F. Sessions Cole, MD

F. Sessions Cole, M.D., the Park White, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, is internationally recognized as an extraordinary clinician, teacher and advocate for children.

Cole earned his medical degree from Yale in 1973 and served his internship and residency at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School and the U.S. Public Health Service. After a fellowship in neonatology at Harvard, he joined the faculty in 1980. He was recruited to Washington University in 1986 as an associate professor and director of the Division of Newborn Medicine. In that role, he revamped newborn medicine at the Medical Center. He became a professor in 1989 and seven years later was named vice chairman of the department.

Since arriving at Washington University, Cole has worked to dramatically improve the quality and quantity of newborn medicine services available in the region, bringing this service to national prominence. In this environment of clinical excellence, Cole provides outstanding teaching to students, residents and fellows; more than 2,000 medical students and 500 residents have directly benefitted from his mentorship.

Cole has also demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to advocating for children’s health. He was instrumental in establishing two community-based medical student outreach programs dedicated to improving AIDS awareness and enhancing prenatal care. These programs fill a critical gap in community education while providing unique learning experiences for medical students.

Cole has led the Missouri March of Dimes’ effort to reduce premature delivery and reduce neural tube defects. He also has championed improved access for Missouri children to Medicaid and dental services.

Cole has received many honors, including Washington University School of Medicine clinical teaching awards and the FDR Leadership Award from the March of Dimes. His research has appeared in numerous medical journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Pediatrics.