We are delighted to announce that Maria Oliva-Hemker, M.D., has been named vice dean for faculty at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics, as well as the Stermer Family Professor of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

In her new position, Dr. Oliva-Hemker will succeed Janice Clements, who served ably in this role for more than 22 years. We want to again thank Janice for her exceptional service as vice dean.

Dr. Oliva-Hemker earned her undergraduate degree in biology at Georgetown University and her medical degree at Johns Hopkins. She completed a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins. She then joined our faculty as an assistant professor, rose through the ranks and was promoted to professor in the Department of Pediatrics in 2011.

Over her career at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Oliva-Hemker has served in a range of key leadership positions, including as president of the Medical School Council, which subsequently became the faculty senate. She has shown herself to be a caring and innovative clinician and scientist, a committed educator and mentor, and an energetic leader.

As director of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Dr. Oliva-Hemker has overseen the creation of several subspecialty clinical programs focused on a range of gastrointestinal conditions. She is vice chair for faculty development, diversity and promotion in the department, as well as the founding director of the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center. In addition, she has served on numerous committees and councils within the school and the pediatrics department.

Dr. Oliva-Hemker has focused her research on inflammatory intestinal disorders in children. She has co-authored more than 100 articles and has given more than 100 invited talks nationally and internationally. She has served in leadership roles in many organizations in her field, including the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. She has been on the editorial boards of various academic medical journals, including being a section editor for the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. She is editor-in-chief of the book Your Child with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Family Guide for Caregiving.

As vice dean, Dr. Oliva-Hemker will work to maximize opportunities for our faculty, ensuring they have the necessary environment and support to reach their full potential as clinicians, scientists and educators.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Oliva-Hemker on her well-deserved appointment as vice dean for faculty.