UC Davis Children’s Hospital names new surgeon-in-chief

Accomplished academic pediatric surgeon Kathleen van Leeuwen has been appointed surgeon-in-chief of UC Davis Children's Hospital.

Van Leeuwen was previously associate surgeon-in-chief at Phoenix Children's, where she helped expand and opena stand-alone affiliate hospital in 2024.

As a senior physician leader, van Leeuwen will partner with the chairs of surgery, children's surgical section leaders, the pediatrician-in-chief and health system leadership to help provide strategic guidance for all children's surgical services across UC Davis Health. She is tasked with advancing an already high-performing surgical enterprise while aligning the missions of excellent clinical care, research, education, innovation and community engagement.

"Dr. van Leeuwen has a proven record of positive interactions with hospital systems and community partners," said Diana Farmer, chair of the UC Davis Department of Surgery, distinguished professor and Pearl Stamps Stewart Chair. Farmer previously served as surgeon-in-chief and now holds the position of surgeon-in-chief emeritus.

"An exceptional technical pediatric surgeon, Dr. van Leeuwen's academic interests are in shared decision making for complex congenital conditions and she has helped build programs that provide care across the lifespan," Farmer added.

Van Leeuwen has also been appointed professor of surgery.

She will represent children's surgical services on the Medical Staff Executive Committee, the Council of Chairs and Center Directors, the Credentials and Privileges Committee and the Surgical Services Steering Committee, among other groups.