Franklyn P. Cladis, MD, MBA, FAAP, has been appointed as the Health Sciences Endowed Chair in Pediatric Anesthesiology within the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, effective November 1, 2024.
Dr. Cladis joined our department in 2003 and has since dedicated his career to advancing pediatric anesthesiology and education at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where he also serves as Chief of Anesthesiology. He has made significant strides as Program Director of our Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship and, since June 2021, has held the rank of Professor in our department. A dual MD and MBA graduate, Dr. Cladis is a nationally recognized educator and thought leader in our field. He serves as a Full Board Examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology and Chairs the Exam Committee, where he has been pivotal in developing the certifying exam in Pediatric Anesthesiology.
With an extensive background in clinical research, Dr. Cladis’ investigations focus on pediatric transfusion medicine, blood conservation in infants undergoing craniofacial surgery, and education. His scholarly work includes numerous journal publications and contributions to foundational texts, including editorial oversight of the 8th, 9th, and 10th editions of Smith's Anesthesia for Infants and Children—a revered textbook in pediatric anesthesiology with international recognition, including foreign language translations.
Dr. Cladis’ contributions to prominent professional organizations exemplify his commitment to collaborative research and education. He is a past board member of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA), Past President of the Pediatric Craniofacial Collaborative Group (PCCG), and Past President of the Pediatric Anesthesiology Program Directors Association (PAPDA). He is currently a member of the executive board of the Society for Education in Anesthesia (SEA) and was recently elected Vice President.
Congratulations to Dr. Cladis on this appointment as a Health Sciences Endowed Chair, a testament to his dedication, expertise, and exceptional service to our department and the field of pediatric anesthesiology.