Shefali Mahesh, MD, pediatrician in chief
Akron Children’s has appointed three physicians to new leadership roles that report to Akron Children’s president and CEO Chris Gessner.
Shefali Mahesh, MD, serves as pediatrician in chief. She is responsible for the overall performance and effectiveness of Akron Children’s pediatric medical subspecialty and primary care physicians and related services. She also oversees marketing and communications in her new role. Dr. Mahesh continues to serve as the Dr. Noah Miller Endowed Chair of Pediatrics at Akron Children’s and chair of pediatrics at Northeast Ohio Medical University.
Dr. Mahesh joined Akron Children’s as a pediatric nephrologist in 2008. She previously served as director of pediatric nephrology and dialysis, and president of the medical staff.
Todd Ritzman, MD, FAAOS, FAOA, surgeon in chief
Todd Ritzman, MD, FAAOS, FAOA, serves as the surgeon in chief. He is responsible for the overall performance and effectiveness of Akron Children’s surgeons and surgical advanced practice providers. He most recently served as chair of orthopedics at Akron Children’s and has a special interest in spinal deformity research, education, and innovation. His focus on quality and innovation in standardized patient care has led to marked improvement in outcomes, while reducing costs, and length of stay for spinal fusion patients. Additionally, he is a clinical assistant professor in orthopedic surgery at Northeast Ohio Medical University.
Tarun Bhalla, MD, MBA, FAAP, chief clinical officer
Tarun Bhalla, MD, MBA, FAAP, serves as the chief clinical officer. He is responsible for the performance and effectiveness of the physicians and advanced practice providers in neonatal and perinatal medicine; psychiatry and behavioral health; radiology; pathology and laboratory medicine; and anesthesia and pain medicine. In addition, he oversees the chief quality officer, the medical staff office, medical directors of transport, and the Mahoning Valley region. He continues to serve as chair of anesthesia and pain medicine.
Dr. Bhalla has contributed to hundreds of publications, journals, book chapters and presentations in anesthesia and pain medicine. He is actively involved in quality improvement research and academia, including the development of clinical and educational curriculum and content for national societies. Dr. Bhalla is also a professor of anesthesiology and surgery at Northeast Ohio Medical University.
“We are fortunate to have such strong physician leaders within our ranks,” said Gessner. “Dr. Mahesh, Dr. Ritzman and Dr. Bhalla are respected leaders and clinicians at Akron Children’s and bring insight and passion to their new roles. As we strive to be the most trusted, inclusive, and accessible pediatric health system in the communities we serve, it is critical to have practicing physicians actively participating in making important decisions for the organization.”
