Seattle Children’s has announced that Mark Del Beccaro, MD, has been appointed as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) effective October 1, 2014. Dr. Del Beccaro, who currently serves as Vice President of Medical Affairs, will replace David
Fisher, MD, who is retiring.
“Mark has made many significant contributions to Seattle Children’s over the course of his career,” said Thomas N. Hansen, MD, CEO of Seattle Children’s.
Dr. Del Beccaro started his career at Seattle Children’s in 1979 after graduating from Stanford University. He moved to Seattle with the intention of attending the University of Washington School of Medicine. Having a desire to work in pediatrics, and wanting to become a Washington state resident, Dr. Del Beccaro started working as a nursing aid at what was then Children’s Orthopedic Hospital. He later transitioned to the position of mental health specialist within the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit.
Long History at Seattle Children’s
Dr. Del Beccaro entered medical school at the University of Washington in 1981 and started his pediatric residency at Seattle Children’s in 1985. Three years later, he was appointed chief resident. He joined the faculty of Seattle Children’s Emergency Department in 1989 and was appointed Pediatrician-in-Chief in 2007. A professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Del Beccaro became Vice President of Medical Affairs in 2012. During his time at Seattle Children’s, Dr. Del Beccaro played an integral role in the design, preparation, and completion of Building Hope, the hospital’s new state-of-the-art cancer, critical and emergency care building.
In his new role, Dr. Del Beccaro said he will continue the work that Dr. Fisher started, namely the support of hospital medical staff and faculty, and efforts to continually improve patient safety. He also will advocate for completion of a fully electronic medical record that reaches community partners and families, further the development and integration of clinical standard work, and ensure the care provided is affordable and of the highest quality.
“Mark’s passion, dedication, leadership and commitment to our patients, families and his colleagues make him an outstanding candidate to serve as CMO,” Dr. Hansen said. “He is in a great position to lead Seattle Children’s into the next era.” ■
