You will join an established BMT team of five physician faculty members who have maintained one of the lowest mortality rates in the nation while performing 50+ transplants annually. These are experienced clinicians who have kept the program running at the highest level through a leadership transition, and they are ready to support a new Section Head who can provide vision and direction for the program's next chapter. Two of your colleagues currently serve as Interim Co-Directors, demonstrating the team's capacity to step up and the collaborative culture that defines this group.
The BMT physicians work within the larger Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, which includes 26 hematology/oncology physicians and more than 30 advanced practice providers. This depth means you have colleagues to consult, collaborate with, and learn from across the full spectrum of pediatric cancer care. When a transplant patient develops a complication outside your immediate expertise, the specialist you need is likely down the hall.
Holly K. Miller, DO serves as Interim Co-Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. Dr. Miller has helped maintain program continuity through the leadership transition and brings clinical expertise that will complement your leadership.
Dana B. Salzberg, MD serves alongside Dr. Miller as Interim Co-Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. Dr. Salzberg's willingness to share leadership responsibilities reflects the collaborative culture you will inherit.
Toshihiro Onishi, MD brings specialized expertise to the BMT team and contributes to the clinical volume that makes this a Top 5 program nationally.
Shanna L. White, MD, MBA, MS combines clinical training with business education, offering a unique perspective on program operations and growth strategy.
Celeste S. Cleveland, MD joined the team after completing fellowship at Phoenix Children's in 2025, representing the program's investment in developing the next generation of BMT physicians.
You will report to Mario Otto, MD, PhD, who serves as Director of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology, and holds the Doris S. Norton Endowed Chair in Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation. Dr. Otto joined Phoenix Children's three years ago and has doubled patient volume during his tenure. He understands the demands of clinical leadership and has built an environment where physician leaders have the support they need to succeed.
Ashish Patel, MD serves as Physician-in-Chief, providing institutional-level support for clinical programs across Phoenix Children's.
The broader CCBD team includes specialists across multiple subspecialty areas who support your transplant patients and collaborate on complex cases:
Six APPs work directly with the BMT team, each carrying their own patient panel. This level of support ensures routine follow-ups, protocol management, and day-to-day patient questions flow through experienced providers who know your patients and protocols intimately.
The broader CCBD includes more than 30 APPs who support hematology/oncology patients across all programs:
Beyond physicians and APPs, the Center provides comprehensive support through dedicated specialists who share responsibility for your patients' wellbeing:
The team meets twice weekly, on Monday and Wednesday at noon, to discuss patient treatment approaches. These meetings ensure complex cases receive input from multiple perspectives and that the entire team stays aligned on care plans. The collaborative culture extends beyond formal meetings; colleagues provide thorough sign-out and respect boundaries during off-time.
Phoenix Children's recently brought all physician staff under the PCH umbrella after years of contracted services. This transition has created a more unified organizational structure and aligned incentives across departments. Some legacy arrangements from previous contracts are being corrected as those agreements expire, but the trajectory is toward a more cohesive, physician-friendly environment.
The decision to seek a new Section Head rather than promote from within reflects the institution's commitment to finding the right leader for this nationally ranked program. The Interim Co-Directors have demonstrated their dedication by maintaining program excellence during the transition, and they represent colleagues who will support your leadership rather than compete with it.
You will inherit a team that already performs at the highest level. Your role is not to fix a broken program but to provide the vision and direction that takes an excellent team to the next stage of growth and innovation.