The Reporter: June 1996, Vol.7, No.3
John Driscoll Named Chairman of Pediatrics

Dr. John M. Driscoll Jr. has become chairman of the P&S Department of Pediatrics. His April 1 appointment makes him the 15th new chairman appointed at P&S in the 1990s. Dr. Driscoll has been acting chairman of pediatrics since 1992. Dr. Driscoll began his career at Babies Hospital in 1967 as a pediatric resident. Upon completion of that training, which included a neonatal fellowship, he joined the faculty of P&S in 1971. That year, Dr. Driscoll also became director of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-a post in which he has served continuously. Under his leadership, the NICU has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to the treatment of respiratory distress in premature and full-term infants.

As a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of several other pediatric medical associations, Dr. Driscoll has been an active leader in teaching and practicing pediatric medicine. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Maternal & Fetal Medicine and as a reviewer for the American Journal of Pediatrics, the American Journal of Diseases of Children, and Pediatrics. He has authored numerous abstracts, articles, and book chapters on newborn issues and research in neonatal nutrition, longitudinal outcome of high-risk infants, and ethical issues in newborn care.

Dr. Driscoll has been an investigator in several NIH studies, including the natural history of retinopathy of prematurity, which is the leading cause of blindness in premature infants. He also took part in a Scientific Center for Research (SCOR) grant, in which he established the neonatal follow-up program in 1975. He also has served on the executive committee of the perinatal section of the American Academy of Pediatrics between 1987 and 1993 and was chairman of the organization between 1990 and 1992.

As chairman, Dr. Driscoll's goal is to surpass the challenges facing health care institutions today. "It is my fondest wish to initially lead the pediatric service and department to a position of pre-eminence locally and then to a top five ranking on the national scene," he says.

Dr. Driscoll and his wife, Dr. Yvonne T. Driscoll, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics, have six children. He also is a Knight of Malta.