Wittkamp Appointed As New Southern Colorado Executive Faculty Director

The Department of Pediatrics is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Wittkamp, MD, FAAP, (associate professor, Section of Critical Care Medicine) as the new Southern Colorado Executive Faculty Director, effective July 1, 2025. Wittkamp will succeed Christine Waasdorp-Hurtado, MD, MSc, who has served in this role for the past three years. His contributions as associate executive director for faculty under Waasdorp-Hurtado’s leadership have been invaluable.

The southern Colorado faculty executive director role is vital for guiding strategy and program development in Colorado Springs. With a proven track record in leadership, Michael is well-prepared to continue current initiatives and explore new opportunities.

Wittkamp earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine, where he also completed his categorical pediatric residency and pediatric critical care medicine fellowship. Prior to his career in academic medicine, he served as a general pediatrician for the Indian Health Service on the Navajo Nation. Following his training at Emory, Wittkamp joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine where he served as both the pediatric intensive care unit medical director and as the pediatric critical care medicine section head. After spending six years at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, he joined the University of Colorado School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics in 2019 as an associate professor in the Section of Critical Care Medicine, focusing on the pediatric intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs.

Wittkamp is committed to fostering a resilient culture and supporting our dedicated faculty. His vision aligns with our strategic goals, and he is eager to contribute to the ongoing growth and success of our community. He recognizes the importance of listening to faculty needs and is dedicated to identifying solutions within our department and healthcare system's expanding framework. Wittkamp is fully committed to promoting critical listening, collaboration and clarity of vision.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Waasdorp-Hurtado for her exceptional leadership over the past three years as the southern Colorado executive faculty director. We are grateful for her vision, expertise and remarkable service and impact on our community, and we look forward to her continued contributions. 

We extend our gratitude to the search committee, co-chaired by Ryan Grip (manager of business operations) and Chris Newman, PA-C (vice chair for clinical performance).

Please join me in congratulating and supporting Michael Wittkamp as he embarks on this new chapter as the Southern Colorado Executive Faculty Director.