Connecticut Children's and UConn School of Medicine Name Rachel M. Stanley, MD,MHSA, As Physician-In-Chief And Chair Of Pediatrics

Hartford, Conn. - January 21, 2026 - Connecticut Children's and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine today announced the appointment of Rachel M. Stanley, MD, MHSA, as Physician-in-Chief at Connecticut Children's and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at UConn School of Medicine, effective July 1.

Dr. Stanley is a nationally recognized pediatric physician leader, researcher, and academic mentor, currently serving as Division Chief of Emergency Medicine at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics with tenure at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She is a former pediatric resident of the UConn School of Medicine and was a former recipient of the outstanding pediatric resident award.

"Dr. Stanley is the kind of rare, mission-driven leader who will elevate our academic and clinical enterprise while inspiring teams across the organization," said Shannon Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Children's. "Her record of advancing research, mentoring academic leaders, and improving clinical outcomes makes her the right leader for this moment-and for the future of Connecticut Children's."

"We are thrilled to welcome our former standout pediatric resident trainee Dr. Rachel Stanley back home to UConn School of Medicine and Connecticut," shares Dr. Bruce T. Liang, dean of UConn's medical school. "UConn-trained Dr. Stanley's experienced leadership and vision will be transformational for further growing our state's pediatric physician expertise, research and clinical trials, and production of our future pediatrician workforce."

Dr. Stanley has led one of the largest pediatric emergency and urgent care divisions in the nation and is widely respected for her ability to grow research infrastructure and cultivate future pediatric physician scientists. She has successfully competed for more than $10 million in federal grants and served as the Principal Investigator of the Great Lakes Node of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), the country's only federally funded pediatric emergency medicine research network.

"I am honored and excited to join Connecticut Children's and UConn School of Medicine," said Dr. Stanley. "My vision is to build a department that integrates clinical excellence, education, and research to improve outcomes for children-regardless of their zip code. Connecticut Children's has a powerful trajectory, and I'm energized by the opportunity to help expand its national reputation and impact."

Dr. Stanley's vision includes expanding pediatric clinical trials, strengthening recruitment and retention of research faculty, building nationally recognized clinical programs, enhancing residency and fellowship training tracks, and advancing community programs that build the pediatric healthcare workforce.

About Connecticut Children's

Connecticut Children's is the only health system in Connecticut 100% dedicated to kids. That means high-quality care across more than 30 pediatric specialties in 30+ locations throughout Connecticut, Eastern New York and Western Massachusetts. One team on a mission to improve access to healthcare from before birth and into adulthood. One team pushing the limits with breakthrough research and community partnerships so we can help you focus on what matters most: your family's wellness journey. When you choose Connecticut Children's, you can expect care beyond imagination.

About UConn School of Medicine

UConn School of Medicine's mission is innovation, discovery, education, and service. Its experienced faculty train the next generation of medical students, residents, fellows, and researchers, while fueling cutting-edge scientific research and excellent patient care at UConn Health, Connecticut's only public academic medical center. UConn's medical school is home to more than 600 faculty, 450 medical students, 340 graduate students, and 850 medical residents and fellows. It is Connecticut's No. 1 producer of the state's health care workforce. Year after year, its robust research enterprise is awarded over $100 million in annual research funding, including the majority from the NIH.