Ashok Sarnaik, M.D., F.C.C.M., F.C.C.P, F.A.A.P., professor of Pediatrics for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has been appointed interim Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and specialist-in-chief of Pediatrics for Detroit Medical Center.

He replaces Bonita Stanton, M.D., who was recently appointed vice dean of Research.

"There is no stronger advocate for children, nor anyone more dedicated to the mission of Children's Hospital of Michigan than Dr Sarnaik," said Valerie M. Parisi, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., dean of the School of Medicine. "His clinical, education and research experience make him the ideal leader for the Pediatrics Department at this time."

Co-chief of Critical Care Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Michigan, Dr. Sarnaik has been an instructor with the School of Medicine since 1973. He has also served as the hospital's chief resident, director of the Intensive Care Unit, director of the Reyes Syndrome Study Center and of Pulmonary Medicine, vice chair of Pediatric Inpatient Services and associate pediatrician-in-chief.

In his specialist-in-chief role, Dr. Sarnaik will provide medical direction and leadership for the Department of Pediatrics and ensure the optimal functioning of specific clinical services at DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan and other DMC hospitals and facilities in four areas, including clinical service line development and maintenance, development of system-wide standards of care, credentialing and expansion of services.

"We are proud of Dr. Sarnaik and his new appointments at Wayne State University School of Medicine and DMC," said Herman Gray, M.D., M.B.A., president of DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan. "In these roles he will continue to help the hospital, and its outstanding medical staff, to provide patients and families with the highest quality of care possible. Dr. Sarnaik's long history at Children's and his strong commitment will be a tremendous asset to the university and its medical students."

Dr. Sarniak received his medical degree in 1969 from the University of Bombay and served a pediatrics residency at the Children's Hospital of Michigan, where he also completed a fellowship in pulmonary medicine. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and the sub-boards of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Pediatric Critical Care. His clinical and research interests include the care of critically ill children and respiratory failure.

He has taught residents, fellows and medical students at patient bedside and in classroom and conference settings for 32 years. He developed a physiology course for the pediatric residency program and co-managed an annual Clinic Days program at Children's Hospital of Michigan, in addition to establishing a Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program. He has mentored 56 fellows during his career.

"It is a distinct honor to be asked to lead the institution that I have had so much love for. I have always had great passion for children's health worldwide," Dr. Sarnaik said. "I feel honored as well as humbled to have this opportunity."

A prolific presenter and publisher, he has served on the state's Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Apnea Committee, the Comprehensive Health Planning Council of Southeastern Michigan Criteria and Standards for Intensive Care Units and Cardiac Care Units in Southeastern Michigan, the State of Michigan Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support Subcommittee, the Michigan Committee on Pediatric Critical Care and the State of Michigan Pediatric Critical Care Subspecialty Panel.

He founded the Clinical Excellence Committee at the Children's Hospital of Michigan and serves on the hospital's Peer Review Committee. He's a former member of the hospital's board of trustees, and its Medical Affairs Committee and Research Committee.

As for his immediate goals for the department, Dr. Sarnaik said, "We have a great faculty representing General Pediatrics and all Pediatric Subspecialists. My goals and plans are to improve and expand patient care delivery, stimulate research and encourage teaching. I think we can do all this with the multitalented group of faculty we have."

Dr. Sarnaik also is the founder of the Ashok and Sharada Sarnaik Endowment for Resident and Fellows Research at the Children's Hospital of Michigan, the Critical Care Medicine Award for Outstanding Performance by a Children's Hospital of Michigan Resident, and the Ingrid and Ashok Sarnaik Endowment for Intensive Care Unit and Sickle Cell Program.