With funding by both the Department of Pediatrics and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the Office of Faculty Development (OFD) was founded in 2006 on the recommendation of a working group charged with reviewing the status of women in the department. Prior to opening the office, the department arranged a site visit by three distinguished, senior deans and department chairs from outside Washington University, who made three separate visits prior to and over the first few years of the OFD’s existence. Their recommendations shaped the initial programming of the office.

From the beginning the office has focused on faculty satisfaction, retention, and promotion, striving to support the pediatric faculty members in their efforts to achieve their professional potential regardless of gender. Diversity of faculty in gender continues to be a focus, but with the additional emphasis on supporting a climate welcoming of diversity as it pertains to underrepresented minorities in medicine, LGBTQ+ faculty and staff, and faculty with disabilities. The intent of this office is to help provide a supporting working environment that includes mentorship and guidance for all faculty members. Our hope is to foster communication and collegiality, promote a gender-neutral and diverse faculty environment, and assist the faculty with challenges related to work and life.

Co-Directors

Philip M. Abraham, MD, MHA

Philip M. Abraham, MD, MHA

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Hospitalist Medicine
Co-Director, Office of Faculty Development & DEI

Katherine  Rivera-Spoljaric, MD, MSCI

Katherine Rivera-Spoljaric, MD, MSCI

Professor of Pediatrics, Allergy and Pulmonary Medicine
Co-Director, Office of Faculty Development & DEI
Medical Director, Multidisciplinary Technology Dependent Child Center
Co-Director, Severe Asthma Clinic for Kids (SACK)

Program coordinator

Megan Shaffer

Megan Shaffer

Administrative Coordinator

Advisory committee

Fahd A. Ahmad, MD, MSCI

Fahd A. Ahmad, MD, MSCI

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine
Director of Research, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship

Jennifer G. Duncan, MD

Jennifer G. Duncan, MD

Professor of Pediatrics, Critical Care Medicine
Director of Wellness, Graduate Medical Education
Co-Director, Supporting a Fair Environment

Lisa M. Moscoso, MD, PhD

Lisa M. Moscoso, MD, PhD

Professor of Pediatrics, Hospitalist Medicine
Division Director, Hospitalist Medicine

Cassandra M. Pruitt, MD, FAAP

Cassandra M. Pruitt, MD, FAAP

Professor of Pediatrics, Academic Pediatrics
Associate Pediatric Residency Program Director
Director, Academic Pediatrics
Medical Director, General Pediatrics and Complex Care Clinic
Vice Chair, Outpatient Health