Poynter succeeds Gonzalez as director of Pediatric Residency Training
Sue Poynter, MD, MEd, associate professor, Division of Critical Care Medicine, has assumed the role of director of the Pediatric Residency Training Program. She succeeds Javier Gonzalez del Rey, MD, MEd, who led the program for 15 years.
The leadership transition was planned over several years. “Javier and I both felt transitions should be made gradually, with the new leader apprenticing into the position,” Poynter says.
After seven years as associate program director, Poynter was appointed co-director two years ago. A year ago, she and Gonzalez switched roles, with Poynter becoming director and Gonzalez co-director. Effective June 30, 2017, Gonzalez retired from the residency program. The Pediatric Residency Program co-director position existed as a mechanism for making a smooth transition and will not be continued at this time.
An expanded team will work with Poynter in the Residency Program leadership. Compared to other large training programs, Cincinnati Children’s has been understaffed, explains Poynter. “We wanted to diversify and bring on energetic, enthusiastic faculty who have new tools to bring to the program that can help in innovating our educational mission.”
In addition to Ndidi Unaka, MD, MEd, Division of Hospital Medicine, associate program director, three new assistant directors have been appointed: Daniel Mallon, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition; Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd, Division of Emergency Medicine; and Angela Statile, MD, MEd, Division of Hospital Medicine. Tammy Vanderbilt has been program manager since November 2016, following the retirement of Diane Skeen.
Gonzalez’s achievements as director were celebrated at the residency graduation ceremony. While he has left the Residency Program, he has not left his role as an educator. He is now vice chair of the Graduate Medical Education Committee.
