Division Chief, Pediatric Genetics

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Organization:

Oklahoma Children’s, the pediatric clinical enterprise of OU Health, delivers coordinated pediatric care statewide and is anchored by Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, a comprehensive, freestanding pediatric tertiary care center with 246 beds. As the state’s only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center and academic pediatric facility, the hospital provides the most advanced, specialized services in Oklahoma.

At Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, staff blend years of training with education, research and technology to improve the lives of children throughout the region. Oklahoma Children’s Hospital has regularly earned U.S. News and World Report’s ranking as one of the Top 50 Best Children’s Hospitals in the nation for Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery.

The Oklahoma Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit provides the highest level of newborn care in Oklahoma. An embedded service within the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital is the Women’s and Newborn Service, which is a regional referral center for the state, providing prenatal and delivery care for pregnancies ranging from low-risk to the most complicated. The obstetric emergency room at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital is a regional referral center for the state, and the neonatal intensive care unit provides the highest level of newborn care in Oklahoma.

Children’s is also home to the only 24/7 pediatric emergency room in Oklahoma City. With a family-centered approach to healing, Children’s offers resources from pet therapy to Certified Child Life specialists who help families cope with hospitalization and illness. From advanced surgical services to general pediatrics, oncology care and more, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital provides cutting-edge research and treatments through hospital-based and outpatient services. Learn more at www.oklahomachildrens.org.

The Opportunity:

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine is seeking an accomplished and visionary physician-leader to serve as Division Chief of Pediatric Genetics, with an academic appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. As the leader of the only pediatric genetics program in the state, the ideal candidate will bring a strong commitment to clinical excellence, program development, multidisciplinary collaboration, and academic advancement. This role also represents a highly distinctive scientific opportunity, supported by major institutional initiatives such as Project 200, the University’s system?wide effort to recruit 200 research?intensive faculty, strong research leadership under a Vice?Dean of Research who is a Population Geneticist, and the establishment of the new Department of Genome Sciences and Molecular Genetics, which provides extensive avenues for collaboration and scientific growth. The ideal candidate will be a physician-researcher who brings a strong scientific vision and is eager to leverage the institution’s expanding research infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaborations, and substantial recruitment and program-building resources to elevate the impact of pediatric genetics across Oklahoma.

Reporting to the Chair of Pediatrics, Michael Steiner, M.D., M.P.H., the Division Chief will guide the growth and revitalization of pediatric genetics services across Oklahoma, ensuring statewide access to high-quality, evidence-based care. This role is designed to balance clinical responsibilities with strategic leadership, enabling the Chief to shape patient care delivery, expand service capacity, and elevate the genetics program’s impact. The Chief will collaborate closely with faculty and institutional partners to enhance clinical operations, strengthen multidisciplinary care pathways, and improve outcomes for children with genetic conditions.

The Chief will join Oklahoma Children’s at a pivotal moment, as it continues its rise toward becoming a world?class children’s hospital, and will play a key role within Oklahoma Children’s, the clinical practice entity that spans the full pediatric enterprise across the state, not just the hospital itself. The Department of Pediatrics is embarking on an unprecedented recruitment effort, adding more than 50 faculty over the next five years to meet statewide and regional needs, providing the incoming Chief with exceptional resources to build a large, high?impact Division.

In addition to clinical and administrative leadership, the position includes significant academic responsibilities within the Department of Pediatrics, a multifaceted department comprising of 16 divisions and more than 200 faculty members. The faculty serves as the principal medical staff of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital and shares a unified commitment to advancing the health and well-being of children across the state while providing high-quality education to trainees.

The Division:

The Division of Genetics at OU Children’s Hospital is the state’s only pediatric genetics program, providing comprehensive care for infants, children, adolescents, and families with suspected genetic, congenital, hereditary, or metabolic conditions. The Division includes 14 faculty and staff—2 geneticists, 2 APPs, 7 genetic counselors, 2 patient service coordinators, and 1 genetics nurse—with an additional nursing role being added as the program grows.

Housed within the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, the Division offers full diagnostic evaluation, counseling, testing, and screening for conditions such as birth defects, malformation syndromes, inborn errors of metabolism, and familial cancer syndromes. Cytogenetic, molecular, and specialized biochemical testing are coordinated through the Division, and teratogen consultation services are available.

The Division is supported by OU Health’s regional laboratory network, the largest in the area, featuring a centralized core lab and dedicated Genetics Laboratory, Cytogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Genetics Laboratory, and specialized Biochemical Genetics testing capabilities. These CLIA?certified, CAP?accredited labs provide comprehensive chromosome analysis, microarray testing, molecular diagnostics, next-generation sequencing, FISH, metabolic testing, and diagnostic support for hematologic and soft tissue malignancies.

The Division also plays a leading role in Oklahoma’s statewide newborn screening program, which screens for approximately 49 disorders. Early identification and treatment of metabolic and genetic conditions through this program has significantly improved outcomes for children across the state.

Research within the Division is anchored by the Sanghera Genetic Epidemiology Lab, which conducts NIH?funded studies in complex diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, and Dyslipidemia. Ongoing projects include genome?wide association studies, functional genomics, and biomarker discovery, with a strong focus on health disparities and population?based genetics. Faculty benefit from extensive institutional support for interdisciplinary research and collaboration across the OU Health Sciences Center.

The Region: 

Oklahoma City is among the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation, now home to more than 1.4 million residents. It stands out as a dynamic hub of culture, innovation, and opportunity—offering all the amenities of a major city while maintaining the warmth and accessibility of a close-knit community. Families and professionals alike are drawn to Oklahoma City’s combination of excellent schools, affordable housing, short commutes, and welcoming spirit.

The city continues to earn national recognition. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked Oklahoma City the No. 1 “Best Big City to Live” in the United States, highlighting its affordability, strong job market, and rich cultural amenities.

The healthcare sector has also taken notice—according to Becker’s ASC Review, physician salaries in Oklahoma City increased by 6.3%, the fastest rate of growth among major U.S. cities.

Adding to the city’s momentum and civic pride, the Oklahoma City Thunder captured the 2025 NBA Championship, shining a national spotlight on the region’s energy and progress. The team’s success reflects the same forward-looking spirit driving Oklahoma City’s growth and recognition on the global stage.

Nominations are greatly appreciated and may be sent to

Interested candidates should provide a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest that describes their interest in the role, including, but not limited to, relevant educational, teaching, and leadership background. All interactions will remain confidential, and no inquiries will be made without the consent of the applicant.

To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically in confidence to Molly Johnson at molly.johnson@amnhealthcare.com

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.  Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

For additional information about the position or to provide recommendations, please contact:

Bryant Murphy, MD, MBA

Principal

AMN Physician and Leadership Solutions

910-635-6832

Bryant.Murphy@amnhealthcare.com

Jennifer Schaulin

Academic and Pediatric Practice Leader

AMN Physician and Leadership Solutions

Phone: (972) 768-5350

jennifer.schaulin@amnhealthcare.com

Molly Johnson

Consultant

AMN Physician and Leadership Solutions

molly.johnson@amnhealthcare.com

The Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate will be a physician-researcher with a strong scientific vision who is eager to leverage the institution’s expanding research infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaborations, and substantial recruitment and program-building resources to elevate the impact of pediatric genetics across Oklahoma.

• Medical degree (MD or DO) with board certification in Pediatrics with subspecialty training in Genetics.
• Research experience with a strong track record of funded research is encouraged.
• Active medical license and eligible for licensure in the State of Oklahoma.
• Eligible for privileges in pediatric genetics at Oklahoma Children's Hospital.