Dr. Patrisha Woolard Named Director of Columbia/NYP Pediatric Residency Program

April 6, 2023
portrait of Dr. Patrisha Woolard

Following a nationwide search, the Department of Pediatrics has announced the appointment of Patrisha Woolard, MD, PhD as pediatric residency program director at Columbia/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Woolard will provide clinical care as a hospitalist at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, and as a member of the Division of Pediatric Critical Care and Hospital Medicine

Dr. Woolard began her career as a pediatric hospitalist at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn. During her tenure at Wyckoff, she served as chair of the Health Information Management Committee, director of medical education for all rotating students in pediatrics, medical director of the Pediatric Asthma Navigation Program, and director of inpatient services for the Department of Pediatrics. In November 2022 she was appointed chair of the Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (CDEI), where she has helped to establish DEI policies, and to build a team that will lead future DEI initiatives at Wyckoff.

In 2018, Dr. Woolard established the pediatric residency program at Wyckoff Hospital and served as its program director. “Dr. Woolard’s transformational leadership has created a robust, thriving, and supportive residency program at Wyckoff,” says Marina Catallozzi, MD, MSCE, vice chair for education. “She has been lauded by learners and leaders as an inspirational program director dedicated to training caring, skilled, and empathic pediatricians who go on to care for patients in many settings. We are certain that Dr. Woolard’s skills and qualities will bring our already outstanding pediatric residency program forward in meaningful and impactful ways. Dr. Woolard is poised to ensure that our residents become leaders in pediatrics and science throughout the country.”

Dr. Woolard received her undergraduate degree in biology from Vassar College, and went on to earn a PhD in neuroscience and MD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she also completed her pediatric residency in 2011.

Drs. Sumeet Banker and Cece Johnson have served as interim co-program directors and Dr. Mariellen Lane, as associate pediatric residency program director during the 17 months before Dr. Woolard’s appointment. “Their grace, flexibility, engagement and investment in the program has been effective and remarkable,” says Dr. Catallozzi. “We know that they will be a vital part of Dr. Woolard’s transition and team moving forward.”