Pediatrics associate chairmen

When Terence Flotte, M.D., became pediatrics chairman, his vision included creating two new associate chairman positions to oversee research and program development for the department. Barry Byrne, M.D., Ph.D., and Desmond Schatz, M.D., were appointed to the new positions.

Byrne, a pediatrics professor who also directs the Powell Gene Therapy Center and the College of Medicine's M.D./Ph.D. program, is associate chairman for research. He now works to help newer faculty members develop and strengthen research efforts through garnering training grants, fostering collaboration with other departments and scheduling protected time.

Schatz, a pediatrics professor and director of the Diabetes Center of Excellence at Shands at UF, is associate chairman for program development. His role involves strategic planning for the department's clinical, education and research efforts, as well as enlisting the help of the faculty and staff to develop departmental goals.

James Sherman, M.D., a pediatrics professor and the department's residency program director, also holds an associate chairman position in pediatrics dedicated to educational programs for pediatric residents, medical students and fellows. He also works to strengthen continuing medical education for faculty.