USA Health names new chair of pediatrics

By Casandra Andrews
candrews@health.southalabama.edu

Gul H. Dadlani, M.D., a leader in pediatric cardiology and an advocate for health pre-screenings for young athletes, has been named chair of the Department of Pediatrics at USA Health and a professor in the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama.

Since 2015, Dadlani has served as the vice chair of the Cardiac Center and chief of pediatric cardiology at Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, Fla. From 2008 to 2015, he served as the chief of pediatric cardiology at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Dadlani will succeed David Gremse, M.D., who announced last year his intention to step down as chair of pediatrics at USA Health after serving in that role since 2012. Dadlani will officially join USA Health in January 2024.

“During a national search, Dr. Dadlani stood out for his passion to train and mentor healthcare providers and his approach to continuously expanding access to healthcare for children in our community,” said John V. Marymont, M.D., M.B.A., vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Dadlani has won numerous teaching awards in pediatrics and mentored pediatric residents into careers in general pediatrics and other subspecialties.

“Training the next generation of pediatric learners is an honor and privilege,” Dadlani said. “Our goal is to continue to build upon a positive academic culture for pediatric learners at all levels, including physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and allied health professionals at USA Health that allows them to achieve the foundations for successful careers in pediatrics.”

Since 2017, Dadlani has served on the Pediatric Cardiac Technical Advisory Panel for the Agency for Health Care Administration for the State of Florida. From 2018 until 2020, he was a board member and president of the American Heart Association in Orlando.

Dadlani grew up in western New York and earned undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Buffalo. He completed his pediatric residency at Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo, and then a fellowship in pediatric cardiology at the University of Rochester/Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester, NY.

“His work at the community level on the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes is impressive,” said Owen Bailey, MSHA, FACHE, chief executive officer and senior associate vice president for medical affairs of USA Health. “Besides his duties as an academic physician, Dr. Dadlani has taken on advocacy roles in the cities where he’s lived, bringing CPR education and awareness to thousands of students and educators, among other initiatives.”