Dr. Elizabeth Alpern Appointed Founders’ Board Centennial Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Lurie Children’s

Elizabeth Alpern, MD, MSCE, has been appointed the Founders’ Board Centennial Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She has served as Interim Chair since September 1, 2026.

Dr. Alpern is an internationally recognized pediatric emergency medicine physician and clinical epidemiologist whose research has focused on improving the quality and equity of emergency care for children.

Since joining Lurie Children’s in 2013, Dr. Alpern has held a succession of leadership roles across the Department of Pediatrics, including Executive Vice Chair, Head of the Division of Emergency Medicine and Associate Chair for Faculty Development. She currently holds the George M. Eisenberg Professorship in Pediatrics.

“Dr. Alpern brings deep experience, strong relationships and a clear commitment to advancing our clinical, academic, research and educational missions,” said Thomas Shanley, MD, President & CEO of Lurie Children’s. “As Chair, she will help shape the department’s next chapter by advancing exceptional care for children and families, developing the next generation of pediatric leaders and accelerating discovery that improves children’s health.”

Dr. Alpern completed her medical degree at the University of Michigan Medical School and her Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her pediatric and pediatric emergency medicine training at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

She has authored more than 190 peer-reviewed publications, has received research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and was a member of the Pediatric Sepsis Definition Task Force that developed the internationally recognized Phoenix Sepsis Criteria.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a nonprofit organization committed to providing access to exceptional care for every child. It is the only independent, research-driven children’s hospital in Illinois and one of less than 35 nationally. This is where the top doctors go to train, practice pediatric medicine, teach, advocate, research and stay up to date on the latest treatments. Exclusively focused on children, all Lurie Children’s resources are devoted to serving their needs. Research at Lurie Children’s is conducted through Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, which is focused on improving child health, transforming pediatric medicine and ensuring healthier futures through the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Lurie Children’s is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. It is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.