The Associate Department Chief of Research (ADCR) provides strategic leadership for research and scholarly activity within the Nationwide Children’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health (DPBH) while maintaining an active clinical practice and research portfolio. The role includes approximately 20% administrative leadership, a minimum of 15% clinical service and up to 65% research effort. This position reports to David Axelson, MD, Chief of DPBH, with matrixed accountability to the Chief Clinical Research Officer (CCRO) and close collaboration with the Abigail Wexner Research Institute (AWRI) and the Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health Research (IMBHR) leadership.

Key leadership activities include:
• Mentoring faculty in research design, grant writing, publications and academic career development.
• Serving as the primary liaison between DPBH, AWRI and IMBHR leadership to align resources and strategic initiatives.
• Leading the department’s clinical scholar program, including recruitment, mentoring and budget oversight.
• Supporting research infrastructure by supervising staff, guiding IRB submissions and connecting faculty to institutional resources.

Clinical & research expectations include:
• Provide direct patient care within Nationwide Children’s Behavioral Health services to remain connected to patient and provider needs.
• Offer case consultation in specialty areas.
• Lead or collaborate on research studies as principal investigator or co-investigator, advancing the department’s academic mission.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital, named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2024–25 “Best Children’s Hospitals,” is one of America’s largest not-for-profit, freestanding pediatric health care systems. A leader in pediatric population health, behavioral health, genomics and health equity, Nationwide Children’s combines integrated clinical and research programs with a strong focus on quality and safety to deliver the best outcomes for children. As home to the Department of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, it trains the next generation of pediatricians and specialists. The Abigail Wexner
Research Institute is among the nation’s top 10 NIH-funded freestanding pediatric research centers. Learn more at NationwideChildrens.org.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a national leader in pediatric behavioral health. It is anchored by the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion, the largest treatment and research facility of its kind on a pediatric medical campus in the United States, built in response to the urgent demand for more child and adolescent mental health services. The nine-story Pavilion also houses the Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health Research, which focuses on conducting innovative research focused on etiology, prevention and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. With a dedicated team of more than 1,300 behavioral 
health professionals, Nationwide Children’s delivers a full continuum of care from prevention and early intervention to outpatient therapy, crisis stabilization and inpatient psychiatric services. In 2024 alone, Nationwide Children’s Behavioral Health served over 46,000 unique patients. 

Columbus, Ohio’s capital, is the second-largest city in the Midwest and the 14th most populous in the U.S. Known for its educated workforce and diverse, welcoming community, Columbus embodies the “Columbus Way”—a culture of ambition, inclusivity and collaboration. Consistently ranked among the best cities for young professionals and new graduates, it offers thriving arts and culture, professional sports in every season and a strong business climate. With affordable living, a growing housing market and abundant parks and
attractions, Columbus is a vibrant place to live, work and explore.

If you or any of your colleagues are interested in applying or discussing this opportunity, please contact:

Mary A. Fristad, PHD, ABPP

Director, Academic Affairs and Research Development
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Mary.Fristad@NationwideChildrens.org

You should also feel free to contact: 

Joshua Ebling

Psychiatry Practice Plan Administrator

Joshua.Ebling@nationwidechildrens.org

About Nationwide Children's Hospital

Nationwide Children’s Behavioral Health Services is one of the largest pediatric behavioral health service lines in the United States. It fosters a multidisciplinary, team-based approach to mental health care that integrates psychiatry, psychology, community mental health, and related developmental pediatric behavioral health services at Nationwide Children’s and the Ohio State University. Outpatient psychiatric services have comprehensive nursing support.

Connections working at Nationwide Children's Hospital