Phoenix Children’s Hospital is at a pivotal point in its expansion as it prepares to open two new pediatric hospitals in 2024, making it one of the top five largest pediatric health systems in the U.S. The draw area for the program extends beyond Arizona, encompassing New Mexico, Nevada, and Southern Utah, ensuring a large and diverse patient population.
The BMT program is highly respected yet under-recognized. Averaging 45-50 transplants per year, with 24 transplants already completed in 2024, the program boasts one of the lowest mortality rates in the nation. The current faculty consists of four full-time clinicians.
This leadership position offers the opportunity to significantly expand the scope of experimental therapies, including CAR T-cell therapy, with plans to develop in-house CAR T-cell manufacturing.
The role offers significant protected administrative time, a rarity at Phoenix Children’s, for overseeing programmatic development. While PCH historically has not supported unfunded research, the hospital is open to considering academic and translational research opportunities for the right candidate.
Phoenix Children’s is actively transitioning towards a more academic posture, offering faculty appointments at:
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and Tucson
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine – Scottsdale
Research affiliations with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Arizona State University, and the University of Arizona offer additional avenues for collaboration in clinical, translational, and basic sciences research. The director will also have access to resources for expanding cell therapy research, including the development of a PCH-controlled cell-therapy lab.
The BMT program enjoys strong philanthropic support, positioning it well for continued growth. Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the CCBD leadership are committed to expanding the program’s reputation and reach. For a leader with vision and dedication, this role provides the ability to shape a program that is poised to expand in both clinical capabilities and academic recognition.
The ideal candidate for this role will be a mid-career pediatric hematologist/oncologist or transplant specialist who has demonstrated excellence in clinical care and leadership. Experience in pediatric stem cell transplant, along with a track record of academic leadership and externally funded research, is essential. This role offers a unique opportunity for a candidate who is driven to build and expand a program while leaving a lasting legacy in pediatric oncology care.
Candidates should be comfortable working within a freestanding, non-academic institution but also open to translating academic research into clinical success. Phoenix Children’s is open to both clinically-focused candidates and those who maintain an active bench-to-bedside research program. As the hospital grows, opportunities to expand laboratory and clinical research efforts will increase.
Under the leadership of Dr. Mario Otto, the CCBD has doubled patient volume in the past three years. Dr. Otto and the hospital leadership have worked to streamline and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting a cohesive, forward-thinking team. This momentum has been supported by PCH’s emphasis on acquiring top talent from across the nation, despite the limitations of the local market.
With the retirement of Dr. Roberta Adams, who has led the BMT section, this role presents an exciting opportunity for a new leader to step into an established, well-supported program ready for the next phase of growth.
The Section Head of Bone Marrow Transplant at Phoenix Children’s Hospital offers an extraordinary opportunity to lead a robust program with extensive resources and untapped potential. With a fully funded endowment, a strong patient base, and a collaborative medical team, this is the ideal role for a driven, visionary leader in pediatric hematology/oncology who seeks to leave an indelible mark on the field. As Phoenix Children’s expands to become one of the largest pediatric health systems in the country, this role will be at the forefront of that growth, influencing not only the future of the BMT program but the future of pediatric cancer care.