Dr. Raymond Watts Announced Retirement
>Dr. Raymond Watts, Department Head for Pediatrics, recently announced his plans to retire later this year.
In a statement sent to faculty to staff, Dr. Watts said, “The reasons for my retirement are very simple. I think after 40 years practicing academic pediatrics, the time is right for me to step away and focus on all the things I still want to do, away from work, while my health and energy remain strong. In addition, I believe the department is strong with many accomplished leaders (Vice Chairs and Section Heads) who are well-prepared for the transition.”
“We were very fortunate to recruit him to serve as Professor and Head in the Department of Pediatrics, and as holder of the William H. Stewart Chair in Pediatrics in 2015. The department and the school have certainly benefitted from his presence as Department Head for the past six years. We tried to convince him to continue on in his role of department head, but ultimately we respect his decision and congratulate him on a wonderful career,” said Interim Dean Dr. Richard DiCarlo.
As Department Head, Dr. Watts oversaw tremendous change and transition in the Department of Pediatrics. Nearly half of the current faculty in pediatrics were recruited during his tenure. Clinical programs and services have expanded and quality of care at Children's Hospital has been continuously emphasized. Children's Hospital now leads the nation in several measures of patient quality and safety and the hospital is now the go-to place for pediatric subspecialty care in the region.
The department has also been recognized for excellence in education, as evidenced by voted the best clinical department by the medical students, and having numerous faculty who are recognized as outstanding teachers. Student interest in pediatrics has grown during his tenure as Department Head.
Dr. Watts has been a tireless advocate for his faculty and has focused on improving diversity and equity in the department, improving faculty well-being, and expanding faculty interest in scholarship. Pediatric Department faculty are recognized leaders both at the Medical School and Children's Hospital. A focus on community advocacy is an enduring legacy of the LSU Department of Pediatrics under his leadership. He has been instrumental in paving our relationship with the administration of Children's Hospital New Orleans and LCMC.
Prior to coming to the LSU School of Medicine, Dr. Watts obtained his MD from LSU Shreveport, where he was elected to AOA, and completed his pediatrics residency at University of Arkansas. After residency he spent four years in the Air Force Medical Corps and as a Clinical Assistant Professor at University of North Dakota. After his military service, Dr. Watts completed a fellowship in Hematology-Oncology at UAB and then joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor in 1991. He remained on the faculty at UAB until 2015, advancing to Professor with Tenure and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology in 2008. At UAB, Dr. Watts was recognized as an outstanding clinician, a gifted educator and an excellent researcher. He was funded by the NIH, CDC, private foundations and industry throughout his career at UAB.
Dr. DiCarlo added, “Ray has been a trusted colleague and I will greatly miss working
with him. In the coming weeks, Dr. Taylor and I will establish a search committee
and we begin to advertise for the next Pediatrics Department Head.”