Welcome to the Department of Pediatrics
Dear Colleagues:
Amid times of continual change and the ongoing challenges faced by academic medicine, I am consistently inspired by the exceptional commitment of our team. Day after day, we rise above obstacles and remain true to our mission: to improve the health of all children and adolescents and reduce inequities by educating the pediatric and physician leaders of the future, advancing research, advocating for children, and providing the nation's best primary and specialty pediatric clinical care.
Our department is defined by a supportive, collaborative, and caring culture, rooted in the belief that diversity is our greatest strength. We deeply value each team member’s unique experiences and perspectives. It is our people who drive meaningful impact.
I am heartened by how our mission extends far beyond the walls of our clinics, hospitals, and classrooms. Our department has a rich history of advocacy and community engagement—from refugee health initiatives to climate and global health. We also work closely with the Center for Indigenous Health, Center for Firearm Injury Prevention, and Institute on Human Development and Disabilities to strengthen our collective impact.
This year, we championed child health in Olympia, expanded care in rural and underserved areas, and partnered with schools, hospitals, public health agencies, and advocacy organizations. Our faculty led international education initiatives in Brazil, Vietnam, Kenya, and Ethiopia, collaborated with tribal organizations, and engaged with state health partners to advance newborn screening and genetic disease prevention.
We hosted family education events, supported disease-specific workshops, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for research and patient programs, and strengthened specialty services in community clinics. These efforts reflect who we are—a department committed not only to excellence in clinical care, research, and education, but also to meaningful service and advocacy.
The second largest department in the UW School of Medicine, we strive to prepare the pediatric and physician leaders of tomorrow to succeed in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. With more than 670 faculty and over 230 pediatric residents and fellows each year, our supportive infrastructure fosters growth and excellence. We empower our learners to explore diverse pathways, broaden perspectives, and gain experiences that shape their careers and lives.
I’m continually inspired by all of our trainees. As part of their training, our students and residents have the unique opportunity to train in rural hospitals and community clinics across the WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) as well as internationally in Kenya. Through participation in one of the most innovative medical education programs nationwide, they learn to provide compassionate, skilled care in diverse settings.
Buoyed by Seattle’s world-class research community, our department facilitates an integrated clinical and research environment to rapidly translate discoveries into therapies for the children who need them most. We are a national leader in research spanning immunotherapy, infectious disease, genetics, oncology, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, behavioral health, and more.
Our faculty provide some of the nation’s best primary and specialty care for children and adolescents. We deliver care across more than 20 pediatric specialties at leading hospitals, including Seattle Children’s and UW Medical Center, as well as in neighborhood and regional clinics. We embrace strong collaboration with partners as the foundation for making an impact locally, regionally, and globally.
We invite you to join us in building healthy lives for all children and adolescents.
Sincerely,
Leslie R. Walker, MD, FAAP, FSAHM
Professor and Chair
Ford/Morgan Endowed Chair of Pediatrics
Associate Dean
University of Washington School of Medicine
Chief Academic Officer/Senior Vice President
Seattle Children's
President, Association of Medical School Pediatric Chairs (AMSPDC)