The emerging University of Texas Medical Center, anchored by Dell Medical School, has welcomed two new senior leaders who will play pivotal roles in advancing its vision for a digitally enabled, patient-centered health system.
Sri Chalikonda, M.D., joins as vice dean of practice and chief clinical transformation officer. Dr. Chalikonda is a nationally recognized surgical oncologist with extensive experience leading integrated clinical programs and advancing minimally invasive, robotic and complex abdominal cancer surgery.
As vice dean of practice, Dr. Chalikonda will help design and operationalize a digitally enabled, patient-first model of care for the UT Medical Center. He will oversee development of an integrated group practice, guide the build-out of new ambulatory sites and care teams, and shape the primary care strategy. He will also lead initiatives that strengthen quality and value and serve as the physician lead for a new multidisciplinary facility providing coordinated care for patients with complex cardiovascular, neurologic, surgical and medical conditions, including transplant.
Most recently, Chalikonda served as chair of the surgical institute at Allegheny Health Network and professor of surgery at Drexel University. He previously held multiple leadership positions at Cleveland Clinic, where he performed the clinic’s first robotic Whipple procedure for pancreatic cancer and its first hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy procedure for peritoneal carcinomatosis — two pioneering advances in complex surgical care.
Nancy D. Doolittle, DNP, has been named chief nursing executive. An accomplished nurse leader, Doolittle is known for driving gains in patient experience, workforce engagement and academic-clinical integration. She most recently served as system chief nursing officer at UT Health San Antonio, overseeing nursing practice across hospitals, ambulatory centers and research facilities, driving measurable gains in patient outcomes, safety and satisfaction.
At UT Medical Center, Doolittle will play a pivotal role in shaping the nursing enterprise. Working closely with clinical and academic partners, she will provide strategic direction for nursing operations and workforce development while guiding the design and implementation of nursing services for the new academic medical center. This next chapter builds on the strength and dedication of nurse leaders across the medical center.
Dr. Doolittle’s leadership will help define the nursing model of the future — digitally enabled, team-based and deeply grounded in compassion and excellence.