Pediatrics Administration

Valerie P. Opipari, M.D.

Chair, Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases
Ravitz Foundation Professor of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases
Professor, Pediatric Hematology & Oncology

Dr. Valerie Opipari received her bachelor's degree from McGill University in Montreal and her medical degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She completed a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at the University of Michigan in 1990 and joined the U-M faculty the same year. Valerie Opipari was appointed Chair for the Department of Pediatrics September 1, 2003.  Prior to becoming Chair, Dr. Opipari was Associate Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs at the University of Michigan Health System and past Associate Chair for Research within the Department.  Her research focuses almost exclusively on the pediatric solid tumor, neuroblastoma. She is specifically interested in mechanisms of chemotherapy and radiation resistance as well as studies on the control of neuroblastoma invasion and metastases.

Hilary M. Haftel, M.D., M.H.P.E.

Associate Chair for Education
Clinical Professor, Pediatric Rheumatology

Hilary M. Haftel, M.D., M.H.P.E., is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Rheumatology.  She graduated from the University of Albany Medical School and completed her Fellowship training at the University of Michigan.  As the Associate Chair for Education, she oversees and coordinates all departmentally sponsored educational programs. These include the core medical student clerkship, sub-internships, electives, the pediatric residency, and the various pediatric sub-specialty fellowship programs.  Her research and clinical interests are in the long term outcomes of patients with SLE, transitions of care, novel educational methods for undergraduate and graduate medical education, and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Vasculitis, and adolescent rheumatology.

Albert P. Rocchini, M.D.

Associate Chair for Clinical Services
Professor, Pediatric Cardiology

The Associate Chair for Clinical Services is involved in a variety of activities related to provision of clinical care with C. S. Mott Children's Hospital and communications with community physicians. Albert P. Rocchini, M.D., Associate Chair for Clinical Affairs, is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Cardiology.

Chris J. Dickinson, M.D.

Pediatric Associate Chief Medical Officer (PACMO)
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology

Chris J. Dickinson, M.D. attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where he received a B.A. and M.D. degree. He then completed a General Pediatric Residency at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio followed by a Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship at the University of Michigan. Dr. Dickinson became a faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics in July 1986 and served as the Chief of the division from July 1999 through June 2011.

Dr. Dickinson was appointed as the Pediatric Associate Chief Medical Officer (PACMO) for the University of Michigan and C.S. Mott Children’s and Women’s Hospital in 2011. In this role he has focused on Patient Safety, Quality of Care, and New Initiatives in Mott Children's Hospital. His efforts include patient safety rounds on all the inpatient units, support for databases to accurately measure our quality of care, assisting the Associate Chair for Clinical Affairs in developing a meaningful peer review system for the department, and active participation in bed utilization during times of high census.

Julie C. Lumeng, M.D.

Associate Chair for Research
Professor, Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases (Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics)
Research Professor, Center for Human Growth and Development
Professor of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health

Dr. Lumeng received her medical degree from the University of Michigan, where she also completed her pediatric residency. She completed fellowship at Boston University School of Medicine and is board certified in developmental and behavioral pediatrics. Dr. Lumeng does research on the development of children's eating behavior.  As the Associate Chair for Research, she works with the Chair to oversee activities pertaining to the research goals of the Department.  This includes developing and implementing research initiatives and mechanisms to ensure ongoing support for a growing research infrastructure, and leadership to the Pediatric Research Office (PRO) staff who provide support to Pediatric faculty for research funding, research compliance, and research facilities and equipment.

Faye Silverstein, M.D.

Associate Chair for Faculty Affairs
Professor, Pediatric Neurology

The Associate Chair for Faculty Affairs primarily supervises, as a non-voting member, the Departmental Advisory Committee on Appointments and Promotions.  The Chair is a member of the Faculty Mentoring Committee, which is devoted toward assuring sufficient supervision of junior faculty in the Instructional Track in terms of their progress in the laboratory.  As needed, the Associate Chair participates in chairing faculty recruits at the Divisional level.  The Pediatric Associate Chair for Faculty Affairs, Faye Silverstein M.D. is a Professor of Pediatric Neurology.

Matt Stephens, M.S.

Chief Department Administrator

The Chief Department Administrator (CDA) manages the fiscal, administrative, and personnel activities within the Department of Pediatrics in partnership with the Chair. Total annual fiscal operations exceed $53M (clinical and research), and the CDA is expected to maintain the fiduciary integrity of the Department and identify, evaluate, and recommend improvements to existing operations. The CDA also has responsibility for the performance and operational effectiveness of the Department's 17 Divisions.

Other primary focus areas include:

• Development and communication of the strategic plan/objectives for the department.
• Management of the departmental finances, budget/forecast, internal controls, and analysis.
• Enhancement of professional Revenue Cycle (pre-service and billing/collections) functions.
• New program development and external marketing (outreach) activities.
• Optimization of clinical operations and improved efficiency within patient care services.
• Development and professional growth of staff within the Divisions and Department.

Gary L. Freed, M.D., M.P.H.

Associate Chair, Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases
Associate Chair for External Affairs
Professor, General Pediatrics
Professor, Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health

The Department of Pediatrics has a strong commitment to consistently improving its relationship with graduates of our training programs and with physicians in our community.  Through educational programs, both at the annual medical school alumni gathering, as well as several times during the year, we provide opportunities for pediatricians to stay up to date with developments and discoveries within our own department and maintain their knowledge and skills regarding a host of pediatric clinical issues.  The Department also hosts our annual "museum event" which brings together University of Michigan pediatric faculty with area community physicians at one of Ann Arbor's cherished cultural attractions, the University of Michigan Museum of Art.  To stay in touch with alumni and friends around the country, we also host receptions at major national pediatric meetings.  The Pediatric Associate Chair for External Affairs, Gary Freed, M.D., is a Professor in the Division of General Pediatrics.