Derek R. Linklater, MD, MEd

Dr. Derek Linklater is Chief of Pediatrics at Texas Children’s Hospital Austin and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and Healthcare Administration, Leadership, and Management. His professional interests span physician leadership, health care operations, medical education, clinical informatics, data science, and artificial intelligence. His current work focuses on using data, technology, and systems engineering to improve health care delivery and designing clinical systems that improve care for patients while supporting the clinicians who provide it.

As Chief of Pediatrics, Dr. Linklater provides physician leadership across pediatric services at Texas Children’s Hospital Austin and works with clinical and administrative leaders throughout Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine to develop and improve pediatric programs, clinical operations, quality, and patient care.

Dr. Linklater serves on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Emergency Medicine and is the principal editor for ABEM’s Healthcare Administration, Leadership, and Management certification examination. His national work in physician certification has also included service as an oral examiner, examination item writer, and case developer.

Before joining Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Linklater served for more than two decades in the United States Army. His military career included service as an emergency physician, physician executive, and ACGME Designated Institutional Official (DIO), as well as combat service in Iraq. He retired from the Army at the rank of Colonel.

Personal Statement

I believe excellent health care begins with listening to patients and families and understanding what matters to them. My goal as a physician is to combine that understanding with the best available evidence to provide thoughtful, individualized care.

As a physician leader, I bring the same approach to health care systems. Good decisions require evidence, transparency, collaboration, and a willingness to question assumptions. My goal is to build systems that make it easier for clinicians to provide outstanding care, and for patients and families to receive it.

Clinical Interests

Pediatric emergency medicine, health care administration and physician leadership, clinical operations, clinical informatics and data science, artificial intelligence in health care, medical education, procedural sedation, and observation medicine

Education

Honors and awards

1999

Alpha Omega Alpha

* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.

Carr, PE, Linklater, DR. A 7-Month-Old with a Tongue Lesion. Journal of Pediatrics, May 2022, 244:241-242. PMID: 34971653

Gray, J, Linklater DR, Johnston, J, Donham, B. Pediatric Trauma: Management from an Austere Prospective. Journal of Special Operations Medicine, Spring 2017; 17(1):46-53. PMID: 28285480

Borden, N. and Linklater DR. Hickam’s Dictum. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2013 Mar; 14(2):164. PMID: 23599861

Matzek, B, and Linklater DR. Traumatic Testicular Dislocation After Minor Trauma in a Pediatric Patient. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2013 Oct; 45(4):537-40. PMID 23899815.

Buzzard A, and Linklater DR. Pediatric Retinal Detachment Due to Coats’ Disease Diagnosed with Bedside Emergency Department Ultrasound. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2009 Nov; 37(4):390 -2. PMID: 18226872

Linklater DR, Shook JE. Infected urachal cyst. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2007 Aug; 50(2):199, 210. PMID: 17643855

Coon TP, and Linklater DR. Submandibular Cellulitis: A Late Presentation of Group B Streptococcus Infection. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2005 Aug; 46(2):202, 211. PMID: 16046955