Dr. Robert McGregor was appointed the first chief medical officer at Akron (Ohio) Children's Hospital. He started Jan. 14.

Previously, McGregor, 57, was the pediatrician-in-chief and interim pediatrics chair at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia and a pediatrics professor at the Drexel University College of Medicine.

“As our integrated pediatric health system continues to grow, our board of directors, medical staff leadership and management recognized the need for a full-time CMO with a seasoned knowledge of physician practices, regional partnerships and population health initiatives,” Bill Considine, Akron Children's president and CEO, said in a news release.

As CMO, McGregor will have a seat on the board, and his CMO responsibilities will include: implementing the hospital's strategic plan; overseeing patient safety, quality and clinical-improvement initiatives; directing medical education; and playing a key role in recruitment and retention of physicians, according to the release.

Last year, the 372-bed institution named Dr. Amy Maneker as its first chief medical information officer. It also announced a $200 million capital-improvement plan that includes a critical-care tower with surgical suites, a neonatal intensive-care unit and an emergency department—as well as a new parking deck to accommodate the growth.