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Children's National Names Darryl Varnado as Chief People Officer

Washington, DC—Darryl Varnado has been named Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer for Children’s National Medical Center, effective August 27. This is a newly created position developed by Kurt Newman, MD, President and CEO. Responsibilities of the Chief People Officer will include empowering a talented workforce to advance the organization and provide the highest quality care to patients and families.

“We are pleased that Darryl is joining us as we continue to think bigger and differently about how we care for kids,” said Dr. Newman. “He is a true champion of the value that employees bring to any organization, and I’m confident he will lead our employees through the cultural transformation underway here at Children’s National as we grow a best-in-class workforce. We have to take care of our employees in order to take care of our patients. It’s all about people relating to people, and that’s where Darryl comes in.”

Added Varnado: “I am thrilled to be joining Children’s National at such an important time in its growth and development as a world-class academic medical center. I plan to focus on leadership and talent development to foster full employee engagement as we deliver the best care for kids.”  

Varnado is originally from Hammond, Louisiana. He comes to Children’s National most recently from the University of Colorado Hospital, where he served for the past five years as Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. In that capacity, he led the human resources department to national recognition for supporting and developing a highly accomplished workforce and developing programs that advance quality outcomes for patients. Varnado also has extensive human resource experience with a variety of large national and international service-minded organizations, including U.S. Airways, Coca Cola, and the Nature Conservancy. He earned his master’s degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations and his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Colorado.

Contact: Emily Dammeyer or Emily Hartman, Public Relations: 202.476.4500.

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