in the Division are :

GOLDILOKs Clinic (GOLDILOKS stands for Genomic- and OntogenyLinked Dose Individualization and cLinical Optimization for KidS.) is a

multidisciplinary clinic with a pediatrician, clinical pharmacist, and nurse who see

patients with a variety of conditions including adverse drug reactions, drug-drug

interactions, and medication nonresponse. Additionally, the clinical staff meet

weekly with genetics lab experts and a social worker to discuss upcoming patients

and formulate a multidisciplinary care plan individualized to each patient. The clinic

offers educational opportunities to pharmacy students, medical students,

residents, and fellows.

The Medical Toxicology Consult Team provides consultative services for a variety

of environmental, exposure, overdose and poison issues. A Children's Mercy

Medical Toxicologist is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our

toxicologists also provide medical direction for the Kansas Poison Control Center.

This service on average has 150-200 beside consults per year. Academically, the

toxicologists provide lectures to CMH Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellows and

residents, CMH Pediatric Medicine fellows, TMC / University Health Emergency

Medicine residents, and 5th / 6th year UMKC medical students. In continuing the

collaboration of research, Kansas Fights Addiction Grant-Opioid Withdrawal

Treatment Clinical Practice Guideline was rewarded.

Childrens Mercy Hospital (CMH) Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology (T32) training

program is the Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at CMH one of

the largest and most comprehensive Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology programs in

North America. Our fellowship training program is accredited by the American

Board of Clinical Pharmacology (ABCP) and has formally trained 31 fellows since

1998 (21 pediatricians, 6 pharmacists, 1 advanced practice nurse, 3 PhD

scientists).

The drug biotransformation core serves to characterize drug disposition pathways

along with the consequences of drug metabolizing enzyme (DME) polymorphisms

in subcellular systems derived from pediatric tissues. A cell culture facility permits

fellows and faculty to explore the regulation and expression of DME related

proteins. A robust analytical core supports in vitro and in vivo pharmacology- and

metabolomics-related research, emphasizing the characterization of

developmental trajectories of drug disposition and response pathways.

Partnerships with University of Kansas Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

spectroscopy core allow for the characterization of drug metabolites or biomarker

development. The Analytical Chemistry Core Director can provide both didactic

and hands-on instruction to our trainees on quantitative pharmacology methods.

We have an internationally recognized pharmacogenetics / genomics (PGx)

program defining gene sequence variations related to drug disposition and action.

This program also administers the Pharmacogene Variation (PharmVar)

Consortium. The Pharmacogene Variation (PharmVar) Consortium is a globally

recognized central repository for pharmacogene (PGx) variation. The major focus

of PharmVar is to catalogue allelic variation of genes impacting drug metabolism,

disposition and response and provide a unifying designation system

(nomenclature) for the global pharmacogenetic / genomic community.

A team of dedicated health care providers and researchers in our Clinical

Pharmacology Division and Division of Clinical Genetics and Genomics offer an

in-house pharmacogenetic test called Kiddose PGx. This test helps clinicians

better understand how to dose medications for each specific patient when genetic

differences may play a role in their bodys response to pharmaceuticals.

Quality Improvement projects include Decreasing Turnaround Time of

Pharmacogenetic Testing which won a poster award at the UMKC School of

Medicine QIPS Day. Currently, there is an ongoing project to Decrease Insurance

Preauthorization Time for Pharmacogenetic Testing. Within our faculty roster, we

have someone who is an UMKC School of Medicine QIPS Faculty Scholar.

Through strategic team science collaboration with colleagues locally, nationally and

internationally, Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Innovation has

leveraged Childrens Mercy strengths in clinical care, genomics, and clinical

pharmacology to improve care, enhance research and speed translation of best practice

into the community.

The foremost qualities necessary for this position is vision for the field of clinical

pharmacology research and patient care. Other desired characteristics include 1) a track

record of extramural funding; 2) history of mentorship that includes developing young

investigators into independent scientists; 2) interest in academic infrastructure and

research finances; 3) successful collaborations with administration, hospital, medical, and

research partners; 4) unwavering commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and

inclusion; and 5) commitment to developing a culture of high team accountability and

professionalism.

The individual selected for this position will be a strategic and highly communicative

leader with a doctoral degree (MD, DO, MD / PhD, DO / PhD, PhD, or PharmD). The

Division Director of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology & Therapeutic Innovation reports

to the Chair of Pediatrics.

About Childrens Mercy

Childrens Mercy is one of the United States leading non-profit, independent pediatric

health systems, offering a comprehensive suite of departments, centers, and

clinics. Founded in 1897, Childrens Mercy is dedicated to holistic care, impactful

research, breakthrough innovation and educating the next generation of caregivers.

Guided by our mission, vision and values, our aim is to create a world of wellbeing for

all children. Childrens Mercy is consistently ranked among the best childrens hospitals

in the nation by US News & World Report, and we were the first hospital in Missouri or

Kansas to receive Magnet designation for excellence in patient care from the American

Nurses Credentialing Center an honor we have received five consecutive times.

Some Childrens Mercy facts and figures :

390 licensed beds

Nearly 800 faculty

Over 50 specialties

600,000 total visits

190,000 emergency and urgent care visits

20,000 surgical cases

Primary service area includes150 counties in Missouri and Kansas

Level 1 Childrens Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons

Only pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center between St. Louis and Denver

Comprehensive solid organ transplant center with sustained, exceptional

outcomes

Education

Education is a core tenet of Childrens Mercy. Childrens Mercy provides education

opportunities to nursing students, medical students, residents and fellows, supporting

over 1,400 learners annually. Childrens Mercy is the pediatric clerkship site for both

UMKC and KU medical students and provides elective rotations and sub-internships to

students at any accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school. Childrens Mercy is

highly active in Graduate Medical Education with accredited residencies in pediatrics,

med / peds, child neurology, pediatric dentistry, pediatric optometry and pharmacy.

Childrens Mercy offers more than 40 fellowship programs across numerous areas,

developing the next generation of subspecialists. Certificate and masters programs are

also operated in conjunction with its academic partners, the University of Kansas (KU)

and the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC). Finally, our robust clinical training

resources are augmented by research opportunities for learners at all levels.

Research

Childrens Mercy is dedicated to becoming a leader in pediatric research. A directed

strategic planning initiative established the Childrens Mercy Research Institute (CMRI)

to focus on research and research infrastructure. Through the generosity of two

philanthropic gifts totaling $150 million, the hospital constructed a nine story, 375,000

square foot research facility to provide scientists with state-of-the-art technology. In

addition, these generous gifts help support funding for scientific programs and

recruitment. Research conducted today includes basic, translational, and clinical

research in numerous areas including pharmacology, cancer, cardiology, genetic

diseases and health outcomes. Areas of research strength include Precision

Therapeutics, Genomic Medicine, Population Health, Emerging Pathogens and

Innovations in Health Care Delivery. Beyond these areas of emphasis, Childrens Mercy

and the CMRI also provide encompassing resources for Childrens Mercy faculty to

pursue research, from developing a research question, biostatistical planning, grant

application and management, and coordination of clinical trials.

About Kansas City

Crossing into both Missouri and Kansas, the Kansas City Metropolitan Area is an

affordable and comfortable place to live and raise a family. The metros anchor city,

Kansas City, Missouri, is the largest city in the state and has great museums, a busy

downtown, multiple professional sports franchises, an exciting music scene and many

charming neighborhoods. Throughout the Metro area, you will find highly ranked public

schools, beautiful parks and other green spaces, and lots of amazing people. Kansas City

is large enough to provide the amenities of a metropolitan area, while small enough to

allow for easy commutes, assessable amenities and a very high quality of life.

Ideal Qualifications and Experience

MD, DO, PhD, or PharmD (or combination of degrees) is required

Current academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor

A strong record of academic achievement as evidenced by extramural funding in

the field of Clinical Pharmacology

Demonstrated interest in advancing research as it pertains to division activities and

interactions with the broader Childrens Mercy community

A commitment to our true north pillars : quality and safety, people, patient

experience, delivery and stewardship

Fosters and models our values : kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity

A deep commitment to fostering and supporting programs that address equity,

inclusion and diversity

A track record of partnership with academic medical centers

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability and commitment to collaborate with

leadership at partner institutions

Nominations and Applications (cover letter and curriculum vitae) should be submitted via

e-mail to : Facultyjobs@cmh.edu as well as the committee co-chairs Dr. John Perry

(jmperry@cmh.edu) and Dr. Rachel Chevalier Chevalier (rlchevalier@cmh.edu)

All materials will be treated as confidential.

Childrens Mercy is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.

For additional

information, please visit our website at www.childrensmercy.org