DEI Featured News

Scott Markowitz, MD, appointed inaugural Vice-Chair for Professional Development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Scott Markowitz, MD

It is my great pleasure to announce that Dr. Scott Markowitz is to be appointed as the inaugural Vice-Chair for Professional Development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Washington University Department of Anesthesiology. Dr. Markowitz will work closely with other senior leaders in the Anesthesiology Department, with University and Health System leaders, and with others who are leading initiatives to transform our institutional culture.

In the anesthesiology world, Dr. Markowitz is likely uniquely qualified for this pivotal new role in our department, having focused on honing his skills and knowledge as a mentor and leader in professional development over the last fifteen years. Today, he is the Associate Vice Chair for Faculty Development in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. He trained as an executive leadership coach and currently works with academic faculty to develop their leadership in the realms of clinical care, education, research and well-being. As an associate director and coach in the Leadership in Innovative Team Science program (LITeS) at the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Dr. Markowitz teaches leadership competencies and coaches campus leaders and teams. In addition, he works closely with the University of Colorado’s Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs on the Faculty Affairs Liaison Committee. On the national stage, he serves as a representative to the AAMC Council of Faculty and Academic Societies for the University of Colorado, where he is an active participant in the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He is the co-chair of workshops and has taught a leadership workshop in the Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Initiative (WELI) of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia. He is also a member of the WELI advisory board and an advisor in the mentoring program. Adding yet another string to his professional development bow, he will shortly be graduating with a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University’s Global Campus.

Dr. Markowitz is a seasoned physician leader and accomplished academic pediatric anesthesiologist. He earned his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and he completed his residency in anesthesiology and pain management at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He went on to sub-specialize in pediatric anesthesiology and then super-specialized in pediatric cardiac anesthesiology. These fellowships were undertaken at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). After working as a faculty anesthesiologist at CHOP, Dr. Markowitz took up a position at the Children’s Hospital Colorado, where he has held several key professional development, educational, and clinical leadership roles. Dr. Markowitz earned his certificate in executive coaching from the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Markowitz is nationally renowned for his leadership contributions to the field. At an institutional level, he is a faculty development and education leader in his department and hospital. He is a faculty member and coach for the Leadership in Innovative Team Science program (LITeS). He also served as the Co-Director for the TOTTS Leadership in Team Science Graduate Program. Nationally, he serves on multiple committees focused on professional development and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in academic medicine. He is a coach and advisor for and is on the executive board of the Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Initiative of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia.

The members of the Washington University Anesthesiology Department are excited about the transformational role Dr. Markowitz will play as our inaugural Vice-Chair for Professional Development and DEI. He is wholly dedicated to helping colleagues grow and excel through professional development and coaching. Similarly, his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is unflinching.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Scott Markowitz back to Washington University with great enthusiasm!

Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, FCASA
Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology
Head of the Department of Anesthesiology
Anesthesiologist-in-Chief, Barnes-Jewish Hospital