Our Bureau
St. Louis, MO
Madhusmita Misra, a prominent pediatric endocrinologist and physician-scientist, has been appointed chair of the Edward Mallinckrodt Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She will also serve as pediatrician-in-chief at BJC HealthCare’s St. Louis Children’s Hospital, beginning January 4, 2027.
Misra joins the institution from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where she holds the position of Benjamin Armistead Shepherd Chair of Pediatrics and leads pediatric services at UVA Health Children’s Hospital. Her appointment brings extensive experience in clinical leadership, medical research and physician education to the university.
Her research focuses on how hormonal and nutritional changes influence bone density, metabolism and brain function in children, adolescents and young adults. She has made significant contributions to understanding bone loss associated with anorexia nervosa and exercise-induced amenorrhea, a condition in which menstruation stops because of intense physical activity combined with inadequate nutritional intake.
Misra’s research has received continuous support from the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies since 2000. Her findings have helped inform treatment approaches for young women experiencing low bone density because of prolonged energy deficiency.
Earlier in her career, Misra worked at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she led initiatives to expand regional clinics, strengthen pediatric diabetes services and establish specialized teams for children with rare genetic conditions. She has also prioritized medical education, expanding residency and fellowship training at Virginia and developing mentoring programmes for emerging researchers and physicians.
Throughout her career, she has mentored more than 70 students, residents and fellows. Her professional recognition includes awards for clinical research, scientific achievement and mentorship.
Misra earned her medical degree from S.C.B. Medical College at Utkal University in India and a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University. She subsequently completed pediatric residency training in Brooklyn, New York, and a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Massachusetts General Hospital.
She will succeed Mark Lowe, who has served as interim chair since April 2026. Misra has expressed her commitment to advancing research, strengthening clinical care and keeping children and their families at the centre of pediatric medicine.