UTHealth Houston

The Department of Anesthesiology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston is seeking an accomplished physician to serve as Director of Fetal Anesthesia. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of fetal anesthesia in one of the nation’s busiest fetal centers, advancing both clinical care and academic discovery.

The Director will lead the specialized fetal anesthesia service of the Fetal Center at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital (CMHH), under the leadership of the Division Chief of Obstetric Anesthesia, working in close collaboration with the Fetal Center’s Co-Directors, the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the Chief of Pediatric Anesthesia, and CMHH administration. This highly specialized role integrates direct clinical care with leadership in program development, research, and education.

Position Key Accountabilities:

       ·            Clinical Practice and Leadership

o    Provide anesthesia services for parturients as part of a combined obstetric and fetal anesthesia practice, including complex fetal procedures.

o    Lead the fetal anesthesia team (“Fetal Pod”), optimizing workflows, staffing models, and protocols, ensuring the highest standards of safety and outcomes.

o    Foster strong physician–care team–patient relationships and multidisciplinary collaboration with surgeons, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, and nursing staff.

·         Academic Development

o    Build a robust academic program focused on clinical and translational research in fetal anesthesia.

o    Support faculty scholarship by collaborating with the Vice Chairs of Research and Clinical Research.

o    Partner with residency and fellowship Program Directors to ensure exceptional educational experiences, including dedicated fetal anesthesia rotations.

o    Build the foundations for a fetal anesthesia fellowship.

·         Collaboration & Engagement

o    Actively participate in multidisciplinary case conferences, huddles, and morbidity & mortality reviews.

o    Contribute to preoperative evaluation, perioperative planning, and family-centered care discussions.

o    Serve as a visible leader, engaging trainees, faculty, and hospital leadership in advancing the mission of the Fetal Center.

       ·         Administration & Operations

o    Partner with departmental leadership to align fetal anesthesia services with institutional goals.

o    Assist with recruitment, retention, and development of faculty and providers within the fetal anesthesia service.

o    Collaborate with the Vice Chair of Finance and Operations to enhance practice efficiency and sustainability.

o    Ensure accurate scheduling, communication, and adherence to best practice standards.

Required Qualifications:

·         Medical degree (MD or DO).

·         Board certification in Anesthesiology.

·         Completion of an Obstetric Anesthesia fellowship with significant fetal anesthesia training.

·         Strong clinical expertise in anesthesia for complex fetal cases.

·         Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to lead in a multidisciplinary environment.

·         Evidence of academic productivity and commitment to advancing the field of fetal anesthesia.

Preferred Qualifications:

·         Dual fellowship training in Pediatric Anesthesia.

·         Prior experience in a specialized fetal anesthesia program or setting.

·         Prior leadership experience.

·         Academic title or experience commensurate with Associate Professor or Professor.

Benefits and Opportunities:

·         Competitive salary with additional compensation for overnight and weekend call coverage.

·         Comprehensive benefits package, including retirement plan and medical coverage, as well as optional dental, vision, and disability coverage.

·         Paid time off and holidays.

·         Professional development and continuing education support.

·         Opportunity to lead a nationally recognized and rapidly growing program—UTHealth Houston now ranks #4 in the U.S. for annual fetal surgeries performed.

·         Work in Houston, one of the largest medical hubs in the country, offering unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

Application Process:

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The search committee, chaired by Dr. Barbara Orlando, will review all submissions and recommend top candidates to the Department Chair.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to submissions received by December 31, 2026.

For inquiries, please contact:
Barbara Orlando, MD
Chief of Obstetric Anesthesiology
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

barbara.orlando@uth.tmc.edu