Phoenix Children's has named Wassim Ballan, MD, as its chief of the newly created division of infectious diseases.
The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the need for infectious disease research at the hospital, according to a Nov. 1 press release.
The team, led by Dr. Ballan, will also include Scott Ostdiek, MD; Matthew Smith, MD; and Julia Piwoz, MD.
Dr. Ballan will research antibiotics, drug-resistant bacteria and emerging infections.
"Our team of pediatric infectious diseases specialists has provided care for patients at Phoenix Children's for more than a decade, and we are honored to officially join the Phoenix Children's Medical Group," Dr. Ballan said in the release. "I look forward to growing our clinical team and expanding the care we provide for children with infections, allowing the infectious diseases division to serve a larger number of patients."