Matthew Halanski, M.D. New Division Chief at Phoenix Children’s

Matthew Halanski, M.D., a veteran surgeon-scientist, has been named Division Chief of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Phoenix Children’s in Arizona.

Over the last 20+ years, Dr. Halanski has served as a leader, most recently as professor of orthopedics and vice chair of orthopedics research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and division chief of Pediatric Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha.

“It’s hard to express how much Dr. Halanski’s appointment will mean to our health system and the families we serve,” said Daniel J. Ostlie, M.D., surgeon in chief and chair of surgery at Phoenix Children’s. “Not only is he a renowned orthopedic surgeon and mentor to young developing clinicians, but he brings decades of experience in human development research to Phoenix Children’s. His clinical and research experience is exactly what we need as we expand our world-class pediatric care to new sites of service and broaden our research capabilities.”

Dr. Halanski, who holds three patents and has earned multiple R21 grants from the National Institutes of Health, will lead the Herbert J. Louis Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Phoenix Children’s. His work focuses on translational medicine, covering bone growth and deformity correction, improved cast immobilization, the prediction and treatment of recurrent clubfoot deformities, minimizing blood loss during spinal surgery, and improving the quality of life for children with neurologic and neuromuscular conditions.

Dr. Halanski has held academic appointments at Michigan State University in both Surgery and Pediatrics & Human Development. Dr. Halanski also served as director of pediatric orthopedic research and held the position of associate professor with tenure of orthopedics and rehabilitation at University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has won multiple accolades including the prestigious European Traveling Fellowship by the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America and the European Pediatric Orthopedic Society.

After obtaining his M.D. at Wayne State University, Dr. Halanski headed to the University of Wisconsin for an orthopedic residency. He then moved to Auckland, New Zealand, for a fellowship in pediatric orthopedic surgery and spinal deformity at Starship Children’s Health.

Dr. Halanski told OTW, “My first steps will be to meet with as many people as possible here at Phoenix Children’s—both inside the division of orthopedics and sports medicine, as well as colleagues in other clinical areas. I want to learn as much as I can about my division’s culture, our strengths, accomplishments, and current opportunities. Then, I will work with my team of providers to set a plan in place that allows for further optimization of current resources and secures the necessary support for our anticipated geographic, clinical, and academic expansion.

Asked what prior experience has best prepared him for this position, he noted, “Several roles have prepared me for my current role. My simultaneous role as division chief at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha and vice chair of orthopedic research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, provided valuable insight into the administrative challenges of guiding groups through growth and change. These prior experiences have changed me and will benefit my division and Phoenix Children’s. My role revamping the resident research experience while at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will also be extremely useful as we create an expanded pediatric orthopedic research collaborative throughout the Valley to harness the strengths of all our academic partners, allowing Phoenix Children’s to become a leading center of translation and innovative pediatric orthopedic research.”