Elizabeth Wells, MD, MSH, named chief clinical officer and physician-in-chief for Children’s National Hospital

Elizabeth Ann Molloy Wells, MD, MHS, has been appointed to the role of chief clinical officer and physician-in-chief for Children’s National Hospital, effective Dec. 7, 2025.

Dr. Wells brings deep clinical expertise and a longstanding commitment to advancing care for children and families. In her current role as senior vice president of the Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine Center, Dr. Wells has grown programmatic and research impact across quality and safety, multidisciplinary destination programs and patient experience across the care continuum, making her uniquely prepared for this new opportunity.

“Dr. Wells is a highly-respected member of our medical staff and an accomplished leader known for fostering positive culture,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, MHA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Children’s National. “She brings the vision, steadiness and compassion needed to guide our teams through an evolving healthcare landscape."

Dr. Wells led transformation in Children’s National Inpatient Neurology and built the Neuroimmunology clinical research program, advancing national and international collaborations in that emerging field. She has held leadership roles in our clinical research administration and was president of the Children’s National Medical Staff from 2020-2021 and credentials chair from 2022-2023.

“I am honored to step into this role at a time of tremendous growth and innovation,” said Dr. Wells. “It is a privilege to work alongside such dedicated clinicians, nurses and staff who put children and families at the center of everything we do. I look forward to continuing our work together to advance exceptional pediatric care globally and for children across our region.”

She completed her pediatrics and neurology training at Children’s National and has served as a pediatric neurologist within the Brain Tumor Institute and the Division of Neurology, rising to the rank of professor in Pediatrics, Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine.

She serves on the board for the Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, is past president of the Washington Clinico-Pathological Society and a graduate of Leadership Greater Washington's 2022 Signature Class. 

Dr. Wells will succeed David Wessel, MD, who will retire at the end of the year after an extraordinary 20 years at Children’s National.