Chair in Pediatric Suicide Prevention - Faculty, Associate or Professor

The Medical College of Wisconsin and the Children’s Wisconsin Craig Yabuki Mental Health Center are seeking an innovative and scholarly leader to serve as The Lynn S. Nicholas Chair in Pediatric Suicide Prevention. The Medical College and Children’s collaboratively offer nationally and internationally recognized patient care programs and have well-established roots in primary and specialty pediatric mental and behavioral health care, advocacy, research, and educational excellence. The holder of the Lynn S. Nicholas Chair in Pediatric Suicide Prevention will play a key role in supporting and further accelerating cutting-edge research on pediatric suicide prevention across the Children’s Wisconsin Health System.

The Chair in Pediatric Suicide Prevention will have research and leadership responsibilities within the Children’s Wisconsin Craig Yabuki Mental Health Center and work collaboratively with Dr. Michael S. Gaffrey, Children’s Wisconsin Craig Yabuki Research Chair and Director of Mental and Behavioral Health Research, to accomplish them. They will also hold an academic faculty appointment at the Medical College of Wisconsin, with rank and home department(s) varying by candidate.

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has an established and productive program of research investigating pediatric suicide risk, prevention, and/or intervention. Research area is open but must have a primary focus on human participants, patients, and/or relevant datasets, such as electronic health records. Areas of particular interest include experimental medicine approaches to suicide prevention and related risk factors, including studies of novel, rapid-acting, or mechanism-informed interventions such as ketamine-assisted therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation, interventions targeting depression or other clinically relevant risk pathways, and translational approaches that connect mechanisms of risk with prevention or treatment outcomes. A history of using hybrid approaches integrating quality improvement projects and research will also be reviewed favorably.
• Will significantly contribute to the continued development of a system-wide infrastructure for integrating research activities into ongoing clinical efforts focused on pediatric suicide screening, prevention, and treatment.
• Will demonstrate competency in incorporating principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in research, patient care, and other associated professional activities.

Primary Functions and Responsibilities as Lynn S. Nicholas Chair in Pediatric Suicide Prevention:

• Maintains own program of pediatric suicide prevention research and provides ongoing mentorship of emerging scientists and other trainees as appropriate.
• Works collaboratively with the Craig Yabuki Research Chair and senior clinical and administrative leaders to shape and further grow Children’s Wisconsin’s pediatric suicide prevention research strategy.
• Acts as a key mental and behavioral health research liaison with other relevant departments, including Marketing and Foundation Donor Development, as necessary.

Professional Time Allocation

The research, clinical, teaching, and/or administrative time allocation for this role will vary by applicant and will depend on the scale and scope of the role agreed to by both the candidate and MCW/CW.

Qualification Requirements

• PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent degree
• Eligible for an unrestricted license in the State of Wisconsin if clinical care is part of role

Experience and Skills Desired

Evidence of impactful scientific contributions or strong potential for developing a sustained, externally fundable research program in suicide risk and/or protective factors, prevention, and/or intervention, including research focused on mechanisms, clinical risk pathways, experimental therapeutics, or innovative intervention approaches relevant to pediatric suicide prevention.

Why MCW?

• MCW offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. 
• Protected Academic time. 
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.
• A competitive 403(b) retirement plan with an 8% employer contribution. 
• Generous CME allowance to cover societal dues, travel, and conferences. 
• As a qualifying non-profit, employment with the Medical College of Wisconsin may make you eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Robust benefits package, including health, dental, life insurance, disability coverage, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement program, generous paid time off, and more!

Organizational Overview

Children’s Wisconsin and Children’s Specialty Group

Children’s Wisconsin is an independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Northeast Wisconsin, is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. Children’s Wisconsin provides primary care, urgent care, emergency care, specialty care, mental and behavioral health services, community health services, foster and adoption services, child advocacy services and health insurance plans. Each year, the Children’s Wisconsin team has more than 6.5 million touchpoints with kids and families through medical care, advocacy, research and education. In Northeast Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin is expanding its services to provide increased access to outstanding pediatric subspecialty care. This includes a pediatric hospital, with a Pediatric Unit, Level III NICU and Infusion Center, which is located at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah, WI. A multispecialty pediatric ambulatory clinic with on-site laboratory and radiology services opened in Appleton, Wis. in 2023.

Children’s and its joint venture with the Medical College of Wisconsin – the Children’s Specialty Group (CSG) - are the largest providers of pediatric healthcare in the state, serving the children and families of Wisconsin with the highest level of care through their American College of Surgeons Level I Children’s Surgery Verification Center, Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence, 72-bed Level IV NICU, Level IV Epilepsy Center, and a 72-bed PICU. In 2026-2027, CW and CSG had six specialties ranked by US News & World Report: cancer; gastroenterology and GI surgery; nephrology, neurology, and neurosurgery; pulmonology and Urology.  With over 70 specialties and 675 providers, CSG providers had 220,000 outpatient visits at 13 regional care sites, 67,000 emergency department/trauma center visits, and over 9,000 admissions.

Procedure for Candidacy

To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now.” You will create a candidate profile, and you will be prompted to upload your CV and your cover letter, describing your interest and qualifications. References will be required at an appropriate time in the process. All interactions will remain confidential, and no inquiries will be made without the consent of the applicant. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For inquiries or to learn more, please contact:

Mikaela Messerschmidt - Physician & APP Recruiter

[email protected] 

#LI-BLT1

Medical College of Wisconsin

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is the state’s only private medical school and health sciences graduate school. MCW consists of a School of Medicine with campuses in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Central Wisconsin, a School of Graduate Studies, and a School of Pharmacy. MCW is a major national research center ranking in the top third of U.S. medical schools in NIH funding and is the second largest research institution in Wisconsin. Academic medicine is at the core of everything we do at MCW, bringing together scientists, clinicians, students and community members to solve the most complex challenges in health and society. MCW is a diverse group of thought leaders collaborating to pioneer pathways to a healthier world. Every study we conduct and every patient we see leads to new learning and a continuous cycle of life-changing knowledge and innovation.

Approximately 1,780 MCW physicians and approximately 905 advanced practice providers care for more than 484,000 patients of all ages annually at Froedtert Hospital, Zablocki VA Medical Center, Children’s Wisconsin, and many other hospitals and clinics throughout eastern Wisconsin, representing more than 5.1 million patient visits annually.

The beautiful, safe and modern campus of the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) houses Froedtert Hospital, Children’s Wisconsin, Curative Care Network, Versiti Blood Research Institute and the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division. These member entities share a common mission of excellence in patient care, medical education, biomedical research and community service.

Commitment to MCW Values

All of our endeavors at MCW, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: acting in Caring ways – engaging in Collaborative efforts – approaching our world with Curiosity – advancing Inclusive practices – demonstrating Integrity in all we do – treating everyone with Respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences and perspectives through merit-based processes, and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at MCW. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then MCW is the place for you.

Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, is located on Lake Michigan’s western shore. A metropolitan area with more than 1.6 million people, Milwaukee is an affordable, comfortable place to live, work, and play, big enough to be exciting and uncongested enough to get around easily. Milwaukee’s many neighborhoods have incredible charm, accommodating a variety of lifestyles, from high-rise apartments to small farms. Nestled along a magnificent bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, Milwaukee’s downtown is home to botanical gardens, lakefront museums, a theater district, the world champion Milwaukee Bucks, the Milwaukee Brewers, bustling nightlife, and award-winning restaurants. The lake and its harbors are skirted by scenic parklands and provide first-class opportunities for recreation, including hiking, cycling, boating, and more. A recent study ranked Milwaukee as the 15th most walkable of the 50 largest US cities. Milwaukee has all the advantages of a large, vibrant city but without the stress or cost.

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.